GENERAL INFORMATION

Our Mission

The College Planning Network (TCPN) provides an easy way for parents and their college bound students to connect and interact with the largest network of college planning experts. Our mission is to help busy people make smart choices about the most important decision of their life: a college education

The Reason The College Planning Network Was Established

Welcome, and thank you for visiting The College Planning Network. I would like to share with you how this company came to be-my very personal and professional reasons that led to this vision.

I am a father and a step-father to six children ranging in ages from 18-24. That's right, six young adults all within the traditional college age! After raising that many children to value the importance of a college education, I knew how critical it was for each of them to select (and be selected by) the right school. And by "the right school," I don't just mean the most competitive or prestigious school-I mean the school that is the best fit for them, where they would thrive both socially and academically, have their intellectual curiosity constantly stimulated, and stay motivated to complete their education. I have this first-hand college planning experience six times over, and I understand just how confusing, challenging, and emotionally exhausting the planning experience can be on the student and the entire family.

Professionally, I have worked in the student loan industry for more than 30 years and have heard countless stories like mine from frustrated and stressed parents. All too often they are faced with conflicting emotions-pride at learning that their child has been accepted into their first choice school, and terror at the thought of having to pay for it. Some parents' anxiety comes from a desire to help their children achieve their college admissions dreams. They ask, "How can I help my child who has worked so hard, to stand out from a daunting pool of talented applicants in this competitive admissions environment?" I can relate to all of these concerns.

I spent the past few years researching the college planning resources that are available for young adults and their families. I found that high school guidance counselors can be a great resource, but their time is very limited and they are spread too thin. So, parents have naturally turned to private options for advice-college planning experts. And it sure makes sense! You would seek a real estate agent if you were buying a home in a new neighborhood and you probably employ an accountant to do your taxes. You plan for retirement, consider investments, purchase insurance, and plan for your estate, all with the help of qualified professionals. Many folks even hire an expert to plan their wedding! So, it only stands to reason that you would want to hire a college planning professional, especially when you consider that the investment in a college education could easily top $100,000.

There are thousands of qualified and experienced coaches, consultants, and advisors on the Internet specializing in college preparation and planning services. But these professionals and the information about their various specialties are scattered over thousands of websites, and who really has the time or patience to do all of that Googling? I spent endless hours surfing the Internet looking at one college planning website after another. And what I discovered over time was that the availability of resources was not an issue; deciding how to select the advisor, coach, or college planning consultant that would best meet our family's professional and financial needs was the critical piece. How do I compare and contrast the services of one professional to the next? Is this person reputable? Can they deliver? Do they have references? What services do they offer and will it be worth the cost?

And so I had that "a-ha" moment! There had to be a way to search for a college planning professional on just one website. If it didn't exist, I would create it. And so I did. My hope is that The College Planning Network provides a convenient way for parents and their college bound students to connect and interact with the largest network of college planning experts in this country. I've established common parameters that a professional can use to display their services, allowing you to interview, verify, and select the individual that will best meet your needs. My personal goal and passion is to help you make smart choices about one of the most important decisions of your child's life-their college education.

Good Luck and I wish you success in your search for the right College Planning Expert!