Cost of education explained
By Lori Porter
porter@theacorn.com

Anyone who’s ever researched college funding for their children would probably agree that there should be a course just on this subject alone. Many feel overwhelmed when it comes to working with financial aid advisors.

Understanding the system and its secrets isn’t easy.

That’s where Linda Taylor comes in. Taylor is president and principal advisor of College Funding Associates (CFA), Inc. in Agoura Hills. CFA has a team of professionals who are dedicated to helping families understand the secrets of paying for college and how tax laws are a factor.

CFA teaches that everyone—no matter their financial situation—can learn the right way to pay for college. Additionally, the CFA specialists help the self-employed, or families who own small corporations or even grandparents help pay for college.

Some parents, Taylor said, want to know why an excellent student with a high GPA often gets rejected from the school of their choice. "That student’s profile was not at the top of their (the university’s) shopping list," Taylor said.

A university’s shopping list normally includes all applicants with the highest GPAs at the top. But GPAs aren’t the only consideration. Every year universities around the country decide what they want their school to look like to the outside world, according to Taylor. They vote on an image and decide who’s "on the bubble."

"It is all about social engineering," Taylor said. "They actually look at things such as ZIP codes in areas like Compton." Then they begin pulling from their list, starting at the top and going through it, skipping applicants with ZIP codes from affluent areas—no matter what that student’s GPA.

Schools with the greatest number of applicants have the best chance for getting everything on their list.

An option many parents and students overlook is the money they can save by taking all general education classes at a local community college. The savings is substantial and all four-year universities set the same requirements for general education courses. To earn a bachelor’s degree, a student must complete about 120 units. The first 60 units fall into the general education category.

Taylor, a certified college planner, is a storehouse of information for parents seeking assistance in paying for their child’s education. She has a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Pepperdine University. Taylor has more than 30 years experience in the areas of college selection and funding.

In addition to the seminars, Taylor has published a book titled "The Secrets of College Funding: How To Send Your Child To College Without Going Broke in the Process." The first chapter introduces the 10 deadliest mistakes parents make when choosing a college.

For information on seminars or to contact Taylor and her associates visit www.collegefundingassoc.com.