College Bound Strategies
The practical, plain-English guide that helps families understand every option for funding life after high school — whether that’s a four-year university, a skilled trade, military service, or going into business for yourself.
Written for Every Family at the Crossroads
Most families spend more time planning a vacation than they spend planning how to pay for life after high school. They assume the financial aid process will sort itself out, that their student will figure it out, or that college is the only real option worth considering. College Bound Strategies was written for every family who deserves better than that — a clear, honest guide to every path available and how to fund it.
Parents of High School Students
You want the best for your student, but the financial aid process feels like a maze designed to confuse you. This book breaks down exactly how the system works, what questions to ask, and how to position your family to get the most out of it — before the deadlines hit.
Students Planning Their Next Step
You’re being told to pick a path before you fully understand your options. This book lays out every legitimate route — with the real costs, the real funding sources, and an honest look at what each path leads to — so you can make a decision you’re actually confident in.
Counselors & Educators
You work with dozens of students and families who need clear, unbiased guidance on post-secondary options and how to pay for them. College Bound Strategies is a resource you can put directly in their hands — practical, readable, and free of the jargon that leaves most families more confused than when they started.
Families Considering Alternatives to College
A four-year degree isn’t the only path to a great career and financial stability — and this book makes that case clearly. Whether you’re looking at skilled trades, apprenticeships, the military, or entrepreneurship, you’ll find practical guidance on how to pursue those paths and how to fund them.
First-Generation Students
When nobody in your family has been through the college or financial aid process before, you’re navigating blind. This book levels the playing field — giving first-generation students and their families the same information and strategies that better-connected families have always had access to.
Anyone Who Missed the Guidance the First Time
Maybe you took on more student debt than you should have. Maybe you didn’t know about scholarships until it was too late. This book isn’t just for families looking forward — it’s for anyone who wants to understand how the system works so they can make smarter decisions going forward, for themselves or for someone they care about.
What You'll Learn
Most families enter the financial aid process without a strategy — and that costs them. College Bound Strategies changes that. You’ll finish this book knowing exactly how the system works, what levers you can pull, and which path makes the most sense for your student’s goals and your family’s finances.
Understanding Financial Aid & the FAFSA
Most families fill out the FAFSA without understanding how it actually determines what they pay. This section demystifies the formula, explains what colleges are looking for, and shows you how to approach the process strategically — not just correctly.
Scholarships: Finding, Applying, and Winning
Billions of dollars in scholarship money go unclaimed every year — not because students don’t qualify, but because they don’t know where to look or how to apply effectively. Learn where to find real scholarship opportunities and how to make your student’s applications stand out.
Student Loans - What to Take and What to Avoid
Not all student loan debt is created equal, and the difference between a federal subsidized loan and a private loan can follow your student for decades. This section breaks down the types of loans, what terms to watch for, and how to borrow as little as possible.
Skilled Trades & Apprenticeships
The trades are experiencing a genuine shortage of skilled workers — and the pay reflects it. This section covers how apprenticeships work, how to get into them, and what funding options exist for students choosing a trade path over a traditional degree.
Military Service as an Education Strategy
The military offers some of the most powerful education benefits available — including the GI Bill, tuition assistance, and service academy appointments. This section walks through the options honestly, including what the commitment really looks like and how to maximize the education benefits that come with it.
Entrepreneurship & Direct Business Ownership
Going straight into business isn’t a fallback — for the right student, it’s the smartest move they can make. This section covers how to think about entrepreneurship as a deliberate path, what resources exist to support young entrepreneurs, and how to start building something real right out of high school.
Building a Strategy That Fits Your Family
There’s no single right answer — but there is a right answer for your family. This section ties everything together, helping you weigh your student’s goals, your financial reality, and the full range of options to build a plan that actually makes sense for your specific situation.
