College Research, Applications, Forms, and Financing
Since we realize that every student’s journey is unique, we have put together three different Service Plans that offer a broad range of help for each individual student’s college search: Forms Filing, Positioning, and Comprehensive.
Many of the services we provide can be individualized so that you get exactly the assistance you are looking for. Take a look at the chart below to see which plan might best suit your needs.
When you’re ready to purchase, or if you have any questions, give us a call!
- Services
- Intro Package / Phone Call
This part outlines steps that will be completed by Optimum Funding Service Center and notes when the client can anticipate completion of each step. During the introductory call, clients are told when to expect their introductory package and advised as to what their first steps should be.
- My Career Planner
MCP is an online program designed to confirm or discover a student’s career goals. The aptitude assessment aids students in searching for possible career avenues and encourages the pursuit of an appropriate major. This step can conceivably reduce the overall cost of a higher education by making a bachelor’s degree attainable in the normal four year time frame.
- Student Positioning Session
There are two of them to ensure the college bound family gets the best results. This session is one of the most powerful steps we offer. This session ensures finding a college that meets the student academically and socially, and the family financially. It involves an in-depth review of MCP results and the student’s interests through the guidance of an experienced educational counselor. Included in the consultation is a college search based on customized search criteria, the results of which consist of data sheets that outline the general, administrative, and financial information on each college.
- Interactive Online Program Tool
TThis tool will save the student and family hundreds of hours of time. Intended to be used as an adjunct to the Student Positioning Session, the Interactive Online Program Tool allows clients to add/drop colleges from their inventory of prospective schools, and view and print general, administrative and financial data sheets on over 1900 US colleges. Interactive capabilities are included which allow students to explore a “what if” scenario, should they improve their standardized test scores.
- Data Verification Session
Optimum Funding Service Center personally works with clients to verify the accuracy of the financial data used to complete financial aid applications. By use of our internet-based system, clients have the opportunity to verify data. Financial forms will not be filed until the family agrees to the accuracy given during data verification.
- Financial Aid Timeline
We proactively request a college picks list in August 15th and every two weeks until we get a final list of colleges to which the student is applying. We then establish individual time lines for financial aid forms filing and admissions applications.
- Completion of the FAFSA
This is required by every college-bound student and family, even by the student who will not receive need-based assistance. This form must be completed to qualify for federal aid, most state programs, and is often required for institutional merit-based aid.
- CSS PROFILE Registration
Filing the CSS PROFILE is a two-step process: first the registration, then application. This form is required by certain colleges for financial aid consideration and you must register to file the CSS PROFILE. This registration is completed by Optimum Funding Service Center.
- CSS PROFILE Completion
The CSS PROFILE is more complicated than the FAFSA. Additionally, the information needs to be consistent with that which appears on the FAFSA. The application, too, is completed electronically for the family. The additional cost of filing incurred by the College Board is the responsibility of the client family.
- Financial Aid Forms Completion
An additional service where we take care of all need-based financial aid forms required by the specific colleges. Some schools have their own need-based forms that as just as important as the CSS PROFILE and the FAFSA. The institutional financial aid forms are completed by hand, and then mailed or emailed to the family. It is the responsibility of the family to review, sign and mail the completed form to the college. This step does not include non-need-based applications such as college scholarship applications or admissions applications.
- Online Awards Analysis
This program provides a breakdown of an award package by offering two reports. The first report analyzes the award offer from the colleges’ view-point including non-free money such as student loans and work study programs. The second report analyzes from the families’ viewpoint (free money only) without long-term student loans or work study programs. These reports make it crystal clear what the client’s true cost is for their first year in college.
- Award Letters / Appeal Support
Through our analysis, Optimum Funding Service Center can determine if it is to the family’s benefit to appeal any of the awards sent to the family. If an appeal is deemed necessary, we will assist with the appeal process by consulting with the client on an appeal letter and coaching them about how to have a dialogue with the college regarding the appeal.
- Loan Option Information
Resources are provided on loan options: Private loans, Federal Loans. We also provide the family with a college loan booklet which addresses important loan topics.
- Monthly Teleconferences
These are live and interactive with the senior director of the Optimum Funding Service Center. These teleconferences are group activities, discussing in detail an assortment of college-bound topics in chronological order. The teleconferences portion of the program starts in January of the junior year.
- College Reminder Emails
These content-rich emails provide an overview of the college planning topic or topics of the month. These monthly college reminders start as early as September of the freshman year to August of the senior/college summer.
- Status Calls / Emails
Optimum Funding Service Center provides monthly emails and calls to ensure the student/family are well aware of the next step in the program.
- Data Privacy and Security
This is our top and utmost concern. We secure your data by using hybrid information security systems, data back-up and other safeguards, unparalleled in the industry. Feel free to ask about our IT safety track record.
- Comprehensive Service
Comprehensive Customer Service: Our consultants are friendly, professional, and knowledgeable, and are available to answer service-related questions toll-free at our service center. You will not be talking to a member of a call bank but to a servicer dedicated to you.
- Forms Filing
- Positioning
- Comprehensive
Forms Filing
Intro Package / Phone Call » .
This part outlines steps that will be completed by Optimum Funding Service Center and notes when the client can anticipate completion of each step. During the introductory call, clients are told when to expect their introductory package and advised as to what their first steps should be.
My Career Planner
MCP is an online program designed to confirm or discover a student’s career goals. The aptitude assessment aids students in searching for possible career avenues and encourages the pursuit of an appropriate major. This step can conceivably reduce the overall cost of a higher education by making a bachelor’s degree attainable in the normal four year time frame.
Data Verification Session
Optimum Funding Service Center personally works with clients to verify the accuracy of the financial data used to complete financial aid applications. By use of our internet-based system, clients have the opportunity to verify data. Financial forms will not be filed until the family agrees to the accuracy given during data verification.
Financial Aid Timeline
We proactively request a college picks list in August 15th and every two weeks until we get a final list of colleges to which the student is applying. We then establish individual time lines for financial aid forms filing and admissions applications.
Completion of the FAFSA
This is required by every college-bound student and family, even by the student who will not receive need-based assistance. This form must be completed to qualify for federal aid, most state programs, and is often required for institutional merit-based aid.
CSS PROFILE Registration
Filing the CSS PROFILE is a two-step process: first the registration, then application. This form is required by certain colleges for financial aid consideration and you must register to file the CSS PROFILE. This registration is completed by Optimum Funding Service Center.
Financial Aid Forms Completion
An additional service where we take care of all need-based financial aid forms required by the specific colleges. Some schools have their own need-based forms that as just as important as the CSS PROFILE and the FAFSA. The institutional financial aid forms are completed by hand, and then mailed or emailed to the family. It is the responsibility of the family to review, sign and mail the completed form to the college. This step does not include non-need-based applications such as college scholarship applications or admissions applications.
Data Privacy and Security
This is our top and utmost concern. We secure your data by using hybrid information security systems, data back-up and other safeguards, unparalleled in the industry. Feel free to ask about our IT safety track record.
Comprehensive Service
Comprehensive Customer Service: Our consultants are friendly, professional, and knowledgeable, and are available to answer service-related questions toll-free at our service center. You will not be talking to a member of a call bank but to a servicer dedicated to you.
Positioning
Intro Package / Phone Call » .
This part outlines steps that will be completed by Optimum Funding Service Center and notes when the client can anticipate completion of each step. During the introductory call, clients are told when to expect their introductory package and advised as to what their first steps should be.
My Career Planner
MCP is an online program designed to confirm or discover a student’s career goals. The aptitude assessment aids students in searching for possible career avenues and encourages the pursuit of an appropriate major. This step can conceivably reduce the overall cost of a higher education by making a bachelor’s degree attainable in the normal four year time frame.
Student Positioning Session
There are two of them to ensure the college bound family gets the best results. This session is one of the most powerful steps we offer. This session ensures finding a college that meets the student academically and socially, and the family financially. It involves an in-depth review of MCP results and the student’s interests through the guidance of an experienced educational counselor. Included in the consultation is a college search based on customized search criteria, the results of which consist of data sheets that outline the general, administrative, and financial information on each college.
Interactive Online Program Tool
This tool will save the student and family hundreds of hours of time. Intended to be used as an adjunct to the Student Positioning Session, the Interactive Online Program Tool allows clients to add/drop colleges from their inventory of prospective schools, and view and print general, administrative and financial data sheets on over 1900 US colleges. Interactive capabilities are included which allow students to explore a “what if” scenario, should they improve their standardized test scores.
Monthly Teleconferences
These are live and interactive with the senior director of the Optimum Funding Service Center. These teleconferences are group activities, discussing in detail an assortment of college-bound topics in chronological order. The teleconferences portion of the program starts in January of the junior year.
Data Privacy and Security
This is our top and utmost concern. We secure your data by using hybrid information security systems, data back-up and other safeguards, unparalleled in the industry. Feel free to ask about our IT safety track record.
Comprehensive Service
Comprehensive Customer Service: Our consultants are friendly, professional, and knowledgeable, and are available to answer service-related questions toll-free at our service center. You will not be talking to a member of a call bank but to a servicer dedicated to you.
Comprehensive
All services included in the Forms Filing and Positioning:
Intro Package / Phone Call » .
This part outlines steps that will be completed by Optimum Funding Service Center and notes when the client can anticipate completion of each step. During the introductory call, clients are told when to expect their introductory package and advised as to what their first steps should be.
My Career Planner
MCP is an online program designed to confirm or discover a student’s career goals. The aptitude assessment aids students in searching for possible career avenues and encourages the pursuit of an appropriate major. This step can conceivably reduce the overall cost of a higher education by making a bachelor’s degree attainable in the normal four year time frame.
Data Verification Session
Optimum Funding Service Center personally works with clients to verify the accuracy of the financial data used to complete financial aid applications. By use of our internet-based system, clients have the opportunity to verify data. Financial forms will not be filed until the family agrees to the accuracy given during data verification.
Financial Aid Timeline
We proactively request a college picks list in August 15th and every two weeks until we get a final list of colleges to which the student is applying. We then establish individual time lines for financial aid forms filing and admissions applications.
Completion of the FAFSA
This is required by every college-bound student and family, even by the student who will not receive need-based assistance. This form must be completed to qualify for federal aid, most state programs, and is often required for institutional merit-based aid.
CSS PROFILE Registration
Filing the CSS PROFILE is a two-step process: first the registration, then application. This form is required by certain colleges for financial aid consideration and you must register to file the CSS PROFILE. This registration is completed by Optimum Funding Service Center.
Financial Aid Forms Completion
An additional service where we take care of all need-based financial aid forms required by the specific colleges. Some schools have their own need-based forms that as just as important as the CSS PROFILE and the FAFSA. The institutional financial aid forms are completed by hand, and then mailed or emailed to the family. It is the responsibility of the family to review, sign and mail the completed form to the college. This step does not include non-need-based applications such as college scholarship applications or admissions applications.
Student Positioning Session
There are two of them to ensure the college bound family gets the best results. This session is one of the most powerful steps we offer. This session ensures finding a college that meets the student academically and socially, and the family financially. It involves an in-depth review of MCP results and the student’s interests through the guidance of an experienced educational counselor. Included in the consultation is a college search based on customized search criteria, the results of which consist of data sheets that outline the general, administrative, and financial information on each college.
Interactive Online Program Tool
This tool will save the student and family hundreds of hours of time. Intended to be used as an adjunct to the Student Positioning Session, the Interactive Online Program Tool allows clients to add/drop colleges from their inventory of prospective schools, and view and print general, administrative and financial data sheets on over 1900 US colleges. Interactive capabilities are included which allow students to explore a “what if” scenario, should they improve their standardized test scores.
Monthly Teleconferences
These are live and interactive with the senior director of the Optimum Funding Service Center. These teleconferences are group activities, discussing in detail an assortment of college-bound topics in chronological order. The teleconferences portion of the program starts in January of the junior year.
Data Privacy and Security
This is our top and utmost concern. We secure your data by using hybrid information security systems, data back-up and other safeguards, unparalleled in the industry. Feel free to ask about our IT safety track record.
Comprehensive Service
Comprehensive Customer Service: Our consultants are friendly, professional, and knowledgeable, and are available to answer service-related questions toll-free at our service center. You will not be talking to a member of a call bank but to a servicer dedicated to you.
