Advantage College Planning is proud to offer this course at no cost. Every family deserves access to the knowledge essential for making informed, affordable college decisions—regardless of income.
What You’ll Learn
💡 Module 1: Start Smart with Affordability in Mind
- Why affordability should drive your college search from day one
- The difference between need-based and merit-based aid—and how to know if you qualify
- The biggest mistake families make (and how to avoid it!)
💡 Module 2: Find Colleges That Won’t Break the Bank
- How to discover schools that offer generous scholarships and aid
- Why applying early can improve your chances of financial support
- Insider tips on researching COA (Cost of Attendance)
💡 Module 3: The Truth About Private Scholarships
- Can private scholarships cover the full cost of college?
- Where to find local scholarships that are often overlooked
- How to stay organized and reapply for scholarships each year
💡 Module 4: Navigating Need-Based Aid
- Step-by-step instructions for completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile
- What to do if your financial situation changes after you apply
- How to work with financial aid offices to get the best package
💡 Module 5: Making an Affordable College Choice
- Decoding financial aid offers: What's a gift, and what’s a loan?
- What to do when your student gets admitted to their dream school—but with no financial aid
- How to decide on student loans responsibly
Course Curriculum
- Three Things You Need to Know About Private Scholarships (1:42)
- Can I earn enough private scholarships to cover the cost of college? (2:11)
- When and how do we execute a private scholarship search? (2:34)
- Where should I look for private scholarships? (2:45)
- How do private scholarships impact financial aid coming right from the colleges? (2:01)
Your instructors
Brooke Daly
Founder/Owner
Brooke Daly started Advantage College Planning in 2008 after working at Vermont Student Assistance Corporation and College Foundation, Inc. Brooke's passion for working with students and desire to make the college planning process less stressful for families inspired her to start the college consulting business.
Brooke is an instructor in the U.C. Berkeley Extension Program in College Admission Advising. She frequently presents seminars and workshops on various college planning topics around Wake County.
Brooke has the following professional designations:
- Board Member, VP of Education and Training, Independent Education Consultants Association
- Past President, Higher Education Consultants Association
- Member, National Association of College Admissions Counseling
- Member, Southern Association for College Admission Counseling
- Former Board Member, National College Advocacy Group
Arielle Villanueva
Director of College Affordability
Arielle joined Advantage College Planning after nine years of working in Admissions in Virginia and North Carolina, most recently at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Arielle is a student advocate and educator first and foremost, so her counseling approach is focused on serving not only as a resource and cheerleader throughout the college application process, but also as a mentor who genuinely wants to get to know her students. As someone who understands the power of authenticity, Arielle strives to assist students in crafting an application that reflects their interests and personality.
Arielle graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, with a BS in Psychology and a concentration in Gender Studies. She became interested in the higher education field during her time in the admissions office as a student ambassador. She completed her M.Ed in Higher Education and Student Affairs while working full-time in the undergraduate admissions office. Arielle is also a trained Yoga Teacher and Mental Health First Aider from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
With extensive experience supporting college students, Arielle has encouraged and coached hundreds of college students through goal-setting plans, career preparation, and navigating life’s journey.
