Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve tried to collect here the questions we are asked most often. Please let us know if these answers are helpful. If you don’t find the answer to your questions, please contact us.

  • What is Maier & Associates College Planning?

    The goal of Maier & Associates College Planning is to help parents have a better understanding of the college financial aid process and provide financial aid services to help parents with their financial aid package for their children.

  • Can I find out information about my submitted FAFSA at www.payfortuition.com?

    Sorry, you are at the wrong site. You will need to go to studentaid.gov.

  • If I retain your services, do you guarantee financial aid?

    We make no guarantees that you will receive any financial aid. No one person or company can do that. As a matter of fact, any financial aid company that guarantees you financial aid is simply going to guarantee that you will receive a Stafford Loan. Anyone can qualify for that. We do, however, guarantee that we will do what we say we will do for you.

  • What’s the best time to sign up for your financial aid services?

    We have helped freshman in high school, all the way up to juniors in college. The more time we have to work with you, the more we can help you.

  • Do you have any references? How can I check you out?

    We do not give out personal references, as we keep all of our client’s information confidential. You can read about this further in the About Us link or if you have further questions, please feel free to contact us. We are a member of the National Association of College Funding Advisors and we are accredited by the National Institute of Certified College Planners. They can offer you more information about their organizations and ours.

  • Do you give a multi-student discount?

    We give incentives (discounts), if you sign up more than one student. Please contact us for further information.

  • My child is a freshman and I would like to enroll now. Do I have to pay your fee each year he is in high school?

    No. You are charged a one-time college planning fee that will include your planning services throughout high school and the first year of college. There will be a renewal fee for each additional year your student is in college. Remember, the more time we have to work with you, the better your chances for the desired results. Don’t wait until the last minute.

  • Is it true that in many cases more expensive private colleges may cost less than a local college or state university?

    Yes, that’s true. When beginning the college selection process, it’s important that you don’t select a college or university solely based on their price tag or their cost of attendance. Many times a family may be able to send their student off to an “expensive” private college for less.

  • I was supposed to complete the financial aid forms several months ago and didn’t. Is it too late?

    It’s almost never to late to apply for financial aid. You may not get what you’re entitled to, but that doesn’t mean you should not apply. When a student is late completing the forms, we try to do everything we can for that year, and set it up so the student will get everything they are entitled to the following year.

  • Why should I pay to use your services? I’ve been told that I can go through the financial aid process on my own.

    The million-dollar question! We mention throughout our site that the financial aid process can certainly be done on your own. We liken ourselves to an accountant. You can do your taxes on your own, but yet most people use an accountant to help them lower the taxes they have to pay. You can go through the financial aid process on your own, or have a professional group of consultants help you with your financial aid. Many clients believe their accountant can complete their financial aid process. But accountants specialize in taxes and not the financial aid process If you’re the type of parent who enjoys doing research, completing numerous forms, and appealing for more financial aid, then by all means you should do it on your own. But if you’re looking for the convenience of having someone take care of these things for you and holding your hand during the entire financial aid process all for a very affordable fee, then feel free to contact us.

  • I’ve been told that my high school counselor or college financial aid office can do this for me.

    Guidance counselors don’t have the time to handhold you through the process, and usually aren’t experts with all the complicated rules. Asking colleges to help you with financial aid is like asking the IRS to help you with tax planning strategies. If a guidance counselor or financial aid officer tells you he or she can help you, ask these questions:

    • Can you show me how to lower my EFC and maximize my eligibility for aid?
    • Can you help me pick schools that will give me the best aid package – meet most need, more FREE money, less loans, etc?
    • Can you help me fill out the FAFSA & FAP forms line by line?
    • Will you help me negotiate if I get a bad package or less than I expected from each school?
    • Can you show me how to pay for college on a tax-favored basis if I don’t qualify for financial aid?
    • Will you help me move my includible assets into non-includible assets?

  • Do you sell or rent any of my personal information?

    Absolutely not. We take your privacy very seriously. Your personal information is kept in the strictest confidence.

  • I attended a financial aid seminar and they charge for their financial aid services. Do you do what they do?

    Financial aid consulting is one business where bigger is not necessarily better. Be very wary of these large organizations that travel through your town, charging you X amount of dollars, but if you order that night they’ll give you a discount, and guarantee you thousands of dollars of financial aid. Not only are some of these types of companies out to take your money, but most companies provide only a fraction of what we offer.

  • What happens if I retain your services?

    Shortly after you retain our services we will immediately begin the financial aid analysis process, regardless of what year in high school your student may be. Remember, the more time we have to work with you, the more we can help. Don’t wait until the last minute.

  • Can I call you on the phone? I have a few questions.

    Sure, give us a call any time between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST. Our number is 989-684-8500. And guess what! You will speak to a real person, not that nice lady who always says “listen carefully, as our menu options have changed.”

  • Are you willing to hold a complimentary, no obligation workshop for my high school, church, or other organization?

    Yes! Please contact our office at (989) 684-8500 for times, dates and availability.