The Ultimate College Financial Aid Guide: Understand the Aid Offer & Ask For More Money

I almost read the whole book in a quiet afternoon and picked up quite a few useful tidbits of information. The book is very well organized and is a light read, packed with website links, practical examples and tools to make financial aid easier to navigate and reduce the amount of debt a student would graduate with. I also have been purchasing this book as a gift to friends and clients that have kids approaching college.

This is the most helpful book I’ve ever read on the process of obtaining financial aid. As a life-long learner and student, I appreciate how the author demystifies the process of obtaining college funding. She good-naturedly holds the readers hand while expertly explaining the (previously) terrifying concepts of a “financial aid letter,” including those notoriously anxiety-producing elements such as “Pell Grants,” “unsubsidized loans,” and “institutional aid.”Dr. Barbu expertly demonstrates how to compare colleges and even how to determine future out-of-pocket college-related-costs. By the time you’re finished reading this book, you’ll understand the financial aid application process start to finish, and you'll be able to identify the colleges that will provide the best academic and financial fit. Whether this book is for yourself or your college-bound teen, you won’t find a better financial aid resource. Thank you Dr. Barbu!

Applause! No, you don't. This woman knows all about college--including its costs and how to save money! She's passionate and works to make a complex process as simple as possible (which it isn't). Helping your child apply for college is an incredible undertaking.Really worth reading if your child is serious about higher education and you're a parent (or other) who plans to participate financially. Lots of acronyms--read slowly and thoroughly. The author also provides links to tools that will do a lot of the work for you!If you've been afraid of the process of college applications, you're not alone. What a gift this book is!

Dr. Barbu does an excellent job of taking what can often be a very, confusing and frustrating process by making it easier to understand with visual examples and thorough explanations. In her book, she shares what options are out there, where they come from and the process to apply for consideration. I love that she also shares a few insider tips for the process and how you can help make your final decision once you have all the data. A quick read packed full of useful information!

This is a wonderful introduction for those of you beginning the financial aid process for your child's college education. Dr. Diana provides a thorough and easily understandable overview of the entire process from filling out the FASFA form to making an appeal if you need to fill the gap between COA (cost of attendance) and EFC (expected family contribution). Recommend to any family who will be going through the college application and funding process - even before you begin!

Dr. Barbu demystifies the college aid process in Ultimate College. The information is complete, and clearly and chronologically presented. The often “Mumbo-Jumbo” aspects of aid award letters is fully explained using different letter examples. It includes very practical tips on how to evaluate the awards and when and how to ask for more help. This is a quick read-use your highlighter. I’ve sent three boys through college. I wish this book was available then-we all would have saved much time and likely thousands of dollars. It can definitely help the grandkids, though.

I’ve worked in higher Ed for over 10 years and feel that I have a pretty good understanding about the FinAid system, but as I started researching for my own son, I realized there was so much more to learn.This book simplifies the entire FinAid process from start to finish and I LOVE how it provides examples from various institutional structures. I plan to use everything I’ve learned to help myself as a mother, but also got some ideas on how to simplify things for my students and their parents as well.

This book is absolutely amazing. I am a Doctoral student and I will be graduating this year. I have been in school for fourteen years and I have never received this type of information regarding my financial aid or anything. This book would have relieved a lot of stress and tension I endured over the years if it had been available.The author took time to share her wealth of knowledge to help students understand the financial aid process minus the headache. Thank you!

This very well-written financial aid guide by an experienced expert in college education matters. provides both parents and students with comprehensive information material to get the best college education without running into a financial disaster. Dr. Barbu provides a wonderful roadmap especially in times when resources are scarce. Her insight and the descriptions of all necessary steps in college admission to ensure a best match in terms of academic and financial matters are unique.This book is a must have for high school students and their families to ensure a financial safe route through the best time in life - the college!