Over twenty five years ago, Jan Marie Combs entered the world of financial aid and began employment at Boston University in the Financial Aid Office. She shares a unique perspective stemming from a combination of professional experiences since her first position in financial aid, including Director of Financial Aid at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Account Executive at the College Board, Guidance Counselor at Plymouth South High School, and a Vice President in a leading lender's Education Finance Department. Having developed informative financial aid materials and financial literacy resources throughout her financial aid career, Mrs. Combs wanted to share this… informative and comprehensive resource with families involved in the college financing process. The author continues to enjoy facilitating financial aid seminars and is passionate about assisting parents and students navigate through the college financing process. This book was a natural byproduct of her work with prospective collegians and their parents. Jan Marie Combs resides in Massachusetts with her husband and three children.