College Expense Planning

It’s no secret that college requires money. However, the actual expenses can vary widely from one institution to another. For college-bound students and their families, it can be stressful trying to determine how much higher education is going to cost, and how to pay for it without accumulating an untenable amount of debt.

The “sticker price” for college tuition, fees, room and board, and related charges can be shocking. That’s why HelloCollege offers college expense planning services to help students and their parents understand and navigate potential costs.

Planning for College Costs Can Reduce Stress 

When you choose HelloCollege to help with the college budgeting process, we will work closely with you to create a custom plan for your expenses. Your dedicated financial counselor will ask for information about your family’s specific situation in order to determine the best opportunities for your future. If there are any potential funding gaps, it does not mean that college is not an option—but it does make sense to talk about possible routes that you may not have considered.

The HelloCollege process involves discussions about students’ goals and dreams and the realities of higher education. Then we talk about student budgeting; explore need-based grants and other financial aid; consider the likelihood of obtaining merit-based assistance (and how to increase the odds of success in that area); and share information about possible sources of external scholarships. There are many private scholarships available to college students, but knowing which to apply for is not necessarily intuitive. When you work with HelloCollege, we take the guesswork out of college student expenses.

Let HelloCollege Help

HelloCollege is proud of its success helping students plan for their futures in higher education, including college budgeting. Our results speak for themselves: Of the more than 1,200 students with whom HelloCollege has worked, a staggering 96% have received scholarship aid, compared to the national average of 37%.

Beyond scholarship aid, we put college financial and budgeting information at your fingertips and provide a trusted guide to help you understand that information. To learn more about planning for college costs, contact us today!

Hello Team

We’re passionate about your college success

We don’t treat you like a number. We know each student has their own important needs. We used that passion to create a personal approach that helps all students with their unique college admissions journey.
Kevin Krebs headshot

Kevin Krebs

Founder and Managing Director

Inspired by his parents, Kevin’s journey from a first-gen, diverse, low-income background to Northwestern University shaped him. After experiencing challenges, including student loan debt, he founded HelloCollege and has spent the last 27+ years helping students successfully navigate college admissions.

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Allison Dahleen

VP of Client Services

As an MSA holder, Allison brings a wealth of experience supporting students in higher education. As the respected Service Leader at HelloCollege, she leads her team in expertly navigating admissions and academic advising, empowering students to achieve their goals with confidence and success.

Arman Davtyan

Director of Counseling

Arman joins HelloCollege after spending 20+ years in higher education, leading a range of student-facing services, from admissions and enrollment to academic advising and career development. As Director of Counseling, he drives initiatives to enhance and scale college counseling services as HelloCollege continues to expand its reach nationwide.

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Kim Shipman

Counseling Manager & College Counselor

Kim brings over 10 years of experience in college counseling, including 7 years as a high school college counselor. With a background in career services at universities including Rice and Duke, she has supported students in earning admission to institutions such as Cornell, Johns Hopkins, UT Austin, Rice, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, University of Michigan, and Boston University.

Chris Wilson

Application Strategist

Christopher Wilson is an archaeologist, art historian, military veteran, and current Mid-Career Master in Public Administration student at Harvard University. A graduate of Princeton University, Yale University, and the University of Chicago, Christopher has dedicated his career to protecting archaeological and cultural resources while advocating for underserved communities. A Registered Professional Archaeologist, Pat Tillman Scholar, and frequent conference speaker, he is passionate about using his expertise to make a lasting impact, whether through mentoring students, supporting veterans and marginalized communities, or preserving history for future generations.

Tracey Bradnan

Application Strategist

Tracey Bradnan has worked in higher education for more than a decade and brings a deep understanding of the inner workings of top-ranked universities. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Austin Hughes

College Counselor

A first-generation college student and Rhodes Scholar turned college counselor, Austin Hughes brings a unique perspective shaped by his experiences at both a Big Ten university and the University of Oxford, where he earned his master’s degree. With firsthand knowledge of both U.S. and international higher education, Austin combines a deep understanding of the admissions landscape with a passion for storytelling and mentorship, helping students navigate the process with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Mary Hulme

College Counselor

Mary Hulme is a college counselor, educator, and two-time 100-mile ultramarathoner who brings curiosity, strategy, and a little endurance to helping students find—and own—their path through college admissions.

Angelique Singh

College Counselor

Dr. Angelique is a USC-trained college counselor and educator who blends practical empathy with strategic guidance, helping students build intentional experiences, compelling applications, and college pathways where they can thrive.

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Kevin Paul

College Counselor

Kevin brings over 15 years of experience in college admissions and advising, including serving as Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions at UChicago's Booth School of Business. With a college advising certificate from Teachers College, Columbia University, he has helped students earn admission to top institutions including Harvard, Yale, Brown, Princeton, Cornell, UPenn, UChicago, and Northwestern.

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Michael Broderick

College Counselor

With 20 years in college counseling and former roles as Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, Michael is an experienced admissions strategist who has helped students gain acceptance to top universities including MIT, Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Columbia, UChicago, Michigan, NYU, and Carnegie Mellon.

Jose Ireta

College Counselor

As a dedicated counselor with 25 years of experience assisting students with college applications, José Ireta possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and nuances involved in the college admission process. His previous roles as both a private college counselor and a public school counselor at an International Baccalaureate high school have honed his skills in essay editing, building realistic college lists, and supporting students from diverse backgrounds. His academic background in Counseling & Guidance (M.S.) and Educational Administration (M.A.), coupled with his commitment to student success, allows for a greater perspective on the college admission process.

Nicole Decuir

College Counselor

With almost 10 years of college advising experience and 20+ years as a school counselor and educator, Nicole has guided hundreds of students through the admissions process—including acceptances to Ivy League schools, top-tier liberal arts colleges, and highly ranked national universities. A certified School Counselor and IEP/504 Counselor, she helps students find best-fit colleges and build confident, personalized plans. Nicole holds a B.A. in Psychology from Spelman College and a master's in Counseling.

Brian Vasquez

College Counselor

Brian Vasquez is a Columbia-educated educator and college admissions consultant with extensive LA and NYC experience. He champions student vulnerability, genuine connection, and rigorous, research-based learning.

Darren Meyers

College Counselor

Darren Meyers is an educator with over ten years of experience in college admissions guidance. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and holds master’s degrees in Secondary Science Education and Counseling. Before joining HelloCollege, Darren was an Associate Director of College Counseling at a leading independent school in New York City, where he taught physics and coached Ultimate. He enjoys mentoring students and getting to know them as individuals. The hundreds of students Darren has advised have enrolled at a wide range of colleges and universities, including Colleges That Change Lives and the Ivy League®.

Bennett Burnes

College Counselor

Duke University alum and experienced college admissions counselor with a background in Duke Admissions and as a Duke alumni interviewer. Bennett helps students discover what genuinely excites them, build meaningful experiences around their interests, and approach the college process with confidence, purpose, and ownership.

Tonishea Jackson

College Counselor

Dr. Tonishea M. Jackson is a Chicagoan, higher education executive, mother, and student advocate with more than two decades of experience guiding students and families through college planning with confidence.

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Don Keller

College Counselor

Don brings 30 years of experience in college admissions and counseling, including 10 years as a licensed high school counselor and 8 years as an admissions reader for UC Berkeley, Northeastern, and the QuestBridge Scholars program. Throughout his career, Don has guided more than 10,000 students through the application process, supporting acceptances to institutions like Brown, Dartmouth, UChicago, Northwestern and UT Austin.

Stephanie Wolek

College Counselor

Stephanie is a college counselor with 15+ years of experience and a specialty in STEM fields. A University of Washington graduate, she helps students reach top universities and internships.

Serena Feniger

College Counselor

Serena Feniger graduated from Yale University with a BA in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies in 2025. Since 2020, Serena has helped high school students through their college application process.

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