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!

We’re passionate about your college success

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 25 years helping students successfully navigate college admissions.

Allison Dahleen
Director of Counseling Services
As an MSA holder, Allison brings a wealth of experience supporting students in higher education. As a respected leader at HelloCollege, she expertly navigates admissions, and academic advising, empowering students to conquer their goals.

Sue Nelson
Financial Specialist
Sue has 25 years of experience in financial services and assists families with the financial aid process and cost saving practices.

Amanda Yoder
Lead College Counselor and Trainer
Amanda is a Lead College Counselor and Trainer with over 10 years of high school counseling experience. She holds a Master's in Education with a counseling concentration and graduate certificates in Military & Family Education and Administration & Supervision (Educational Leadership).

Don Keller
College Counselor
Don is a highly skilled College Admissions Counselor, boasting a 20-year background in student service. Don's expertise includes evaluating applications for UC - Berkeley and the prestigious Questbridge Scholars program, making him well-equipped to guide students toward their educational aspirations.

Raymond Gonzales
College Counselor
Raymond has multiple degrees from Harvard, UPenn, and USC. He has helped students from various backgrounds navigate the path to college

Shariq Ali
College Counselor
Shariq has a B.A. in International & Global Studies (IGS) and Policy Studies from Elon University and an M.S.Ed. in Intercultural Communication from the University of Pennsylvania.

Miracle Husband
College Counselor
Miracle has worked in higher education for the last 13 years. She received her B.A. at UC Berkeley and M.Ed. at the University of Vermont.

Pamela Greene
College Counselor
Pamela utilizes best practices in student counseling, educational planning, and career preparedness to create matches between students and colleges that provide the best academic, cultural, and social fit.

John Gardezi
College Counselor
A native of Southern California, John Gardezi is a passionate educational consultant with extensive experience assisting students navigate the US college admission process. He is a 2009 graduate of Harvard College and a former interviewer for the Harvard College Office of Admissions.