Authored Blogs by
University of Massachusetts
Bachelor's in Economics
Tufts University
Master's in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning
I came to College Coach with close to 10 years of experience in college financial aid offices. I began my career at Boston University, where I counseled students and their parents on the financial aid process and reviewed undergraduate financial aid applications. At Tufts University, where I served as assistant director of financial aid, I developed expertise in the field of health professions financial aid. I was responsible for financial aid application review, grant awarding and loan processing, and college financing and debt management counseling for both pre- and post-doctoral dental students. I have also served as an active member of the Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator’s Early Awareness and Outreach Committee, coordinating early college awareness activities for middle school students; as a trainer for the Department of Education’s National Training for Counselors and Mentors, educating high school guidance counselors on the financial aid process; and as a volunteer for FAFSA Day Massachusetts, aiding students and parents with the completion of online financial aid applications.
Should you appeal your child’s financial aid offer? College financial aid consultant Shannon Vasconcelos explains the reasons you may want to appeal.
If you’re preparing for the financial aid application process, this guide will help you determine when the best time is to apply.
To make your scholarship search efficient, our experts recommend looking locally, checking with your prospective colleges on available funds, and using merit-aid-focused search engines.
Discover how the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) transforms college savings with expanded 529 plan uses, permanent ABLE rollovers, and the introduction of new Trump Accounts for future education planning.
