Truth to be told, I bought two copies to give to two couples that are having children go off to college next year. So, I did not read them. The ordering and delivery were very good, just as advertised. Clayton Penhallegon

This book is very informative. Ben Kaplan manages to convey the information in a fun and lighthearted manner. This is a great book for parents and students alike.

Being the first person in my immediate and extended family to go to college, I had no one there to pave the way to college for me--I especially had no one to guide me through the entire world of financial aid. I am now going to be a college sophomore in the fall, and I wish more than anything I would have had this book in high school! There is so much information I did not know about the entire world of financial aid that would have come in handy before I ever attended college! Even now, I am learning so much from this book that seem like such simple ideas but that I would have never thought of! This book is incredibly organized and very informative. I am going to recommend it to many of my closest friends. [Not everyone though...I want an edge in winning scholarships! :-)]

This book is ok for the clueless, but if you've already applied for scholarships and in the minority group, then this book does not help much. Once in the website, all links are to buy Kaplan's products. Navigating his website is a practice exercise all by itself to find a decent link, you have to weave through all the non-applicable stuff to get anything decent. By then, you're just frustrated at the wasted time. The book gives a lot of promises, but afterwards, you'll see he only skimmed the surface just like any other book.

I thought the concepts were great, and obviously they worked for the author and his family. But seemed he was a single child, with parents that were 100% dedicated to this effort. I have more than one kid, they are all active in sports and activities, and my wife and I don't have the "time requirements" to pull this off. Plus he was apparently an exceptional kid, who engaged in entrepreneurial type activities at an early age, to include his full time scholarship hunting business. My kid does not fit that profile at all. So I was left with what seemed like commitment 7 days a week, 2-4 hours a day. I would be lucky if I could contribute 1 hour a day with my schedule. Plus, for all that effort, there HAS TO BE a point of diminishing returns ... he does not address that but assumes there is no such point. Hunt hunt hunt, research research research, write write write ... no end to the strategy. I have met some folks who simply applied to a small set of schools, filled out the financial aid forms, and got their aid, and have met many who did twice the work, and got the same amount of aid (or nothing close to the return advertised [hyped] in this book).

This certainly ranks up there. My other choices for 2007, hands down:

1) How To Ace Your Way Through College & Still Have a Life
2) The Official SAT Study Guide
3) Fiske Guide to Colleges

Dr. Vernon M
Cambridge, MA

This is agreat book! I read a review on the MONEY section of my local newspaper and promptly purchased it, as I have a daughter in 9th grade with two others in 5th and 6th. I also mentor in the High school system and bought a copy for my 11th grade mentee. I even bought a copy for my friend who also has a high-schooler. VERY RESOURCEFUL!!!

This book is perfect for the student searching for a cheaper way to attend

college. The author presents various funding supplements. i.e.

o merit-based factors in applications

o HOPE Scholarships

o tax credits

o private sponsors

o essay writing



By far, the college work-study program is perhaps the largest funding

source. Hundreds of positions have been created to assist colleges in

running educational supplemental activities. i.e. labs, computers, the

library, premises management and a plethora of activities too numerous

to list here.



The author shows how to write a model financial aid/scholarship essay

to include the following:

o personal information and verifiable accomplishments/stories

o growth experiences

o detailed knowledge on subjects of interest



The rendition would be helpful as a guide to anyone preparing to enter

college.

This book is perfect for the student searching for a cheaper way to attend
college. The author presents various funding supplements. i.e.
o merit-based factors in applications
o HOPE Scholarships
o tax credits
o private sponsors
o essay writing

By far, the college work-study program is perhaps the largest funding
source. Hundreds of positions have been created to assist colleges in
running educational supplemental activities. i.e. labs, computers, the
library, premises management and a plethora of activities too numerous
to list here.

The author shows how to write a model financial aid/scholarship essay
to include the following:
o personal information and verifiable accomplishments/stories
o growth experiences
o detailed knowledge on subjects of interest

The rendition would be helpful as a guide to anyone preparing to enter
college.

As a college planning professional I love Ben's book and speaking engagements. For just several dollars this book breaks down how to apply for merit scholarships. I have used the principles in this book with success, however have found it tougher going as of late.

I read from one post a true statement that Ben was very bright and probably top 1% on his SAT, which I agree. However for almost no cost yet lot's of time, you can save money on college utilizing scholarships. Maybe not a free ride to Harvard, however perhaps $3,000 to $7,000.

I would also emphasize local organization (Chamber, Rotary, etc.), local churches, and corporations can be excellent sources with less competition. Tuition discounts for students that apply to colleges, which they are usually in the top 25% of the student population SAT scores at that college is an excellent strategy that can easily save thousands.

Angelo J. Robles
Author / Speaker
Latest Book: College Money Planning

"Secret Strategies to Secure an Elite College Education for Your Child While Shaving Thousands Off the Tuition"

[...].

How to Go to College Almost for Free is a wonderful book, well-organized and easy to read. It's been a great help with college and scholarship applications.

The author earned $90,000 in scholarship earnings. It seems to reasonable that the author scored in the top 1 percent of his ACT and SAT scores which he fails to disclose. The guy was a brain. The author didn't spent large amounts of time on his scholar quest, but did apply for many prestigous merit scholarships. A fact that I liked about him because he demonstrated a williness to distinquish himself and high aspirations for merit. The theme could be "How I went to Harvard and was accepted; earned a degree in economics program; and a financial fortune coaching/mentor/cheerleading other people into similar tactics to get scholarship money.

On the other hand, the author does highlight a number of online resources to use for apply to scholarships like fastweb and scholarexperts. These online resources are convenient.

The book does not talk technically about grants, loans, and federal aid. The book does provide some helpful suggestions about preparing for essays, saving money, taxes, and scholarships of merit.

This is a fun book to read, but it is not a silver spoon to college.

The author earned $90,000 in scholarship earnings. It seems to reasonable that the author scored in the top 1 percent of his ACT and SAT scores which he fails to disclose. The guy was a brain. The author didn't spent large amounts of time on his scholar quest, but did apply for many prestigous merit scholarships. A fact that I liked about him because he demonstrated a williness to distinquish himself and high aspirations for merit. The theme could be "How I went to Harvard and was accepted; earned a degree in economics program; and a financial fortune coaching/mentor/cheerleading other people into similar tactics to get scholarship money.

On the other hand, the author does highlight a number of online resources to use for apply to scholarships like fastweb and scholarexperts. These online resources are convenient.

The book does not talk technically about grants, loans, and federal aid. The book does provide some helpful suggestions about preparing for essays, saving money, taxes, and scholarships of merit.

This is a fun book to read, but it is not a silver spoon to college.

Agreed with reviewer who recommended West Point. Another free college, if you aren't interested in military service, is Berea College of Kentucky. They have a tremendous work-study program, in which students work a few hours per week throughout their college careers, and get the whole thing paid for. Of course, your family has to come from fairly economically strapped circumstances, to even qualify for admission. Harvard U. I heard recently decided on a program allowing students from families earning less than $60K per year to attend college free. If only all colleges would follow suit!!

Ben Kaplan's book is great. I recommend it to all my students who are looking for financial help. I also tell my students to run by the possibility of the totally free college, West Point. You can learn about the significance of West Point to America by reading Norman Thomas Remick's, "West Point: Character Leadership Education..".

I have done some extensive research and Ben Kaplan hits it right on the head. He shows you what you need to do to get money for college in the form of scholarships. He is the scholarship coach. I also have a very reliable source for students who are looking for money for college, realmoneyforcollege.com
Ben also talks about the mystery of financial aid and how it works. This specific aspect of college is often feared by many students and parents. How to go to college almost for free can also be titled: How to attend college with money in your pocket.
Make no mistake about it. If you are going looking for money look in this book first.

I have done some extensive research and Ben Kaplan hits it right on the head. He shows you what you need to do to get money for college in the form of scholarships. He is the scholarship coach. I also have a very reliable source for students who are looking for money for college, realmoneyforcollege.com
Ben also talks about the mystery of financial aid and how it works. This specific aspect of college is often feared by many students and parents. How to go to college almost for free can also be titled: How to attend college with money in your pocket.
Make no mistake about it. If you are going looking for money look in this book first.

I bought this for my grandson, he has already written in for several grants, and working on more. This is a great gift for any high school kid, and even kids in college. I don't believe the parents should go into debet for this, the kids will do much better if they have to work for it. I've seen to many parents almost go broke with several kids at college at the same time. They end up with nothing for retirement. Believe me, you need a nest egg.Take if from a grandma that has a great pension.

I am a Certified College Planner and recommend this book especially for high school freshmen and sophomores. With the elite schools costing over $200,000 for 4 years, a student's family needs to tap all sources of college funding. This book is a well written guide that helps by 'holding your hand' through the process of finding and winning private scholarships. Anyone can have a stash of college money at the ready when they begin college. Ben Kaplan shows you how.

When I saw the title of this book, I began salivating uncontrollably. Imagine, having someone else pay to send your kids to college. That may have been an overreaction. Surely anyone else that has college-bound kids should sympathize.

The book is well organized and written on a level that will not challenge a high school student. However, there are tips for a wider audience including the very young, older returning students, graduate students, and students that fit into special groups.

Clearly, the competition for scholarships can be intense, but with a logical game plan engaged in consistently, an applicant's effectiveness can be increased. The one consistent theme in the book is that a steady approach will lead to success.

I will take issue with a combination of techniques mentioned in the book. Kaplan suggests that students get their recommendations in electronic format so that they can print them out as needed. He also suggests that you solicit "small" changes to recommendation letters to make them "great" letters. I feel this may present many an ethical challenge to some applicants. To be clear, he does not suggest manufacturing recommendation letters.

He also provides access to his companion web site to add extra punch to the process.

In the final analysis, it is hard to argue with his success, and Kaplan was very successful on his own behalf. He interviewed many of the people involved as applicant and administrators and their tips appear in the book.

Well, umm...This is a pretty good book with some good advice. The best part of the book is probably the first chapter, in which Ben Kaplan does a good job explaining the differences between the types of sources of funding for college students. Some of the other tips he gives on searching for scholarships are pretty good too. And he really seems like a great guy- he's really professional and sweet and funny, plus he's good-looking. Hmm, I wonder if he's still single. (You can just sense the "however" coming, can't you?)

However, a lot of the advice he gives is just common sense. Such as: be sure to apply for a large number of scholarships instead of just a few; construct one essay and adjust it slightly for several scholarship essays; don't pay for an online scholarship service, ask your teachers for help. There are a few innovative "Guerrilla Tactics" he points out, though, such as you can go to a high school/college other than your own and look on their scholarship database. I guess I'm just giving the whole book away here, aren't I? My point is, you don't necessarily need to read this book to help you find good scholarships. You can just go to a good online schol search engine, such as FastWeb or Mach 25, which are 100 percent free. FastWeb is especially good b/c it features articles that contain much of the same advice that is found in this book. Don't forget to fill out the FAFSA every year, which is also free.

So it would be best to save the 19.99 that you would have spent on this book (or 7.95 if you're buying it used, etc.) and just do scholarship research on your own and be sure to get crackin.

This is really a great strategy book. It helps you get your thoughts in order, takes the mystery out of financial aid and puts it in your hands where you feel like you have more control. I went ahead and applied for financial aid for my community college...and I got awarded $2600! :O I can pay for the summer semester without having to work!

I currently go to school full-time and work part-time at $7hr. But now, I have money for tuition, books, and other school expenses -and - I have been awarded $900 in work-study. None of these are loans! I can't believe it!!

Every night I read through this book, I make notes in pencil, I put yellow sticky notes on the most important pages for myself. Tonight I went to an office store and bought some materials for organizing my financial aid plans for the future. I am really MOTIVATED!

This book is worth every penny. As they say: If you think going to college is expensive, try ignorance! LOL! I am planning on going all way - Ph.D or Psy.D. The book has many pages in it, but it's light-speed reading, not intimidating in the least, and is frequently illustrated with humourous cartoons. I recommend it to anyone interested in empowering themselves better in seeking financial aid, no matter what your socio-economic status. ;)

This is really a great strategy book. It helps you get your thoughts in order, takes the mystery out of financial aid and puts it in your hands where you feel like you have more control. I went ahead and applied for financial aid for my community college...and I got awarded "money"! :O I can pay for the summer semester without having to work!...

Every night I read through this book, I make notes in pencil, I put yellow sticky notes on the most important pages for myself. Tonight I went to an office store and bought some materials for organizing my financial aid plans for the future. I am really MOTIVATED!

This book is worth every penny. As they say: If you think going to college is expensive, try ignorance! LOL! I am planning on going all way - Ph.D or Psy.D. The book has many pages in it, but it's light-speed reading, not intimidating in the least, and is frequently illustrated with humourous cartoons. I recommend it to anyone interested in empowering themselves better in seeking financial aid, no matter what your socio-economic status. ;)