Funding Your Education—The Smart Way
College is an investment. Our team helps students uncover scholarship opportunities, maximize financial aid, and minimize out-of-pocket costs through strategic planning.
Our Focus Areas
Scholarship search and application support
We connect students to a wide range of scholarship opportunities—from national foundations to local community programs. Our team helps identify awards that align with each student’s strengths, background, and goals, while also assisting with essay writing, application submission, and follow-up. The result: students save time and maximize their chances of earning meaningful financial support.
FAFSA and financial aid navigation
Understanding federal and institutional aid can be overwhelming. We simplify the process by guiding families through the FAFSA and other financial aid applications, ensuring accuracy and timeliness to secure the best possible funding package. Our advisors explain each option clearly so students and parents can make confident, informed decisions about grants, loans, and work-study programs.
Cost comparison between schools
Not all financial aid offers are created equal. We help families evaluate and compare true college costs—tuition, housing, fees, and long-term value—so they can select the school that provides the best overall return on investment. Our transparent analysis empowers students to choose wisely without compromising their financial stability or academic goals.
Financial literacy and budgeting guidance
A successful college experience requires more than admission—it requires smart money management. We provide financial literacy training and practical budgeting tools to help students manage expenses, track spending, and avoid unnecessary debt. These lifelong skills ensure students remain financially confident during college and beyond.
What Sets Us Apart
At College Planning Today Services, we go beyond simply connecting students with funding opportunities — we equip them with the knowledge and tools to build a sustainable financial strategy for the future. Our approach combines real-world financial education with hands-on support, helping students and families understand how to manage tuition, scholarships, and personal budgets responsibly.
Through workshops, personalized coaching, and our partnership with Apterian, we prepare each student to make informed decisions that extend far beyond their college years. Our goal isn’t just to get students into college—it’s to help them thrive while there and succeed long after graduation.
The CPTS Advantage
The CPTS Advantage is the result of two decades of experience, proven strategies, and a nationwide network of educational and professional partners. Since our inception, over $2 million in scholarships have been identified and awarded through our programs, allowing students to attend college with reduced financial stress and greater focus on their academic goals.
But the advantage doesn’t stop there. Our partnership with Apterian connects students to real-world internships, career placement opportunities, and professional development resources—creating a complete pathway from education to employment. With CPTS, families gain more than guidance—they gain a trusted partner dedicated to long-term success.
How It Works
At College Planning Today Services (CPTS), success isn’t left to chance—it’s built through a proven process. Every student’s path to college and career success is unique, but the strategy that gets them there must be intentional, structured, and well-informed. That’s where we come in.
Our team doesn’t just guide students—we partner with them. From the moment they begin working with CPTS, each step is designed to uncover their strengths, clarify their goals, and strategically align every decision—from applications to financial aid—to create the best possible outcome.
By following our structured process, families gain peace of mind, students gain confidence, and everyone stays focused on one shared goal: turning potential into opportunity.
Step 1:
Schedule a consultation: Every successful journey begins with a clear starting point. During your initial consultation, we take the time to understand each student’s academic background, personal goals, and family priorities. This meeting helps us identify opportunities, challenges, and the best strategies for success.
Step 2:
Create your personalized plan: Next, we design a customized roadmap tailored to the student’s needs—covering college selection, scholarship opportunities, and financial planning. This plan serves as a clear guide that keeps both students and families organized, confident, and focused on measurable goals.
Step 3
Execute with our expert support: Our team works side-by-side with students throughout the process—reviewing applications, essays, and financial documents while providing ongoing mentorship and accountability. With our guidance, every requirement is met, every deadline is managed, and every opportunity is maximized.
Step 4:
Review results and next steps: Once applications and aid packages are complete, we help students evaluate their results, compare offers, and make informed final decisions. From acceptance letters to scholarship awards, we ensure every success is leveraged toward the next stage—college success, graduation, and career readiness.
Case Study: The Williams Family – Turning Stress into Savings
Problem:
The Williams family had two children preparing for college and feared taking on major student loans. They didn’t know how to maximize FAFSA benefits or where to find additional scholarships.
Solution:
CPTS guided them through a customized financial aid strategy, identified local and national scholarships, and helped complete FAFSA and CSS profiles accurately to capture all available funding.
Outcome:
Combined, their children received over $42,000 in scholarships and grants, allowing both to attend college loan-free their first year.
Funding Your Technical Pathway
How to Pay for Trade School
Scholarships, grants, and training programs aren’t just for college students — trade school students have access to a range of financial resources designed to make hands-on learning affordable.
Pursuing a trade or technical education shouldn’t mean carrying a heavy financial burden. Many of the same funding opportunities available to college students — including federal grants, state aid, and private scholarships — are also open to individuals enrolled in approved trade or vocational programs.
In addition, specialized funding options exist for high-demand fields such as automotive repair, healthcare, construction, technology, and skilled trades. Programs like the Pell Grant, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Apprenticeship Grants, and employer tuition assistance programs provide pathways for students to gain valuable certifications without significant debt.
At College Planning Today Services, we help students identify and apply for trade-specific scholarships and financial aid that align with their career goals. From navigating FAFSA and state-based programs to connecting you with industry-funded scholarships and union-sponsored training incentives, our goal is to ensure every student — whether pursuing a college degree or a trade certification — has access to the financial support they need to succeed.