College Finance Guy | Testimonials

Kind Words About My Services

Comments from Clients

I wanted to thank you for your financial, tax, and communication expertise in working with my son (senior in high school) who is ready to apply to colleges.

Blah, blah, blah is what my son hears from me. What he hears from you is wise and sage advice in a totally relatable manner. He appreciated being able to bounce ideas off of you as he tries to figure things out.

The college financial presentation you gave us was customized to our circumstances, clear, and professional. It guided both me and my son to understand the critical considerations that are important to colleges and compared it to my son's situation i.e. SAT/ACT scores, grades, and a financial budget. As a single mom, without financial support from the ex or my parents, who are deceased, our budget situation is challenging in a town of well-off parents and grandparents. What don's our refrigerator is the customized Budget and Net Price Calculation spreadsheets you prepared for my son and me. This college budget IS our daily road map to success. Whenever my son says he wants to go to a school that his wealthier friends are applying to I point to the budget on the refrigerator and say "its” not in the budget. If you want to go to a more expensive school then YOU have to take on more debt and/or finish in 4 years not 5. The mantra has been consistent. My son NOW really understands the consequences of not finishing in 4 years vs. the average of 5 years. He is more proactive in researching more eligible scholarships online and continues to narrow his selection of schools. Your quote on your website from Benjamin Franklin was spot on "if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail".

Thank you again for teaching us life lessons and adding real value from the onset. Starting with the end in mind will help both of us save money and time in the long run.

- Maria DeBenedetti, parent of a senior at San Ramon Valley High School

It was wonderful to work with someone who could easily guide me through the FAFSA process. I was intimidated to fill the form out by myself. I had lots of financial questions and twin sons - so getting them both completed correctly was important. Tim also helped my sons look for a wider selection of colleges. He has an incredible knowledge of a variety of colleges and majors. He helped my sons identify a list of colleges that would work well for them. It was a huge relief to get the application process completed in a timely manner.

–Tracy McCollam, parent of twins at College Park High School

Thank you for all your help. I cannot tell you how relieved I am. You are a godsend! (Especially how patient you were with me!)

–Sue Frost, client from Las Lomas High School

Thank you very much. I have learned a lot in such small-time frame. I will share my experience with our neighborhood site.

–Sacha Simpson, client from Northgate High School

I just want to thank you again for all your help. You alleviated a lot of pressure for me during such a difficult time. I was extremely impressed by your organization during the college process.

–Michelle Alderson, parent from Holy Names High School

To: Kristen (independent college counselor) - I wanted to thank you for connecting us with Tim Lenahan. He was awesome. William is now more focused on college thanks to the time with you, his school college counselor and Tim - a great team behind him.

–Lynn Davis, client

Comment from Independent College Counselor

Tim Lenahan is super helpful and replies promptly. I highly recommend him to any of your clients that need more financial guidance as they apply to and get ready to pay for college.

–Priscilla Vivio, On My Way Consulting, to other independent college counselors

Comments Regarding High School Presentations

Thank you so much for your presentation. The presentation was incredibly detailed and informative. It helps paint a picture of the financial realities of college and gives parents the tools to start thinking concretely about affording college. One of the most helpful aspects presented was navigating the conversation about financial fit within your family and with your student. All the parents that I spoke with following the presentation were grateful and expressed how informative it was. The question and answer portion also allowed time for parents to steer the conversation to cover some other important topics and Tim has a vast wealth of knowledge. He was able to address all of their questions from detailed financial questions to information regarding community college graduation rates.

–Martha Durell, Counselor at Albany High School

I very much enjoyed having Tim present to my parents and students about financial aid, because from working with families long enough I'm aware that I know a lot about financial aid but not about family finances--both of which are Tim's strengths. The presentation is thoroughly researched and presents sound advice to families of all socioeconomic classes. In addition, it covers a lot of ground from loans, to how the amount of time it takes to graduate impacts cost and more. Come with questions and a pen because you should be taking notes.

–Heather Lowe, M. Ed., College and Career Advisor, College Park High School

Tim's presentation demonstrated his unusual combination of expertise in personal finance and counseling, and he went into significantly more detail than other presenters we've hosted in terms of the planning families need to do before, during and after applying for financial aid. Families left the event with a clear set of marching orders that will help them have honest conversations with their kids well ahead of the time they need to commit to a college, which we anticipate will save a lot of tears over not being able to afford the dream school they were accepted into. Tim also stayed to answer every single question parents and students raised. The feedback we got was very positive they felt much more prepared for this process. We're definitely hoping to have him return to Albany High for future presentations.

–Becca Burns, College and Career Counselor at Albany High School

Your talk was a very good, intensive, comprehensive overview for all. Despite a few glitches in the beginning (loss of power to the theater), it turned out to be a very helpful, informative evening. I liked how you began that you, yourself went through this whole financial aid process having put your two daughters through college. As you know, the subject matter and all it encompasses could be or is very overwhelming and perplexing for most. It is such a complicated and at times confusing process. A person of your education, background and experience could have just given attendees your handout and only briefly shared the financial jargon involved with the process. I felt that you gave good summaries and explanations of the important financial aid terms. But even more important, that by sharing examples (Vassar college couple, conversation you had with a student at ASU, etc.) and your own personal anecdotes (daughters choosing Liberal Arts degrees and the EX boyfriend who hadn't a clue how much debt he was in, etc.), and even laughing about it, you really helped lighten the load, mood, frustration, bewilderment, nervousness and stress in the air. Thank you!

–Cindy Zeller, parent from Northgate High School

Tim Lenahan, C.P.A., M.S.
College Financial Counselor