By Margaret Opsata

Margaret Opsata is a contributing editor at Dow Jones Investment Advisor Magazine. In the January issue of Spirit, she will look at portfolio diversification.

There are millions of dollars out there that could help provide financial aid to your children when they go to college — if you know how to play the game.

Sending children to college is one of the most expensive investments that most people ever make. It ranks up there with buying a home and saving for retirement. However, though about $37 billion of financial aid is available annually, a fair amount of it goes to folks whom no one would ever call needy, such as families with incomes of $100,000 and up. To tap into this gold mine, parents must understand the current rules of the game.

Many people think that the student’s senior year in high school is when most college decisions are made. Actually, the most crucial time from a financial standpoint is the calendar year that starts on January 1 of the youngster’s junior year. “That’s when the so-called base year begins, which is the year that the financial aid people care about,” says Peter Laurenzo, a certified financial planner who heads College Aid Planning Associates in Albany, New York, and is the author of College Financial Aid: How to Get Your Fair Share (Hudson Financial Press).

During the base year, families fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, usually abbreviated as FAFSA, which the U.S. Department of Education uses to calculate how much a family can afford to pay toward college costs the following year. This amount is known as the Expected Family Contribution or EFC. The 1999 FAFSA deadline is May 3, but the form should be completed as soon after January 1 as possible to maximize your chances for aid.

FAFSA contains a number of suprising provisions. For instance, it discourages savings in the child’s name because the government assumes that thirty-five percent of the child’s assets will be spent on college, compared to only six percent of assets that are held in a parent’s name. Many families are confused because their financial advisors have encouraged them to save in the child’s name because, after youngsters reach age fourteen, their earnings are usually taxed at a lower rate than their parents’. (The 35:6 ratio was under scrutiny by Congress and may have been modified by the time this article appears.) Otherwise, parents of college-bound children will want to weight the tax advantages against the financial aid consequences.Other provisions of FAFSA

offer some creative planning opportunities. “For instance, equity in primary residence, annuities, and cash-value life insurance are not counted in the formula, so it might make sense to pay down your mortgage or buy more life insurance before your base year begins,” says Jeff Adelstone, a certified financial planner with Adelstone Financial Services in Tucson.

This might be the time for a parent to go back to college because the expected Family Contribution per student is reduced when more than one family member attends college at the same time.

Self-employed people also stand to benefit because FAFSA discounts business assets by forty to sixty percent. “This could be the year when you finally launch that business you have been dreaming of starting,” Andelstore suggests.

It might also be the time for a parent to fulfill a lifelong dream of going to college or earning an advanced degree because the EFC per student is reduced when more than one family member attends college at the same time. “If you take six semester hours, which usually means two courses, or if you are a fifty-percent-of-full-time student, you could count as an additional student in the family,” Adelstone says.

Even if a family does nothing to lower its expected contribution, the EFC is almost never as large as the actual cost of attending a four-year American college today. There usually is a financial gap that has to be filled. Parents can borrow the difference at market rates, of course, assuming that their credit is good, but the better approach is to find out how much financial aid is available from the college that has accepted the student.

To answer this question, most school ask parents to fill out a College Scholarship Services Profile that uses data from the base year to provide a snapshot of the family’s finances. The college then puts together a financial-

“If your child has straight A’s and is active in student government, while my child has a C average and no activities, most colleges will be more creative with your financial-aid package than with mine.”

aid package for the youngster, using a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities, and loans, both subsidized and unsubsidized. “The higher the percentage of scholarships and grants in the package the better, because these do not have to be repaid,” notes Richard Lewis, a chartered financial consultant who heads R.W. Lewis & Associates in St. Louis and is the author of How To Pay for a College Education Without Going Broke (Bob Adams Inc.). “Next best are work-study offers and subsidized loans that charge lower interest.”

Parents sometimes assume that two schools with similar tuition and living costs will offer similar financial-aid packages, but this is not always the case. “Some schools have a history of better endowments,” Laurenzo points out.

The size and composition of the financial-aid package also can vary according to how badly the school wants a particular student. “If your child has straight As , is active in student government, and has earned a letter in a sport, while my child has a C average and no extracurricular activities, most colleges will be more creative with your financial-aid package than with mine,” says Lewis. John Lind, vice-president for enrollment management at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, tends to agree. “These days, many schools, including ours, are awarding financial aid less on the basis of need and more on the basis not merit,” he says.

As a result, students with strong academic credentials, a good record of community service, and/or interpersonal skills that colleges prize may be able to improve upon the financial aid they are first offered, even if they come from affluent families. “If you go back to the financial-aid officer and say, ‘My child would really like to attend your school, but this other school has offered us a better package,’ the college you want may readjust its numbes and come up with a more favorable offer for you,” Laurenzo says.

Note: The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. Talk with an accountant or financial advisor about the best strategies for your situation.

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

Students who meet one of six conditions are awarded financial aid without regard to their parents’ financial situation:

1. Being over age twenty-four.
2. Applying to graduate school.
3. Being a foster child or a ward of the court.
4. Being married
5. Having a child.
6. Having completed military service.

“When the only information that has to be submitted is about the student’s own finances, the youngster is likely to qualify for a much better aid package,” says Jeff Adelstone of Adelstone Financial Services.

No one would advocate marriage or pregnancy as a way of obtaining more financial aid, but some families may want to consider the military-service option, particularly when a child is uncertain about a career path or is not especially interested in higher education right now.

Another way to cut costs is to complete the first two years at a community college, where tuition is low and the student can save money by living at home. “No one ever asks where you started school as long as you eventually earn the degree you want,” notes Richard Lewis of R.W. Lewis & Associates.

The Internet is chock-full of ideas and information about college financing choices. Good places to begin are College Board Online and the Financial Aid Information Page.

Important Questions and Answers

What is the Placer United Soccer Club (PUSC) experience?

• Young soccer players of all levels who develop in an environment where they can realize their promise and potential
• A challenging, dynamic organization and club culture that strives for and breeds excellence
• High caliber people and players who enjoy professional training that translates into success on and off the field
• Competing with and against the best in league play and top-level tournaments

“We heard good things about Placer United from a friend, and our son wanted to try competitive soccer. We are so glad we did. Our family’s experience with Placer United has been amazing!” – Kim Stahl, Cliff’s mom, U11 Boys Black

What makes soccer and life lessons learned from Placer United coaches so special?

• Because many of our coaches have played and coached at high levels nationally and internationally, they offer a broader view and more effective tools for player development.
• Our coaches have more combined experience, advanced degrees, and coaching licenses than any competitive soccer club in the Greater Sacramento region.
• We uniquely emphasize team chemistry more than the individual so young athletes are equipped through soccer to be team players in school and later on in their lives.
• Experiencing and overcoming the ups and downs of competitive soccer as a team creates the foundation for lasting friendships and memories.

“Winning the U.S. Club National Championships was a life lesson in perseverance and dedication for my teammates and me as we faced many challenges and adversities along the way. While it’s the final game that we will always remember, it’s the journey we traveled together that made it possible.” – Savannah Coiner, U17 Girls Gold

Why do more than 600 kids and 38 teams play competitive soccer at Placer United every year?

• Our explosive growth as a club indicates that we offer a soccer venue that kids love and thrive in.
• Parents see the value of their investment in their child as they enjoy watching their games and seeing them grow as players and people.
• Quality training sessions and top-notch facilities where many Placer United teams train at the same time foster interaction and motivation among older and younger players.

“It’s wonderful to see how our daughter has grown as a player and person. She absolutely loves the sport and her team. Our family is looking forward to another great upcoming year!” – Stacey Schultz, Savannah ‘s mom, U13 Girls Gold

Since its founding in 1981, how many players from Placer United have played at the collegiate level or higher?

• Our history dates back more than 28 years when our first U19 boys team was formed, and one player advanced to play NCAA Division 1 soccer with San Diego State University and two others played at Consumnes River College.
• Since 2005, our club has averaged more than 25 players per year playing at the collegiate level, including UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, Sacramento State , Cal Poly SLO, Pepperdine, Biola, Naval Academy , UC San Diego, Sonoma State , Westmont, CSU Monterey Bay , Emery, Southern Oregon, University of Seattle , Dominican and Sierra College .
• Five players have participated in the U.S. National Team pool.
• During 2009, three Placer United players have been pursuing professional soccer careers.

“Moving to Placer United was a big step. It was a necessary change to get me where I need to go. The club and coaches bring out the best in every single player.” – Christian Grapel, U18 Boys Gold, recently signed to play at Stevens College and major in biomedical engineering

What is CDA, and how can it benefit my son or daughter who loves soccer and dreams of playing at the highest level?

• The California Development Academy (CDA) is a collaborative effort between PUSC and San Juan Soccer Club.
• CDA is the only club in the Sacramento area that received the prestigious U.S. Development Academy designation from the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) because of its organization and leadership.
• Development Academies designated by the USSF provide the training and competitive environment for the best youth players striving for U.S. National Team opportunities.
• USSF Development Academy Showcase tournaments provide direct exposure to U.S. National Team coaches and top Division I college coaches from across the nation.
• Visit www.cdasoccer.com.

“The caliber of play and the environment at the Nike U.S. Development Academy Showcase in Phoenix last month sums up what the U.S. Development Academy is all about. The quality and ability of the players there was phenomenal, and being able to watch and compete in that environment has given me a great sense of how good we can become.It provided me with tremendous exposure and the challenge to play against excellent teams. Because of CDA and my play, I’ve recently had the opportunity to play with the U.S. National team as an invitee at
the Olympic Training Center in San Diego . For any player hoping to do the same, the academy is the only way to go.” – Austin Bravo, CDA U18

Why are other programs forming in our area that claim to offer new competitive Division 1 soccer?

• In 2009, PUSC, along with all but two other competitive clubs in the Sacramento area, were forced out of CYSA because of its onerous requirements of competitive teams and players.
• CYSA is attempting to backfill this loss of high-level competitive clubs, teams, and players.
• Two new programs are being formed in the Placer area by parents who want to coach their own kids.

“Because of PUSC, my 18-year-old nephew is being looked at by several universities, and he is one of my son’s mentors. This is my son’s first year playing soccer, and I have seen his skills improved tremendously because of the talented, passionate, and dedicated coaching staff. I plan to keep my son with PUSC for years to come.” – David Ibarra, Steven’s dad, U13 Boys Black

Why is Placer United Soccer Club the best competitive option?

• We are the only viable competitive soccer club with a proven history located in Placer County .
• Our track record and ability to develop top-level players and people is unmatched in our region.
• We are viewed as one of the best-organized and best-run competitive soccer clubs in the country, as demonstrated by our receipt of USSF Development Academy distinction.

“Are we perfect? No. Any organization that thinks it has it all together stops improving. Our club may not be for everyone. But we will continue to strive to create the best opportunities for our players and to be one of the finest competitive soccer clubs possible.” – Paul O’Brien, Boys Director of Coaching

By: Daron Anderson

You hear a lot these days about competitive sports and kids. Some of the talk tends towards negativity for one reason or another. Recently, my 17 year old daughter and I went to a competitive soccer tournament together and we reminisced about the great memories and times we’ve shared around the sport we love. We talked about hilarious moments, deep friendships and overcoming struggles and challenges. We also talked about our family time together, our very first “away” tournament and how much we’ve changed and grown over the years. Perhaps we talked about this stuff because my daughter is heading off to college. We were both sentimental as we discussed how that weekend spent in a hotel located in the arm pit of California was going to be one of our last. Besides, she was beating me in our card game, and being the competitive guy I am I had to come up with something to disrupt her success.

After our conversation and card game I started to think about the time and effort we expended over the years and asked myself, “Was it worth it?” This is an especially important question since I have a 12 year old son who is in the thick of playing competitive soccer. In addition, we’re in the midst of trying economic times and competitive soccer carries a hefty price tag. As I contemplated this question over the course of several weeks I came to a very strong, simple and emphatic conclusion: “Yes!” As part of that conclusion I developed 9.5 reasons for my answer. Here they are:

1. My kids love it – yes, there are moments when some aspects of competitive soccer are a pain, but those moments are outweighed by a genuine love for the game and teammates. During my conversation with my daughter she said, “You know, there were times when I felt like quitting but I’m so glad I didn’t…I wouldn’t have been on a State Cup Championship team, played in Hawaii or had the friends or experiences that I’ve had.”

2. Competition is an unavoidable aspect of our society – Competition is frowned upon by some. They think it’s best to avoid competition and conflict because people can go sideways when issues surface. I’d rather raise kids that face reality and strive to be overcomers. Through competitive soccer my kids learn how to confront challenges and use competition to bring out the best in them.

3. Problem-solving occurs in a team environment – Issues always arise when you get more than two people together. How you respond and address those issues has a lot to do with how successful you will be in life. A team comprised of individuals who work together and sacrifice for each other can accomplish objectives beyond their apparent abilities. Developing team problem-solving skills through competitive soccer training and games prepares my kids for the challenges they’ll face when they “get a real job.”

4. No timeouts or “flow of play” disruptions – You get one break in soccer: halftime. That means all week you sharpen your skills and prepare for the game by learning principals and action patterns. These principals and patterns create the foundation for “on the fly” decision-making that must be implemented in the flow and confusion of a game in order to be successful. No other game requires continuous, spontaneous decision-making and actions. When life comes at you in unexpected ways, your ability to make wise decisions “on the fly” will reap great
rewards. And just like in work, the most effective employee or team uses corporate principals as the basis for spontaneous decision-making without direction or supervision from a boss or manager. There’s nothing more liberating than knowing what you need to do, and then doing it without having to have a coach or supervisor tell you what to do while you’re playing or working.

5. Quality time with my kids – The hours spent driving to and from practice and games, as well as the tight quarters of “camping out” in a hotel room, create the perfect environment to skillfully and lovingly get into my kid’s “business.” Just tuning-in and overhearing my kid’s conversations with their teammates in the car can reveal a lot about what’s going on in my child’s heart. I like being there for them and talking through a difficult interaction with a teammate or a tough loss. I’m amazed at the great questions and issues that surface on our drives and overnight hotel stays. Competitive soccer provides the platform and bridge to deepen my relationship with my kids. I just have to work on being safe, loving and honest so that I earn the right to have my kids open-up to me.

6. Exposure to different cultures – As players of the world’s most popular sport, my kids get exposed to the customs, perspectives and languages of diverse people groups. This past soccer season my son had Hispanic, European (English and German), Asian and African-American teammates. In addition, watching soccer played in its grandest venues such as the English Premier League and World Cup expands my child’s horizons. My son was moved by the story of Ivory Coast during the most recent World Cup. Evidently that African country and its factions ceased fighting their civil war so that everyone could watch and root for their country’s national team. Also, my son’s geography is fairly advanced because he watches and identifies a favorite professional player and is curious as to what country he’s from. As a result, my son experiences favorable exposure to various people groups who share a common bond and interest in the “beautiful game.”

7. Development of discipline and good habits – Playing competitive soccer fosters the formation of healthy fitness, eating, sleeping and study habits. It can also help facilitate the avoidance of “bad choices.” All it takes is two chocolate chip pancakes at IHOP between games during a tournament for your child to realize that their low performance and excruciating stomach ache might have something to do with their poor meal choices; Or, a high schooler realizing that their late night partying before a key match contributed to their team’s loss. This past season my son had a new player join his team. The team practiced early one hot summer morning and the new player wasn’t holding-up well as he was bent over at the waist. The coach asked him what was wrong and the kid said his stomach was killing him. The coach then asked him what he ate for breakfast and the boy managed a painful smile and said, “Fruity Pebbles” as he held back the urge to purge. Learning how to eat well and view food as fuel, get good sleep before games, make exercise a routine in one’s life and to manage one’s time to maintain good grades are some of the life-long habits formed through competitive soccer.

8. Lasting friendships through one’s “soccer family” – Adults setting up chairs and standing next to each other on the sidelines sharing a common interest in their child’s team success more often than not develop deep relationships that last for a lifetime. Together, they weather the high and lows of the soccer season, and often support each other as difficult personal experiencesoccur. Most of the time the support comes in simple forms like a smile and hug, or a listening ear during a deeper conversation. In very rare instances, “soccer families” experience and work through tragedies together. This last soccer season one of our players unexpectedly and suddenly lost his Dad. During emotionally stretching events like this, major forms of support can naturally surface as we care for those we have come to love and appreciate while rooting for our children and unwittingly developing meaningful friendships on the sidelines.

9. A healthy outlet for anxiety and anger – Running around and sweating in the fresh air can create a new perspective on your circumstances by stepping outside them. And just hanging out, laughing and being with your teammates can adjust your attitude. Getting the focus off yourself and your personal issues during soccer training or games provides a healthy break from things you’re anxious or angry about. When my parents divorced when I was a teenager I developed explosive anger. The soccer field was the one place I had to safely direct my emotions. My opponents may have suffered a bit during that season of my life, but having the ability to channel my anger through a positive venue was a huge help in overcoming my personal struggles.

9.5 Opportunities for college scholarships and professional play – Last and certainly least, competitive soccer provides the training, playing experience and exposure for a young player to play at the next level. I gave this item only half credit in terms of being a reason for my kids playing competitive soccer on purpose. Statistics show that only a small percentage of youth soccer players make it to higher levels of soccer after high school. And if as a parent you obsess about college soccer or your child’s soccer career, your child has a much higher probability of not making it past high school soccer. I had the privilege of playing Division 1 college soccer, but that was not a goal of mine or what I played for as a kid. It never crossed my mind, until maybe my junior year of high school. As a youth soccer player, I just wanted to play, be the best and hang with my teammates. I also wanted to play like those fuzzy German guys I watched on public television on Sundays. That was the only soccer we had on TV while I was growing up, but it inspired me. And along with the encouragement of some great coaches, parents and a some gifted teammates, I developed a passion for the game and a work ethic that earned me the bonus of playing at the next level. Looking back, it all seemed very unforced. My parents challenged me to become all I could become, but more as a person and less as a player. The level I had the fortune to play at was icing on the cake. Looking back, the things that really count are reasons one through nine above.

All the best to you as you enjoy the people and experiences associated with our “beautiful game”, and may you look back and emphatically say, “Yes, it was worth it!”

About the Author: Daron Anderson played for Placer United Soccer Club back in the 1980’s during the early formation of the Club. Through the years, between his “real job” as a management consultant for financial institutions, real estate developers and professional service firms, he coached young soccer players and served on the board of directors for Placer United. He has a National D coaching license and holds degrees in finance and human resources/organizational development. Daron and his wife, Betsy, have three children and live in Roseville, California.

Savannah Coiner of the U18 Gold 93 team was recently named to the All-Tournament Team at the ODP Championships.

Savannah was the only player from Cal-North to receive this honor. Here is a list of the All-Tournament selections:

Alex Anthony, CO

Maryn Beutler, OR

Caroline Brawner, WA

Katie Campbell, CO

Taylor Campbell, UT

Savannah Coiner, CN

Jordon Day, CO

Hayley DeGrood, CS

Jamia Fields, CS

Jennifer Gonzalez, CS

Lindsey Horan, CO

Jocy Jeffers, AZ

Alyssa Kleiner, NV

Lo’eau LaBonta, CS

Kylie McCarthy, CS

Marie McKenzie, CS

Indiana Mead, NV

Cate Parchinski, CO

Katie Perry, CS

Victoria Shimkus, UT

Bethany Skelton, NV

Andi Tostanoski, CO

Placer United’s U12 and U13 Boys Gold teams had a good weekend at the Davis Premier Cup. Both teams topped their brackets winning their opening 3-group games against some strong opposition. Aided by the immaculate playing surfaces at the Nugget and DYSL complexes, both teams played to their strengths and moved the ball at a good pace around the pool-table-like pitches. The U12’s beat Tri Valley 5-1, Elk Grove 5-0, and Davis 8-1. The U13’s beat El Dorado 3-1, Davis 2-0, and Mill Valley 6-1, and advanced to the finals.

“What a great sight!” some parents remarked to see both Placer United teams and coaches embrace the club motto “Clubstrong” as players, coaches and parents mingled together before the two finals kicked off. Unfortunately, both teams came up short in the 100-degree temperature recorded at final time, and couldn’t get the rub of the green. The U12’s boys struck the crossbar three times before falling to a good Sac United team who scored the only goal of the game late in the second half to win 1-0. The U13’s fell behind early to a big, strong Santa Rosa side, but worked hard to level the game before the half time whistle blew. Placer came out firing in the second half and created some decent chances but it was not to be as SRU grabbed the winner.

Well done to both teams for producing some fine football during the tournament.

Placer’s own Jason Gantt is getting lots of attention on a national level with his Sierra College soccer team. Read more about Jason in the Placer Herald.

http://placerherald.com/detail/159505.html