The Financial Aid Shop

The Financial Aid Shop, founded by Catherine Graham, a 30-year financial aid professional, offers community-based solutions to the national dilemma of limited financial aid literacy for students and families whether college-bound or heading to a technical trade school. Sadly, today's high school student and their parents are experiencing a substantial amount of stress in the hope of academic success. The story heard from most seniors and their parents is one of extreme stress and confusion, anxiety and worry, emotionally and financially. The statistics and the stories that we read and hear every day, verify the challenges and necessity for increased financial aid education. Aspiring students and their families need a new and better financial (aid) story. Simply put, The Financial Aid Shop is here to do just that with your involvement. Transforming the financial aid story from stress to success, from knowledge to action. While millions of dollars are spent educating students and families about financial aid, they remain surprised and overwhelmed by the process. With that in mind, my mission is two-fold: I. Develop partnerships with schools , local governments and non-profits, and businesses to provide financial aid education training programs, workshops and classroom curriculums to the communities they support. II. Educate students and families to "become their own financial aid experts" by providing an educational tool box and training resources. This will reduce stress and ultimately, lead to the best "financial fit."