Herner helps students stay afloat
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

Jason Herner

When Jason Herner was preparing for college in the early '90s there were financial challenges he knew he had to overcome.

Growing up in a single-parent home in Chatsworth, Herner accepted the fact that he must start at a junior college before transferring to a four-year university.

When he reached his junior year, Herner, who now works as a college financial planner, chose the University of California at Santa Barbara because of its solid academic reputation- and because the price tag was much lower than a private school. But UCSB wasn't right for Herner, and he decided to transfer to one of the most expensive schools in California: Pepperdine University in Malibu.

As he was nearing graduation, however, a confused Herner noticed his bills for one year at UCSB were more than the cost of a year-and-a-half at Pepperdine.

"You shouldn't rule out a private school just because you think it costs more," Herner said. "Students need to be informed on strengths and weaknesses of different campuses. I ended up getting a ton of grants and scholarships at Pepperdine that I didn't get at UCSB."

While at Pepperdine, Herner earned extra money by tutoring part time.

"Before I knew it, I had more clients than I could handle, so I brought on some of my colleagues," Herner said. "It went from a hobby to a small-time company."

Soon the students he was tutoring were asking for help with college applications. But sometimes after helping a student decide what school was the best fit, the family ended up not being able to afford it- that's where the idea for National College Planners grew.

"Just helping them get in was solving only half the problem," Herner said. "Then they have to pay for it."

Herner's company, based out of Westlake Village, helps families with the academic and financial components of the college application process. First, Herner helps the student determine what schools they may want to go to and what they are thinking of pursuing as a career.

"We get them thinking about a career path, not just a job," Herner said. "We help them put together a list of schools depending on what they are looking for. We help them with all the applications; we edit their essays from a college admission standpoint. We only work with handful of clients every month, and we are with them through the whole process."

Next Herner evaluates the family's financial situation, helping to determine their expected family contribution or what the schools expect them to pay annually.

"Then we educate them on the criteria for aid and show them all the ways they can lower that expected family contribution in ways that are legal and ethical," Herner said. "We go through the different ways they can pay and the pros and cons of each option. We help them go after grants and scholarships. The most important thing is letting them know all the options they have."

Herner's team fills out all the financial aid forms for parents every year. They also help evaluate the aid packages the students are offered and appeal aid amounts in cases of extenuating circumstances.

National College Planners charge from $1,500 to $3,000 based on the family's needs, and their services can extend throughout all four years of college.

"I think what sets us apart is that we do both components," Herner said. "We try and handle everything for them. We present them with all the material information so they can make the best decision for their family."

Herner is leading a workshop today, Jan. 24, at the Simi Valley Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road, from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. He will be at the Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road, Sat., Jan. 26 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.

The workshops are free, but reservations are required. To make reservations, call (805) 300-5919 or visit www.123ncp.com.

"This, I believe, is my calling because I have a passion for it," Herner said. "I enjoy interacting with students when they are at this crossroads in their life. I'm so happy I have a career that I don't consider work."

For more information, visit www.nationalcollegeplanners.com.