Make College Affordable
Without Sacrificing Your Family’s Future

Helping families cut through the confusion of college pricing, financial aid, and scholarships.

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2025 09 07 09.52.56

A Simpler, Smarter Way to Pay for College

Charlie Donaldson

Hi, I’m Charlie Donaldson, the founder of College Money Map and a parent of four who’s walked this path myself.

Years ago, I ran a college-planning business that was supposed to help families make smarter financial decisions. What I didn’t expect was the constant push to use high-pressure, “sales-first” tactics that put profit ahead of people.

I shut that business down and decided to rebuild from scratch around one core belief: families deserve clarity, not pressure.

College Money Map was born from that promise. A place where you can learn how to afford college without being sold something you don’t need.

Choose the Path That Fits Your Family

Every family’s journey is different. Whether you’re just starting the process or deep in financial-aid forms, there’s a map that fits.

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Financial Aid Positioning

Make your family look “aid-ready” before you ever fill out a form.
Learn how to legally position income and assets to qualify for more need-based and merit aid.

View Financial Aid Positioning Strategies →

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Scholarship Maximization

Learn proven strategies to find and win real, renewable scholarships — and stack them with institutional aid for maximum savings.

View Scholarship Strategies →

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Financial Aid Appeals

If your aid offer comes up short, you can ask for more. Learn when and how to appeal, and what documentation colleges actually respond to.

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College & Career Fit

Choosing the right school starts with knowing your student’s goals. Align academic paths, career interests, and college choices to avoid costly detours.

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Dual Enrollment & Credit Acceleration

Earn college credit early through AP, CLEP, and dual-enrollment programs, and cut thousands off your total cost before freshman year even begins.

Blue silhouette of a graduate with a yellow location pin featuring a dollar sign, symbolizing strategic financial aid planning.

SAT/ACT Prep

Raise your student’s test scores and unlock more scholarship opportunities.
Explore trusted, results-driven prep programs that make every point count.

View SAT & ACT Prep Programs →

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Start With This Free Guide

Not sure where to start? Grab my free guide: “5 Traps That Cause Families to Overpay for College.”

You’ll learn the biggest mistakes parents make — and how to avoid them before it’s too late.

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