Award letter review
I read your offer line by line and translate every term into plain English: what's a gift, what's a loan, what's a placeholder.
- Grants vs. scholarships vs. loans
- True out-of-pocket cost
- Renewal & GPA conditions
What I help with
Three ways to bring clarity to your decision
Practical, focused support designed around what families actually need at this stage.
True-cost comparison
Comparing two, three, four schools? I build an apples-to-apples picture so you're not fooled by the headline number.
- 4-year cost projection
- Hidden fees & travel
- Loan-burden modeling
FAFSA & next steps
If your FAFSA result, SAI, or aid notice doesn't make sense, I'll walk you through what's driving it and exactly what to ask the school.
- SAI explanation
- Special-circumstances appeals
- Questions to ask financial aid offices
Lori Bullock
About Lori
Two decades on the inside of financial aid, now in your corner.
For more than 20 years I've worked inside college financial aid offices, including time as a Director of Financial Aid. I know exactly how packages are built, how every line item fits together, and what those numbers really mean.
I've made the deliberate choice to step back from institutional work and be home with my two boys. Consulting lets me bring everything I learned over those years directly to the families and students navigating this process on their own.
Career history
- Independent Financial Aid Advisor · Families & Students, 2026–Present
- Independent Higher Ed Consultant · Institutions, 2025–Present
- University of San Francisco · Director of Financial Aid, 2021–2025
- University of San Francisco · Assoc. Director, Compliance & Training, 2019–2021
- California State University, Los Angeles · Financial Aid Advisor, 2016–2019
- Fremont College · Assistant Director of Financial Aid, 2010–2016
- Brooks Institute of Photography · Financial Aid Officer, 2004–2009
Credentials & involvement
- FAAC® · Certified Financial Aid Administrator® · NASFAA, 2023
- Conference Co-chair · CASFAA 2021 & 2023
- Executive Council Member · CASFAA, 2018–2025
- Rapid Response Network · NASFAA, 2023–2025
Families deserve a trusted guide through one of the biggest decisions they'll ever make. You have offers in hand. My job is to help you understand them clearly and choose with confidence.
- Insider perspective. I know how aid offers are structured and what every piece of the package actually means for your family.
- No jargon. Cost of attendance, SAI, gapping. I'll translate it all into the numbers that matter to your family.
- Independent. I don't represent any school or lender. My only loyalty is to your family's clarity.
How it works
A simple, low-stress process.
Most families go from confused to confident in a single one-hour conversation.
1
Reach out
Send a quick message about your situation and which schools are on the table.
2
Share documents
Email me your aid offers and any FAFSA results before our call. No special format required.
3
Meet by video
We go through everything together: numbers, conditions, and the questions worth asking each school.
4
Decide with clarity
You walk away with a clear picture of true cost and a written list of next steps.
Simple pricing
Pick the package that matches your situation.
No retainers, no upsells, no surprises.
Quick Review
$149
One offer, one focused conversation.
- 30-minute video consultation
- One award letter reviewed
- Plain-English breakdown
- Q&A and next steps
Most popular
Offer Comparison
$249
For families weighing multiple acceptances.
- 60-minute video consultation
- Up to 3 offers reviewed
- Side-by-side cost comparison
- Written follow-up summary
Comprehensive
$499
For complex situations or appeals.
- 90-minute video consultation
- Unlimited offers reviewed
- Custom written game plan
- Two weeks of email support
Not sure which fits? Send me a quick note and I'll point you to the right one.
Common questions
Answers, before you ask.
Do you complete the FAFSA for families?
My focus is helping you understand the results and the offers, not filling out the form itself. If you have FAFSA questions or your numbers don't seem right, I'll walk you through what's likely driving them and what to do next.
Can you help compare multiple colleges?
Yes. This is one of the most common reasons families reach out. I'll help you look past the headline numbers and build a real, four-year cost picture so you can compare apples to apples.
Do you work with transfer students or community college families?
Absolutely. Transfer aid has its own quirks (lost merit money, credit-transfer effects on aid, residency rules), and I'm happy to walk through them with you.
Are you affiliated with any college?
No. This practice is fully independent, and that's the point. I don't represent any school, lender, or product. I work for your family's clarity. Period.
What do I need to send before our meeting?
Award letters from the schools you're considering and, if relevant, your FAFSA Submission Summary. Photos or PDFs are fine. No need to format anything. I'll send you a short prep email after you book.
Can financial aid offers actually be appealed?
If your family has experienced a significant change in financial circumstances, such as job loss, medical expenses, or divorce, you may be able to request a financial aid appeal from your school's financial aid office. However, not all appeals result in a change to your package. Appeals take real time and effort, and before you go down that road I can review your situation and help you decide whether it's worth pursuing.
Get in touch
Let's get you a clear answer.
Send a quick note about your situation and I'll reply within one business day with next steps. Most consultations can be scheduled within the same week.
Email
Phone
Response time
Within 1 business day