Getting Students Into Their Dream Schools and Helping Families Get Money for College Since 2004
Call Us Today: (818) 201-4847

College Planning Experts

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Find the Right Schools

There are over 4,000 colleges/universities in the United States, but 75% of families apply to the same 50 colleges. This makes it more competitive. Are you applying to the right schools for your child?

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Maximize Your Financial Aid Awards

Did you know the order in which you list colleges on your financial aid forms can affect your financial aid award package? Listing them strategically can increase your grant awards by an average of 20%.

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Strategically Leverage Your Abilities

Test scores aren’t everything. Did you know that SAT/ACT scores are only the 3rd most important part of your child’s admission application?

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Use Insider Tips to Save Thousands

Income isn’t a sole factor in getting financial aid. Did you know if you make over $250,000 per year, some colleges will compete for your child by offering a discount for your ‘business’?

What Makes College Planning Experts Unique?

We offer a full service program unlike any other college planning company. We’ll help you get in, reduce costs, and afford college. We are a group of innovative and passionate professionals who are committed to help you reach your college dreams without going broke or owing thousands in student loans.

Experience

Founded in 2004, we are the original, largest, and longest standing college planning firm in the Greater Los Angeles area. Whether you have a NCAA prospective athlete, a performing arts student, or a potential engineer, we know how to help them reach their dreams.

Awards

We have been honored by former U.S. Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon, Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, the California State Assembly, the County of Los Angeles, the California State Senate, the City of Los Angeles, and the City of Santa Clarita for our outstanding work in our local communities.

Philanthropy

We really enjoy giving back to our community, which is why we partake in local fundraisers and scholarship contests. We’ve given over $150,000 in charitable contributions, and this number is growing! If you need help, just ask us.

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Find the Best Fit College and Career

With over 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States, finding the right “fit” can be difficult. You want to ensure your child will be happy and successful while in college and after graduating. We can help.

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College Admissions Secrets & Strategies

One of the biggest fears any parent has is the uncertainty in knowing whether or not his/her child will be accepted to a “dream” college. College Planning Experts can ease those fears.

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Grants, Scholarships, & Worry-Free Funding

College is expensive. The cost can range from $80,000 to $250,000. Can you afford that? Let us help.

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FREE Workshops

Our mission is to simplify the college admissions process and to make college more affordable, one family at a time. One way we achieve this goal is through outreach in the community. If you want to come get some great, free information to begin your college planning journey, come to one of our workshops.

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What makes our Workshops so Brilliant?

College Planning Experts offers the best college admissions and financial aid presentations. We educate you and give you the power to take control of this seemingly overwhelming process. Check out what some of our attendees had to say after seeing us speak.

Workshop Testimonials

Why College Planning Experts

As Seen On:

  • The College Planning Experts were amazing and helped with everything from financing to editing application essays. Irene is very kind and very patient. She helped me narrow down what schools I should apply to and also helped with the application process. I am grateful for her knowledge and her very detailed edits on my essays.
    Neekta MehrkhodavandiStudent Simi Valley, CA
  • We had a great experience with College Planning Experts. Because of their financial planning, we got an EXCELLENT financial aid package at a private school and are actually paying less than we would for a public university - all the while putting money away for our future. (more…)
    Lisa SarkissianParent Granada Hills, CA
  • I'm telling you, no matter how much you THINK you know about college planning, you don't have enough information!! I read books, went to seminars and read articles and these guys have it down. Cynthia Wagner is SO helpful with getting you set up. Irene is helping my daughter with preparation and Brian has the financial end in a mind blowing way. TRUST ME, you CANNOT do this alone.
    Jennifer AudetteParent Burbank, CA
  • They were there for us when we needed the most help for our children's college. Having the FAFSA done every year is a big help. I would recommend them to every college-going students' parents.
    Khurshid EscalanteParent Stevenson Ranch, CA
  • With Brian's help, we were able to put both my son and daughter through college. He and his staff are absolutely the best. We have been with CPE for 7 years and continue to use Brian as our financial advisor.
    Daniel Iglesias Parent Moorpark, CA
  • Two free rides to private colleges and acceptance to six other schools. College Planning Experts. Best money I ever spent. Irene is amazing. My daughter is thrilled. So am I. Thanks CPE.
    Sari Weiner Parent Woodland Hills, CA
  • If you want to take the hassle out of planning for your kids college, and want to make it more affordable, then use College Planning Experts! They are so awesome to work with, very knowledgeable, and will help you every step of the way! We had two kids in college at the same time and never had to stress about filling out FAFSA forms, how the whole process works, and how to pay for it because we had CPE!
    Jeanette Gregory Parent Castaic, CA
  • “Brian demystified the college funding process. There's so many things I didn't even know existed with regards to financial aid.” 
    Jesse M.
  • We have been with CPE since 2011 when my daughter was in High School. Our experience has been great! Brian Safdari and his staff has been so wonderful guiding us parents and my daughter step-by-step along the way. For my daughter, having a counselor that helped her on the choices and decisions made a great difference for her. They really take the stress away from our shoulders. Brian Safdari definitely is an amazing human been that truly cares for others. He's very honest and sincere and has been teaching and helping us how to save money for College. I'm truly grateful for all they have done for us!
    Claudia PieriParent Woodland Hills, CA
  • “Brian's workshop opened up the opportunity to look at colleges we thought were out of our price range. Thank You!”
    Bonnie E.
  • My experience with Irene has been amazing. She guided me with my applications, UC prompts, etc. I received great feedback and she was extremely helpful. She was always kind and I don't know what I would have done without her. I have learned so much and thanks to her I felt prepared and confident with my applications.
    Cecilia Corpus Student Norwalk, CA
  • Working with the counselors here has made college planning and applications incredibly easy for me and my family. I highly recommend working with them to help make your student's transition to college easy.
    Lindsey Mauricio Student Burbank, CA
  • “This is an absolute class that all parents should attend whether they think their kids are college-bound or not.”
    Pamela B.
  • It was an absolute pleasure working with Irene and the College Planning Experts Team. As the first in my family to go to college straight out of high school, aspects of the College application and financial aid process were difficult, but they helped me every step of the way. Irene pushed me to write the best essays that I could and to constantly strive to improve my ACT score, complete with resources to do so. (more…)
    Scott Watson Student Saugus, CA
  • “Thanks for showing me that we qualify for aid in spite of my income.”
    Ron N.
  • The CPE team has been extremely helpful with all of the requirements both my son and daughter needed for college, financial aid, grants and waivers. Now my son is a college graduate and my daughter is in her senior year of college studying abroad in Spain for the whole 2017-18 school year. From the office staff, to Genessy and Kristin the Service Center Consultant who assists with the Data Verification Process, I always have a resource for questions and I know they are all working for me to meet deadlines for FAFSA and anything else I need help with. (more…)
    Julie SandlandParent Rosamond, CA
  • CPE has helped me tremendously with applying to college. Being the first child to go to college in my family, we were unfamiliar with the application process but thankfully we had CPE to turn to with any questions we had. I had the pleasure of having Irene Chung as my college counselor and with her knowledge and constant availability, I had all my questions about applying to college answered. Not only did I receive aid in how to apply to college but I also received aid in applying to scholarships, finding a potential major, and as far as finding jobs that I would succeed in after college through these majors. (more…)
    Lauren FrancoStudent Santa Clarita, CA
  • “It’s refreshing to know that there is hope.”
    Nina A.
  • We started with CPE just prior to our son starting High School, we are so glad that this was a decision that we did not second guess. Not only are you gaining a highly intelligent group of people to help you and your student along the journey to college acceptance, but this is more then a business to this great group of people, their hearts are 110% in helping your student prepare and achieve. Hats off to CPE! (more…)
    Amy FrankParent Acton, CA
  • I am so grateful for the College Planning Experts! As my husband and I had no clue how the college process works, so the College Planning Experts were a savior. My daughter was very thankful for Irene, who helped her work through the college process assisting her through college essays, standardize tests, activities, and helping her pass senior year. Overall, it has been a great experience with them!
    Regina CruzParent Glendale, CA

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