COLLEGE AID CONSULTING

Simple tactics:

Some financial moves that makesense to your accountant are not sosmart if you're hoping to get financialaid for college. Enter the collegefinancial aid consultant, who willhelp you negotiate the aid maze—fora fee. Finaid (www.finaid.com)warns, however, that not all consultantsare competent, ethical, or worththe $500 to $1000 fee they maycharge. While there are loopholes inthe aid evaluation system, there arelegal and illegal ways to take advantageof them. Reducing assets is anethical strategy, for example, but hidingthem is not, and could get you indeep trouble. Avoidadding to your income by sellingstocks on which you've made a profit,and save money for college in yourname, not in your child's name.