Today's guest, Dr. Shaan Patel, shares how students and families can make college more affordable through scholarships and financial aid. He discusses why this October’s FAFSA opening is such a big deal, how to avoid common scholarship scams, the proven strategies students can use to maximize their chances of winning scholarships, the dos and don’ts of filling out the FAFSA, and why applying early makes all the difference.
Dr. Shaan Patel is the Founder & CEO of Prep Expert, a company that has helped more than 100,000 students improve their SAT and ACT scores, get into top colleges, and win over $100 million in scholarships.
He famously secured an investment from Mark Cuban on ABC’s Shark Tank to grow Prep Expert, which now offers online SAT and ACT prep courses, academic tutoring, and college admissions consulting.
Having earned over $500,000 in scholarships himself, Dr. Patel is passionate about helping students achieve their dreams, avoid costly mistakes, and unlock the financial aid they need to succeed.
Dr. Patel raised his own SAT score from average to perfect, has over 20 years experience with SAT prep, and has authored over 15 books on test prep and entrepreneurship.
A board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Patel was named one of Inc. Magazine’s 30 Under 30. He holds degrees from Yale and the University of Southern California.