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New Resource: Navigating College Funding & Merit Aid

September 15, 2026

Dear Upper School Families,

To support our students and families through an increasingly complex college landscape, Porter-Gaud College Counseling is pleased to introduce a new partnership with Paul Martin, founder of College Money Method. Paul brings deep expertise in all aspects of college financing—including merit-based scholarships, need-based aid, and strategic financial planning. Paul's approach is built around one idea: the earlier families understand how colleges award financial assistance, the better positioned they are to make smart decisions.

Accessing Resources

Whether you have a ninth grader or a senior, this program is designed to provide clear, actionable guidance at every step. We invite you to take a quick, four-minute video tour on the portal homepage to learn how to navigate resources by grade. You can access the portal using the link and password below:

Porter-Gaud Resource Center: collegemoneymethod.com/school/porter-gaud-school
School Password: pgscmm (No account creation required)

Upcoming Workshop Series

Workshops are the heart of the program. Each live one-hour workshop is followed by 30 minutes of real-time Q&A. We recommend attending the sessions aligned with your student’s grade level. This is your opportunity to ask questions, hear how other families are navigating the same challenges, and get expert guidance in real time.

9th & 10th Grade | Navigating Today's College Pricing and Financial Aid
November 17 at 7 p.m. – An overview of how colleges price education and award financial assistance today.
9th & 10th Grade | Understanding How to Qualify for Financial Aid and Scholarships
April 14 at 7 p.m. – An inside look at the financial and academic factors colleges use to determine your need-based aid and merit scholarships.
11th Grade | Evaluating Schools for Award Opportunities and Financial Fit
April 7 at 7 p.m. – The tools and resources to evaluate how generous colleges will be with aid and calculate your expected costs.
11th & 12th Grade | Loans and Borrowing for Your College Investment
February 2 at 7 p.m. – How to determine the right amount to borrow and evaluate lending options.
12th Grade | Applying for Financial Aid and Scholarships in Senior Year
September 22 at 7 p.m. – A guide through the senior-year financial aid application process, including how to research and apply for merit aid.
12th Grade | Comparing Your Awards and Strategies for Appeals
March 9 at 7 p.m. – A framework for comparing aid offers and knowing when and how to appeal for more.

About the School Resource Center

Beyond the live sessions, our customized portal gives your family 24/7 access to:

Grade-Specific Hubs: Targeted guides and videos tailored specifically to your student's current year.
Workshop Archives: Chapter-marked recordings, session summaries, and action steps if you miss a live event.
Financial Calculators & Guides: Searchable tools updated regularly to reflect current policies and scholarship trends.

You can view dates, register for upcoming workshops, and explore resources directly in the Porter-Gaud Resource Center (password: pgscmm).

We are excited to bring this dedicated resource to our Upper School community to make funding college clear, strategic, and manageable.

Sincerely,

Jennie Harris, Director of College Counseling
Silvia Davis, Head of Upper School