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Indiana College Planning

Practical College Planning
for Indiana Families

Scholarships, FAFSA, dual credit, financial aid, and college planning guidance from an Indiana school administrator who helped his own four children secure over $500,000 in grants and scholarships.

20+Years in Indiana Education
4Children Navigating College
$500K+Secured in Grants & Scholarships

What most Indiana families
find out too late

The college planning process rewards families who know the rules โ€” and quietly penalizes those who don't.

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Dual Credit Doesn't Always Transfer

A course earning credit at a dual credit partner college may earn zero credit at your target university. Every course must be verified against every school on your list โ€” before you commit.

๐ŸŽ“

The ICC Is Powerful โ€” But Has Limits

Indiana's College Core gives students 30 free college credits guaranteed to transfer to Indiana public universities. Private colleges and out-of-state schools are not bound by it.

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Financial Aid Is Negotiable

Most families accept the first award letter. A competing offer from a comparable school is powerful leverage โ€” and most financial aid offices will work with you if you know how to ask.

๐Ÿ“…

Scholarship Deadlines Come First

Many institutional merit scholarships have deadlines in November and December โ€” before most families have even finished their applications. Miss them and the money is gone.

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Test Optional Doesn't Mean Test Blind

Many Indiana colleges went test optional but still use SAT/ACT scores to determine merit scholarship amounts. A student who doesn't submit scores may be admitted but receive significantly less merit aid than a student who did. Not submitting scores can cost thousands of dollars in scholarship money.

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Some Scholarships Are Forgivable

Indiana offers forgivable loans and scholarships based on financial need and area of study โ€” meaning the money never has to be repaid if certain conditions are met. Most families never apply.

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The CSS Profile Is a Second Form

Most Indiana families applying to private colleges file FAFSA and think they're done. The CSS Profile is a separate financial aid form required by schools like Butler, Notre Dame, DePauw, Wabash, and Rose-Hulman. Missing it means forfeiting institutional grant money โ€” permanently. Most families have never heard of it.

๐Ÿ’ต

The Net Price Is Not the Sticker Price

Families see $58,000 at Butler and cross it off the list immediately. But after grants and merit scholarships the actual cost for many Indiana families is $20,000โ€“$30,000 โ€” sometimes less than a public university. Families eliminate the best options based on sticker price and never find out what they would have actually paid.

Cornerstone began
just like you

I was right where you are โ€” a parent about to put my first child through college, and I didn't know much of anything.

What drove me wasn't passion for the process โ€” it was necessity. I was bound and determined not to allow my children or our family to go into any more debt than absolutely necessary for college. So I got to work. I researched, spoke with counselors, read everything I could find, and learned the ins and outs of preparing and applying for college.

That commitment paid off. My four children have secured over $500,000 in grants and scholarships โ€” with very little out of pocket. Cornerstone College Prep exists so your family can do the same. You don't have to figure this out alone.

John Johnson โ€” Cornerstone College Prep
John Johnson
Cornerstone College Prep
NACAC Certificate โ€” Core Concepts for Independent Educational Consultants
School Administrator, Indiana Public Schools
20+ years navigating the Indiana education system
4 children navigating college โ€” $500K+ in grants & scholarships secured
Very little paid out of pocket across all four children
Experienced in FAFSA, CSS Profile, dual credit & financial aid appeals
Indiana-specific dual credit, ICC & AP knowledge
Practical, debt-conscious approach to every family's situation

Start With the Free
FAFSA Checklist

Every Indiana family filing FAFSA needs this. Key dates, documents, and the five most common mistakes โ€” all on one page. Free, no strings attached.

No spam. No sales pressure. Just the checklist.

Choose the support
that fits your family

Every family is at a different stage and has a different budget. Start wherever makes sense for you.

Path 1 โ€” Free
Free Starter Tools
For families just beginning who want clarity on where to start.
College Planning Timeline โ€” what to do and when
FAFSA Quick Reference Card โ€” dates, documents, mistakes
Indiana College Cheat Sheet โ€” 25 schools at a glance
Path 2 โ€” DIY Guides
DIY College Planning Guides
For organized families who want expert tools to handle the process themselves.
FAFSA Complete Filing Guide โ€” $19
Dual Credit Audit Guide โ€” $24
Junior & Senior Year Roadmaps โ€” $22 each
Financial Aid Appeal Templates โ€” $27
Complete College Prep System โ€” $161
Path 3 โ€” Personal Consulting
Hands-On Guidance
For families who want personalized strategy, accountability, and expert review.
Is Cornerstone Right For You? โ€” $100
Hourly Consulting โ€” $125/hr
Junior Year Jumpstart โ€” 10 hours ยท $1,200 + $100 onboarding
Full Readiness Program โ€” 18 hours ยท $2,000 + $100 onboarding

Practical tools for
motivated families

Not every family needs full consulting. Some families simply need the right roadmap, checklists, and templates to stay organized and avoid mistakes. Our DIY resources are built for motivated families who want practical guidance at an affordable price โ€” created by someone who has navigated this process from both sides of the desk.
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FAFSA Complete Filing Guide

Everything Indiana families need to file FAFSA correctly, on time, and with maximum financial aid.

$19
Buy Now โ†’
๐ŸŽ“

Dual Credit Audit Guide

Verify which dual credit and AP courses actually transfer to your target colleges โ€” includes full ICC guide.

$24
Buy Now โ†’
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Scholarship Application Tracker

A complete system for finding, tracking, and winning scholarships โ€” local sources ranked by competition level.

$17
Buy Now โ†’
๐ŸŽ“

Complete College Prep System

All 11 guides, roadmaps, trackers, and templates โ€” everything your family needs from junior year through May 1.

$161 Save $74
Buy Now โ†’
All Individual Guides
๐Ÿ“‹

CSS Profile Guide

The financial aid form most Indiana families don't know exists โ€” unlocks institutional grants at private colleges.

$24
Buy Now โ†’
โšก

Junior Year Roadmap

Month-by-month action plan for junior year โ€” testing, college list, scholarships, financial aid prep.

$22
Buy Now โ†’
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Senior Year Roadmap

Month-by-month execution plan from first application deadline through enrollment on May 1.

$22
Buy Now โ†’
โš–๏ธ

College Comparison Workbook

Side-by-side comparison tool for up to four colleges โ€” real cost, fit, pros and cons, and final decision scorecard.

$21
Buy Now โ†’
๐Ÿ’ฐ

Financial Aid Appeal Templates

Three word-for-word letter templates, a phone script, and follow-up email to negotiate a better financial aid package.

$27
Buy Now โ†’
โœ๏ธ

Common App Essay Guide

All 7 prompts decoded, topic selection framework, structure guide, clichรฉ table, and final revision checklist.

$19
Buy Now โ†’
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Indiana Scholarship Search System

Where to find, how to apply, and how to win Indiana scholarships โ€” starting with local sources most families completely overlook. Includes state program breakdown and 15-scholarship tracker.

$22
Buy Now โ†’
๐ŸŽฏ

Supplemental Essay Guide

How to write "Why Us?" essays, activity essays, short answers, and every other supplemental prompt colleges require.

$19
Buy Now โ†’
Bundles โ€” Save More
โœ๏ธ
Essay Writing Bundle
Common App Essay Guide + Supplemental Essay Guide
$29
Save $9
Get the Bundle โ†’
๐Ÿ’ฐ
Financial Aid Bundle
FAFSA Checklist + CSS Profile Guide + Financial Aid Appeal Templates + College Comparison Workbook
$59
Save $30
Get the Bundle โ†’
๐Ÿ†
Scholarship Bundle
Scholarship Tracker + Junior Year Roadmap + FAFSA Checklist
$45
Save $13
Get the Bundle โ†’
Free Downloads
๐Ÿ“…

College Planning Timeline

What every Indiana family should be doing sophomore through senior year โ€” and when.

Download Free โ†’
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FAFSA Quick Reference Card

Key dates, documents, and the five most common FAFSA mistakes Indiana families make.

Download Free โ†’
๐ŸŽ“

Indiana College Cheat Sheet

All 25 major Indiana colleges in one quick-reference table โ€” type, cost, CSS, programs, and fit.

Download Free โ†’

For families who want
hands-on guidance

Every program includes personalized strategy, written session summaries, and access between sessions โ€” built around your student's specific situation.

"For families who want personalized strategy, accountability, and expert review โ€” not just a checklist, but a guide who knows Indiana's system from the inside."
๐Ÿค Discovery ยท 1 Hour
Is Cornerstone Right For You?
$100 Initial Session
  • You choose one topic โ€” one focused hour
  • FAFSA, dual credit, scholarships, financial aid, or college list
  • Walk away knowing exactly where you stand
  • We both decide if Cornerstone is the right fit
  • No pressure โ€” no obligation to continue
  • Written follow-up resource list included
๐Ÿ• Hourly ยท As Needed
Hourly Consulting
$125 per hour
  • For families handling most of the process themselves
  • Knowledgeable guide for specific questions
  • Schedule as much or as little as you need
  • No program commitment required
  • Any topic โ€” billed in one-hour increments
๐ŸŽ“ Junior & Senior Year ยท 18 Hours
Junior + Senior Full Readiness Program
$2,000 + $100 onboarding
  • 18 hours of dedicated consulting across two years โ€” used where your student needs it most
  • Everything in Junior Jumpstart
  • FAFSA walkthrough and filing support
  • Essay review and coaching
  • Financial aid award letter comparison
  • Financial aid appeal strategy
  • May 1 final decision support
$111/hr โ€” saves $14 every hour vs. hourly rate

Simple from the
first conversation

01

Free 20-Minute Call

We talk through your student's situation โ€” grade, college list, financial picture, biggest concerns. No obligation. Just clarity.

02

Choose a Program

We identify which level of support fits your family โ€” a single session, hourly access, or a full program from junior through senior year.

03

Work the Plan

Regular sessions, written summaries, and access between meetings to keep your family moving forward with confidence.

04

Make the Decision

May 1 arrives and your family makes an informed, confident choice โ€” with a clear picture of real cost, fit, and financial aid secured.

Not sure
where to start?

Most families start with a free 20-minute call. We'll talk through your student's situation and figure out together what makes sense โ€” no pressure, no sales pitch.

Let's talk about
your student

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Phone / Text

317-385-2683

โœ‰

Email

john@cornerstoneprepin.com

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Serving

Indiana families statewide

Free 20-minute intro call available. Not sure where to start? Let's talk through your student's situation โ€” no obligation, no sales pressure. Just an honest conversation about what your family needs.

Send a Message