The Step-by-Step System That Helps Families
in the “Financial Aid Dead Zone” Maximize Merit Scholarships & Graduate Debt-Free
—Without Parent Overload or Student Burnout
Middle-class families get punished twice in college admissions:
too 'rich' for financial aid,
too 'poor' to pay full price.
You’re saving in your 529, but
why spend money when you don’t have to?
There are currently over 8 billion dollars available in scholarships.
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Some families can write a check for a $300,000 college education without sacrificing their financial future. But for most middle- and upper-middle-class families, that same price tag means making painful tradeoffs: draining retirement savings, taking out a second mortgage, or burdening themselves and their children with decades of student loan debt. In fact:
The average cost of attendance at top private colleges now exceeds $83,000 per year (College Board, 2024), totaling over $330,000 for four years.
43 million Americans currently carry student loan debt, with an average balance of $37,000+ (Federal Reserve, 2023).
More than 70% of parents report being worried about how to pay for college without jeopardizing their own financial future (Sallie Mae, 2023).
This reality creates two distinct—but equally important—financial challenges:
1. For Families Who Can’t Afford to Pay Full Price
You’re not alone. Many hardworking families fall into the “Financial Aid Dead Zone”—earning too much to qualify for generous need-based aid, but not enough to comfortably pay $75K+ a year. Without a strategy, you’re forced to choose between limiting your child’s options or taking on overwhelming debt. But there is another way: with the right plan, your student can position themselves for merit scholarships, honors programs, and full-ride opportunities—and graduate from a top-tier school without compromising your family's financial security.
2. For Families Who Can Afford Full Tuition
Just because you can afford the sticker price doesn’t mean you should pay it. Why spend $300,000 on college when you could use that same money to:
Fund your child’s first home or business venture
Invest in real estate or retirement vehicles that compound over time
Build generational wealth and create a financial safety net for your family
Even high-net-worth families are increasingly leveraging scholarship strategies to maximize ROI on college—because financial stewardship is not about what you can afford, but how wisely you invest in your child's future.
No matter where you land on the middle-class spectrum, the goal is the same: you want your child to find their "dream school"—not just the most affordable school, and certainly not the one that leaves you financially exposed for decades to come. Strategic college planning allows your family to expand options without increasing financial risk, making sure your child graduates debt-free and opportunity-rich.
To access those funds for your child,
merit is the only way…
Hi, I’m Nicole — Princeton grad, Princeton-trained Academic Life & Learning Consultant, and winner of over $2 million in scholarships, including eight full rides and $200,000 in merit awards.
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—I graduated having built a six-figure consulting practice in my senior year college dorm room and discovered that true success isn’t about prestige. It’s about purpose, passion, and service.
That perspective runs deep. I was raised by a Wall Street financier turned pastor and a finance expert turned nonprofit executive. I come from a legacy where profit, purpose, and impact aren’t opposing forces—they’re a calling.
Today, I help financially conscious, middle-class families through my signature Merit Money Method—an all-inclusive college admissions system that empowers 8th–10th graders to build strategic, standout high school portfolios that win top merit scholarships, open doors to competitive colleges, and lead to a future free from debt, burnout, and overwhelm— because it’s not just about getting in but thriving when you get there.
Lead Boldly
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Impact Deeply
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Rise with Purpose
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Stand Tall
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Lead Boldly · Impact Deeply · Rise with Purpose · Stand Tall ·
My philosophy, stand TALL!
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Theme
We start by helping you uncover your unique theme — the story that connects your values, passions, and personal brand into a clear, compelling narrative. Admissions officers aren’t just looking for "well-rounded" students anymore. They’re looking for depth, direction, and authenticity. Together, we'll craft a memorable narrative that weaves through your activities, essays, and interviews — leaving a lasting impression at every step.
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Academics
Excellence matters — but strategy matters more. We guide you in building a competitive academic profile that highlights rigor, growth, and intentionality. From course selection to standardized testing to showcasing intellectual curiosity, we ensure that your academics don’t just meet the bar — they set you apart.
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Leadership
True leadership isn’t about holding a title — it’s about taking initiative. We help you develop entrepreneurial leadership by identifying real-world problems that matter to you and leveraging your skills, interests, and passions to create innovative solutions. Whether it's launching a project, founding a club, or pioneering a new initiative, you’ll lead with purpose and creativity — and colleges will take notice.
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Lasting Impact
Impact is the currency of the future. We’ll guide you in scaling your leadership into a lasting impact that reaches your local, regional, or even national community. It's not just about what you build — it’s about the doors you open for others. When you create real change and invite others into that change, you don’t just add to your resume — you build a legacy.
MY PROCESS
I know firsthand the pressure high-achieving students face — and the toll it can take. In high school, I chased success at the cost of my well-being, battling burnout, anxiety, and perfectionism.
At Princeton, everything changed. Working closely with my mentor, Nic Voge, I mastered evidence-based strategies for academic success, leadership, and personal well-being — and began coaching hundreds of students to do the same.
That experience shaped the Merit Money Method: a proven, holistic roadmap that helps students secure top scholarships without sacrificing their health or happiness.
Through my process, students don't just build standout portfolios — they build resilience, confidence, and a future free from debt and burnout. Success and well-being are no longer either/or.
"Nicole helped me craft a compelling college profile
and discover financial aid opportunities that will make attending my dream school, Princeton, possible without breaking the bank!"
— Prisca, Mechanical Engineering Student
I know your pain, and your child’s pain firsthand because my family has been there…
Hey Nicole here, creator of Merit Money Method! When I was in high school, I was exactly like the students I help today—a high-achieving teen with big dreams but no clear roadmap to winning top scholarships. I don’t just teach this—I’ve lived it
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I had the grades. I had the test scores.* But my family was stuck in the “Financial Aid Dead Zone.” We made too much for substantial need-based aid but not enough to afford college without major financial strain.
My dad was clear: If I didn’t secure a full ride, I’d be going to community college.
The task was clear: "Do well in school, and the money will follow."
BUT as I watched other high-achieving students get accepted into great colleges with little to no scholarships, I realized that good grades and test scores weren’t enough.
*I actually self-studied for the ACT taking my score from a 24 to 30 in a matter of 3 months. I help our students do this too!
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I knew I had to think differently. Instead of chasing every club or generic leadership role, I built a high-impact portfolio that showcased my strengths, leadership, and commitment to solving a real-world problem. That strategy changed everything.
I earned 8 full-ride scholarships worth over $2 million—without burnout, forced extracurriculars, or a laundry list of activities.
And I wasn’t the only one.
My sister earned a full ride to the U.S. Naval Academy and my other sister secured a near-full ride to Howard University.
Now, I help other students and families do the same.
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Most families assume that top merit scholarships go to the students with:
❌ The highest GPAs
❌ The best test scores
❌ The longest list of extracurriculars
But the truth is, colleges aren’t just looking for high achievers. They’re investing in students who demonstrate leadership, impact, and a compelling story.
That’s why I help high-achieving students go beyond academics to craft a powerful, scholarship-winning portfolio—without falling into the trap of busywork, burnout, or forced extracurriculars.
Me (Nicole) signing my formal acceptance to Princeton University in 2017.
Me (left) and my sister (Sarah, right) the day of her graduation from the United State Naval Academy in 2023.
My sister (Hannah) with our grandparents the day of her high school graduation in 2022 on her way to Howard University with a near full-ride scholarship.
My brother (Sidney) committing to Prairie View University for Architecture in 2025.