Parents with college-bound children gathered in Newtown High School’s cafetorium on October 8, to hear a presentation by Valark Financial Services advisor and registered principal Charles Wareham, hosted by the high school’s counseling office.

Valark Financial Services is a team of financial advisors who help their clients with any economic problems. However, the firm specialize in helping families figure how to pay for their children’s college tuition, according to Mr Wareham. Valark Financial Services gives an average of 60 presentations per year.

Visiting high schools around Connecticut since 1997, Mr Wareham said he has helped thousands of families through the economic hardship that is the college tuition. He has been giving his “How to Pay for College Seminar” in Newtown for several years. On October 8, Mr Wareham spoke to approximately 40 Newtown parents.

His program lasted about an hour and included how to apply for financial aid, how to fill out a FAFSA form, how to use a net price calculator, and how to lower the price of college.

“The most important message is that most parents think if they save money it’ll count against them, but that’s not the case. It’s the money they earn, their income, that will hurt them more than their savings,” Mr Wareham said.

His purpose is to help calm parents in panic mode by educating them further, according to Mr Wareham.

For further information, Mr Wareham offers his e-mail, Charles.wareham@valark.com and provides all of the information from his lecture including videos and helpful resources on valark.com.