I have been doing business with 123 College for many years. I find it despicable that someone would bash a company that they never did business with. Many people would have never gone to college if it were not for them. They are experts in their field. read more

My daughter and I were introduced to your organization, 123 College, a year ago. You expertly guided us through the financial aid process when she applied for college. Your superb advice ultimately helped Susan receive over 87% of her tuition and cost. Last year she had decided on a private prestigious college here in Portland. This university gave her a tremendous package of grants, scholarships and Stafford loans and financial aid. This year, you and your staff have helped us file the FAFSA and CSS Profile once again. This year, my daughter will be awarded substantial financial aid once more; Because of our help she will not be facing a huge debt when she embarks on her career. We are so pleased with the professional and courteous attention we have been given from you and your staff at 123 College. I know and believe that working with you has had a dramatic impact on the amount of money she has and will receive. We would not have been able to afford this private school she is attending without your help and the financial aid that has been given. Our heartfelt appreciation to you for all that you have done us. We highly recommend your services to anyone who needs financial assistance and feels overwhelmed by the confusing financial aid process. It has been our pleasure working with you and your company. Again our many thanks. Sincerely, Jill and Susan. read more

The concept of 123 123Collegecom works but will take a couple of years to get going IF you are in an area that has approachable school system, favorable family income that wants help with college enrollment. My area in South Florida is not like that. Other areas in the US will do better than South Florida. Some things you must know before signing contract, paying $4995 "franchise" fee plus Annual $4800 associate fees and the $4-5000 marketing fees for each high school (about 6 a year). 1. The contract should be reviewed by an attorney. Mine said this was an old timeshare contract that the timeshare industry may not be allowed to use any longer, permitting quarterly $1200 charges, etc. 2. I did not have it reviewed by an attorney as it seemed the verbal promises given by the owner of the company would be fulfilled. I was ignorant. 3. The owner of the company is very smart and experience. Make sure it is in writing as before you sign the contract, as there are no stopping future charges on your credit card. 1. Before signing the contract, I was provided with 4 references/agents. Each gave great reviews. 2. What I did not know until later is that 3 of the 4 references had financial gain if I joined 123college.com. They were recruiting me to go into their insurance hierarchy for commission overrides. The fourth reference is in a remote mountain town in CA and he has several jobs to supplement his income. 3. I was promised seminars in front of the top schools in my area within 30 days of signing the contract. 4. I joined at the worst time as fafsa forms are processed on 01/01 of each year. You don't want to sign in the first quarter of the New Year if you are depending on a quick ROI. 5. As a result, Associates at 123college said that no calls were made to any of the schools in January as there would be NO TIME until February or March, due to the fafsa filing deadlines. Furthermore, I was told that no such promises listed above were made by the owner, who stopped taking my calls. 6. In February I had an attorney write a letter to 123college.com and canceled credit card. 7. The owner asked that I sit down with him again. He apologized for promising me things that could not be done and he refused to refund my money. 8. He promised that 123college.com would not charge me any quarterly associate fees for 2012. 9. But All the top schools in my area declined. So I followed up to see if the calls were actually made. A few schools stated they had bad experiences with this organization. 10. The schools I was given in March and April were low income and the timing of the direct mail was not right.(August through December are best). I lost several thousand in marketing costs. 11. So I decided I would work the program myself and get my own schools. 12. The first report I did for a family was so poorly completed, 123college offered the client a "freebie" because he was so upset. 13. 1 client asked for her money back and the owner told me that I would pay the $1295, even though I did not receive commission or payment. Still dont understand why as no explanation was offered. 14. 123college.com then warned me that they would put me into a collections agency, which the contract I signed agrees to. The Credit Card Company also agreed with them and stated that they had the right to all associate fees of $4800 for the year AND for the refund of payment to the client based on the contract I signed, even though my credit card was canceled. But this would only happen if 123college.com pursued it. 15. I had an attorney letter stating that I would fight this the moment they put me into collections. 16. team members at 123college.com never addressed the verbal promises made by the owner and seemed like this was not the first time this had happened. 17. The hiring process seems to revolve around getting agents to sign up and then leave rather than trying to get agents to stay and build a career. 18. When I joined 123college.com, I made the mistake of telling the owner that I had 3 agents that worked with me and that I would be interested in having them work the 123college.com program for my given territory under me. 19. The owner asked to meet them in January and I obliged. 20. In April, the owner called my agents behind my back and offered them parts of my given territory (again my territory was not in writing.) for Appx $2000, not $5000. 21. All in all, the 123college.com concept is a great concept that does work given time. But for me, the company operated more like a used car dealership. That type of organization is not for me, but it might be for others. 22. If I had stuck it out and paid some expensive fees, the program would have worked because I was making it work. 23. I just could not take working with an organization like that any longer. 24. Hope this is of help! read more

I have been doing business with 123 College for many years. I find it suspect that someone would give a negative rating without even doing business with them. Many people would not have gone to college if it were not for 123 College. If you have ever tried dealing with a financial aid office in a college, you would understand. They help people navigate the confusing process of College Funding. read more

Beware! Our agency received a call out of the blue from this firm. They stated they did extensive research on our agency and wanted to partner with us to sell their college planning tools to families by finding savings through life insurance to help pay for kids college. Um, life insurance is not the correct savings vehicle for life insurance in most cases. Anyway, a phone appointment was set up with the CEO, Ron Jay, who was quite convincing of his program. We researched his claims and found that none of the school districts in our area would supply mailing lists of their student body to 123 College.com. The schools also would not allow their campus to be used for a college planning meeting to their student body's. After online research we found a multitude of complaints and sparse compliments from both insurance agents who tried to sell the college planning product and from clients who purchased the 123College.com program. Please do your research if you are going to consider purchasing the program as a re-seller. It's not what they claim it to be. read more