|
“For 25 years, I had the pleasure of working with applicants, students, graduates, financial aid and other school professionals, and many other colleagues in the higher education and student financial assistance communities. Schools have been extremely gracious over the years in allowing me to speak with their students on the extremely important topics of financial literacy and debt management. I feel they have trusted me with their students, and that is not a trust I take lightly. However, with rare exception, before I started PGPresents, each time I spoke with students and schools, I did so under the “banner” of an association or a loan provider. While I gained significant insight into educational debt and borrowing over the years because of the opportunities afforded me by these terrific organizations, I wanted to address the challenges of responsible borrowing under my own banner, completely unfettered and with a renewed objectivity and candid approach not yet seen in the industry. That’s why I started PGPresents. ” Paul S. Garrard, January 2010 |
What makes PGPresents unique?
In short, Paul Garrard makes it unique:
First, as an independent businessman, I offer completely objective information that is not biased in any way, shape or form, and is designed solely to promote responsible borrowing and repayment. For example, for recent graduates, I don't care who your loans are with, whether or not you consolidate, or which repayment plan you choose. I only care that you make an informed decision about repayment that works best for you.
Second, with over 27 years of experience in student financial aid, I can provide different perspectives gained from working on a campus in an aid office, at a not-for-profit higher education association, as well as with a student loan provider. I will offer opinions on occasion, but they are grounded in years of experience and I will let you know when I am doing so. In short, I “get it”.
Third, even with over 27 years of experience, I know my limits. For example, while a proud member of the Financial Planning Association, I am not a professional financial advisor, other than with student loans. However, I can put recent graduates in a much better position to have an intelligent conversation with their CPAs or CFPs when it comes to discussing their financial futures, because I know what impact their student loans will have.
Paul S. Garrard, President
PGPresents, LLC