Helping parents and students reduce the rising cost of college via higher SAT scores, good school selection, and sound financial planning. Helping parents and students reduce the rising cost of college via higher SAT scores, good school selection, and sound planning.

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A Chronological History

It was not the typical beginning of a company. In fact, it was very indirect, and highly segmented. Jonathan Wilson, CFP® began business in 1994 as a financial advisor with American Express Financial Advisors. As all CFP licensees are encouraged to specialize, Wilson identified financial planning for parents with college bound children as an area of particular interest. To ultimately increase his flexibility in the college planning field, Wilson founded his own financial planning firm in 1996 (specific information on these services can be found by clicking the financial planning link).

This college planning focus soon spawned other ventures within the college planning field, as college planning is not just about “saving or investing” for college.

1. In late 1996, College placement and scholarship packaging for students was added to the list of services Wilson’s firm (then called “College Tuition Strategies”) provided.

2. In 1999, the establishment of the $5,000 SC Life Scholarship (which was initially for $2,000) spawned the private SAT Course. At that point, it was clear that the first step in improving a student’s college scholarship package was to improve his SAT score. An effective SAT Prep course was required to accomplish this task.

3. In 2003, Wilson added Speed Reading Courses, as well as adding individual tutoring services for SAT Prep students. He also changed the name of the company to “Carolina College Prep.”

4. In 2004, Wilson began conducting One Day SAT Prep Workshops at High Schools - at the bequest of South Florence HS, and Camden Military Academy. In the last few years, these workshops have become very popular at many SC high schools, and over a thousand students have attended these on-campus workshops.

5. In 2008, Wilson initiated Operation “Rolling Thunder” (which is just a “cool name” for the firm’s private war on poverty). Because Wilson believes that education is the way out of the poverty cycle, Carolina College Prep will waive the $395 fee for the Private SAT Prep course to all high school students on the free or reduced lunch program. These students only need to pay for the cost of the syllabus, which is $25. A college degree can break the poverty cycle, and the firm is committed to this cause.

Going forward, the firm continues to innovate and redefine itself to best fit the needs of the community.