847-710-8676 Gjmueller1@gmail.com

Education Transition and Access, LLC

Helping you with the transition to high school, college and financial aid
Our Programs

About Us

With a spirit that values the individual and access to higher education, Education Transition and Access, LLC aims to assist the education and economic needs of parents and students in order to promote success in high school and beyond. We encourage those involved to become partners with us in the learning process by empowering them with innovative pathways, timely information, and solutions to any concerns they may have. 

Our Programs

Speakers

Jerry Cebrzynski

 Jerry Cebrzynski has been in the financial aid profession for 33 years, most recently as Associate Vice President for Financial Aid at Lake Forest College. Before joining Lake Forest, he began his career as Financial Aid Counselor at DePaul University in Chicago. At Lake Forest, Jerry performs outreach activities both on and off campus, and has had an extensive number of speaking engagements at various high school programs on financial aid. Jerry has served as an elected member of the National College Board Advisory Council, as an elected College Delegate to the National Assembly for the National Association for College Admission Counseling and as Vice-President of the Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. He is a sought-after member for many committee and scholarship boards because of his expertise. Jerry has also been a guest financial aid expert on Good Morning America, CBS News, and WGN-TV 

Gloria Mueller

Gloria Mueller has been in education for 34 years. For the last 17 years of her career, she worked as Coordinator of College Career Counseling at Glenbrook South High School, where her responsibilities included being part of the administrative team and working with juniors, seniors, and their parents in the college planning process. She coordinated the day and evening college programs and was responsible for meeting with over 200 college representatives visiting Glenbrook South each year. Gloria served on the College Board, as Chairperson of the Midwest Region and also served as the elected delegate from Illinois on the National Association for College Admissions Counseling Assembly. She has presented topics regarding college admissions, students and parents in the college process, and issues in guidance and counseling, at both the state and national levels. Gloria was on the faculty of the College Board’s Harvard Summer Institute for 16 years. She trained high school counselors new to the profession on topics including recommendation and essay writing, counseling the college athlete, and building a four-year college counselling program.

Programs

We offer a variety of seminars for parents and students, to help navigate through all of the stages of higher education planning.
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Finding the Best College Fit Academically and Financially

A look at how to begin the college search and application process to fit the student’s needs academically, socially, and financially. The financial aid process is also emphasized with an overview of financial aid programs, the financial aid application process, deadlines, how to reach a Financial Aid Award Letter, and what happens next.
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A Parents’ Guide to High School and Beyond

A two-part seminar focusing on how to guide students through the high school curriculum and the myriad of extracurricular activities offered, then addressing how to finance a college education and insure that it is a sound investment.
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Mental Health and the College Student

This session will discuss some of the issues facing students going off to college who have been treated for ADD, ADHD, eating disorders and depression, just to name a few. The stress of college often exacerbates these issues, especially during the first year away from home. This panel will discuss how to handle the transition to college as well as how to navigate the sometimes very difficult passage for students, parents and college administrators in dealing with these issues, while keeping the lines of communication open for all.
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General Financial Aid Application Overview (FAFSA, CSS Profile)

A general overview of the different financial aid applications (FAFSA, CSS Profile, etc.), including helpful hints and answers to frequently asked questions.
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The Importance of the Essay in the College Application

An in depth discussion about the college application essay in order to address what colleges are looking for in an essay, who reads them, how long they should be, where students can get help writing their essays, the importance of the short answer essay question, and more.
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Hands-On FAFSA Workshop for Parents Overview

A global view of the FAFSA form, explaining the various sections along with helpful hints and tips, and then answering specific questions families have as they complete the FAFSA onsite.
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Scholarship Search – Where is the Money and How Best to Find it?

A tutorial that explores a number of scholarship search services and offers helpful tips and advice for securing scholarships.
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Line-by-Line FAFSA Overview

A presentation that walks through every section of the FAFSA and delineates exactly what answers go where. Very little time is spent answering general questions. For more specific answers to families’ questions, we recommend the Hands-On FAFSA Workshop for Parents section.
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Movin’ On

The Transition to College and Beyond: A seminar providing information on how to manage the transition from high school to college for seniors and their families by discussing how to handle homesickness, letting go, empty nest syndrome, curfew issues, when they come back home, and more.
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Playing Athletics at the College Level

A program outlining what life is like as a collegiate athlete for a student continuing athletics at the Division I, II, or III levels.

Testimonials

A dynamic duo! Gloria and Jerry are among the best leaders in our field! Both are recognized nationally as true professionals who always keep the student’s best interest at heart. Both have tremendous expertise and experience to share. You will be learning from the best!
Bob Murray

Dean of Enrollment, Management Illinois Wesleyan University

I was nervous about my daughter starting high school so I decided to attend the “Parents Guide to High School and Beyond” program. I’m happy I did because I’m much more informed about what to expect. The presentation really opened my eyes about what to anticipate the next four years. The early financial planning part of the program helped me relax and gave me a great action plan for preparing to pay for college – outstanding presentation!
Sara M.

Northern Trust Employee

I attended the “Finding the Best Fit for College” presentation – it was excellent! I am feeling so much more confident about my child going off to college and about how to pay for it. The presentation and materials were easy to understand using down to earth language and approach by Gloria & Jerry!
Logan C.

Northern Trust Employee

I highly recommend that every middle school parent attend Gloria Mueller and Jerry Cebrzynski’s presentation on a Parents’ Guide to High School and Beyond. Both Gloria and Jerry share a wealth of knowledge and experience that provides parents with the essential tools to navigate the transition to high school and prepare for the financial strain of college.
Martin Grasmeyer

Director of Guidance , Grand Rapids Christian High School

The Parents’ Guide to High School and Beyond program attracted not just parents of high school students but also parents of younger students aware of the need to plan early. Expert advice on the transition from eighth grade into high school and then college was provided by Gloria Mueller who was honest, clear and focused. Jerry Cebrzynski, a financial aid officer noted for his ability to help families find the necessary funds for college, delivered a straightforward presentation on how to save for and afford college. Both presenters had effective handouts and visual aids. There was humor throughout their presentations and they handled questions superbly. I will have them back.
Rev. Dominic J. Grassi

Pastor St. Gertrude Parish, Chicago President, Northside Catholic Academy, Chicago (A 2013 National Blue Ribbon School)

We Can Help

What do you need help with? Is there a class you are interested in? Join our mailing list and we will update you when class schedules are posted.