Frequently Asked Questions

A. All HTA tutors are degreed and/or certified teachers. Many of our instructors have extensive classroom and private session experience but all tutors have a passion for helping students achieve academic and personal success. Some tutors also work full-time in their area of expertise and bring excitement about that field to the sessions.

A. No, all HTA sessions are charged by the session. A student assessment will be conducted and goals set during the first private session. After the session, the tutor will consult with you on a recommended course of action and the needed ongoing sessions will be determined at that time. At any time you may cancel your services without further financial obligation if you are not satisfied or if feel that you have completed your objectives.

A. Students can be placed quickly (usually within a week) but there are manor factors that can speed up or slow down a placement like the availability of tutors, time of year, subject matter, location of student, etc.

A. No – there is no commitment to stay with your tutor if things don’t work out. However, HTA charges on a per session basis so payment is required for each session. If after a session you are not satisfied with your placement, simply contact HTA with the details and we will work on a new placement that suits your needs better.

A. Standard private session rates begin at $75/hr for the first hour and $65/hr for time accrued after the first hour. Specialists may be charged at a higher rate depending on the specialization. Rates for courses and workshops are priced at a flat rate and vary per course. Please view Study Skills Courses to learn about available courses.

A. All students placed for private tutorial sessions are charged a $50 placement and initial processing fee due prior to or at the first session.

A. Check, cash or credit cards are accepted via PayPal by HTA. Tutors will invoice you at the end of your session or on an agreed upon interval. Payment is due within 5 days of receipt of invoices.

A. Private session tutorials are primarily conducted at-home or in school on a one-on-one basis. There are times, however, when clients have more than one student in the home and request for small group tutoring. HTA does not provide services at retail locations where students may be grouped with other students as part of a package price.

A. Yes, please visit our Testimonials page to read about many of our satisfied clients and partner schools.

A. Yes, All approved members of the association have completed a formal interview, tutor training and background review which includes references confirmation and criminal background checks.

A. HTA offers a variety of courses in a private, small group and/or classroom setting. Study Skills and Supplementary Courses include: Study Skills Course, Intensive Note Taking, Summer Reading Knock-Out, Writing Remarkable Research Papers, Writing Extraordinary Essays, Organization Bootcamp, and Finals Prep. To learn about current available courses visit our Courses page.

A. All of our courses are catered to the individual. HTA works with parents and schools to make the courses as relevant as possible to the student and their current curriculum and activities.

A. Yes, all students receive a workbook binder with most courses taken through HTA. Additionally, HTA offers a parent session at the end of each course which allows instructors the opportunity to give parents and caregivers feedback and accountability tips.

A. Yes, clients that wish to control who attends the small group and have greater input on what material is covered can host a small group course in their home. Contact 832-251-1400 to coordinate the details on a small group course in your home.

A. The following is a short list of sites that give information on government aid, grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs as well as a few unique sites that offer search capabilities to databases of scholarships.

• www.finaid.org
• www.fafsa.ed.gov
• www.studentaid.ed.gov
• www.fastweb.com
• www.fastaid.com
• www.scholarships.com
• www.collegescholarship.com
• www.freschinfo.com
• www.gocollege.com
• www.wiredscholar.com
• www.college-scholarships.com
• www.collegenet.com
• www.collegefunds.net/free-scholarships.htm
• www.sallimae.com

A. Yes, there is a common application. This application uses the same format for all participating colleges and makes the application process much more enjoyable and efficient. Visit www.commonapp.org for more information.

A. HTA offers a full range of standardized testing preparation including prep for the various private schools entrance exams. HTA understands that many students are fully capable of performing well on these exams but lack the confidence they need to perform. Our sessions help students gain the confidence they need while drawing on the knowledge they already have. HTA has a partnership with Test Innovators and provides online benchmarking and test prep tracking for all students. Each student is required to take a baseline test and then an individualized study plan would be recommended for each student based on their respective gaps. Students pay for sessions as they are completed and there is no required minimum of prep sessions.

A. Each school is different but the most common exams are listed below.

• Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) – published by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB).
• Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) – published by the Secondary School Admission Test Board.
• High School Placement Test (HSPT) – used by Catholic school systems – published by the Scholastic Testing Service.

A. Most students take the exams between Nov - Jan of the year before their expected entry year. We suggest that students start visiting their preferred schools two years in advance so that it reduces the amount of pressure on the student's decision making process during the actual application year. Contact the school admissions director or counseling offices to find out about their respective testing requirements and deadlines. HTA offers ISEE prep sessions for students interested in preparing for these entrance exams. Contact HTA to secure a placement by completing the online ernollment form. If you are interested in a full-service private school admissions consultation to find the right-fit school for your student, considering booking a consultation with our HTA private school consulting specialist, Shakti Dalal, with Excel Educational Consulting.

A. The following sites can assist students, parents, administrators and caregivers with information on learning disabilities, needed accommodations and options for modifications.

• ETS Documentation Policies for Testing Accommodation
• Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) - Professional association committed to students with disabilities (physical and learning).
• All Kinds of Minds - Founded by Dr. Mel Levine, this site offers online newsletters loaded with details about learning differences from acclaimed educators and psychologists. All Kinds of Minds provides their resources not only to students but to parents and administrators as well and offers certifications opportunities in their methodology.
• LD Online - Resources and links addressing students with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder.
• Association of University Centers on Disabilities
• College Board Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) - Information on receiving special accommodations for the PSAT, SAT, or AP.