Bring Ben Kaplan's Live Presentation to Your Special Event

Past clients include...

University of California at Los Angeles
Chandler Unified School District
U.S. Department of Education's TRIO Program
Discover Financial Services
Upromise
California Student Aid Commission
Walt Disney World
Wells Fargo
Panama's Ministry of Education
Ameriprise Financial
Lee University
Fastweb
Sallie Mae
Mount Mary College
Oregon Society of CPAs
Weber State University
Carroll University
Americorps VISTA program
National Institute of Certified College Planners (NICCP)
Eastern New Mexico University
New York City Department of Education
Texas A&M University at Commerce
Credicorp Bank of Panama
Summit Financial Group
Baldridge College Solutions
Independent Educational Consultants Association
Eugene School District 4J
Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation
Oregon Association of Student Councils
National Association of Secondary School Principals
Stroum Jewish Community Center
Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
St. Norbert College
California Center for the Arts
California State University at San Marcos
Indiana Foundation for Home Schooling
Emmanuel Gospel Center
Lincoln County School District
Ben Kaplan leads the "Scholarship Winner's Dance."
Ben Kaplan inspires the audience.
Ben Kaplan makes his point.
Ben Kaplan interacts with the crowd.

Discover why high schools, universities, nonprofit foundations, TRIO programs, religious organizations, educational associations, and Fortune 500 companies have all called upon Ben Kaplan to inform, motivate, entertain, and inspire their audiences.  Now bring his powerful message and engaging style to your own special gathering.

Unique to Ben's speaking style is how he connects with the audience:  Instead of merely talking at the crowd, Ben creates interactive learning experiences that draw in the audience with a wide range of visual, auditory, and physical cues.  Because Ben recognizes that all of us learn using multiple senses, he also includes hands-on exercises, dramatic skits, high-energy dancing, and a unique “call and response” format to help audience members internalize, not memorize, important points.  Ben’s background in theatrical comedy makes even “boring” topics fun.

Combining life-changing content with the energy of a sports event, Ben’s high-octane presentation will have attendees up out of their seats, shouting things out, and having a great time making an exciting future happen.

 

Real World Results

Following each of Ben's presentations, we survey attendees and use this data to continually improve.  Over the years, we've asked Ben's audience to what extent they agree (strongly agree, moderately agree, neither agree nor disagree, moderately disagree, or strongly disagree) with the following statements.  Here are some notable aggregated results:

  • "I have found Ben Kaplan to be an engaging speaker."  -- 97% strongly agree, 3% moderately agree
  • "I feel that I am better able to afford college." -- 90% strongly agree, 7% moderately agree
  • "I feel more confident about the college admissions process." -- 92% strongly agree, 6% moderately agree
  • "I learned new strategies that can help me succeed as a student." -- 95% strongly agree, 4% moderately agree
  • "I feel more empowered to pursue my future career." -- 91% strongly agree, 6% moderately agree
  • "I learned a new personal growth concept that applies to my life." -- 94% strongly agree, 6% moderately agree
  • "I really enjoyed Ben's presentation." -- 94% strongly agree, 6% moderately agree
  • "I would recommend this presentation to others." -- 98% strongly agree, 2% moderately agree
Comments from Event Organizers: 

"Ben Kaplan's presentation was inspiring, motivational, and powerful. His clear and detailed explanation, coupled with useful tips and lots of laughs was an inspiration for our students. His energy and enthusiasm about the college process was truly contagious!"

--Amy Holcombe, College Counselor
High School of Fashion Industries

"You should have seen all of the students and parents who were madly taking notes on all that Ben had to say. He really knocked them over with all of the useful information he gave. His presentation was so much more than we expected!"

--Tracey James, Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Lee University

"Ben speaks with an energy and confidence that might remind an older generation of Dale Carnegie."

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"The seminar resulted in a throng of people energized, excited, and empowered. Families felt, for what appeared to be the first time, that college was financially within the reach of their children. What's more, Ben made it fun! It's not extravagant to claim that I have never promoted an event that turned out as well as Ben Kaplan's presentation to my families."

--Eddie LaMeire, Associate Director
California Opportunity and Access Program

"Anyone seeking higher education in America, young and old, should entertain Ben Kaplan's advice, not only for financial reasons, but to also share in the greater lesson he has to offer--anything is possible if you put your mind to it."

U.S. Senator John F. Kerry (Massachusetts)
Inviting Ben Kaplan to speak to our students turned a good conference into a great conference. Ben worked with us to ensure that the content of his presentations coordinated with the theme of the conference and tailored his talks to our audience. He is engaging, enthusiastic, and has a great sense of humor. I agree with the students, Ben rocks!
--Yvette Rosenberg, Director, Student Support Services
Weber State University

“The feedback on Ben’s wonderful workshop has been nothing but positive! Ben was a blessing to all who attended.”

--Imani Smith, Project Coordinator
Emmanuel Gospel Center
“Ben ranked the highest of any of our speakers at the Oregon Society of CPAs conference. In fact, most attendees ranked his presentation a perfect 5 out of a possible 5. Comments included that it was one of the best, most helpful presentations ever.”
--Bob Kehoe, Chairman, Financial Planning Committee
Oregon Society of CPAs
“Ben really connected with the students—which was evident every time he asked for participation from the audience and had immediate feedback. That isn’t always the case with high school students! Ben’s energetic, interactive presentation is quite possibly life changing for students who have not been able to see the light with conventional conveyers of college and financial aid information. What an awakening!”
--Barb Fowler, Guidance Counselor
Lincoln County School District
“Ben did a wonderful, wonderful job. He just knocked the audience over! Folks in the community are still talking, excited about the information they are using.... The event and the media that it generated provided the perfect opportunity to attract prospective students to our campus. The bonus is that it has generated community goodwill, financially empowered our existing students, and increased the profile of our university in our region and state.”
Rick Miller, Student Center Director
Texas A&M University at Commerce
Comments from Audience Members: 
“Ben’s workshop is astonishing, much appreciated, and very unique. Listening to Ben speak gave us more confidence and a clearer, more manageable vision of what we need to accomplish and how to do it. It was a great gift for all of us who heard Ben tonight.”

Jeanne I. (Parent) - Chandler, AZ
"Ben opened my eyes to a bigger and better world. I came home with pages and pages of notes, and a clear path for scholarship success. Ben's optimism and energy truly inspired me."

Brock L. (Student) - Chicago, IL
“Ben has the innate skill to present his key points in an ‘unforced’ type of teaching. The way he uses humor and involves the audience by verbally backtracking together causes the audience to unconsciously memorize his key points. His teaching style works wonders and allows the information to go straight to long-term memory. He is simply a great speaker.”

Desiree T. (Adult Returning Student) - Portland, OR
"This was my absolute favorite part of the conference. I really enjoyed watching and listening to Ben Kaplan. It was like watching a movie. He is really awesome and he really got me motivated and thinking."

Rita M. (Student) - Salt Lake City, UT
"My freshman year of high school was very dismal for me.  I had been in a state of depression where I wouldn't put any effort into my school work and social life.... I was so inspired and motivated by Ben that when I returned to school I was a changed man.  Now I am successfully making straight As in all of my honors courses.  Also, I am back in Student Council and am forming my own astrophysics club.  I can honestly say that Ben Kaplan is my true hero and without his inspiration and motivation, I wouldn't be where I am now."

Mason T. (Student) - Houston, TX
"A lot of information from various sources comes across my desk and sometimes I get to feeling that I know all there is to know on the subject.  My school sent me to your workshop and it was well worth the particularly nasty two-hour drive that night.  I came home with two pages of notes and began incorporating the information I got from you into my own workshops.  What impressed me the most was that I actually learned a great deal from you that I didn't know or hadn't thought of before."

--Cathy Kabanuk, Counseling Secretary
Seaside High School
"The school counselors who attended the Ben Kaplan workshop RAVED about the information shared on scholarships, financial aid, and college admissions. Ben even offered suggestions, strategies, and resources to make life easier and more efficient for overworked guidance counselors. Ben’s own energy was contagious. There was a true sense of opportunity for all of our students as we left the session."

--Brooke Konopacki, Vice President for Student Access
Wisconsin Association for Independent Colleges and Universities
"I have never heard a speaker as good as Ben Kaplan.  I was taking notes, shouting things out, and even dancing all during the course of the hour.  All my friends loved the presentation, too.  I really think every school should have him come speak."

Misty L. (Student) - Chicago, IL
“After attending your presentation, I was finally inspired and motivated to apply for scholarships. I have received a dozen scholarships so far.... In fact, I’ve won enough that my first year at NYU will be free of charge. I wrote this letter to thank you personally for all that your advice has meant to me.”

Al B. (Student) - New York, NY
"I greatly enjoyed all of the "pearls" from Ben.  I especially liked the stories that related to the tips because I can use them with my students. However, what I liked best was his genuine enthusiasm regarding this complicated topic.  As a ASPIRE advisor, I feel very much inspired to help our kids!  

--Ellie Nagai, ASPIRE Advisor
Clackamas High School

Popular Topics

Awaken Your Educational Dreams:  10 Things I Wish I Knew as a Student

For each student, the future can often come down to a single decision: Allow outside circumstances to dictate your destiny, or boldly blaze your own path of limitless possibilities.  Awaken Your Educational Dreams is a special live presentation designed to help students of every age challenge their perceived limits.  Topics covered in the presentation include how to optimize your learning habits, be your own best advocate, manage your energy level, maximize campus activities, unleash your creativity, expand your comfort zone, and much more.

College is Awesome:  Inspiring Young Kids to be College Bound

In this amazing, fun, and one-of-a-kind presentation, Ben helps young kids discover the wonders of college--motivating them to do their very best in every school project and assignment.  Not only does he play a celebrity guessing game with kids (revealing which of their favorite celebrities went to college), but he also makes the connection between the work they do in school today and a future of incredible (and fun) career choices.  Ben even demonstrates to kids how they can make their brains bigger.... and gets them laughing, shouting, dancing, and high-fiving about their love of learning.  The result is a life-changing presentation for kids between the ages of 5 and 12.

If Paying for College is a Game, These are the Rules

This presentation cuts through the confusing regulations and mind-numbing jargon to provide the inside scoop on maximizing need-based financial aid, searching for and winning merit scholarships, claiming a tuition tax credit, investing in a college savings plan, minimizing student loan debt, and saving on related college expenses (like textbooks, computers, and student travel).  Just one warning: After attending Ben's talk, you may have the urge to yell out at the top of your lungs, "Yes, I CAN afford college!"

How to Go to College Almost for Free: Secrets of Winning Scholarship Money

Delivered to hundreds of thousands of families worldwide, this is the presentation that launched it all--and got Ben Kaplan on the Oprah Winfrey Show at the age of 23. With powerful examples and interesting anecdotes, Ben shows you how to develop a scholarship action plan, locate college scholarships in your community and online, bolster key scholarship credentials, construct a compelling personal narrative, and masterfully complete the application paperwork.  Ben won two dozen scholarships worth $90,000 and now he shows how you can, too.

What Should I Do? Finding Your Path to Career Fulfillment

In an era where the average worker will pursue five to seven distinct careers over the course of a lifetime, Ben Kaplan shows students how to discover their interests and talents, build upon their strengths, explore potential career options, recognize unexpected career opportunities, and make course corrections along the way. Ben also provides important real world examples of how to build a personal brand, succeed in a job interview, network with key gatekeepers, and use the latest technological tools.

Keynote Address:  If Mistakes are Wrong, I Don't Want to Be Right!

Perfect for conferences, meetings, and other large gatherings, this presentation shows audience members how making better, smarter, and faster mistakes can improve their efficiency and effectiveness at work, at home, and in everyday life.  Instead of stressing out trying to get things perfect the first time, Ben shows practical ways that you and your organization, school, company, or group can use small action steps, agile thinking, and strategic trial and error, to get better results in less time.

How to Get Admitted to Top U.S. Universities (and Find Scholarships for Foreign Students)

This special presentation is designed for international students (and their parents) who wish to attend U.S. colleges and universities.  Based on hundreds of interviews, Ben ranks the best (and most generous) destinations for international students and reveals how to get admitted to any U.S. university, including the most prestigious and elite institutions.  Ben also demonstrates how global-minded students can have special advantages in the application process... and how these advantages can result in more scholarships and grants. It's an information-rich presentation that makes a big difference for any student who doesn't live in the U.S., but hopes to study there. 

Professional Development Workshops and Staff Training

Ben Kaplan has conducted professional development training sessions for guidance counselors, educators, administrators, and other school gatekeepers at both the high school and college levels.  Customized to fit each audience, these workshop sessions often include topics such as understanding the college financial aid system, connecting with students using social media, utilizing scholarships as an enrollment management tool, and getting free publicity from broadcast and print media outlets.


Sample Video
"Three Scholarship Stories"

Ben Kaplan tells the amazing stories of three ordinary teens who became scholarship winners.  The great thing about Ben's presentation is how he uses real-world stories to motivate, inspire, and connect with his audience.
"The Scholarship Coach Oath"

In this special presentation excerpt, Ben Kaplan gets his audience out of their seats to recite the Scholarship Coach oath.

Cost

Ben's standard speaking fee for U.S. locations is $10,000 (plus travel expenses).  Travel is usually billed at a flat rate (ranging from $1,000 to $2,000) based on the distance from Portland, Oregon, and specific event scheduling requirements. This travel allowance includes all plane travel, lodging, meals, and transportation (so that there won't be any surprises about additional fees).  

Special discounts may be available if a speaking engagement coincides with a previously scheduled trip to the event region or if multiple events are booked simultaneously.  Likewise, depending on schedule availability, it may be possible for Ben to conduct two presentations on the same day at the same location (for instance, one presentation to families and another to guidance counselors) without incurring multiple speaking fees.

Ben's speaking fee also includes, at no additional charge, a variety of ready-to-go posters, postcards, and morning announcement templates for use in promoting the event.  Upon request, we are also happy to include an optional follow-up program that helps students and parents turn the information they gain into tangible results and action.

 

Additional Options

If you would like our assistance in driving turnout to your event, we offer separate mass media and school promotion packages.  First, in our Media Blitz Package, we'll schedule and produce a series of appearances by Ben Kaplan on local TV and radio in your area.  In each of these interviews, Ben will offer value-added tips and prominently mention how viewers can learn more by attending your event.  Ben has appeared on more than 2,000 TV and radio shows (including all of the top 50 U.S. media markets) in the past five years.

Second, in our School Promotion Package, we promote your event with our extensive network of school guidance counselors, administrators, teachers, club advisors, and more.  We'll provide each of these gatekeepers with materials promoting your event that will, in turn, be distributed to students at their schools.  By using these promotional packages, past event hosts and sponsors have increased their event turnout by hundreds (or even thousands) of attendees.  Contact us using the form below for more details and pricing information.

 

Availability

Ben Kaplan is available for speaking engagements throughout the year.  During periods designated as "reserved speaking tour dates," special discounts may be available in particular geographic regions that Ben is scheduled to visit. Reserved speaking tour dates include:

  • June, July, August (2012):  Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Peru
  • Sept, October (2012):  New York, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Pennsylvania
  • November, December (2012), January (2013): Chile, Brazil, Thailand, China, Korea, Japan

To inquire about specific availability on these dates (as well as other dates throughout the year) please fill out inquiry form shown below.


Request Info About Speaking Availability

Fill out the form below to request more information about having Ben Kaplan speak at your event. We will respond within 24 hours (and usually within the same business day!).

The name of your school, foundation, company or other organization.

How many people will be in attendance? Who will be in the audience? Anything else we should know?

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