Hi, and welcome!

I’m Kristina Ellis, and I’ve created this site to serve you in your quest for a great education and your dream career. I’ve been where you are, and I know how overwhelming the journey to and through college can be. There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States alone, and nearly 20 million students enroll in post-secondary education each year. It’s easy to feel like a tiny fish in a HUGE pond. I know I did.

I grew up in a small town in southern Indiana. Neither of my parents graduated with four-year degrees. My father passed away when I was young, and my mom made it clear to me early on that she expected me to attend college, but I had to figure out a way to pay for it myself. Freshman year of high school, she encouraged me to start dreaming about where I wanted to go to college, and also make plans for scholarships and how I would afford an education. I became SUPER motivated to learn everything I could about college admissions and winning scholarships. I put together a strategy and worked hard to implement it.

Thankfully, my efforts paid off. I was able to attend my dream school, Vanderbilt University, and win over $500,000 in scholarships to pay for my undergraduate education, along with my Master of Education at Belmont University.

I’m now on a mission to help students find their own best path to college and a successful career. I’ve heard too many stories from friends and colleagues who are stuck in major student-loan debt or employed in jobs that are far below their intellectual abilities. That’s why I want to help you—the upcoming generation—avoid a similar scenario and achieve the life you’re dreaming of.

I’ve been fortunate to publish two books (available online and in bookstores nationwide): Confessions of a Scholarship Winner and How to Graduate Debt Free. You also may have seen me on Fox & Friends, The Katie Couric Show, The 700 Club, or various other media outlets. I’m doing my best to spread the message that, if you’re willing to work hard and be strategic, you can go to college AND have a bright financial future. This website is my place to really get into the nuts and bolts of showing you how.

I’ve been doing this long enough to have heard every excuse in the book. And I’ll be really honest: If you’re not motivated, or like to complain, or are hoping I have a magic code that requires no effort from you . . . this probably isn’t the site for you. I invested countless hours into my journey, and if you really want something bad enough, that’s what it takes. Then again, if you’ve made it this far into the website, you’re probably ready to dive in and commit to the process, in order to reach your goals.

That’s why this site is named College Ninja. Ninjas are highly focused, hard-working masters of their crafts, and they are willing to put in the time it takes to maximize their ability. I hope you will likewise make a commitment to yourself to never settle and to always pursue all that you are capable of and designed to achieve.