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I’ve been talking with a ton of experts on different aspects of the college planning process. Visit your favorite podcast service below and subscribe to get all the latest episodes.

Jun 15, 2021 Merit Aid Myth Busters | 30 min 56 sec

The world of college merit aid is rife with myths and urban legends. Fortunately, Cozy Wittman of College Inside Track joined me to bust the myths and give you the straight scoop. Who gets merit aid, why, from which schools, what can you do to improve your chances of getting scholarships and so much more-- Cozy provides a wealth of information and strategies that any family can use to bring down the cost of college.

May 25, 2021 | The College Application Process | 42 min 19 sec

Applying to colleges can be arduous and stressful, but also a great opportunity for students to learn about themselves and build their futures. Certified education consultant Terry Mady-Grove of Charted University Consultants outlines the key steps and decisions in the process including researching schools, writing essays, enjoying the high school years, and whether Early Decision makes sense.

May 4, 2021 | College Financial Literacy | 42 min 19 sec

Planning and paying for college is confusing and complicated. As coordinator of Student Financial Literacy and Advising at the University of Southern Connecticut, Lew de Luca helps families navigate the college funding process from financial aid and scholarships to payment plans and cost-saving strategies. Lew shares a wealth of information on managing college costs and making good financial decisions.

Jan 19, 2021 | On Campus with COVID | 34 min 12 sec

What's it like to be a college student during the pandemic? A lot depends on where you're going to school. I caught up with three current college students-- from Gonzaga, the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan-- and heard three really different stories. Each student has a different perspective and experience. What do they have in common? They all feel good about what their schools have done to address the pandemic.

Nov 10, 2020 | Academic Success in College with Dr. Alan Shusterman | 30 min 31 sec

As a professor of organic chemistry at Reed College, Alan Shusterman teaches a hard class to smart students. Over the years, as both a professor and a parent, he's learned some valuable lessons about succeeding academically in college, and was gracious in sharing them with me. 

Jun 08, 2021 | Living with Student Loans: A High School Counselor's Story | 42 min 02 sec

As a high school guidance counselor, John McMichael has a lot of conversations with students about borrowing for college. That's in no small part because about two decades into his career, he's still paying off his own student loans. His experience with student loans is instructive: how not planning for college costs led to borrowing, graduate school's impact on his debt, the challenges of Public Service Loan Forgiveness, balancing his student loan obligations against saving for his own children's educations, and so much more. Fortunately for his students and for all of us, he's very generous in sharing his story.

May 11, 2021 | Emotional and Practical Realities of College Savings | 36 min 49 sec

Paying for college has emotional and practical components. As parents we want to provide opportunities for our kids, but the practical realities of college costs can make it seem like we're not doing enough even when we're doing all we can. Megan deBoer of Tended Wealth shared some strategies for both coming up with a practical savings plan that works for your family, and managing the emotions associated with this monumental financial undertaking.

April 06, 2021 | What's Going on With Standardized Testing? | 36 min 49 sec

As test-optional admissions gain steam, many are questioning the place of standardized testing in the college admissions process and even whether or not to take the SAT or ACT. Scott Clyburn of North Avenue Education walked me through the ins and outs of test optional and test-taking in general. Should your student test? Listen and learn!

Dec 01, 2020 | Prepaid Tuition Plans and the Private College 529 | 31 min 43 sec

Prepaid tuition plans are a slightly different take on 529s: rather than investing for growth that might outpace tuition inflation, these plans aim to match tuition increases. While they’e used to be many prepaid tuition plans, currently there are only a handful, with the Private College 529 being one of the leaders. Jonathan Sparling, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Private College 529, joined me to discuss the ins and outs of prepaid tuition plans and how they might fit into a family's overall college planning strategy.

Oct 27, 2020 | Paying off Student Loans with Bill Nelson, CFP®, CSLP | 31 min 33 sec

Student loan borrowers have a dizzying array of loan and repayment options. If you're borrowing for college, Bill's guidance on how to borrow and how to repay may well save you a bundle. Bill is a fee-only financial advisor who works with young professionals and specializes in student loan repayment strategies.