Taming The High Cost of College: Recent Episodes
Brad Baldridge
Taming the High Cost of College teaches parents the secrets of how to plan and save for college so you can help make your children's dreams come true. Hosted by Brad Baldridge, a Certified Financial Planner and college planning expert, you'll learn what you need to save time, save money and reduce stress with smart and proven strategies. If you’re the parent of a college-bound teenager, you’re in the right place!
Learn advanced 529 plan strategies that can potentially help you maximize your savings and tax benefits while you protect your investment. Tune in here:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-529-plan-series-ep-4-advanced-strategies-around-529-plans
Check out the FREE College Money Report and Cost of Colleges by State:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/college-money-report/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/cost-of-colleges-by-state/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn how 529 plans compare to other college investment options, the pros and cons of each, and strategies to help you potentially maximize your benefits. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-529-plan-series-ep-3-529-plans-and-other-college-savings-plan
Check out the FREE Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents and College Money Report:
https://courses.tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/p/scholarship-guide-for-busy-parents
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/college-money-report/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn about 529 plan investment options, including which types of investments can potentially help you maximize your tax-free earnings and college savings. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-529-college-plan-series-episode-2-investing-for-beginners
Check out our FREE Scholarship Guide for Busy Parents:
https://courses.tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/p/scholarship-guide-for-busy-parents
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Get expert insights on 529 plans, how they work, and why they’re one of the best ways for families to save and grow money for college. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-529-college-plan-series-episode-1-the-basics
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn how your student can get and stay organized with tips from Lesley Martin, a former classroom teacher, academic coach, and founder of ClassTracker. Listen here:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-166-strongclass-tracker-how-to-help-your-students-stay-organized-strong/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn the best ways to parent your college-bound student and what you should and shouldn’t do to help them prepare and succeed. Listen here:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-165-college-parent-central-parenting-in-the-best-way-possible/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn about the Semester at Sea program, how it works, and the fantastic academic, cultural and world travel experiences it provides for college students. Listen here:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-164-semester-at-sea/
Check out these FREE resources that are helpful for college planning:
http://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/scholarships
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/cost-of-colleges-by-state/
http://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/college-money-report
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn the keys to maintaining good physical, mental and social health in college, including what parents can do to help students ensure their wellness. Listen here:
tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-163-the-college-wellness-guide/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn how to get into law school and what students should do to prepare, apply, and maximize their chances of success. Listen now:
tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-162-getting-into-law-school/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn how parents can help their kids get the best education after high school and how to pay for it without ending up in too much debt. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-161-accessible-education-for-all/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Find out how parents can help their students become a better writer and write a great essay for college admissions or scholarship applications. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-160-writing-great-essays-for-college-admissions-and-scholarships/
Check the The Scholarship Guide for Busy Parents - it's free!
http://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/scholarships
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Find out more about engineering careers, including potential jobs and pathways, how to pick an engineering college, how to network, and much more. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-159-is-engineering-for-you/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn about Degree Insurance, how it works, and how it helps college students ensure that their degree pays off with a good income and return on investment. Listen to thes episode here:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-158-degree-insurance-guaranteed-income-after-you-graduate/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn how new College in 3 programs are offering students opportunities to earn a degree in three years, with more relevant and beneficial instruction and experience. Listen to the episode now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/157-college-in-3-getting-your-college-degree-in-3-years/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Liberal arts degrees have a lasting impact on lifelong success, leadership, and fulfillment. Learn more in this podcast interview with Dr. Rick Detweiler. Listen to the episode here:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-156-is-a-liberal-arts-degree-worth-it/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Well-intentioned parents can damage their kids’ future by guiding them in detrimental ways. Learn how you can do better with wisdom from The Parent Compass. Tune in now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-155-the-parent-compass-navigating-your-teens-wellness-and-academic-journey
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn about 529 plans and how they can help parents invest and save money for college tax-free, so they can help their kids graduate debt-free. Tune in now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-154-529-plans-and-the-gift-of-college/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
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Learn Jesse Mogle’s College Success Habits: the seven powerful principles that can help your child excel in college and beyond. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-153-college-success-habits-7-powerful-principles/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn about college loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) and how they help students repay loans if their post-graduation income is unexpectedly low. Listen to the episode now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-152-loan-repayment-assistance-programs/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn how your college-bound student should start career planning, including how they can network, build important career skills, and land a perfect job. Listen to the episode here:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-151-the-career-toolkit-essential-skills-for-success-that-no-one-taught-you/
Check out these FREE resouces about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn how passion projects, community service, and taking the right first step in college planning can ensure your student ends up at the right school. Listen here:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-150-how-to-send-your-student-to-college-without-losing-your-mind-or-your-money/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Find out how virtually any student, including those with an average GPA, can earn scholarships, save on college costs, and graduate debt-free. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-149-making-a-debt-free-degree-possible/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Get expert insights on how to encourage your student to make the right decisions about college and prepare for their future. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-148-demystifying-college-admissions-and-your-students-future/
Check out this FREE resource about the cost of colleges by state. Check how much your prospect college costs now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/cost-of-colleges-by-state/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Find out how to make a wise college decision with the 5|10|20 outcomes rule for balancing college investment with your long-term financial returns. Tune in to the episode:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-147-making-wise-college-decisions-with-the-51020-outcomes-rule/
Check out these FREE resources helpful for college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Great advice for parents on how your student can graduate from college debt-free, including key resources to help you along the way. Listen to the episode now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-146-getting-out-of-college-debt-free/
Check out this FREE resource to learn everything you need to know about scholarships:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/scholarships
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn what every parent and student should know about getting into med school, including the process, the key qualifications, and much more. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-145-getting-into-med-school/
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Find out how students can learn about career planning through TikTok, including great tips for using LinkedIn to make important connections. Listen now: https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-144-career-planning-empowered-by-tiktok-and-linkedin
Check out these FREE resources about college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Author Michael B. Horn explains how different types of students approach choosing a college and how parents can help them make a good decision. Listen now: https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-143-choosing-college-how-to-make-better-learning-decisions-throughout-your-life/
Check out these FREE podcast episodes about 'gap year' and 'choosing a career path':
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-131-gap-years-and-gap-time/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-130-college-flight-plan-a-road-to-self-discovery/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-140-choosing-a-career-path/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Join Brad and his guest, Ayden Berkey, as they talk about Access Scholarships, a great website for finding, researching, and applying for scholarships. Tune in now: https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-142-finding-the-best-scholarships-through-access-scholarships/
Check ot this FREE resource that will tell you everything you need to know about scholarships:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/scholarships
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn how college-bound students can land their dream job once they’ve finished school. Hear the best tips from career mentor Daniel Botero. Listen now to the episode: https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-141-navigating-the-world-of-work/ ***
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Get the best tips for students who need to choose a career, and find out what parents should and shouldn’t do to help them along. Listen to the episode now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-140-choosing-a-career-path/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn the keys to getting into an Ivy League school with advice for parents and students in this interview with educational consultant Julie Kim. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-139-getting-into-ivy-league-schools/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Professor Peter Cappelli of the Wharton School talks about college degrees, whether they pay off, and misconceptions about the value of college. Listen to the episode now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-138-will-college-pay-off/
Check out this FREE podcast series great for college planning:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-119-college-planning-consultants/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-120-finding-a-good-fit-school/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-121-net-price-of-colleges/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-122-choosing-a-college-major/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-123-how-to-research-colleges/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-124-using-college-visits-to-evaluate-schools/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-125-getting-accepted-to-college/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-126-how-to-find-and-win-scholarships/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-127-student-loans-and-how-to-avoid-student-debt/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-128-college-testing-what-every-parent-should-know/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-129-need-based-financial-aid-and-how-it-works/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn what parents should know about the recruiting process for student-athletes, including key rules and how to explore different options. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-137-the-recruiting-process-for-student-athletes/
Check out this FREE Scholarship Guide for Busy Parents:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/scholarship-guide-for-busy-parents
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Find out how to help your teen get hired after college in this interview with Kyyah Abdul, author of The Prepared Graduate. Listen to the episode now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-136-the-prepared-graduate/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn how a real parent successfully appealed a financial aid decision at his daughter's college, restoring $11,000 in need-based aid. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-135-appealing-and-negotiating-financial-aid-decisions/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Find out how to keep your college-bound student mentally and physically healthy in my podcast interview with medical expert Dr. Jill Grimes. Listen to the episode now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-134-the-ultimate-college-student-health-handbook/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Brad Baldridge interviews Todd Weaver, President of Strategies for College, Inc., about college planning strategies and timelines. Listen to our conversation now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-133-college-planning-strategies-and-timelines/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Brandon Miller and Brad Baldridge share information and benefits for U.S. based students who want to study in Canada. Listen here:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-132-studying-in-canada/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Should your child take a gap year before college? Learn how gap years work, who should consider them, and how best to use them in my latest podcast episode:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-131-gap-years-and-gap-time/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Does your student need help choosing a major or a career? Find out how they can get started with College Flight Plan, a website for self-discovery. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-130-college-flight-plan-a-road-to-self-discovery/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn about need-based financial aid, how it works, how to apply, and how much aid you might receive. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-129-need-based-financial-aid-and-how-it-works/
Check out this FREE College Money Report:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/college-money-report/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn about SAT and ACT testing, why it matters for your college-bound student, and how they can prepare for success. Listen here:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-128-college-testing-what-every-parent-should-know/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Two of the nation's top college planning experts talk about student loans, the best loan options, and how to avoid college debt. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-127-student-loans-and-how-to-avoid-student-debt/
Check out this FREE Scholarship Guide for Busy Parents:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/scholarship-guide-for-busy-parents
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Join our two college planning experts to get the real story on college scholarships and how to win free money for college. Listen now.
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-126-how-to-find-and-win-scholarships/
Check out this FREE Scholarship Guide for Busy Parents:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/scholarship-guide-for-busy-parents
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Get expert advice on how to visit college campuses and use those visits to find the right school for your student. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-125-getting-accepted-to-college/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Get expert advice on how to visit college campuses and use those visits to find the right school for your student. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-124-using-college-visits-to-evaluate-schools/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Get expert advice on how to research colleges and help your student find the right school, including the best tools to use. Listen now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-123-how-to-research-colleges/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Get expert advice for parents on how to help your student choose a college major, including what to do if your child is undecided. Listen to the episode now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-122-choosing-a-college-major/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn why the real price of college isn't what you see on school websites, and find out how to get an accurate estimate of what your family will likely pay. Listen to the episode now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-121-net-price-of-colleges/
Check out this FREE resource to see the Cost of Colleges by State:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/cost-of-colleges-by-state/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn how parents can help their kids find the right college that meets their student's expectations and prepares them for a bright future. Listen to the espisode now:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-120-finding-a-good-fit-school/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
We care about what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on Apple, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!
Learn about independent educational consultants and how they can help parents and students take the right steps when planning for college. Listen to the episode now.
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/thcc-episode-119-college-planning-consultants/
Check out these FREE resources for all your college financial needs:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/college-planning-jumpstart-sign-up/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/expected-family-contribution-efc-calculator/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/cost-of-colleges-by-state/
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/scholarship-guide-for-busy-parents
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/category/podcast/
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What is a certified tax coach? “We help our clients keep more of what they make by lowering their tax liability through legal means,” describes our guest Craig Cody. He is a best selling author and certified tax coach that works in all 50 states with his average client saving over $20,000 a year in taxes. Filling out the forms properly is very different from planning your life to get the most back from completing those boxes. Listen to this short episode for all of the tax secrets you can’t miss!
Speaking today is Chief Marketing Officer Casey Stanton. After the recession of 2008 hit, Stanton was stuck without a job. Using some creativity, salesmanship, and a little luck he was able to find his passion in life through the success of marketing. Using his career achievements, he was even able to land as a professor of marketing at Tulane University where he created and taught several courses. Want to stand out in a sea of homogeneity at a job interview? Stanton has the secrets you need right now!
“Personal finance is about 10% math and 90% emotion,” describes our guest today and money expert Debbi King. After ending up in bankruptcy, she finally got debt-free and decided nobody else should ever have to go through what happened to her. Using her accounting degree and education degree she became a coach and author to help everyone succeed financially.
Chicago Scholars has the goal of finding students in the Chicago area that want to go to college, but might need some additional support. Even if you are not in Chicago, tune in to this episode with Dr. Toinette Gunn to understand how these programs work! There is support out there ready and waiting to help you guide your student through the college process.
“Entrepreneurship is one of the fastest growing majors on college campuses around the country,” shares our guest today Eric Liguori. He is the author of “The Startup Student” and an expert in the growing field of entrepreneurship. Hear what he has to say about building a better business and controlling your own destiny in this episode.
Meet Lisa Strasman, the President of the premier college athletics recruiting organization Next College Student Athlete. She is here on our show today to give you the secrets needed to be recruited for college sports at any level. These days, coaches are going to games to look only at specific players. “Of course there are examples of coaches finding kids, but it is really not the norm,” says Strasman. How do you get onto a coach’s list? Tune in here to find out what you can do to separate your student from the pack and get recruited for athletics!
Choosing from ranked schools can be tricky. Is one school really that much better than another? We invited Farran Powell on the show to help clear up what this ranking thing is all about. She is the “Paying for College” writer for the publication that started the ranking craze, U.S. News and World Report.Having written somewhere near 100 articles on the topic, Farran has a wealth of knowledge she shares in this great interview.
THCC109 – InviteEducation.com: Helping Families Plan and Pay for College at Any Age Interview with John Hupalo, Founder and CEO of InviteEducation.com January 26, 2017 by Brad Baldridge Leave a Comment
Helping Families Plan and Pay for College at Any Age Most families find it challenging to jump in and learn the college process, but we have John Hupalo here today to share all his great resources to make this simple! After his personal and professional experience with the issue of college financing and planning, John recognized that there were not too many resources available. He and his partner decided, “There has got to be a better way to help families plan and pay for college.” So InviteEducation.com was founded.
THCC109 – InviteEducation.com: Helping Families Plan and Pay for College at Any Age Interview with John Hupalo, Founder and CEO of InviteEducation.com January 26, 2017 by Brad Baldridge Leave a Comment
Helping Families Plan and Pay for College at Any Age Most families find it challenging to jump in and learn the college process, but we have John Hupalo here today to share all his great resources to make this simple! After his personal and professional experience with the issue of college financing and planning, John recognized that there were not too many resources available. He and his partner decided, “There has got to be a better way to help families plan and pay for college.” So InviteEducation.com was founded. Read More Filed Under: Podcast EpisodesTagged With: college fairs, college financing, college planning, extra-curricular activities, getting ready for college, how to plan for college
THCC108 – Interview with Mark Kantrowitz, College Planning Guru Founder of FinAid.org and many others! January 18, 2017 by Brad Baldridge Leave a Comment
Interview with Mark Kantrowitz Meet Scholarship Jedi, Mark Kantrowitz. Mark is a mathematician, author, speaker, and expert on scholarships with over 20 years of higher education experience. We invited Mark on the show today to share his incredible knowledge about scholarships and help you learn the lingo. “Financial aid is like a different language, the more you learn about it the easier your process will be,” says Kantrowitz. This episode is chock full of great information!
Majoring in hospitality can open many different doors to amazing jobs. ”It’s not just managers or hotel operators. It is all-encompassing of other industries and professions,” notes today’s guest Lisa Sturgeon. She is now the communications and resource manager at Geaghan Brothers Brewing Company and has returned to her alma mater Husson University in Maine as a professor. In this episode, Lisa shares her personal journey through undergraduate and graduate school to tailor her experience to achieve her dream career.
Not everyone is a high-flyer that has been dreaming of college. “The thing I wish I had known,” described Green about her own experience, “was that there were so many options out there.” What’s the secret to a successful college experience? According to our expert guest today Amy Greene, you have to take advantage of the relationships and network building. Listen in today to hear exactly how to do that- no matter what college you go to or what GPA you have.
“Every great story has conflict,” says author, public speaker, professor, and our guest today Dr. Jeff Barnes. He has created a unique class “The History of Disneyland” at California Baptist University in Riverside, California. Once he studied the history of Walt Disney, he discovered a multitude of life lessons and leadership skills that you could use yourself!
If you have ever thought about earning some extra income on the side, parents or students, here is a great introduction to freelancing by Laura Pennington. We give some examples here of how to use freelancing to help pay for college plus how it can help students acquire some great skills and resume building experience. It’s easy and you can start today!
“Debt is a bad thing and your personal finances have to be in order,” states our guest today and creator of Debt Reduction Inc. Travis Jennings.
Have you heard of naturopathic medicine? Dr. Kimberly Sanders is on the show to share how she decided to follow her dream and become this specific kind of primary care doctor. Natural solutions are very popular, but people are searching for experts in the field. “Just because something is natural doesn’t make it safe,” notes Dr. Sanders. Today you will learn about this little known medical profession that might be the right path for you!
Looking for another college option? Rob Aeschbach swings by our show to share his personal military experience and how that impacts financial planning and paying for college. “Although it is a dangerous job in a lot of ways, it isn’t like that all the time,” notes Aeschbach. His father was in the Navy, and that inspired him to pursue attending a military academy after high school. By enlisting after graduation, he was able to attend a prestigious college with a fantastic education FOR FREE!
We have our host Brad Baldridge leading the show today and giving you the tips he usually charges money for! Want this free advice? Of course you do! In our 100th episode, Brad breaks down a quick outline of what parents must be doing in order to prepare for college.
Your family is starting to plan for after high school, but don’t skip this critical first question- “Why are you going to college? We have college admissions coach Sam Feeny here to help you figure out how to choose the right college… for you! Parents- here is the advice you can’t afford (literally) to miss.
“Don’t let your struggles define you, you define them,” shares our speaker today Marc Hoberman. He is the author of “Search and Seizure: Overcoming Illness and Adversity.” After suddenly moving from New York to Florida during high school, Marc suffered a grand mal seizure while driving and was diagnosed with epilepsy. Hoberman tells us his story and how he came to terms with this diagnosis while still planning for college. “I am not who I am in spite of my illness, I am who I am because of my illness,” declares Hoberman.
Before you know it, your child will be an adult. “There is so much opportunity out there today, so I challenge you to get your kids involved and give them more responsibility than you ever thought you could,” shares our speaker today Matt Miller, who owns a small family business.
With Ellen Reaves on the show, you won’t believe how easy winning scholarships can be. She also gives us the leg up on how using LinkedIn will make your child’s hunt for a career so much easier.
Robben took everything he himself learned in college, and advice he was constantly asked for by his friends, and then compiled it into an 80 page manual.
You can’t get far without a degree these days. Dr. Lewis has been in the college admissions and student affairs fields for almost 20 years. He knows it inside and out and is happy to share what he has experienced with us today.
“I get to help students and applicants that dream of being lawyers be successful in the application process,” says our guest Adam Almaraz, who is the director of JD admissions at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
Depression and anxiety can be a struggle for many college students. It happened to Jill Arany. Now she is about to graduate with her masters degree and has already landed her dream job after overcoming these hurdles personally.
Every college has a career office, but what do you do with it? Take a listen to Dr. Tricia Zelaya-Leon as she explains who is there and how it works. So many students are missing out on this free resource! Is your student one of them?
If you are interested in learning more about college (and who isn’t?!), then you need to listen to this episode with Marie Bigham. She shares all the amazing details you need to know about college fairs.
Is your child a hard worker or high achiever? Do they like to argue? Maybe law school is the right graduate school path for them. Nathan Fox is the author of “Cheating the LSAT” and four other LSAT books. He shares his wisdom here for any family even remotely considering the idea of taking the LSAT and going on to law school.
Imagine being one of the first people to create the internet. Can you picture it?Right now your child could be working on the new digital frontier that is trending up. It is so new, there are hardly even any classes available. Tweens and teenagers all over the world are earning revenue through the internet this way. What is it? Super smart Trace Mayer shares today how the hottest new technology is impacting the world and what it means for the future.
What an inspiring story with Felecia Hatcher. Wow. Even though her GPA never touched a 3.0 in high school she was able to win over $130,000 in scholarships and grants. “Whether you have a 2.0 or a 5.0, you can get creative with your limited resources, get creative with your approach, and get the scholarship committees excited about what you’re doing,” describes Hatcher who went from a C student to a White House Award winning CEO.
Professor Marie McNeely stops by today to share how she turned her high school love of science into a profession. “There are lots of career opportunities out there that parents might not be aware of,” says McNeely. Figuring out how to turn something your child is passionate about, like science, into a paying job can be tricky. So how do you do it?
Meet Lauren Gaggioli, expert tutor and founder of Higher Scores Test Prep. We’ve invited her back today to help figure out if seniors need to test again on the SAT. This is a huge investment that ripples across the future of a future college student. Is your senior the one that needs to take the test again?
Psychology Graduate student Robert Wickersham pulls back the curtain on a typical college experience including leading up to and through earning multiple degrees.
Finances are an important lesson to teach our children. It is especially important that students have a strong understanding about money before leaving for college. Parenting experts Bret and Tracie Shroyer share their expertise on allowance and help you get started teaching these concepts today!
Looking for a scholarship? Jason Lum won over $250,000 in scholarship money and shares how he did it in today’s episode.
In this episode, Vice President of Strategies for College Todd Weaver shares the four fatal flaws that families make when it comes to the college planning process. Be sure you avoid these common pitfalls and set both your child and yourself up for college planning success.
Online courses are becoming more mainstream at college universities. These are not just for adult learners anymore! Dr. Tawna Schmidt delves into what makes online courses unique and how they could work for you.
Former guidance counselor Alexis Avila is an expert on high stakes testing and the creator of Prepped and Polished tutoring services. Are you stressed about taking the ACT or SAT? Don’t be! Get a breakdown of the new ACT/SAT tests and the secret to amazing essays in this episode.
In this episode, educational and career consultant Kat Clowes shares how to figure out what you want to be when you grow up and how to get there. Use those 4 years of college to your advantage and get that career of your dreams!
One of the leading causes of not investing or saving for the future is student loan debt. America’s Millennial Money Expert Robert Farrington shares the benefits of working through college in this episode with some great work ideas and the impact on your life after earning that degree.
Do you have an athletic child? Would you like them to be recruited to college for sports and earn some scholarships? In this episode, college athletics expert Jon Fugler explains some of the ins and outs of the athletic portion of college planning.
“Social media is a communication platform and kids are at a point where they don’t always recognize that what they put out on the internet is permanent,” says Owen.
One of the strengths of social media is that you can talk to anyone, anywhere, at anytime. A weakness is that what people put out there might not be the most positive.
Are you just getting started with college planning? Not sure if you are on track? This show is for you! Expert Brad Baldridge helps you get organized with 4 key areas to consider for a smooth and simple planning for college process.
The admissions process for college can be intimidating, especially if you are considering an ivy league school. Former admissions officer, and current Vice President and educational consultant for College Coach, Elizabeth Heaton helps you understand the process of how to get into a school and what school to go for in this interview.
Does your child have a passion? Can that passion help with college? Robotics expert Michael Vawter shares in this episode about his background with robotics, getting started with science competitions, and what impact extracurricular activities can have on scholarships and applying to college.
Want to build your resume, make great connections, have real-world experiences, and leave college ready for a career? You need an internship! Sharise Kent has written the manual on internships and shares everything you need to know including how to find one, what to expect, and how to prepare.
Natalia Volz uses her own experience to explain the process of grief, commonly due to death or divorce, and how to still successfully plan for college. Will you need to take a year or two off? Do you need to continue straight through into college? Ms. Volz has the information to help prepare you during the grieving process.
Do you understand your credit score? Does your child? Parents and students alike struggle to understand how credit works, how to build it wisely, and the severe consequences of making credit mistakes. In this episode, Ty Crandall shares his expertise on credit and financing and gives key tips on how to help your college student with building strong credit.
“Statfuse is an online application that helps high school and community college students with the college admissions process,” describes Banerjee.
Students can fill out a college application and select a college of interest. The site will then give them a percentage of likelihood that they would be accepted to that university or college. Students will also be told their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can do to better their odds of acceptance.
In this episode, Jeet Banerjee shares about his experience with applying to college and his website Statfuse
Ms. Clowes applied to graduate school after taking a year to really consider what she wanted. “What I didn’t know is there is so much more to it that you should be doing during your college years that I was clueless about things like building your network, or knowing what my brand was, or taking advantage of all the resources available to me in college,” remembers Ms. Clowes, “I hoping to help students to figure what else they should be doing to be successful and not have some of the doubt and 10 years of searching afterward which is why I wrote the book.”
Most colleges use The Common App which allows students to apply to multiple colleges at once. This usually includes:
- Personal information.
- Main personal statement of about 650 words.
- Sawyer suggests to think of this statement prompt as, “Describe the world you come from and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.”
- Activities list.
- Most colleges will request different supplemental essays.
- This means several different essay requirements per school.
Some of these essays might be exactly the same prompt and can double, but if the topics are different then the essays will be different.
Choosing and Applying to a College It is important to be realistic. If you are in the academic range of the college you are looking at, be sure to talk to real students. Be careful to select colleges that your test scores fall into the accepted range of. “The grades are also very important,” explains Dr. Jager-Hyman, “Test scores are really easy- that information is front and center.
Here’s some of the features of the website www.Admitsee.com
- Provides a “big brother or sister” at dream school.
- See application files of accepted students.
- You can compare your own test scores, for example, to accepted students at different colleges.
- Browsing is free.
- College students get paid for posting their profile and sharing.
- Great way to see what a student body really looks like.
- Can sign up to have a college student mentor.
- College students can review essays, give advice, and help guide prospective students. Essays are EXTREMELY important!
“Over the past ten years the (college) process has become that much more complicated,” explains Fayal, “But the offerings and resources haven’t improved.” This provides a way for high school students to connect to college students at their dream school.
About the SAT and PSAT “The higher the score, the more money you get,” says Burk.
The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is just as important as the SAT, but it is used for scholarships in the junior year. The SAT is offered 7 times a year, but the PSAT is only offered once a year in October. There are only a few small differences between the two tests.
Noonan suggests following James Altucher. She developed the collegepreneur idea in response to critics, such as Altucher, that say to not bother with college anymore.
Things that college students going into college should think about:
- The cost of college has increased by 300% in the last 30 years.
- Wages for college students are declining.
Noonan defines a collegepreneur as, “A student who manages the college experience so it doesn’t manage them.” It is important for students to use the resources available at a college to launch themselves into the life they want.
“They will have something to show for their college experience aside from a transcript,” Noonan further explains.
Extracurricular Activities and Essays “Simply being a member of an organization isn’t going to impress anyone,” says Schwartz. Having great scores isn’t enough anymore. A focal point of applying to college now is the essay. A great way to help with that is to have unique or exciting extracurricular activities.
Kate and Sharon began looking into the apparel industry in high school. They both had a love of sewing and designing starting at a young age. They took a course and completed an internship before going to college and pursing a degree. Their company launched in their junior year of college as a hobby. The business took off and by the time they graduated they rolled right into their full time company. An appearance on “Shark Tank” provided them new opportunities.
About the Website This website was created in 2001 in an effort to bring free information to families and students. Dooley found a lot of information when putting his own children through college and created a discussion forum because, “No expert knows everything about every aspect of every college.” The message forums have a lot of activity, and it isn’t always accurate, but it does provide a way to learn about a college or area for free.
The message forums are:
- Any individual can register and post.
- Similar to Facebook, but it is topically organized.
- Can view by individual school, financial aid, or many other topics.
- Can be broad or very specific.
- Entirely searchable.
In this episode, John Feudo stresses the importance of higher education and how communication skills are important in order to be successful.
- Speaker and author
- Parents did not go to college
- Author of the book “I’d Rather Eat Live Spiders” on how to be a successful speaker
- Has worked in higher education for the past 30 years
- Now consults all over the world
In this episode, Susie shares her experience helping families have better relationships:
- Internationally
- Former Marriage and Family therapist then changed to coaching.
- You can see results in 30 days or less.
- Works with people to have great relationships.
In this episode, Ryan Parker shares what to expect and consider if your child is interested in pursing a culinary career.
About Ryan K. Parker:
- Has been cooking for 20 years.
- Working in restaurants for the last 10 years.
- Is currently working in the classroom as a culinary instructor.
- Grew up loving being in the kitchen.
Cena Block shares how she came to be a productivity expert and business coach:
- Focuses specifically on moms and business.
- Helps people get better systems and time management.
- Took time off herself to be home with her kids.
- Started as a professional organizer and realized she wanted to be a coach to other moms who wanted to start their own businesses.
Jaison Greene gives advice on healthy and mindful living:
- Holistic health coach in New York City.
- Didn’t have the best eating habits, but became interested after some immediate family was diagnosed with cancer.
- Graduated from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, including the advanced program.
- Began consulting with clients and helping people eat better on their own terms.
Dr. Ryan Gray, host of Medical School HQ Podcast, shares how to best prepare for and succeed in medical school:
- Initially wanted to become a physical therapist.
- Been a practicing physician in the Air Force for over 5 years.
- Created a website and podcast to give accurate information to students.
- Covers a range of topics on the path to becoming a physician.
In this episode, Andrew Josuweit shares his expertise in helping students, parents, and other borrowers better manage their loans and make better financial decisions.
In this episode, Dr. Tracey Marks shares her sleep expertise:
- Has been in private practice for 16 years.
- Has a general practice to see adults, but has an emphasis in seeing women for lifestyle management.
- Became very interested in the connection between sleep and disorganization.
- Created a podcast for working moms to focus on all the tasks they have to do.
In this episode, Shea Groom shares her experience playing sports through college and becoming a professional soccer player:
- Born and raised in Kansas City.
- Played many sports while growing up and discovered in high school her preference for soccer.
- Joined an elite traveling club team.
- Attended Texas A&M University after 10 college visits.
In this episode, Eric Tivers shares his expertise in working with students with ADHD:
- Works with students with ADHD and students on the Autism spectrum with the college process.
- Wasn’t diagnosed himself with ADHD until sophomore year of college because he didn’t exhibit the hyperactivity signs at a younger age.
- Began working with ADHD and Autism spectrum students on study strategies.
In this episode, Karen Southall Watts talks about the habits of “A” students, including
- Study skills
- Organizational skills
- Time management
Barrett Bogue works for the Office of Education Service, which is responsible for paying and administering the GI Bill. He is the team leader for public relations and digital engagement. His team is responsible for raising awareness, as well as educating and promoting the GI Bill benefit program.
Service members can use the GI Bill to help pay for college. For example, Bogue used the GI Bill to earn two degrees from the University of Tennessee!
Jodi Okun is the founder and president of College Financial Aid Advisors, which privately helps families with the financial aid process – from the beginning to the end. “I help them with all the financial aid questions they possibly can have,” said Okun.
Dr. Ken Nedd is a family doctor and stress expert.
He explains that stress can cause several physical problems:
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Depression
- Heart issues
“As far as happiness goes, it is obvious that we as physicians/practitioners, we want to make people happy,” said Nedd. “The impact of happiness on health is amazing.”
When people are happy, there is chemistry in the body that positively changes. “Leave stress behind and adopt the happier life,” said Nedd. He helps clients, patients, and online visitors achieve happiness every day.
Monica Mathews was a former teacher and regular, stay-at-home mom raising three boys. When her oldest soon started looking at colleges, including MIT, she became well aware of just how much college costs!
Captain Howard is a public affairs officer who works for the U.S. Army Cadet Command, which includes:
- Junior ROTC for high school students
- Senior ROTC for college students
- Senior program is available at more than 1,000 colleges
However, Howard did not go through the ROTC program. “I wasn’t aware of the program when I went to college,” Howard said. So he had a lot of loan debt from college.
Then, he applied to become an Army officer because he wanted more responsibility and wanted to lead at a higher level. He now works to make people aware of what the ROTC program is all about and how students can benefit from ROTC.
Justin Gaither is the founder of Roomsurf and Textsurf, which connects college students with roommates and textbooks. Also, he is the co-founder of eCampus Ventures.
Gaither went to high school in Long Island, New York. But he decided to go to college at the University of Miami. That is when his entrepreneurial mindset was sparked. As a student, he started a couple ventures.
- Maximize space in dorm rooms by building loft beds to elevate the bed for space to add other items (sofa, TV, etc.).
- Roomsurf.com: Incoming college freshmen were trying to find compatible roommates via Facebook messages. So Justin created a much easier system for students to find roommates.
Elizabeth is considered an educational pathfinder! She is a(n):
- College consultant
- SAT tutor
- Admission expert
Elizabeth attended Wellesley College, where she was one of the top writing tutors. As a result, people asked her to help others with writing. Then she was asked to teach the SAT. “The kids were getting great scores,” she said of those she taught.
Next, she was asked to help with the college application process. “I just kind of taught myself the process. I had only applied to one school – Wellesley – when I applied to college. So I wasn’t the typical, sort of high school to college student. But I learned the process, and the kids were getting really good results – getting into the really tough schools like Harvard and MIT and Cal Tech.”
Elizabeth works with families that have students trying to attend elite colleges.
She discusses information and resources available to those families.
Divorced parents need to be on the same page when it comes to college planning and finance for their children.
Sandy Durst is the founding partner of the Durst Firm, a law firm that deals with family law and divorce.
- 99 percent of the practice is devoted exclusively to divorce and family law matters in New Jersey.
- Sandy has about 16 years of experience.
Laws have become complicated, so such experience and focus helps clients with divorce and related issues.
Durst shares his knowledge and experience when it comes to divorce laws in New Jersey, but every state’s laws vary. If you have questions, please contact an attorney in your state for individualized guidance and advice.
Alexis Amarante is a senior studying theatre at James Madison University in Virginia. “I have been interested in performing arts my whole life,” she said. “Right now, I am looking into what I am going to be doing after college. So, I am pretty excited about that!”
At school, she has been focusing on performing arts. However, her studies also include:
- Stage management
- Costume design
- Scenic design
This episode features an interview with Audrey, a student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and her father Kurt. They share their advice and experience regarding gap years.
Audrey took a year off after high school to pursue additional learning opportunities in Africa.
A gap year is something your children may consider in the future. Most of those who study abroad or participate in a gap year program discover that it is the best thing they ever did!
Podcast guest Joanie Connell is the author of, “Flying without a Helicopter.” Joanie is a leadership development coach and organizational consultant. She works with high-level and successful clients.
Her book deals with current trends in parenting, including helicopter parents who create highly structured and protective environments. There are also lawnmower parents who pave the way for their kids.
Joanie’s book addresses the consequences of raising kids in these kinds of environments. The kids are less prepared to be in the workplace. And involving the parents is disempowering the kids.
David Galehouse owns Varsity Edge, a website that helps high school athletes pursue their sport in college. He himself was an athlete who went through challenges in being recruited. He was an avid golfer with some aspirations of a college scholarship, but burned out in senior year. He began to play baseball in the spring of his senior year, for the first time since eighth grade.
Needless to say, it was a bit late in the game to hope for a scholarship in baseball, and after some scrambling around,” he ended up taking a year off from school. He first attended Rollins college in Florida but his skill level wasn’t improved enough, then he went to Fairfield College in Connecticut. He walked onto the team, but was sidelined by injury, and he stepped out of the sport by the time he was a senior.
While reflecting on his experiences, he started to take notes and it formed the basis of what Varsity Edge has become, a resource for parents and students offering information that David felt he did not get in his experience.
Eva Baker’s story is especially appealing to parents and students looking at college. She is a homeschooled senior in high school and an avid blogger at the ripe old age of 18, writing the Teens Got Cents blog. Her story also serves as an example to students on how they can tap into what they love to create a business (and an income) for themselves.
The website got started when Eva’s mom asked her to do a project for her remaining high school years to develop communication and life skills. Eva enjoyed rock climbing, but opted instead to write about her own experience in saving money as a teen after listening to an audio book from Dave Ramsey called Total Money Makeover. She realized there was a wealth of information online for adults looking to manage their money, but nothing for teens.
We meet Lauren Gaggioli on the podcast today, and she is the founder and chief of Higher Scores Test Prep, which specializes in SAT/ACT tutoring.
Today’s episode brings Roger Whitney, “The Retirement Answer Man,” to the microphone who will be indeed answering some of our questions on retirement planning with college in sight.
Roger has been a financial planner for 24 years, walking with his clients through the retirement maze. Eventually he developed a podcast and blog on the subject on his website offering tips and guidance along with a free retirement toolkit.
Later, I’ll be answering a question about owning a business and its impact on your success in receiving financial aid. You may have gotten conflicting answers from well-meaning friends, so we’ll break it down for you.
Welcome! We’re talking with Grant Baldwin, who is a speaker, author and entrepreneur and his expertise is in helping students choose a major or career path. We hope to benefit from his insights on helping high school and college students take the next step in their own life plan.
Later, I’ll be outlining the 5 Main Tax Breaks families can take advantage of when it comes to college. The money you can save through these breaks can then help you pay more toward col-lege.
Follow up on this information with a tax expert to see how your family’s situation can possibly reap the benefits of some or all of these tax advantages.
As as financial planner, many families have turned to me to help them plan for their child’s college funding, but today we’re going to combine those roles as we welcome Joe Saul-Sehy, a financial planner and a father of twins who are in college.
Joe will share his experience with us, as co-founder of the financially-focused podcast, “Stack-ing Benjamins”, financial planner as well as a parent. As someone in this unique position, we hope you can benefit from his expertise as he’s been in the trenches, too.
Then we tackle a question I get often about when to file your taxes and whether it matters when it comes to providing that information for financial aid forms (the FAFSA).
Happy Thanksgiving! – What better opportunity for me to say thank you to our listeners! We hope these podcasts have made a positive difference in your college planning. If you have found these helpful please share this podcast with others in the planning process.
I’m “going solo” in this podcast, and I’m covering the six types of colleges out there and how they have an impact on your bottom line.
I’ve developed a classification of colleges, and based on your student’s or your family’s profile, you may see a perfect fit among these classes.
I know some families have already made a decision to stick with state schools because they feel they offer the lowest cost for the value, and it’s simply what they can afford. Others can get a similar if not better deal by going a different route, so let’s break this down.
It may be a bit fearsome to consider, but taking a year off after high school or during your college career can be a huge benefit for students.
Holly Bull was a student who did just that and she now counsels students on how they too can do the same, effectively, as President of the Center for Interim Programs. More than just “taking a break,” Holly tells us how this year (or even just a semester) spent away from the formal college environment can help students be more prepared to enter college or a career.
And our question of the day is closely related to this topic, as we will be answering the challenge of what to do if you’re undecided and college application deadlines begin to loom.
The landscape for getting into college has become markedly more competitive, and the scores a student submits from the ACT or SAT can make or break admissions into their chosen college. So test prep be-comes equally important.
We’re fortunate to talk with Josh Stephens, who counsels students around the world to navigate through the process of preparing and taking these exams. Josh also explains how students who are living around the globe, either as expatriates or foreign nationals, may have additional hurdles to clear v. their stateside counterparts.
It’s becoming more popular to opt-out of traditional education and homeschooling has been one such option for parents seeking to help their kids get an education. However, how does that change things when it comes to planning for college?
Beverly Burgess is a homeschool mom of three, and is the state coordinator for ENRICHri in Rhode Island, and she joins the podcast today to answer those questions.
Afterward, we tackle a question about how students can get help if they’re in an upper middle income family but won’t have financial support from their parents.
Nile Nickel, founder of LinkedIn Focus and moderator of the Social Media Business Hour podcast, joins our podcast to discuss how students can develop their own profiles to set themselves apart from other college applicants, and eventually other candidates for careers once they graduate.
Later, I’ll also be recommending six great tools parents can use to plug in to their college planning process, so let’s get started.
We turn our attention to sports in Podcast 24 – and if you have a promising student athlete in the house, it pays to listen in. With thousands of college coaches across the country who hold nearly as many scholarships in their hands, athletes need to do what they can to get noticed, and potentially earn generous athletic scholarships to attend college.
David Frank, VP of Athnet Sports Recruiting, is here to discuss how that process has evolved and what you can do to raise the potential for your student. He’s been in the business for about 15 years, and saw the evolution of communicating with coaches go from emails to online profiles. Athnet’s website, AthleticScholarships.net, therefore provides the opportunity to load athlete profiles for better exposure to coaches across the nation.
- We weigh the benefits and the downsides to entering college through athletic scholarships and the process involved in evaluating the best fit for your family
- What to put into a profile
- How the athletic scholarship system works and when to contact coaches
- David’s 3 Quick Tips for families considering pursuing athletic scholarships
Later, we answer an often-asked question about how to approach campus visits to gather the best information to make a solid decision on which college is right for your student.
College Ap-plications: It’s More Than Just the Essay” and we discuss what not to overlook, and how to use the book to set yourself up for success.
Later, we will also discuss a question on student loan repayment – how soon do you need to start paying, what options are out there for loans as well as repayment and when you should even start to research it.
Wallet blog, and while he’s been a financial planner, he was first a newlywed with $52,000 in debt (not including the mortgage) – a debt he erased in about 18 months. He felt the need to help families struggling with debt and tight finances rather than the wealthy clients he had been seeing, so he created the blog to answer questions, offer tips and plans to lead people out of debt.
We’ll talk about:
- How to get your kids introduced to handling a credit card, even well before they start college
- How parents themselves can address and erase debt to position themselves for college funding
- Knowing how much parents should take on in college debt, and how to say no if that number falls short of the college’s price tag.
- What tips and strategies families with tight budgets can use to control spending
- Preparing for unplanned expenses
- Deacon’s 3 Quick Tips for starting college smart
I’ll also outline a basic plan for when to start late-stage college planning in the “Brad Recommends” segment
As a Certified Financial PlannerTM professional, specializing in late stage college planning, today’s guest is a great partner in helping me to provide families with guidance in organizing their finances as the kids head off to college. Troy Onink is the CEO of Stratagee and has developed software called SmartSearch for financial advisers. He also authors a column for Forbes Magazine called “College Crossroads,” which offers information and advice for families in the search for college and the means to fund it.
As if filling out college applications wasn’t stressful enough, students seem to have particular angst over what to say in their college essay. Add to that the fact that many college applications have multiple essays they require, and the process can be a real stumbling block, even for the brightest students.
Elizabeth Benedict and her company Don’t Sweat the Essay, mentor students through the pro-cess and we’re thrilled to talk to her in this show. Her titles also include novelist, college writing instructor along with business owner, and she shares her thoughts on how to set yourself up for success when it comes to putting it into word.
We’re exploring the college application process in this show, with Lisa Bleich, author of “Surviv-ing the College Application Process.” I found this book particularly useful in its case study ap-proach to helping students determine what type of “angular student” they are in the eyes of their target schools.
Bleich’s background in marketing, teaching and mentoring combined, lead her to assisting stu-dents and their families in exploring their unique strengths that will help them appeal to colleges when they apply, and write their essays. She tells us that there were already books that explain the “what” of the application process, and her book, which uses 11 various case studies, helps explain the “how” and the “why” of the process. The narrative format also is designed to help students identify themselves and their situations to provoke questions of their own to hone in on their own unique talents and experiences.
Later, we also dive into the question on who should fill out the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, which are financial aid forms used to determine eligibility for aid and the types of aid families can ex-pect to receive.
We’re taking the college planning process and backing it up about four years in today’s podcast as we talk with young author and student at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. It’s a boarding school – one of about 300 across the country – that Justin Muchnick sought out as a grade school student.
Today’s show features a great way to visit many college campuses without ever leaving your home. Chris Car-son is the founder and President of CampusTours.com, which features hundreds of virtual tours you can take of campuses across the country. It’s never going to be a replacement for the real thing, but it can help you hone down your choices based on what you see.
I’ll also answer a question on what impact a student inheritance can have on financial aid and discuss what the options are to minimize any negative impacts there could be.
Welcome back – we’re excited to bring you another great show, which includes an interview with Felicia Gopaul, founder and creator of the “Career 100” podcast, which features interviews with professionals in the top 100 careers.
The aim for Gopaul is to help undecided students entering college choose a major to help them save time and money. Her podcast format asks the same questions of professionals that most students might want to know and in hearing the insights from those who have “been there,” students can tighten their focus and select a major before they start.
It really is back to school time! The student loan rates for the 2014-15 year have been announced and there has been an increase of approximately 0.8 percent across the board. For direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans the numbers are:
4.66 percent – Undergraduates
6.21 percent – Graduate students
7.21 percent – Parent (PLUS) loans
These rates are locked in for the 2014-15 school year only; if you have a student that will be entering college in the fall of 2015, you will receive the new rates next year at about the same time.
We welcome to the show Christina Craig, who has been in college counseling and admissions for the past 10 years before starting her own private counseling company, Craig College Counseling.
Christina has a different take on the admissions process, calling it fun and enjoyable. Not something you’ll likely hear from the family trying to tackle the process on their own. Her job is then to alleviate the stress from her clients and part of her services is taking on the college essay.
Start the college planning process as early as sophomore or junior year so that the offer letter results are what you were expecting!
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is money that is provided to students to help them pay for higher education.
Additionally, it is money that does not need to be paid back.
Late Stage College Planning = 8 Mini Plans for Overall Planning
1) College Finances
2) College Selection
3) College Testing
4) Athletics
5) Academics
6) Career/Life Planning
7) Admissions
8) Scholarships
The following is not intended as investment advice. Please consult a qualified tax/legal/investment professional for advice on your particular situation.
What’s the best place to save for college…a 529, the bank, an investment?
Answer: It depends…..based on your tax situation and whether or not your student will qualify for need-based financial aid.
There are 3 aspects of college planning affected by divorce.
Planning and preparing
Who will do the leg work?
- Research on the schools
- Plan and participate in school visits
- Determine test prep plan
Financial aid
Financial aid is based on income and assets of parents and the student.
5 Last Minute Tips for Completing the FAFSA
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Complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the required deadline
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Asset strategies
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Clarification on 3 vague questions on the FAFSA
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Use the IRS Retrieval Tool
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You will apply for financial aid every year….. for each student
Top 10 Financial Aid Mistakes
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Putting assets or savings in the student’s name.
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Increasing parent income in the base year.
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Failing to plan for financial aid.
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Starting your planning to late. (or not at all)
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Overuse of 529 plans.
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Missing financial aid deadlines.
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Neglecting your debts.
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Assume you won’t qualify.
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Poor communication with the schools.
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Reporting your retirement plans as an asset.
Tim Nolan, a local CPA, talks about tax strategies when it comes to college. He will explain the American Opportunity Credit and tip for business owners. Nolan Accounting Center is a family business that has been in service for 48 years. They assist small business owners and individuals with their tax returns.
QUESTIONS
From John in California: What is the “net price calculator” that I find on most college websites?
From workshop attendee: Do I have to complete the financial aid forms and FAFSA if I know we won’t qualify for need-based aid?
Today’s interview with Erik Lofdahl of Midwest Collegiate Scouting details how the athletic recruiting process works and why you should consider hiring a recruiting specialist.
MIDWEST COLLEGIATE SCOUTING assists students in the recruiting process as they transition into college sports. Before starting his business 10 years ago, Erik was involved in the recruiting process as a high school and college coach. He is currently a college coach at, St. Norbert’s in DePere, Wisconsin.
Need-Based Aid versus Merit Aid:Need based aid is determined based on your ability to pay. Merit aid is based on why a college may want you on campus, i.e. high academics, geography, ethnicity, musical talent, sport, etc. 1) Tax Planning Before college starts.. – Set up 529s…. some states allow state tax deduction for contributions.
Great interview with Kim Stezala, scholarship advocate and author. Kim shares great tips she learned from a recent scholarship conference along with tips on when to start the scholarship process, where to find scholarships and more!
Kim is an advocate between scholarship providers and the individuals that need the scholarships. She is also the author of Scholarships 101: Real World Guide to Cash for College
Great interview with Kreigh Knerr, owner of Knerr Learning Center and specialist on college testing! Kreigh gives up some great nuggets on what families should be doing to prepare.
Kreigh provides great information on the following questions about standardized testing:
- What is the difference between the ACT and SAT?
- What are the Explore, PLAN and the PSAT?
- How do I determine which test I should take?
- What is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test?
- How do I determine my test prep plan?
- Should I prepare by studying on my own, in a prep class or with a private tutor?
During this podcast you will learn: Information about the 6 Federal financial aid programs
Pell Grant
Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Work Study
Perkins Loan
Stafford Loan
Plus Loan
During this podcast you will learn:
- Financial Aid: need-based aid versus merit aid
- Three types of families
- How need-based aid is calculated
- Two need-based aid systems
- Top 5 need-based aid factors
- Examples of Federal EFC (Expected Family Contribution)
- “Brad Recommends” – Attending college fairs
During this introductory podcast you will learn:
- Who is Brad Baldridge
- What is late state college planning
- How to get answers to your burning questions on future podcasts
- “Brad Recommends” segment on this and all future podcasts