What was freshman year like for one of our past students? How has COVID impacted her learning? We catch up with a current student to get a first-hand account of the new college experience.

Read more and get additional resources here: https://abcsofcollegefunding.com/podcast/ep-12-freshman-year-experience-with-student-guest-lane/200/ 

What we discuss on this show: 

0:44 - Let’s review the past year with our student guest, Lane.

2:11 - What gives Lane her fearless approach?

3:18 - What did Lane pick up from this process?

5:50 - Why does Jeff recommend their students journal?

8:25 - How did Lane pivot when COVID put an immediate halt to senior year?

10:56 - What was the biggest challenge in transitioning from high school to college?

14:47 - Homesickness is normal for students.

15:25 - What were the academic challenges? 

19:23 - What would Lane tell another student about preparing for college?

From pivoting in 2020 to finding your calling, special guest Kristin Mitchell shares her story as a small business owner.

Read more and get additional financial resources here:

https://abcsofcollegefunding.com/podcast/ep-11-finding-your-calling-with-kristin-mitchell-of-art-box-studio/195/

What we discuss on the show: 

1:02 - Let’s introduce today’s special guest and small business owner.

2:36 - What does the business do?

3:16 - How has her business pivoted during the pandemic?

4:56 - What have been the biggest challenges and biggest rewards?

7:36 - What is the dream for the business? 

10:35 - How have her varied work experiences lead to today?

14:14 - What’s the word of the year? 

15:51 - What was Kristin’s educational experience?

20:44 - What advice would Kristin give her 18-year-old self?

22:08 - Why didn’t Kristin go to art school?

What kinds of questions do students often ask as they apply for colleges? What do you need to know ahead of time? Join us as we discuss the different questions that typically arise and how students should approach the process.

Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://abcsofcollegefunding.com/podcast/common-questions-about-college-applications-and-scholarships/186/ 

What we discuss on the show: 

0:40 - What’s going on with high school senior students right now?

1:30 - What kind of questions are students asking about their college applications?

3:01 - What is the common application? How should you use it?

6:06 - What’s the difference between AP and dual enrollment classes?   

10:27 - Are you putting too much pressure on yourself? 

11:52 - What expenses will you have in college?

18:24 - What are common questions related to FAFSA?

As schools start back up and hints of fall are upon us, we have an opportunity to reflect and look ahead for the coming school year. What does it mean to have a successful year? What would it mean to be a leader?

Read more and get additional resources here: https://abcsofcollegefunding.com/podcast/ep-9-finding-success-through-service-and-leadership-skills/181/ 

What we discuss on the show: 

1:01 - High schools and colleges have started back up.

1:36 - How is success measured?

2:32 - Why is it important for students to consider leadership and service?

6:27 - Once you get into college, is there a push to do service?

7:19 - What is the value of helping others?  

9:10 - If a teacher gives you an optional assignment, what do you do?

10:12 - Jeff shares inspirational quotes from a few famous people.

11:18 - What type of income do you want to have when you get out of school?

12:55 - What does mentoring mean for our students?

How has COVID impacted your college choices? What will happen to financial aid opportunities and college funding? Let’s talk about what has changed in 2020.

Read more and get additional college planning resources here: https://abcsofcollegefunding.com/podcast/ep-8-ramifications-of-covid-19-when-college-planning/173/ 

What we discuss on this episode: 

1:17 - How do students find the right schools amidst COVID?

4:40 - What happens if…?

6:35 - What ramifications has COVID-19 had so far?

7:49 - What might happen with financial aid?

9:39 - Are you planning to rely on student loans?

11:04 - What will college cost after a vaccine?

12:37 - How much do Jeff’s clients receive in financial aid?

How can you better plan for college? How has COVID changed things when it comes to college for the upcoming college freshman and upcoming college senior? Darren Rose joins us today to discuss this process and help you get prepared during these unprecedented times.

Read more and get additional resources here: https://abcsofcollegefunding.com/podcast/ep-7-how-to-approach-the-college-process-with-darren-rose/167/ 

On today's show: 

1:06 - Introducing Darren Rose to the podcast.

2:29 - How has COVID impacted the college planning process? 

5:40 - Guidance counselors are overwhelmed.

7:15 - How can you get personalized attention?

10:47 - What are colleges looking at when accepting a student?

14:34 - What should upcoming high school seniors be aware of?

What does a student services coordinator do? Why is it important for high school students to have a plan going into college? Nicole shares her experience and how it directly relates to her new role on the team.

Read more and get additional resources here: https://abcsofcollegefunding.com/podcast/ep-6-meet-student-services-coordinator-nicole-lagrange/161/ 

On today's show: 

1:17 - Introducing our new student services coordinator, Nicole.

2:14 - In our new COVID world, what does student activities look like?

5:43 - What are the long-term goals of Community Educational Funding?

7:10 - Who is Nicole? What is her background?

8:42 - What does a guidance counselor do or not do?

10:21 - What happens when you realize you picked the wrong school?

11:44 - What do some students choose a college based on?

13:14 - What was Nicole’s initial college experience like?

15:31 - What changed after she transferred?

16:42 - College isn’t for everyone.

The Community Educational Funding team added a new member of the team and we wanted to introduce her to you. Today you’ll meet Joni Rametta, who has more than 30 years in financial planning and brings her own personal learning experiences to the college funding arena.

Read more and get additional resources here: https://abcsofcollegefunding.com/podcast/ep-5-meet-our-newest-investment-advisor-joni-rametta/156/ 

Today's show schedule:

0:39 – Introducing our new investment advisor,

1:19 – Her background and why this college funding space.

3:14 – Families just aren’t prepared for this major expense.

4:47 – Parents assume good grades means scholarships.

6:01 – The licenses and credentials Joni carries.

8:09 – Full service college process.

9:58 – Now is the time to evaluate and make decisions.

This new normal for college planning will change a lot of the decisions you make and few will have the importance of picking the major you pursue. This choice will impact everything from which school you attend to what career path you follow, but student often go off to college without much consideration for their major. Today we’ll talk about what conversations you should be having and why this decision is so critical for your future.

Read more and get additional resources here: https://abcsofcollegefunding.com/podcast/ep-4-choosing-the-right-college-major/149/ 

Today's show schedule: 

0:42 – We’re in Sarasota, Florida, this week.  

1:16 – A lot of people evaluating college choices differently now because of COVID-19.

2:57 – Ask yourself this question when choosing a college.

3:45 – Let’s start with choosing a major.

4:38 – We recently went through a hiring process. Here’s what we found from applicants.

5:37 – Majors might not give you as much flexibility in a career path as you believe.

7:54 – Have a real conversation about career goals with your child early on.

9:13 – The questions we ask students.

11:46 – Getting in and getting out

13:08 – Multiple ways we work with students and help them through the process.

The college planning process can be both confusing and overwhelming. This episode is intended to provide you with the most important information by answering the most common questions we get from clients. 

Read more and get additional resources here: https://abcsofcollegefunding.com/podcast/ep-3-answering-the-most-common-college-planning-questions/129/ 

Today's show schedule: 

1:35 – What our plan is for the show today.

1:56 – When should we start planning for college?

2:50 – When do most families start planning?

3:24 – What are the different savings vehicles for college?

3:57 – The negatives to a 529 plan.

8:23 – The advantages to a 529 plan.

9:56 – Coverdell IRA and Roth IRA

11:36 – A little know option: Private reserve strategy

13:44 – What can students do to improve their situation?

16:39 – How to go about finding the best fit for school?

20:52 – We’re passionate about getting this information across to families.