In this episode of College!, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough unpack a flurry of hot-button topics shaping the higher ed landscape.

First, they dissect the Wall Street Journal's latest report on elite colleges' response to a proposed tiered federal endowment tax, including an alternative plan from the so-called “Learn Alliance” (think Yale, Stanford, Princeton) to allocate 5% of their multibillion-dollar endowments toward student aid and teaching. Will it stick? And can it help flip the script on exclusivity in admissions?

Next, they react to Trump's controversial effort to ban international students from Harvard. They explore how international enrollment fuels the U.S. higher education system and why such rhetoric could drive top global talent away.

Finally, the duo continues their 529 college savings plan series, diving deeper into:

• How 529s work (tax-free growth & qualified expense rules)

• Missteps to avoid (like overfunding or risky late-stage investments)

• Comparison with custodial accounts, Roth IRAs, and private 529 options

• Smart savings strategies like dollar-cost averaging

• Tips for families in high-tax states

Whether you're a parent planning for your child’s education, a counselor navigating FAFSA policy shifts, or just trying to stay on top of the higher ed rollercoaster, this episode has insights you can’t miss.

Don’t forget to follow and share — and stay tuned for a special guest next week!

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