Fred Amrein shares secret college funding strategies today as we discussing major changes to college financing under the recently passed "Big Beautiful Bill." There are new federal borrowing limits for undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students while reducing repayment flexibility. We explore how these changes will shift the focus from college access to affordability, forcing families to carefully evaluate the return on investment of higher education, plan for graduate school costs earlier, and rely more heavily on private loans when federal limits are reached. Fred explains the potential impact on colleges, including tuition resets, increased financial pressure on smaller schools, and a growing need for students to choose programs and career paths with stronger economic outcomes, while emphasizing the importance of long-term financial planning and understanding the true cost of borrowing before selecting a school.

We discuss...

• The major changes to federal student loan programs under the recently passed "Big Beautiful Bill."
• A breakdown of new borrowing limits for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.
• How stricter underwriting requirements will shift the focus from college access to affordability.
• How Parent PLUS loan changes could impact families and future college funding decisions.
• The growing role private student loans may play as federal borrowing options become more limited.
• Comparison of federal and private student loan repayment terms, interest rates, and long-term costs.
• How college financing decisions for one child may now affect borrowing options for siblings.
• Why some colleges may be forced to lower tuition, increase aid, merge, or close due to demographic and financial pressures.
• The declining return on investment of certain college degrees and the growing appeal of skilled trades.
• How labor market demand, career outcomes, and AI-driven changes could influence future education choices.
• Conversation about the shift from viewing college as an educational investment to viewing it as an experience-driven purchase.
• Why graduating on time and minimizing excess borrowing will become increasingly important for students.

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance
• Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors

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For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/secret-college-funding-strategies-822