Host Jonathan Hughes talks with economist Sandy Baum, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, about the complexities of college pricing. They discuss the difference between the sticker price and net price of college, how inflation affects the cost of going to school, and why many students are actually paying less for college now than they did a decade ago.

In this end-of-year wrap-up, host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna look back at hot topics and MEFA content that resonated the most with families in 2025. They review popular podcast episodes, top-read articles, and most-viewed videos, with topics ranging from 529 plans to financial aid tools to college admissions trends, and more. They also offer a look ahead to MEFA’s work in the year to come.

Host Jonathan Hughes welcomes back Executive Director at ISS Market Intelligence, Paul Curley, to discuss the latest data on how families are using 529 college savings plans. Paul busts some of the most persistent myths surrounding 529s and walks through expanded uses of the plans. They also talk about the growing role of gifting in college savings.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks to Patricia Roberts, Chief Operating Officer at Gift of College, about the importance of saving for the future, her personal experience saving for college for her son, college gifting, and the MEFA gift cards now available.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Mark Stucker of the podcast, Your College-Bound Kid. They discuss the intricate landscape of college rankings and their implications for prospective students. They delve into the different methodologies employed by various ranking organizations and the significant variability in their outcomes.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks to three financial aid experts on location at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Conference in Anaheim, California. Jonathan talks to  Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management and Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at Auburn University, Celena Tulloss, Executive Vice President of NASFAA, Beth Maglione, and Assistant Vice President for Student Financial Services at Suffolk University, Ken Ferriera, about NASFAA, the current state of financial aid, and more.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks to MEFA’s Director of College Relations, Shawn Morrissey, about filling out the 2026-27 FAFSA. They discuss how much easier filing the form has become, the steps you need to take to file, and how to ask questions if you do get stuck.

Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with MEFA’s Julie Shields-Rutyna about tips for filling out the 2026-27 FAFSA. They also answer a question from the MEFA Mailbag about remarried parents filing the FAFSA. Jonathan then talks to Managing Director at Fidelity Investments, Cory Latham, about the results of Fidelity and MEFA’s recent College Savings & Student Debt Study.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks to Managing Director at Fidelity Investments, Cory Latham, about expanded uses for 529 and 529A plans, including MEFA’s U.Fund and Attainable Savings Plans. They discuss the expanded uses of 529 funds for K-12 expenses and certain credentialing programs, as well as the changes to ABLE accounts, which include expanding eligibility requirements, making certain provisions permanent, and introducing new tax benefits.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks to three current and former U.Plan customers about their experiences of saving for college with MEFA’s Prepaid Tuition Program. They discuss what made them save, why they choose the U.Plan specifically, and more.