Episode #9. ***Please note that some details about the FAFSA in this episode are now outdated. Please reference mefa.org for updated information.*** Host Jonathan Hughes breaks down how to complete these forms, including maintaining confidentiality between parents, which parent completes the forms, how to determine the custodial parent, and how to keep the financial aid office involved. Jonathan is joined by Susan Beard of Wheaton College. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review

Episode #34. The college experience can feel daunting for new and current students. Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with MEFA Pathway Coordinator Ajea Stupart about how to manage your college life. Ajea breaks down her blog series on the topic as well as some of her favorite features from MEFA’s college and career readiness tool, MEFA Pathway. Jonathan is also joined by Julie Shields-Rutyna, MEFA’s Director of College Planning. They discuss the parent side of students adjusting to college life as well as the financial side of paying for college. They also, as always, answer a question from the MEFA Mailbag.

Episode #33. Join co-hosts Jonathan Hughes and Julie Shields-Rutyna as they discuss features of mefa.org, including how to sign up for MEFA emails and where to find the MEFA blog post and webinars about financial aid, as well as all of the different services MEFA has to offer. Then they talk to MEFA’s Digital Creative Content Manager, Lauren Patten, about college scholarships, including how to apply for them, where to find them, and strategies for using them.

Episode #32. In this rebroadcast for National Able to Save Month, host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Sarah Lazare, Director of the Banacos Academic Center at Westfield State University. Sarah explains how students with disabilities can prepare for college success and what specific programs Westfield State University offers to help students with disabilities navigate college.

Episode #30. Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Drew Carter, Deputy Director of Admission at College of the Holy Cross, who explains how students can present their best college admissions application. Factors include letters of recommendation, the college essay, and demonstrated interest.

Episode #31. Host Jonathan Hughes talks to the President and Founder of TISLA (The Institute of Student Loan Advisors), Betsy Mayotte. Here, Betsy talks to Jonathan about the recent temporary changes made to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and walks us through the program itself.

Episode #29. Each student has a different track in the post-high school journey. Recently, a parent wrote to us asking for advice for her daughter in college, who isn’t sure she is on the right path. In this episode, host Jonathan Hughes speaks with Jan Combs of Bright Horizons College Coach to address this situation and others that may come up for students deciding what to do after high school. Also in this episode, Julie Shields-Rutyna, MEFA’s Director of College Planning, joins Jonathan to talk about the Federal Student Loan Repayment pause. Finally, in the MEFA Mailbag, Julie answers a question about how and when to apply for their private student loan.

Episode #28. Saving for college may seem like an overwhelming task, but with the U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan, you can save in an account that offers affordability, flexibility, and powerful tax advantages. Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with Massachusetts guidance counselor and U.Fund account owner Kate Ryder about how she selected the U.Fund, her experience opening her account, how she’s able to save on a regular basis, and why saving for college is important to her.

Episode #27. Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Chris Peterson, Founder and Director of Penny Forward, who discusses growing up with a disability, how he got involved in the personal finance community, and how people with disabilities can save for expenses and plan for the future with ABLE accounts. Jonathan is also joined by MEFA’s Director of College Planning, Education, and Training, Julie Shields-Rutyna, and Attainable expert Mary Rubenis, who discuss what Attainable accounts are and the benefits of saving in one.

Episode #25. Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by MEFA’s in-house loan product experts, Frank Cavanaugh and Meg Villavicencio, and MEFA’s Director of College Planning, Education, and Training, Julie Shields-Rutyna. Frank and Meg discuss private student loans, including when families can start applying, what determines if applicants are approved, what kind of rates and terms they may qualify for, and how to compare loan options. Jonathan and Julie answer listeners’ questions about assets on the FAFSA and discuss steps a student needs to take after depositing at a college.