In today’s episode, I have an important conversation with Ron Leiber, the Your Money columnist for the New York Times. He’s also the author of, The Price You Pay for College, the book we discuss during the podcast. He has some fascinating insights. I hope you will find them valuable!

[1:50] Introducing Ron Lieber
[3:01] Why he wrote The Price You Pay For College: An Entirely New Roadmap For The Biggest Financial Decision Your Family Will Ever Make
[5:16] How much does college actually cost nowadays?
[7:04] What is merit aid?
[10:09] The “Chivas Regal” effect
[12:14] Negative effects of merit aid
[14:08] The complexity of the college aid system
[17:45] Balancing expectations and cost
[23:23] What are the three things you buy when you pay for a college education?
[27:02] Different classes’ considerations regarding colleges
[32:25] Parents’ and teens’ reasons for college attendance
[34:29] Questions to ask & resources
[37:39] The value of attending a diverse college
[41:00] Psychological safety for marginalized people
[47:28] Crucial considerations for all parents of college-bound kids
[50:17] The financial serenity prayer
[52:04] Final thoughts

Links & Resources:

New York Times Your Money column by Ron Lieber: https://www.nytimes.com/column/your-money

Ron's book: The Price You Pay for College: https://www.amazon.com/Price-You-Pay-College-Financial/dp/0062867318/

Thank you for joining us in this insightful discussion with Ron Lieber, where we dove into the complexities of college costs and the considerations every parent and student should make. From understanding the true price of college to navigating merit aid and creating psychological safety for marginalized groups, we hope this conversation has shed light on these important topics. We believe these are necessary discussions for fostering a self-driven child. Until next time, continue to explore, learn, and support your children in their journey to becoming self-driven individuals.

If you have a high school aged student and would like to talk about putting a tutoring or college plan together, reach out to Ned's company, PrepMatters at www.prepmatters.com