Making College Affordable Podcast

So many people follow the same advice when it comes to planning for college and planning for the rest of their lives, yet student debt is out of control and very few people are financially independent when they reach retirement. Maybe the advice they've been given is wrong. Listen to this shared podcast episode where Jason shares some little known truths about how to use your home to improve your ability to pay for college and make it one of your most valuable assets. 

There’s a lot of information that goes into college applications, both for admissions and for scholarships. But there are three key areas colleges are really looking for in their ideal applicants. Getting these few essential items right can make all the difference in your outcomes. In this episode, Jason shows you what those three areas are so you can have the best chance possible to get the results you’re looking for too.

Whether it’s a matter of people having more money than they have good sense, or people just being ignorant of how to beat to colleges at their own game, pushing the limits of what’s right to get your kids into college is never a good idea. There are far too many ways to take advantage of what’s already available in the way of proven strategies and tactics to risk doing something foolish. In this episode, Jason shares how to get your kids into the colleges of their dreams and gain an unfair advantage without doing anything immoral, unethical, and illegal. 

The world is changing so fast today that having a college education alone may not be enough to help ensure that our children are successful. As parents, we need to be aware of another type of education that could be just as important for their future development. In this episode, Jason shares some ideas on how to make sure your children's education is useful, practical, and on target to help them live the best, more rewarding life possible. 

Everyone wants the most free money for college possible, right? College is expensive and every little bit helps. But, is applying for private scholarships really worth it? In this episode, Jason shares with you the truth about private scholarships and how they affect financial aid. If you're looking for ways to make college more affordable, this is exactly what you need to hear!

If you're not as far along in the college planning process as you'd like, or as far as you thought you'd be at this point, that's okay. There's a lot of information out there and it can all be pretty overwhelming. In this episode, Jason shares his proven formula on how to build a winning college planning blueprint. Learn these 7 steps to getting your kids into the best colleges possible for the least amount of money possible - and paying for it without going broke!

Filing your financial aid forms correctly is important, but knowing what required documentation is needed can help speed up your processing times and help you earn more free money for college. Learn about the details, timelines, and documentation colleges use when evaluating your financial aid award so you can become a more educated consumer when it comes to planning for college. This episode will definitely help you improve your results and avoid costly mistakes, so listen to it now - and enjoy!

Some of the most generous colleges in the country use a financial aid form called the CSS Profile. It can be far more difficult to complete than the FAFSA, but with the insights Jason shares in this episode, you can easily avoid making mistakes that could costs you thousands. Learn what you need to know about how to get tons of free money from the colleges of your dreams and give your family the best chance possible to make college affordable! 

Because the financial aid formula is so complicated and the forms to apply for financial aid are so confusing, over 70% of financial aid forms submitted contain errors and inconsistencies. Those errors cost families thousands in lost aid each year. Colleges are not motivated to help people correct their mistakes, so you have to take that responsibility on for yourself. To claim your rightful share of the financial aid pot, you have to learn how to avoid the many costly pitfalls that trip people up and take advantage of the strategies and tactics Jason shares in this important episode. Listen now and learn. The next 15 minutes could save you a fortune!

Are you confused about financial aid? In this episode, Jason offers a revealing insider's look at what people expect versus what colleges actually do when it comes to awarding free money for college. Learn which category of financial aid you qualify for and what tips and strategies you need to use to get the most money possible.

College financial aid season will be here again soon and to help you prepare, Jason has created a special episode about FSA ID's you definitely need to hear.  Learn what the FSA ID is, how you can get one, and most importantly, how to use it to get through financial aid season more easily. This is a must listen for anyone planning to apply for financial aid!

Everybody likes an upgrade, right? Okay, so how do you get upgraded for college? It's through an often overlooked community known as the Honors College. In this episode, Jason shows you everything you need to know about Honors Colleges, including what they look for in potential students, what benefits they offer, and what students can expect as a member of a university's Honors community. If you've been looking for a way to get your kids a great college experience you can pay for without going broke, this could be just what you need to hear.

Having a strong SAT or ACT score greatly improves your student’s chances for success with college admissions and scholarships at some of the best colleges in the country. And having the opportunity to study and make lifelong connections at the right college can forever change the course of a person's life. In this episode, Jason describes the 4 types of tutors and why it is critical that you consider getting help whenever possible to improve your child's chances of success in mastering the SAT and ACT.

Almost every college application these days requires at least one recommendation and it’s usually from a counselor who, depending on your high school size, you may not know very well.   Before you get too discouraged that your counselor won’t be able to give you a good recommendation because they’re either overworked or unfamiliar with you personally (or both), check out Jason's recommendations on how to get a good recommendation from your counselor and others. Knowing these strategies will help you help them work through the clutter and get you the best, more glowing recommendations possible.

Just like with many other aspects of the college planning process, the whole SAT and ACT test requirement is a bit of a game. You have to understand the rules to the game in order to play well, and knowing which scores to report and whether to report any scores at all could make all the difference in getting accepted or winning a big scholarship. In this episode, Jason shares his insights on how to beat the colleges at their own game and get the best results possible with your SAT and ACT scores.

Essays are one of the most important ways students can share the details of who they are with colleges. The key to being successful is to prepare in advance so you can take full advantage of this opportunity to impress the colleges, but surprisingly, most people don’t take the time needed to make this first impression really count. In this episode, Jason shows you how to avoid making critical essay mistakes and highlights ten proven areas where you can improve your results.

Why is it that people think you can’t negotiate the price of college? What places a university above all other businesses and financial transactions and makes negotiations off-limits with them? The answer is – nothing. College prices are negotiable just like anything else, but if you don’t know that, you’ll likely take whatever they offer and potentially leave a lot of money on the table because you didn’t know any better. Listen in as Jason shares his proven strategies for increasing financial aid awards and for knowing how to lower your college bill simply by asking the colleges for more money. 

A good story is unforgettable and because of that, we're hardwired to remember stories. What do stories have to do with college applications? Well, the application itself is basically an invitation for you to share your story with the college. It's like submitting an entry for a storytelling contest that can influence the rest of your life. Listen as Jason shares proven strategies on how to tell your story like a pro. If you want to learn how to use your story to your advantage, this episode is for you!

Applying Early Action can give you a distinct advantage in the college application process. An Early Decision application, if you’ve prepare for it properly, can also boost your chances of success with the #1 college on your list. In this episode, Jason shares insights on how to use both effectively and helps you determine which one is better in your individual situation. Ready to learn another insider secret on how to make college more affordable? Good! You've come to the right place.

Winning at college these days is almost as tough as winning at professional golf. In golf, a very small difference in performance can have a HUGE result on the outcome. And, when planning for college, every little edge you can find can work to your advantage. Even a 2% or 3% difference can make ALL the difference in your reaching your goals! In this episode, Jason shows you more about how to gain the kind of advantage that will help set you apart from the pack.  Even the best of the best can use this strategy to improve their results, so listen now to learn what it is... 

Winning at college these days is almost as tough as winning at professional golf. In golf, a very small difference in performance can have a HUGE result on the outcome. And, when planning for college, every little edge you can find can work to your advantage. Even a 2% or 3% difference can make ALL the difference in your reaching your goals! In this episode, Jason shows you how to gain the kind of advantage that will help set you apart from the pack.  Even the best of the best can use this strategy to improve their results, so listen now to learn what it is...

The college selection process is one of the most difficult and most stressful parts of the planning process. Unfortunately, when it comes to mapping out potential college choices, 9 out of 10 people do things incorrectly.  In this episode, Jason shows you why that happens and how you can approach building your college list the right way so you can get the best results possible.

Have you ever wondered which route was better, AP classes or dual enrollment? The answer may surprise you. Join Jason as he uncovers the differences between each option and shares the real reasons why one is more popular than another. If you're weighing the benefits and burdens of adding more rigor to your student's work load, this episode will give you exactly the insights you need to make a wise decision.

College is expensive and to combat the burden of student loan debt, colleges and universities are starting to offer alternative options to students with up front money in exchange for a cut of their future earnings. Jason explores the details of these Income Share Agreements in this episode and shares with you everything you need to know to see if this new option is right for you and your family.

Everyone knows you’re supposed to save for college and save for retirement, but like a lot of other things related to planning for your future, nobody tells you exactly WHAT to do to get the best results. In this episode, Jason describes the benefits and burdens of several popular college savings accounts, including 529 Plans, custodial accounts, and prepaid college savings plans. Learn how each one can benefit you and how your circumstances can help you determine which option is right for you. You won't hear this kind of insight from your high school counselor, accountant, or financial advisor. But it's EXACTLY what you need to know if you're actively saving for college. 

It’s no secret that college has become super competitive over the last 10 years or so. It’s not enough to just have good grades and a strong SAT or ACT score. Students also have to have rigor to show that they’re challenging themselves academically. But, if your student is struggling to manage their work load or if you’re unsure if you should sign him up for another AP class like your counselor is advising, this episode is for you.

Jason has been getting a lot of questions lately about the SAT and ACT. Most of them have been related to, "When should I take it?", "How often should I take it?", and "Are my current scores good enough so that I don’t have to take it again?" Jason addresses each of these areas in detail. So, if you have any of these same questions, this episode is for you.

When you’re researching colleges, there are three important questions you need to get answers to in order to become a more educated consumer and have a fighting chance to beat the colleges at their own game. Jason shares these questions with you in this episode and shows you how to use them to your advantage. With answers to these three questions in hand, you can determine in advance what each college will likely cost and what kind of timeline you'll be looking at for your kids to graduate.

Many well-meaning financial advisors and high school counselors tell the families they serve to either send their kids to local colleges they can easily afford or take loans to spread out the cost of college. That sounds reasonable at first glance in a conversation, but in reality it just doesn't match up with most people’s values and desires for their kids. Like most folks, you want to send your kids to the best college possible for the least amount of money possible. And it’s also important not to saddle them, or yourself, with debt along the way. In this episode, Jason shows you how to design a game plan that allows you to create the colleges experience you desire most without having to make compromises you'll later regret.

Everybody want the most free money possible for college, right?  Of course you do. And the advice everyone receives from counselors, colleges, and even some of the college planners who host college planning workshops at your local high school is always the same.  They say the key to accessing this big pile of free money is found in filing for financial aid. While sometimes that can be helpful, there are actually times when filing for financial aid can hurt your chances for bigger awards at the colleges of your dreams.  In this episode, Jason shows you how to bypass the Financial Aid office altogether and maximize your results with a little known strategy he's used successfully for years at some of the best colleges in the country.  

Studies and surveys show that paying for college is THE most important goal people have these days and not having enough saved for college THE #1 concern on people’s minds. Financial advisors are taught to help people to save for college and save for retirement, but the reality is most advisors focus way more on the retirement side of things than they do on preparing clients to face college in a comfortable manner.  In this episode, Jason shares 3 huge areas that are misdirected or missed altogether by those who give people advice on saving for college. These essential tips will blow your mind – and once you learn the truth about how to properly handle these areas, they can also save you a ton of money.

Having a strong SAT or ACT score greatly improves your student’s chances for success with college admissions and scholarships at some of the best colleges in the country. And having the opportunity to study and make lifelong connections at the right college can forever change the course of a person's life. In this episode, Jason describes the 4 types of tutors and why it is critical that you consider getting help whenever possible to improve your child's chances of success in mastering the SAT and ACT.    

A winning recipe can be an invaluable asset, and fortunately there are ways to design your own winning recipes when it comes to helping ensure your success for college. If you follow the recipe, you're likely to get what you're after every time, so listen as Jason shares 3 key ingredients you can use to improve your college planning recipe. Using these strategies to your advantage can be as satisfying as a fresh batch of delicious chocolate chip cookies!  Enjoy!

Accepting your financial aid awards is usually the very last leg of your college planning journey. Once you learn how to do it and recognize if money has been left off of your awards, crossing the finish line with confidence becomes easier. In this episode, Jason shares 4 simple steps you can follow to make sure you get everything you deserve and avoid making costly mistakes when accepting your financial aid awards. 

Conquering the learning curve of how to get students into the best colleges possible and earn huge financial aid awards that make college affordable is something that does not comes easily. That's why millions of students and their parents seek help with the college plans each year. But which type of college advisor is the right college advisor for that particular student's situation? In this episode, Jason describes the 5 levels of college advisors and shows you the benefits and burdens associated with each one. If you're needing help designing and implementing your college plans, following Jason's advice here will help you find exactly the right kind of person to meet your needs.

If you're not as far along in the college planning process as you'd like, or as far as you thought you'd be at this point, that's okay. There's a lot of information out there and it can all be pretty overwhelming. In this episode, Jason shares his proven formula on how to build a winning college planning blueprint. Learn these 7 steps to getting your kids into the best colleges possible for the least amount of money possible - and paying for it without going broke! 

In today's episode, Jason shares what next steps to take to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible and not missing anything important when you get into the college of your dreams. If you're at that point now, or plan to be at that point in the future, this episode is just for you! Enjoy! 

When it comes to choosing colleges, you, not the college, get to make the final decision. Colleges know this and that’s why they put so much money and effort into perfecting their sales choreography process. In this episode, Jason shows you how to use your position of power to gain significant advantages in the college planning process. Mastering this mindset can give you more confidence and help improve your final results with the colleges of your dreams.

Everyone knows you’re supposed to save for college and save for retirement, but like a lot of other things related to planning for your future, nobody tells you exactly what to do to get the best results. In this episode, Jason describes the benefits and burdens of several popular college savings accounts, including 529 Plans, custodial accounts, and prepaid college savings plans. Learn how each one can benefit you and how your circumstances can help you determine which option is right for you. You won't hear this kind of insight from your high school counselor, accountant, or financial advisor. But it's EXACTLY what you need to know if you're actively saving for college.  

A lot can change in your student's mind and perspective once you’ve had a chance to see several different colleges. The passage of time can also make the warm glow of an earlier college visit really fade, so it’s important that you go back for another look as you're preparing to make your final decisions. In this episode, Jason shares insider secrets on how to make the most of those follow up visits and some pro tips on what to do to help you make the best college choice possible for your family.

Saving money can be challenging, especially when you have kids, but knowing what kind of saver you are can help you improve your ability to save for all of life's financial milestones, including college. In this episode, Jason shares some insights from his Financial Planning Blueprint podcast on how to become a more successful saver. See which category of saver you are and how having that mindset can make or break your ability to pay for college in a comfortable manner.

Why is it that people think you can’t negotiate the price of college? What places a university above all other businesses and financial transactions and makes negotiations off-limits with them? The answer is – nothing. College prices are negotiable just like anything else, but if you don’t know that, you’ll likely take whatever they offer and potentially leave a lot of money on the table because you didn’t know any better. Listen in as Jason shares his proven strategies for increasing financial aid awards and for knowing how to lower your college bill simply by asking the colleges for more money. 

Have you ever wondered which route was better, AP classes or dual enrollment? The answer may surprise you. Join Jason as he uncovers the differences between each option and shares the real reasons why one is more popular than another. If you're weighing the benefits and burdens of adding more rigor to your student's work load, this episode will give you exactly the insights you need to make a wise decision.

Just like with many other aspects of the college planning process, the whole SAT and ACT test requirement is a bit of a game. You have to understand the rules to the game in order to play well, and knowing which scores to report and whether to report any scores at all could make all the difference in getting accepted or winning a big scholarship. In this episode, Jason shares his insights on how to beat the colleges at their own game and get the best results possible with your SAT and ACT scores. 

Jason has been getting a lot of questions lately about the SAT and ACT. Most of them have been related to, "When should I take it?", "How often should I take it?", and "Are my current scores good enough so that I don’t have to take it again?" Jason addresses each of these areas in detail here. So, if you have any of these same questions, this episode is for you.

No matter how accomplished your student is or how many colleges are on his or her list, they're still likely to get accepted at some, rejected from others, and deferred by a few more along the way. In this episode Jason shares insights into why and how these decisions are made. If you've been deferred, this podcast will give you a huge advantage in knowing what to do in the months ahead and why it matters so much to your ultimate success.

Getting accepted to college and winning scholarships can be very exciting. Colleges know that, which is why they encourage you to sign up with them immediately after they've made their decision on you. What they don't tell you, however, is that there could be much more waiting for you if you simply take your time and stay cool. Jason shows you in this episode how the college acceptance and scholarship game is played so you can use these insights to your advantage and WIN!

Everybody tells you to save for college and retirement, but for a lot of people that’s like telling someone how to ride a bike. What you really need is someone to show you how to do it safely and correctly so you can benefit from the leverage that new knowledge and skill provides. In this episode, Jason shares the first episode of his new Financial Planning Blueprint podcast to help you do that with your savings. Between what he's showing you here about how to get the price of college down as low as possible and what he’ll show you in the Financial Planning Blueprint Podcast about how to make your money grow, you’ll be in the best shape possible to handle college, retirement, weddings, dream vacations, and anything else you desire throughout your life’s journey.

Everybody likes an upgrade, right? Okay, so how do you get upgraded for college? It's through an often overlooked community known as the Honors College. In this episode, Jason shows you everything you need to know about Honors Colleges, including what they look for in potential students, what benefits they offer, and what students can expect as a member of a university's Honors College. If you've been looking for a way to get your kids a great college experience you can pay for without going broke, this episode could be just what you need to hear. 

Filing your financial aid forms correctly is important, but knowing what required documentation is needed can help speed up your processing times and help you earn more free money for college. Learn about the details, timelines, and documentation colleges use when evaluating your financial aid award so you can become a more educated consumer when it comes to planning for college. This episode will definitely help you improve your results and avoid costly mistakes, so listen to it now - and enjoy!

Some of the most generous colleges in the country use a financial aid form called the CSS Profile. It can be far more difficult to complete than the FAFSA, but with the insights Jason shares in this episode, you can easily avoid making mistakes that could costs you thousands. Learn what you need to know about how to get tons of free money from the colleges of your dreams and give your family the best chance possible to make college affordable!