The MEFA Podcast

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with MEFA's high school intern from Cristo Rey Boston High School, Fatima Koumbassa, as well as her school supervisor, Jessina Baker. First Fatima shares her college admissions and financial aid journey, what she is interested in studying in college, and her duties and experience as a MEFA intern. Then Jonathan talks with Jessina about the internship program at Cristo Rey Boston High School and how Baker's life experiences led her to this job.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with librarian Angela Costello of the East Bridgewater Public Library. They discuss how the library can be a resource for all members of the community, the education needed to become a librarian, and why the library is such an important asset for people.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with the Executive Director of Westfield State's Resource Innovation Design and Entrepreneurial (RIDE) Center, Dr. Lamis Jarvinen, about how the center empowers manufacturing and innovation in Massachusetts, along with encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit in students. Learn about the RIDE Center's mission, how it was created, and the ways it's preparing students for the future. Students who use the center also share their experiences about how the center helps students take ideas out of their dorm rooms and into the market.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with licensed mental health counselor Kelly Hulyk about anxiety related to the college admissions process, as well as attending college and living away from home. They discuss why this topic is important, how students can seek help, and where to find other resources.

Host Jonathan Hughes explores Educational Divide Reform, a non-profit organization that seeks to promote global citizenship, social inclusion, and community development through youth education. Jonathan talks with Educational Divide Reform's Alice Cho about the organization's college and career readiness program, and with middle school teacher Ana Berhe about the school and program connection. Two Brockton Public Schools students, Keisha and Tam, also share their experiences with the program.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with two pilots, Cliff Lanyi and Jack Trendell, about their different journeys to becoming a pilot. They discuss schooling, acquiring their license, the number of hours they need to be certified, and much more. Plus, Jonathan explains how to use MEFA Pathway to explore information on becoming a pilot as well as other career pathways.

Host Jonathan Hughes first talks with Julie Shields-Rutyna to answer a mailbag question about rolling over unused U.Fund 529 savings into a Roth IRA. Then Jonathan talks with Deputy Director of the Massachusetts State Treasury's Office of Economic Empowerment Samantha Perry. They discuss the BabySteps college savings incentive program, how it started, the progress it's made, and planned efforts for its future.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with grandparent and retired lawyer Louis Rizoli. Mr. Rizoli has saved for all of his grandchildren in the MEFA U.Fund 529 college savings plan. Jonathan and Mr. Rizoli discuss how he found the U.Fund, what he appreciates about the plan, why he saves for his grandchildren, and more.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Director of College Access at Bristol Community College, Christine Scafidi, about Early College, the school's program that allows high school students to earn college credits. They discuss the program, how high school students interact with the colleges, what sort of students they tend to serve, and where students can get more information on Early College.

Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna talk with MEFA's Director of College Relations and FAFSA expert, Shawn Morrissey. Shawn answers 21 questions that MEFA has heard from families about completing the FAFSA.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with founder and CEO of Gift of College, Wayne Weber. They discuss how Weber started Gift of College, the benefits of saving for college, the ease of using a gift card to help someone save, and how you can use Gift of College Cards to save in MEFA U.Fund, U.Plan, and Attainable accounts, as well as make a payment toward a MEFA Loan.

It's the 100th episode of the MEFA Podcast! Host Jonathan Hughes sits down with MEFA's Executive Director Tom Graf who discusses the podcast, MEFA's accomplishments, and where MEFA is headed. Jonathan is then joined by co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna to discuss the previous 99 episodes of the MEFA Podcast and how MEFA helps listeners plan, save, and pay for college and reach financial goals. You'll hear clips from past conversations with some of the podcast's favorite guests, and learn about some of MEFA's key programs, guidance, and insights.

Host Jonathan Hughes first talks with co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna about the FSA ID. They then answer a question from the MEFA Mailbag. Finally, they speak with MEFA's Director of College Relations, Shawn Morrissey, on the 2025-26 FAFSA.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Bronwyn Crick, a recent college grad, about how she was able to pay for both undergraduate and graduate school with her 529 college savings account.

Host Jonathan Hughes has a conversation with Team Leader of the 529 Directing Group at Fidelity Investments, Anthony Durkan, about MEFA's partnership with Fidelity Investments and the results of the recent College Savings Indicator (CSI) study, including the ways that families are saving for college and parents' behaviors, attitudes, and expectations around saving for college.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Dr. Monnica Chan, Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, about college affordability and student loan repayment.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Cory Latham, the Director at Fidelity Investments responsibility for managing the MEFA U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan and the Attainable® Savings Plan for individuals with disabilities.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Cecilia Cronin, a recent graduate of Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland about the pros and cons of studying in another country.,

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with MEFA's Director of ABLE Outreach, Adam Hartwell, about ABLE accounts, tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Cicily Shaw, Director of College Counseling at Thayer Academy, about undermatching, a term that describes when qualified students don't apply to competitive schools where they would likely be accepted.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Deputy Director of Admission at College of the Holy Cross Drew Carter about how to write a successful college essay.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Stephanie Wells, MEFA's Director of College Relations, about MEFA Loans, including how to apply, the different loans terms, and how families can determine the best option.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Rob O'Dwyer, Director of Admissions at North Bennet Street School, a vocational school in Boston that trains students for careers in traditional trades that use hand skills in concert with evolving technology.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with MEFA's own Julie Shields-Rutyna to answer a MEFA Mailbag question, and MEFA's Lauren Danz joins to share details of upcoming scholarships.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with MEFA's own Julie Shields-Rutyna about how there's still time to apply to college for this upcoming fall semester.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Michael Goldstein, the Dean of Admissions and Head of Innovation for Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Co-Director of College Counseling at Gann Academy, Sherri Geller, about gap years, a period of time when students take a break from school, usually between high school and college.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Dr. Timothy Poynton and Dr. Amanda Sterk of College Unmazed on how students can make an informed college decision.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks college savings investing with Cory Latham, Managing Director and 529 Relationship Manager at Fidelity Investments.

Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with Drew Carter, Deputy Director of Admission at The College of the Holy Cross, about his tips for students visiting a college campus.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Professor of the Practice of Biomedical Engineering and Global Health Emeritus at Duke University and founder of the International Research Institute (IRI) Dr. Robert Malkin about the importance of research and how he helps high school students get involved in it.

Episode #80. In celebration of Drinking Water Week, host Jonathan Hughes talks with Jennifer Pederson, the Executive Director of Mass Water Works Association, about what Mass Water Works does and their employment opportunities. They discuss water systems, trainings, and careers within the field. Jonathan also talks to Carter Gruca, who, through Mass Water Works, was able to obtain licenses and get a job with the Fitchburg Water Department.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with MEFA's intern, Jariel Ruiz, a senior at Cristo Rey High School in Boston.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with MEFA's intern, Jariel Ruiz, a senior at Cristo Rey High School in Boston.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with three students from Northeast Metropolitan Regional Professional School about their experiences applying to college.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with MEFA's Director of College Relations, Shawn Morrissey, about the new FAFSA, including updates and changes to the FAFSA, what students and families need to know about their FAFSA statuses, and what families can do now and in the coming months.

Episode #76. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with nursing student and current EMT Steven Tcheauafei about his journey figuring out what major was best for him. He talks about how becoming an EMT while in school directed his school choices, his thought process in transferring schools and changing majors, and how financial aid played a role in his decision-making.

Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna first answer a MEFA Mailbag question. Later they talk to MEFA's own Lauren Danz, who shares scholarship tips and highlights some scholarships with April deadlines.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Dr. Rose Boulay of Springfield Promise about Springfield's demographics, how Springfield Promise helps students and families, their strategies for working with different populations, and the challenges they have faced with FAFSA and financial aid this year.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Amanda Sharratt, Chief Operating Officer and Financial Advisor for Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers, who shares financial advice for families as they plan for college, manage debt, and save for retirement.

Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna share highlights from MEFA's webinar that outlined six keys to finding a good college fit, which was presented by Dr. Timothy Poynton and Dr. Amanda Sterk.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment at Regis College, Christopher Lydon, about Direct Admissions, a process in which students are admitted to colleges without applying to them

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with the founder of The College Investor, Robert Farrington. Robert is a leading expert on student loan debt with a goal of getting students out of debt and helping them build their wealth.

Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna talk with Director of College Relations at MEFA, Shawn Morrissey, about the new FAFSA form and the challenges and delays families have been experiencing.

Host Jonathan Hughes sits down for a conversation with Jonathan Paz of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugees Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition about the new state financial aid form for immigrant students, the MASFA.

Host Jonathan Hughes sits down for a conversation about historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with Senior Associate Director of Scholarships at Howard University, Dr. Danette Burgess.

Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna discuss the most common issues that have come up for families while trying to file the 2024-25 FAFSA.

Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna answer a MEFA Mailbag question about 529 plans on the FAFSA. Then MEFA's Lauren Danz discusses 3 scholarships that have February deadlines.

Host Jonathan Hughes sits down with three freshman from King Phillip High School, Tanmayee Kollouri, Laura Da Silva, and Ella Bailey. They participate in the DECA Program at their school with a focus on college student loans.

Host Jonathan Hughes sits down with three freshman from King Phillip High School, Tanmayee Kollouri, Laura Da Silva, and Ella Bailey. They participate in the DECA Program at their school with a focus on college student loans.

Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna discuss the new 2024-25 FAFSA and the issues that have arisen, how to file the form, and what to do if problems arise.