Podcasts about student loans

This week on the Conversations That Matter podcast, Jon Harris covers a wide-ranging news roundup touching on the Southern Baptist Convention, Christian persecution, the Catholic Church, the Christian Nationalism debate, Steve Lawson, and what Jon calls the “true culture of death.”Jon begins with a personal update following a house fire in his wife's family, along with reflections on the recent Restoring Virtue Conference and upcoming speaking engagements.From there, he discusses Eric Erickson's criticism of figures on the Right and the importance of clearly defining neo-Nazi ideology rather than making broad accusations. He also examines recent controversy surrounding Candace Owens, a new Vatican document on interreligious dialogue, and claims surrounding the discovery of Noah's Ark in Turkey.The episode then turns to the Christian Nationalism debate, including J.D. Greer's arguments concerning church and state, religious liberty, and the role of Christianity in public life. Jon also discusses Southern Baptist figures Jason Little and Walter Strickland, including Strickland's comments concerning Nat Turner and liberation theology.Jon then addresses the changing Christian legal movement, Steve Lawson's recent book concerning his adultery and disqualification from ministry, and questions from listeners.The final portion of the podcast examines assisted suicide, declining marriage and family formation, adult toy consumption, gender distrust, juvenileization, higher education, student loans, Title IX, and policies under the Trump administration. Jon concludes by discussing comments from Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu concerning persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the broader decline of Christianity in the region.Listen through to the end for Jon's thoughts on why Christians should focus less on theoretical political battles and more on the practical challenges directly in front of them.00:00 Personal Update: House Fire and Restoring Virtue10:40 The News Roundup Begins11:45 Eric Erickson and the Debate Over Neo-Nazism22:40 Candace Owens and Online Political Commentary29:00 The Vatican, Vatican II, and Interreligious Dialogue38:05 The Search for Noah's Ark42:45 J.D. Greer and Christian Nationalism61:45 Jason Little and the Southern Baptist Convention63:00 Walter Strickland, Liberation Theology, and Nat Turner77:00 The Christian Legal Movement and John W. Whitehead84:00 Steve Lawson's Confession and Return to Public Ministry89:30 Listener Questions94:00 Assisted Suicide and the Culture of Death95:00 Juvenileization, Marriage, and Gender Distrust106:00 Trump, Student Loans, and Higher Education109:40 Title IX and Gender Transition Treatments114:30 Christian Persecution, Trump, and Netanyahu123:50 Final ThoughtsGive Send Go: https://www.givesendgo.com/help-aaron-starsea-and-amber-rebuild-aft?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=help-aaron-starsea-and-amber-rebuild-aftJon's Music: jonharristunes.comTo Support the Podcast: https://www.jonharrismedia.com/support/Become a Patronhttps://www.patreon.com/jonharrispodcastSubstack: https://substack.com/@jonharris Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonharris1989Follow Jon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonharris1989/Give Send Go: https://www.givesendgo.com/help-aaron-starsea-and-amber-rebuild-aft?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=help-aaron-starsea-and-amber-rebuild-aftAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode you will hear: (18:45) Chris Teare and Mark Stucker discuss an article that appeared in the Atlantic on August 30th, entitled, "A Society of Cheats"; the article is written by John Paul Rollert (44:37) Andy joins Mark to answer a Frequently asked question, "How do colleges actually find students". This is the deepest dive we have ever done on Student Search. Part 1 of 3 Preview for Part 1 q Andy explains what Student Search is, aka Proactive Recruitment q Mark explains some of the various ways that colleges find and recruit students, and Mark and Andy discuss why Student Search is by far a more comprehensive approach to finding students q Andy discusses the different criteria that a school can choose to use when they are trying to target students through student Search. q Andy explains the three different models that are out there when it comes to how a college implements Student Search Recommended Resources JG Talks: Helping prospective and current college students achieve success Colleges that allow self-reporting of test scores Colleges that Allow Self-Reporting of SAT and ACT Scores Great source for questions about finances and college Edvisors: Financial Aid, Student Loans, Scholarships and Money Management FAFSA Walkthroughs Mark recommends Kentucky Higher Ed Association (short version) HB 257 FAFSA Walkthrough for 2027-2028 College Aid Pro (short version) 2027-2028 How to Fill Out Your FAFSA Tutorial Utah System of Higher Ed (medium length) (44) 2027-28 FAFSA Deep Dive - YouTube University of the Pacific (medium length) How to Fill Out the 2027-28 FAFSA: Step-by-Step for Students & Parents Road to College (longer version) How to Fill Out the 2027-28 FAFSA: Step-by-Step Guide CSS PROFILE Walkthroughs MEFA Institute: A Deep Dive into the CSS Profile Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/blog/ 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people, find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/ Check out the college websites Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-websites/ If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCauBgityVXVHRQUjvlIRfYrMWWdHarB9DMQGYL0472bNxrw/viewform If you want a college consultation with Mark just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email at mark@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

The September 30th deadline to adjust the interest rate on your student loan has been extended! Details from Rachel Sherlock-Associate Director of Financial Aid - Financial Aid and Scholarships at Minnesota State Mankato, on The WCCO Morning News!

The September 30th deadline to adjust the interest rate on your student loan has been extended! Details from Rachel Sherlock-Associate Director of Financial Aid - Financial Aid and Scholarships at Minnesota State Mankato, on The WCCO Morning News!

Join Lil' Lo and Big Shot Shae as they discuss Last Ditch, a lesbian bar in Massachusetts that made masks optional for one night a week and how it showcases how progress can destroy itself if you let it, the new student loan repayment plans and how no one can afford them, Adults on FX becoming one of the greats of new television, Wonka: The Golden Ticket on Netflix being a torture chamber, and more! Email for advice / to be featured: LetMeStayFocused@gmail.com Follow Our Hosts:@lilloworldwide@bigshotshae**DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A COMEDIC PODCAST** Scenarios and responses from this show should be taken with a grain of salt. In other words, this is all a joke. Unless otherwise noted, any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental.Timestamps:13:11 — What We're Watching29:01 — Honorable Mention35:14 — Hotep of the Week43:11 — Lyrics and Lessons50:00 — Let Me Stay Focused68:56 — Advice from the Internet

The Education Department has extended the federal student loan autopay enrollment deadline from Sept. 30 to Dec. 31. Eligible borrowers can receive a temporary 1-percentage-point interest rate reduction through June 30, 2028, while the separate SAVE repayment transition deadline remains unchanged. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode, we're joined by Betsy Mayotte, Founder and President of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors (TISLA), to break down the latest federal student loan data and what it means for millions of borrowers. With defaults climbing to more than 9 million and nearly one in four recent graduates already falling behind, Betsy explains why student debt is no longer just a young person's concern, how borrowers of every age can avoid the steep costs of default, and what steps to take right now to protect yourself, from forbearance and income-driven repayment to loan rehabilitation.

Apologies for the delay, Pat was stuck in Wellington and there was no one else who could upload the podcastLabour's Tertiary Studies spokesperson Shanan Halbert joins us to explain Labour's new policy on wiping up to 10% from student loans.National and Labour spent Sunday launching the election campaigns that have been going on for months - and it looks like Chris Hipkins is baring his teeth on the trail.And Marama Davidson sits down with Jack Tame on the first election one-on-one Leaders discussions for Q&A.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Buy Us A Coffee (Keep Us Ad-Free!) Frank explains proposed federal student loan changes that could restrict borrowing for many graduate programs and asks whether the government should influence which careers receive greater financial backing. The episode also covers related political and AI news, including Trump's meetings with AI executives, debates over media access and public spending, and broader questions about taxpayer protections versus individual choice in education.

As the election looms closer, only about 60 percent of young people eligible to vote are actually enrolled. So Checkpoint took the streets today to ask those aged 18 to 24 if they'll be voting, or why they're chosing not to. Bella Craig reports.

Roughly 7 million borrowers affected by the end of the SAVE plan are being told to choose new repayment options within 90 days. For some, monthly payments could rise sharply, while borrowers also report servicing errors involving defaults and loan forgiveness counts. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The federal government just split student loan borrowers into two groups: those who borrowed before July 2026 keep access to income-driven repayment and forgiveness strategies, while everyone after gets strict caps, fewer options, and tax bills on forgiven debt. If you're on the wrong side of that line—or helping someone navigate it—the math on graduate school, Parent PLUS loans, and even retirement contributions just changed. The July 2026 Dividing Line – 00:05:30 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act created two distinct classes of borrowers. Pre-July 2026 borrowers retain access to Income-Based Repayment (IBR) with payments at 10-15% of discretionary income and forgiveness after 20-25 years. Post-July 2026 borrowers get the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) with 1-10% payments based on income but forgiveness only after 30 years. Anyone who takes out even one loan after the cutoff loses access to the old system entirely. New Borrowing Limits – 00:12:00 Federal loans are now capped at approximately $65,000 total for undergraduates (via Parent PLUS), $20,500 per year for graduate students, and $50,000 per year for professional programs like medical, dental, and law school—with a $200,000 lifetime cap for professional degrees. These limits fundamentally change which graduate programs remain financially viable without substantial family wealth or private loans. The Death of Parent PLUS Loans – 00:35:00 Parent PLUS loans have become a loan of last resort. They now carry roughly 9% interest rates, offer zero income-driven repayment options, and place all legal responsibility on parents alone. Students are morally but not legally obligated. For parents with good credit, private loans offer better rates and the option to cosign, putting responsibility on both parties. Private Loans About to Surge – 01:10:00 With federal borrowing caps forcing graduate students to seek alternative funding, the private loan market is poised for massive growth. Rate spreads can reach 7 percentage points between best and worst offers. Students should establish credit history at least three years before grad school by opening a credit card early and rate shop aggressively across multiple lenders. IBR vs RAP: Know Your Repayment Plan – 00:18:00 Pre-July 2026 borrowers can access IBR with payments capped at 10% or 15% of discretionary income and forgiveness after 20 years for undergrad debt or 25 years for graduate debt. Post-July 2026 borrowers get RAP, which starts at 1% of income for those earning under $15,000 and scales up to 10% for higher earners, with forgiveness only after 30 years. The difference in both payment structure and timeline is substantial. The Tax Bomb Returns – 00:28:00 Forgiveness through income-driven repayment in the private sector is once again taxable as income starting in 2026, after being tax-free from 2021-2025 under the American Rescue Plan. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) remains tax-free. For someone who has $100,000 forgiven while earning $75,000, they could face a tax bill on $175,000 of income in the year of forgiveness. PSLF and Current Litigation – 00:52:00 PSLF remains the strongest forgiveness option for qualifying public service and nonprofit employees, requiring 120 qualifying payments while working full-time. The PSLF Buyback program allows workers to purchase credit for months spent in forbearance or deferment. Current litigation primarily affects niche groups rather than broad populations, though ongoing challenges to Department of Education rules create uncertainty. AGI Manipulation as Tax Strategy – 01:02:00 Since income-driven repayment calculates payments based on Adjusted Gross Income, maximizing pre-tax 401(k) contributions, HSA contributions, and other above-the-line deductions directly reduces required loan payments. For borrowers paying 24% federal tax + 5% state tax + 10% to student loans, that's a 39% effective marginal rate—making traditional pre-tax contributions far more valuable than Roth accoun…

In this episode you will hear: Andy joins Mark to answer a Frequently asked question, "Do colleges give a student less money if they apply by using Early Decision because they know the student has to come, and doesn't have any leverage, so why lead with your best financial aid or merit-based scholarship offer? Mark and Christina interview Adam Miller, The VP of Enrollment at Whitman College, Part 3 of 3 Understanding Whitman's Ten Percent Promise Preview for Part 3 ¢ Christina compliments Whitman for their courage to be bold ¢ Mark shares a few very specific things that he likes about Whitman's plan ¢ Mark makes a prediction of how this plan will impact visits ¢ Adam talks about how students can still qualify for academic scholarships and talent-based scholarships, up to $45,000, but obviously the academic and talent-based scholarships are not stackable with the 10 percent promise ¢ Undocumented and International students cannot complete the FAFSA but Whitman does have special scholarships for these populations ¢ Adam talks about the 90 million dollars they recently raised for financial aid ¢ Christina talks how rare it is for a college to show this level of transparency ¢ Adam goes on the hotseat in our lightning round Recommended Resources JG Talks: Helping prospective and current college students achieve success Colleges that allow self-reporting of test scores Colleges that Allow Self-Reporting of SAT and ACT Scores Great source for questions about finances and college Edvisors: Financial Aid, Student Loans, Scholarships and Money Management FAFSA Walkthroughs Mark recommends CSS PROFILE Walkthroughs MEFA Institute: A Deep Dive into the CSS Profile Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/blog/ 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people, find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/ Check out the college websites Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-websites/ If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCauBgityVXVHRQUjvlIRfYrMWWdHarB9DMQGYL0472bNxrw/viewform If you want a college consultation with Mark just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email at mark@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Monday on Newstalk ZB) This One's for You, Youths/Yet Another Scenario We Never Voted For/Podcast RouletteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour is promising to wipe ten percent off the student-loan balances of some borrowers. Labour's tertiary education spokesperson Shanan Halbert spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Prime Minister says people will be encouraged, by what comes out of tomorrow afternoon's 's Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update from Treasury. It will outline the medium-term fiscal outlook. It will also give the general public, and non-government parties like Labour, an idea of the state of the Government's books heading into the election. Chris Luxon told Mike Hosking things are in a good place. He says it shouldn't be a surprise to people that the economy has been growing since May, despite the global fuel crisis. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour is rolling out an election-year sweetener, this time aimed at Kiwis with student loans. The party is promising eligible borrowers will receive a 10 percent reduction on their student loan balance if it's elected. Under the proposal, graduates who complete their studies and stay in the country for at least three years would qualify. Labour's Tertiary Education Spokesperson Shanan Halbert told Ryan Bridge the policy is all about keeping the best and brightest in the country. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not quite Briscoes sale level, but 10% off your student loan is not to be scoffed at. Unless you're not a student, never had a student loan, and don't plan on sitting in a lecture theatre for three years. Then you don't really care about this policy except for what it costs you as a taxpayer. The unfortunate thing about democracy is that we're all taxpayers. It'll cost almost half a billion dollars next year, totalling almost $600 million over five years. This is an old trick in Labour's playbook. Helen Clark secured a third term in power after introducing interest-free student loans in 2005. But this week, the Nats will hit back with their own little sweetener. The books are open tomorrow for everyone to have a peek under the hood. Listening to the sounds Nicola Willis was making yesterday, and to the bank economists on Friday, growth and the surplus should be looking a bit better than they did in the last update in May. And then Nicola Willis will use those numbers to release policy: tax cuts. She dropped hints about this at the BusinessNZ election conference a few weeks ago. She's going to try to do something about bracket creep. Which, unlike Labour's student loan bribe, is a bribe that almost all Kiwi taxpayers will benefit from.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode you will hear: (10:16) Hillary joins Mark to answer a question from a school-based counselor who wants to know if she can make advocacy calls for her students to colleges. (35:36) Mark and Christina interview Adam Miller, The VP of Enrollment at Whitman College, Part 2 of 3 Understanding Whitman's Ten Percent Promise ¢ Adam explains why Whitman still accepts the CSS Profile instead of having their own individual, separate form ¢ Adam explains why they ended up going up with 10%, as opposed to 11 or 12 or 13 percent, for what they would ask families to pay for tuition ¢ Christina asks what happens if your applicant pool is less well-resourced and the 10% brings in less revenue than they anticipate, and they are locked into it ¢ Christina asks: By providing so much transparency, you lose the ability to use discretion if the numbers don't add up, so what are you getting in return for this? Adam has a great answer ¢ Mark shares his perspective that the 10% promise will appeal to more high-pay and full-pay families, and he explains why he feel this way ¢ Adam talks about some of the specific families who will really benefit from Whitman's new 10% Promise ¢ Christina asks, how do families who have big fluctuations in their income navigate the fact that if the award is based on the annual income Recommended Resources JG Talks: Helping prospective and current college students achieve success Colleges that allow self-reporting of test scores Colleges that Allow Self-Reporting of SAT and ACT Scores Great source for questions about finances and college Edvisors: Financial Aid, Student Loans, Scholarships and Money Management FAFSA Walkthroughs Mark recommends Complete FAFSA 2026‑2027 Walkthrough | From Start to Submit CSS PROFILE Walkthroughs CSS Profile Walkthrough MEFA Institute: A Deep Dive into the CSS Profile Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/blog/ 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people, find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/ Check out the college websites Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-websites/ If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCauBgityVXVHRQUjvlIRfYrMWWdHarB9DMQGYL0472bNxrw/viewform If you want a college consultation with Mark just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email at mark@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

College costs are rising and federal student loan rules are changing. Join us as Cathy Mueller from Mapping Your Future breaks down new loan policies, parent loan caps, and alternative funding strategies to help your family afford education without overwhelming debt. Whether you're planning for your children or grandchildren, this conversation will give you the clarity and tools you need to make smart financial decisions.

In this episode you will hear: (10:32) Susan joins Mark to answer a question about how to transfer to a new high school from the 11th grade to the 12th grade when the transferring was because of bullying. (41:36) Mark and Christina interview Adam Miller, The VP of Enrollment at Whiman College, Part 1 of 3 Understanding Whitman's Ten Percent Promise ¢ Adam explains what the 10 Percent Promise Is ¢ Adam explains how assets are usually handled at most of Whitman's peer schools and how that differs from Whitman is doing ¢ Christina asks Adam what he learned from the six years when they were doing full tax return reviews before students applied that they applied to their knowledge in the rollout of the new 10 percent promise, and Adam shares several things ¢ Adam answers the question Christina asks, when you were doing hundreds of pre-reads, did you get flooded with pre-reads, only to find students didn't enroll, and Adam shares the benefits of doing an early read? ¢ Adam and I discuss how they love how Whitman can adjust to accommodate the family where the CSS Profile helps a family ¢ Adam explains how a pre-read is different from a net price calculator Recommended Resources JG Talks: Helping prospective and current college students achieve success Colleges that allow self-reporting of test scores Colleges that Allow Self-Reporting of SAT and ACT Scores Great source for questions about finances and college Edvisors: Financial Aid, Student Loans, Scholarships and Money Management FAFSA Walkthroughs Mark recommends Complete FAFSA 2026‑2027 Walkthrough | From Start to Submit CSS PROFILE Walkthroughs CSS Profile Walkthrough MEFA Institute: A Deep Dive into the CSS Profile Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/blog/ 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people, find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/ Check out the college websites Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-websites/ If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCauBgityVXVHRQUjvlIRfYrMWWdHarB9DMQGYL0472bNxrw/viewform If you want a college consultation with Mark just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email at mark@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

In this special episode, Howard Farran steps into the lecture hall rather than the studio, delivering a guest lecture to dental students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas at the invitation of Dr. Karen Kucharski, Assistant Professor in Residence in Clinical Sciences. The talk — titled The Business of Dentistry After Graduation: DSOs, Practice Ownership, Student Loans, and Career Strategy — was requested for a simple reason: students are increasingly convinced that practice ownership is a dream that has died, and they want an honest, balanced education on what actually awaits them after graduation. Howard works through the questions students themselves submitted, covering the realities of production inside a DSO and how much control an associate truly has over it, what separates thriving associates from those who feel taken advantage of, and which clinical skills new grads most wish they'd developed more in school. He addresses the pressure to produce at or beyond one's level of clinical expertise, what a genuinely competitive associate contract looks like and which terms are actually negotiable, whether associates are converting their own cases or depending on a treatment coordinator, and how much the mentorship and CE promised by large groups really improves clinical competency. The lecture closes on the bigger career questions: appointment length and autonomy, what high-production associates actually take home, student loan strategy, and the honest case for and against lifelong associateship versus ownership — delivered with the goal of educating rather than selling students on either path.   Episode #1739 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard Farran takes the podium at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, invited by Dr. Karen Kucharski to speak to her students on The Business of Dentistry After Graduation: DSOs, Practice Ownership, Student Loans, and Career Strategy. Students today are being told the dream of ownership is dead. This lecture is a straight, no-spin education on the real trade-offs between DSO associateship and owning — production limits, contracts, mentorship, case conversion, and the numbers behind it all.

Student loan repayment is becoming a serious problem at hundreds of colleges across America.In this episode of MX3 Podcast, we dig into new federal data showing that 500 colleges and universities have student loan nonpayment rates of 40% or higher. We look at where these problems are concentrated, why many for-profit career and trade schools stand out in the numbers, and what happens when borrowers leave school with debt they struggle to repay.We also discuss examples involving career-training programs, federal student aid, borrower outcomes, and the accountability rules designed to determine when schools should lose access to federal funding.The bigger question: When students borrow money they cannot repay and schools continue receiving federal dollars, where should accountability fall?

As featured on Home Sweet Home Chicago on 9/19/26: Attorney Rae Kaplan of Kaplan Law Firm joins David Hochberg to talk about major changes to federal student loans. With so much incomplete and conflicting information circulating online, Rae explains why borrowers should avoid making major decisions based on social media or headlines alone. Rae also highlights a time-sensitive September […]

This episode, we're getting into Keisha Lance Bottoms' memoir The Rough Side of the Mountain and the family, struggles, and pressure that shaped her journey.Then, we debate student loan forgiveness. Who should really foot the bill?And in The Rant, Isaiah weighs in on Target's controversial children's Halloween costume and the backlash surrounding its resemblance to racist minstrel imagery.Three topics. Different perspectives. Plenty to talk about.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed, Dr. Sonia Lewis. Founder and CEO of The Student Loan Doctor, LLC, an award-winning company that helps individuals navigate student loan repayment and debt management. The conversation explores America's student loan crisis, the long-term impact of educational debt, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and Dr. Lewis's journey from higher education professional to nationally recognized business owner. At its core, the interview is both a discussion about the realities of student loan debt and an entrepreneurial success story about identifying a major problem and building a business around solving it. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Educate listeners about the student loan debt crisis. Explain how student debt affects long-term financial success. Highlight the unique challenges facing African American borrowers, particularly women. Introduce solutions and resources for student loan repayment. Share Dr. Lewis's entrepreneurial journey and business-building strategies. Encourage financial literacy and informed borrowing decisions. Key Takeaways 1. Student Loan Debt Is a Systemic Problem Dr. Lewis argues that the student loan crisis begins with the cost of higher education itself. Key points include: Student loans are one of the few major financial products available without traditional underwriting standards. New borrowers continuously enter the system, making loan forgiveness alone an incomplete solution. The problem is tied directly to the growing cost of college education. Higher education and student lending have become interconnected industries with few structural solutions. Bottom Line: The challenge is not just repayment. It is the broader system that continues producing new debt every semester. 2. Student Debt Impacts Major Life Decisions One of the strongest themes throughout the interview is how student debt affects adulthood. Dr. Lewis explains that borrowers often don't fully understand the consequences until they begin trying to: Buy a home Build credit Get married Start a family Launch a business Create long-term wealth Many borrowers discover that large student loan balances significantly limit financial flexibility and delay major life milestones. 3. African American Women Carry a Disproportionate Burden Dr. Lewis has dedicated much of her career to studying how student loan debt impacts African American women. She notes that: African American women earn more college degrees than many demographic groups. They often carry some of the highest student loan balances. Educational attainment does not always translate into proportional wealth building. Student debt often delays homeownership, entrepreneurship, and family financial growth. This issue became a central motivation behind her work and the creation of her company. 4. The Student Loan Doctor Was Built by Solving a Real Problem Dr. Lewis launched her business after recognizing that borrowers were not receiving adequate guidance from loan servicers. She initially: Worked a full-time job in higher education. Met clients in cafes and community spaces after work. Charged modest consultation fees. Studied federal student loan regulations extensively. Built expertise through years of financial aid and higher education experience. Eventually demand exceeded her full-time salary, allowing her to transition into entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial Lesson: Find a major problem, become an expert in solving it, and deliver consistent value. 5. Solving Problems Creates Business Opportunities A powerful business lesson from the interview is Dr. Lewis's belief that successful entrepreneurs place themselves in the middle of a significant problem. After publicly sharing that she was the first African American woman-owned student loan repayment company, her story went viral. This exposure led to: National media attention Increased public awareness Thousands of inquiries Significant business growth Her success demonstrates the value of owning a niche and becoming the go-to expert in that space. 6. Financial Literacy Starts at Home While colleges play a role in educating students about finances, Dr. Lewis believes financial literacy begins much earlier. She emphasizes: Parents should teach money management. Young adults often receive loan refunds without understanding budgeting. Many borrowers arrive at college without financial education. Borrowing decisions should be tied to future earning potential. Her View: Financial decision-making skills must be developed before students begin managing significant amounts of money. 7. Education Must Connect to Career Outcomes Another important takeaway is the need to think strategically about degrees and career paths. Dr. Lewis encourages students and families to consider: Return on investment. Career demand. Income potential. Employment opportunities. Degree marketability. She notes that many borrowers accumulate debt for degrees without fully understanding how those degrees translate into sustainable careers. 8. Teaching Builds Trust A major factor in Dr. Lewis's success has been education-based marketing. She regularly provides: Free workshops Online classes Community education events Financial literacy sessions By teaching first and selling second, she establishes credibility and trust with potential clients. Notable Quotes On the Student Loan Crisis "Unless we make it free, free 99, in the United States of America, this is a trillion-dollar problem that really doesn't have a solution." On Life After College "When you go to buy a home, they'll say, well, you already have a mortgage. We can't give you another one." On Entrepreneurship "When you are an entrepreneur, you want to put yourself in the middle of a big problem." On Her Business Growth "There was no me before. People were shying away from this conversation." On Supporting Borrowers "We get right into the solution." On Student Loan Shame "It's the thing that plays in the back of your mind when no one else is around." On Building a Business "I only want to talk about having student loans. That's my lane." On Success "God be showing up in places that I haven't made it to yet." On Leadership "You cannot be an entrepreneur, a good business owner, a good leader if you don't have discernment about people." On Personal Growth "I believe in mentorship. I believe in investing in myself." Executive Summary Dr. Sonia Lewis's interview is both a financial education discussion and an entrepreneurial masterclass. She highlights how student loan debt has become a long-term barrier to wealth creation, particularly for African American women, while providing practical insight into why borrowers struggle and how they can move forward. Equally important, she demonstrates how identifying a widespread problem, developing deep expertise, and consistently educating others can create a highly successful business. Her overarching message is that informed financial decisions, strong mentorship, continuous learning, and strategic problem-solving are essential for both personal and professional success. #STRAW #BEST #SHMS Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed, Dr. Sonia Lewis. Founder and CEO of The Student Loan Doctor, LLC, an award-winning company that helps individuals navigate student loan repayment and debt management. The conversation explores America's student loan crisis, the long-term impact of educational debt, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and Dr. Lewis's journey from higher education professional to nationally recognized business owner. At its core, the interview is both a discussion about the realities of student loan debt and an entrepreneurial success story about identifying a major problem and building a business around solving it. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Educate listeners about the student loan debt crisis. Explain how student debt affects long-term financial success. Highlight the unique challenges facing African American borrowers, particularly women. Introduce solutions and resources for student loan repayment. Share Dr. Lewis's entrepreneurial journey and business-building strategies. Encourage financial literacy and informed borrowing decisions. Key Takeaways 1. Student Loan Debt Is a Systemic Problem Dr. Lewis argues that the student loan crisis begins with the cost of higher education itself. Key points include: Student loans are one of the few major financial products available without traditional underwriting standards. New borrowers continuously enter the system, making loan forgiveness alone an incomplete solution. The problem is tied directly to the growing cost of college education. Higher education and student lending have become interconnected industries with few structural solutions. Bottom Line: The challenge is not just repayment. It is the broader system that continues producing new debt every semester. 2. Student Debt Impacts Major Life Decisions One of the strongest themes throughout the interview is how student debt affects adulthood. Dr. Lewis explains that borrowers often don't fully understand the consequences until they begin trying to: Buy a home Build credit Get married Start a family Launch a business Create long-term wealth Many borrowers discover that large student loan balances significantly limit financial flexibility and delay major life milestones. 3. African American Women Carry a Disproportionate Burden Dr. Lewis has dedicated much of her career to studying how student loan debt impacts African American women. She notes that: African American women earn more college degrees than many demographic groups. They often carry some of the highest student loan balances. Educational attainment does not always translate into proportional wealth building. Student debt often delays homeownership, entrepreneurship, and family financial growth. This issue became a central motivation behind her work and the creation of her company. 4. The Student Loan Doctor Was Built by Solving a Real Problem Dr. Lewis launched her business after recognizing that borrowers were not receiving adequate guidance from loan servicers. She initially: Worked a full-time job in higher education. Met clients in cafes and community spaces after work. Charged modest consultation fees. Studied federal student loan regulations extensively. Built expertise through years of financial aid and higher education experience. Eventually demand exceeded her full-time salary, allowing her to transition into entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial Lesson: Find a major problem, become an expert in solving it, and deliver consistent value. 5. Solving Problems Creates Business Opportunities A powerful business lesson from the interview is Dr. Lewis's belief that successful entrepreneurs place themselves in the middle of a significant problem. After publicly sharing that she was the first African American woman-owned student loan repayment company, her story went viral. This exposure led to: National media attention Increased public awareness Thousands of inquiries Significant business growth Her success demonstrates the value of owning a niche and becoming the go-to expert in that space. 6. Financial Literacy Starts at Home While colleges play a role in educating students about finances, Dr. Lewis believes financial literacy begins much earlier. She emphasizes: Parents should teach money management. Young adults often receive loan refunds without understanding budgeting. Many borrowers arrive at college without financial education. Borrowing decisions should be tied to future earning potential. Her View: Financial decision-making skills must be developed before students begin managing significant amounts of money. 7. Education Must Connect to Career Outcomes Another important takeaway is the need to think strategically about degrees and career paths. Dr. Lewis encourages students and families to consider: Return on investment. Career demand. Income potential. Employment opportunities. Degree marketability. She notes that many borrowers accumulate debt for degrees without fully understanding how those degrees translate into sustainable careers. 8. Teaching Builds Trust A major factor in Dr. Lewis's success has been education-based marketing. She regularly provides: Free workshops Online classes Community education events Financial literacy sessions By teaching first and selling second, she establishes credibility and trust with potential clients. Notable Quotes On the Student Loan Crisis "Unless we make it free, free 99, in the United States of America, this is a trillion-dollar problem that really doesn't have a solution." On Life After College "When you go to buy a home, they'll say, well, you already have a mortgage. We can't give you another one." On Entrepreneurship "When you are an entrepreneur, you want to put yourself in the middle of a big problem." On Her Business Growth "There was no me before. People were shying away from this conversation." On Supporting Borrowers "We get right into the solution." On Student Loan Shame "It's the thing that plays in the back of your mind when no one else is around." On Building a Business "I only want to talk about having student loans. That's my lane." On Success "God be showing up in places that I haven't made it to yet." On Leadership "You cannot be an entrepreneur, a good business owner, a good leader if you don't have discernment about people." On Personal Growth "I believe in mentorship. I believe in investing in myself." Executive Summary Dr. Sonia Lewis's interview is both a financial education discussion and an entrepreneurial masterclass. She highlights how student loan debt has become a long-term barrier to wealth creation, particularly for African American women, while providing practical insight into why borrowers struggle and how they can move forward. Equally important, she demonstrates how identifying a widespread problem, developing deep expertise, and consistently educating others can create a highly successful business. Her overarching message is that informed financial decisions, strong mentorship, continuous learning, and strategic problem-solving are essential for both personal and professional success. #STRAW #BEST #SHMS Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode you will hear: (04:44) Mark interviews Mitch Gordon and Jennifer Ziegenfus-Verto Education Part 5 of 5-Preview v Mitch talks about how safe the sites that the students are at are v Jen talks about how a visit she took from Boulder to the London site, and it was transformational for her understanding of the magic of Verto v Mitch talks about whether a student or parent can visit an overseas site before they commit v Mitch tells us more about how Parents Days work v Jen talks about where someone who is interested in Verto should go next to learn even more about Verto v Mitch talks about his vision about he envisions Verto will look like in 2032 when Verto is 15 years old v We close with Jen and Mitch going on the hot seat in our lightning round (34:55) Mark and Christina interview Adam Miller, The VP of Enrollment at Whiman College, Part 3 of 3 Understanding Whitman · Adam discusses how practically does being "need-aware" look like at Whitman · Adam discusses what Whitman needs to work on to be an even better college · Adam talks about what Walla Walla is like as a town · Adam talks about the weather in Walla Walla, Washington · Adam talks about the wine culture in Walla Walla · Adam talks about how Whitman celebrates the Liberal Arts Recommended Resources JG Talks: Helping prospective and current college students achieve success Colleges that allow self-reporting of test scores Colleges that Allow Self-Reporting of SAT and ACT Scores Great source for questions about finances and college Edvisors: Financial Aid, Student Loans, Scholarships and Money Management FAFSA Walkthroughs Mark recommends Complete FAFSA 2026‑2027 Walkthrough | From Start to Submit CSS PROFILE Walkthroughs CSS Profile Walkthrough MEFA Institute: A Deep Dive into the CSS Profile Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/blog/ 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people, find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/ Check out the college websites Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-websites/ If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCauBgityVXVHRQUjvlIRfYrMWWdHarB9DMQGYL0472bNxrw/viewform If you want a college consultation with Mark just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email at mark@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed, Dr. Sonia Lewis. Founder and CEO of The Student Loan Doctor, LLC, an award-winning company that helps individuals navigate student loan repayment and debt management. The conversation explores America's student loan crisis, the long-term impact of educational debt, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and Dr. Lewis's journey from higher education professional to nationally recognized business owner. At its core, the interview is both a discussion about the realities of student loan debt and an entrepreneurial success story about identifying a major problem and building a business around solving it. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Educate listeners about the student loan debt crisis. Explain how student debt affects long-term financial success. Highlight the unique challenges facing African American borrowers, particularly women. Introduce solutions and resources for student loan repayment. Share Dr. Lewis's entrepreneurial journey and business-building strategies. Encourage financial literacy and informed borrowing decisions. Key Takeaways 1. Student Loan Debt Is a Systemic Problem Dr. Lewis argues that the student loan crisis begins with the cost of higher education itself. Key points include: Student loans are one of the few major financial products available without traditional underwriting standards. New borrowers continuously enter the system, making loan forgiveness alone an incomplete solution. The problem is tied directly to the growing cost of college education. Higher education and student lending have become interconnected industries with few structural solutions. Bottom Line: The challenge is not just repayment. It is the broader system that continues producing new debt every semester. 2. Student Debt Impacts Major Life Decisions One of the strongest themes throughout the interview is how student debt affects adulthood. Dr. Lewis explains that borrowers often don't fully understand the consequences until they begin trying to: Buy a home Build credit Get married Start a family Launch a business Create long-term wealth Many borrowers discover that large student loan balances significantly limit financial flexibility and delay major life milestones. 3. African American Women Carry a Disproportionate Burden Dr. Lewis has dedicated much of her career to studying how student loan debt impacts African American women. She notes that: African American women earn more college degrees than many demographic groups. They often carry some of the highest student loan balances. Educational attainment does not always translate into proportional wealth building. Student debt often delays homeownership, entrepreneurship, and family financial growth. This issue became a central motivation behind her work and the creation of her company. 4. The Student Loan Doctor Was Built by Solving a Real Problem Dr. Lewis launched her business after recognizing that borrowers were not receiving adequate guidance from loan servicers. She initially: Worked a full-time job in higher education. Met clients in cafes and community spaces after work. Charged modest consultation fees. Studied federal student loan regulations extensively. Built expertise through years of financial aid and higher education experience. Eventually demand exceeded her full-time salary, allowing her to transition into entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial Lesson: Find a major problem, become an expert in solving it, and deliver consistent value. 5. Solving Problems Creates Business Opportunities A powerful business lesson from the interview is Dr. Lewis's belief that successful entrepreneurs place themselves in the middle of a significant problem. After publicly sharing that she was the first African American woman-owned student loan repayment company, her story went viral. This exposure led to: National media attention Increased public awareness Thousands of inquiries Significant business growth Her success demonstrates the value of owning a niche and becoming the go-to expert in that space. 6. Financial Literacy Starts at Home While colleges play a role in educating students about finances, Dr. Lewis believes financial literacy begins much earlier. She emphasizes: Parents should teach money management. Young adults often receive loan refunds without understanding budgeting. Many borrowers arrive at college without financial education. Borrowing decisions should be tied to future earning potential. Her View: Financial decision-making skills must be developed before students begin managing significant amounts of money. 7. Education Must Connect to Career Outcomes Another important takeaway is the need to think strategically about degrees and career paths. Dr. Lewis encourages students and families to consider: Return on investment. Career demand. Income potential. Employment opportunities. Degree marketability. She notes that many borrowers accumulate debt for degrees without fully understanding how those degrees translate into sustainable careers. 8. Teaching Builds Trust A major factor in Dr. Lewis's success has been education-based marketing. She regularly provides: Free workshops Online classes Community education events Financial literacy sessions By teaching first and selling second, she establishes credibility and trust with potential clients. Notable Quotes On the Student Loan Crisis "Unless we make it free, free 99, in the United States of America, this is a trillion-dollar problem that really doesn't have a solution." On Life After College "When you go to buy a home, they'll say, well, you already have a mortgage. We can't give you another one." On Entrepreneurship "When you are an entrepreneur, you want to put yourself in the middle of a big problem." On Her Business Growth "There was no me before. People were shying away from this conversation." On Supporting Borrowers "We get right into the solution." On Student Loan Shame "It's the thing that plays in the back of your mind when no one else is around." On Building a Business "I only want to talk about having student loans. That's my lane." On Success "God be showing up in places that I haven't made it to yet." On Leadership "You cannot be an entrepreneur, a good business owner, a good leader if you don't have discernment about people." On Personal Growth "I believe in mentorship. I believe in investing in myself." Executive Summary Dr. Sonia Lewis's interview is both a financial education discussion and an entrepreneurial masterclass. She highlights how student loan debt has become a long-term barrier to wealth creation, particularly for African American women, while providing practical insight into why borrowers struggle and how they can move forward. Equally important, she demonstrates how identifying a widespread problem, developing deep expertise, and consistently educating others can create a highly successful business. Her overarching message is that informed financial decisions, strong mentorship, continuous learning, and strategic problem-solving are essential for both personal and professional success. #STRAW #BEST #SHMS Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Press Release: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/news/2026/idfpr---idfpr-takes-action-against-unlicensed-student-loan-debt-.html Please note: under the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act, entities providing debt settlement services in Illinois generally must be licensed by IDFPR, subject to certain statutory exemptions, including for attorneys, banks, and institutions of higher education, among others. Show Notes: Resources for checking licenses and reporting scams • IDFPR license lookup: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/checklicense.html • Illinois Attorney General Student Loan Helpline: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/student-loan-debt-assistance/ • Illinois Secretary of State's Business Entity Search: https://apps.ilsos.gov/businessentitysearch/ • Federal Trade Commission's Fraud Report Portal: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ References • Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. (n.d.-a). Student loan servicers. https://idfpr.illinois.gov/banks/student-loan-servicers.html • Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. (n.d.-b). Consumer credit. https://idfpr.illinois.gov/dfi/ccd/ccd-main.html • Illinois Administrative Code, tit. 38, § 145.5 (2023). Purpose and definitions, Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act rules. https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/illinois/IL-Admin-Code-38-145-5 • Illinois Attorney General's Office. (2026). Student lending. https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/student-loan-debt-assistance/ • Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act, 110 Ill. Comp. Stat. 983, as amended by Public Act 104-0504 (2025). https://ilga.gov/Legislation/PublicActs/View/104-0504 • Consumer Finance Monitor. (2022, July 27). Illinois provides guides and templates for Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act reporting requirements. Ballard Spahr LLP. https://www.consumerfinancemonitor.com/2022/07/27/illinois-provides-guides-and-templates-for-know-before-you-owe-private-education-loan-act-reporting-requirements/ • Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. (2021, August 26). Student lending: Illinois enacts 'Know Before You Owe' law. https://www.manatt.com/insights/newsletters/financial-services-law/student-lending-illinois-enacts-know-before-you-o • Federal Trade Commission. (2023, June 14). FTC sends more than $3.3 million to consumers harmed by student loan debt relief scam [Press release]. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/06/ftc-sends-more-33-million-consumers-harmed-student-loan-debt-relief-scam • Federal Student Aid. (n.d.). How to avoid student loan forgiveness scams. U.S. Department of Education. https://studentaid.gov/articles/avoid-student-loan-forgiveness-scams/ • Young, J. R. (2026, April 30). Fake student loan debt offers proliferate as federal government rolls back enforcement. The Hechinger Report. https://hechingerreport.org/fake-student-loan-debt-offers-proliferate-as-federal-government-rolls-back-enforcement/

Rae Kaplan, student loan attorney at Kaplan Law Firm, joins Jon Hansen to talk about how she’s starting to see more student loans forgiven. Plus FAFSA updates and why everyone should fill out their FAFSA. For more information on how Rae can help you with your loans, visit www.financialrelief.com or call 312-294-8989.

9-16 Adam and Jordana 11a hour

9-16 Adam and Jordana Full Show

People who have student debt contribute to company 401(k)s at a much lower rate than those without student debt. Some employers are helping with what's known as a 401(k) student loan match. Craig Copeland, Director of Wealth Benefits Research for the Employee Benefit Research Institute, joins us to explain.

If you started repaying federal student loans around 2001-2006 and have been on a 20, 25, or 30-year income-driven repayment plan, you're right on the doorstep of forgiveness. Here's the catch: the forgiven balance triggers a potentially staggering tax bill — what we call the “tax bomb.” Learn who's at risk, how big the tax bill could be, missteps to avoid, and the exact steps to prepare.Key moments:(08:54) Estimate your forgiveness date without an official payment count tracker(18:02) What to save and invest for the tax bill(24:17) Parent PLUS restrictions and the consolidation cutoff(37:15) What the insolvency exclusion requires you to document, and why few qualify(53:17) Offer in compromise, and when the IRS will negotiate a reduced amountResources mentioned: IRS Offer in Compromise pre-qualifierIRS Form 1099-CMentioned in this episode:Tips I Can't Share PubliclyGetting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. Want more? Check out our other podcastStarting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.

Andrea Eger examines an unusually public battle brewing between faculty and administration at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, while reporter Jennifer Palmer reveals significant oversight gaps in a state tax credit program that is now serving as a federal model. Plus, Raynee Howell looks into how sweeping changes to the Department of Education's loan repayment system are hitting home for Oklahomans. Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun Witt.

My Life Sucks...NFL Game Day Costs in 2026...Student Loans & Debt -- PLUS -- smart glasses for the blind, sleeping on ice cream, and a whole bunch of the stuff you've come to love from us!

In this episode you will hear: Mark interviews Mitch Gordon and Jennifer Ziegenfus-Verto Education Part 4 of 5-Preview v Mitch talks about how hard covid was extremely hard on Verto and he talks about what was it that allowed Verto to survive and then thrive through Verto v Mitch talks about what residential environment is like for students v Mitch talks about the course offerings are that are available at each location v Mitch talks about how they added several stem heavy partners and how they wanted certain courses to be provided so they added these courses v Mitch talks about how they find faculty for Verto v Mitch talks about the average class size and he talks about what his very ambitious goal is when it comes to the quality of the teaching faculty v Mitch talks about some of the experiential learning that occurs as part of the Verto experience v Jen talks about the extracurricular opportunities that are available v Mitch talks about the importance of community and connection at Verto v I ask Mitch and Jen what Verto needs to do better and they share specific things that they want to improve Mark and Christina interview Adam Miller, The VP of Enrollment at Whiman College, Part 2 of 3 Understanding Whitman · Adam discusses what the admissions office looks for when they are deciding who to admit, and he singles out some very specific personal qualities that Whitman values · Adam paints a clear picture of the type of performance from a grades and rigor standpoint that is competitive in the Whitman admission process · Adam discusses Whitman's perspective on standardized testing · Whitman discusses the role that interviews play in the Whitman admission process · Whitman talks about how extracurricular activities impact how an admissions file is read · Adam shares the role that writing plays in the evaluation process Recommended Resources JG Talks: Helping prospective and current college students achieve success Colleges that allow self-reporting of test scores Colleges that Allow Self-Reporting of SAT and ACT Scores Great source for questions about finances and college Edvisors: Financial Aid, Student Loans, Scholarships and Money Management FAFSA Walkthroughs Mark recommends Complete FAFSA 2026‑2027 Walkthrough | From Start to Submit CSS PROFILE Walkthroughs CSS Profile Walkthrough MEFA Institute: A Deep Dive into the CSS Profile Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/blog/ 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people, find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/ Check out the college websites Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-websites/ If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCauBgityVXVHRQUjvlIRfYrMWWdHarB9DMQGYL0472bNxrw/viewform If you want a college consultation with Mark just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email at mark@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

Ron thought he was just one payment away from finally being free of his student loan debt after years of payments. Then he got a phone call that suddenly turned his celebration into a full-blown nightmare. A shocking new balance, a very confused borrower, and one caller who refuses to back down make this Jubal Phone Prank absolutely hilarious. Find out how Ron reacts when he discovers there may be one VERY expensive surprise waiting for him! The wildest, most hilarious prank call podcast from The Jubal Show! Join Jubal Fresh as he masterminds the funniest and most outrageous phone pranks, catching unsuspecting victims off guard with his quick wit, absurd scenarios, and unmatched comedic timing. Whether he's posing as an over-the-top customer service rep, a clueless boss, or an eccentric neighbor, no call is safe from his unpredictable humor. Get ready to laugh out loud and cringe in the best way possible! New episodes drop every weekday—tune in and let the prank wars begin!➡︎ Submit your Jubal Phone Prank - https://thejubalshow.com This is just a tiny piece of The Jubal Show. You can find every podcast we have, including the full show every weekday right here…➡︎ https://thejubalshow.com/podcasts The Jubal Show is everywhere, and also these places: Website ➡︎ https://thejubalshow.com Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/thejubalshow X/Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/thejubalshow Tiktok ➡︎ https://www.tiktok.com/@the.jubal.show Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/thejubalshow YouTube ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@JubalFresh Support the show: https://the-jubal-show.beehiiv.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron thought he was just one payment away from finally being free of his student loan debt after years of payments. Then he got a phone call that suddenly turned his celebration into a full-blown nightmare. A shocking new balance, a very confused borrower, and one caller who refuses to back down make this Jubal Phone Prank absolutely hilarious. Find out how Ron reacts when he discovers there may be one VERY expensive surprise waiting for him! The wildest, most hilarious prank call podcast from The Jubal Show! Join Jubal Fresh as he masterminds the funniest and most outrageous phone pranks, catching unsuspecting victims off guard with his quick wit, absurd scenarios, and unmatched comedic timing. Whether he's posing as an over-the-top customer service rep, a clueless boss, or an eccentric neighbor, no call is safe from his unpredictable humor. Get ready to laugh out loud and cringe in the best way possible! New episodes drop every weekday—tune in and let the prank wars begin!➡︎ Submit your Jubal Phone Prank - https://thejubalshow.com This is just a tiny piece of The Jubal Show. You can find every podcast we have, including the full show every weekday right here…➡︎ https://thejubalshow.com/podcasts The Jubal Show is everywhere, and also these places: Website ➡︎ https://thejubalshow.com Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/thejubalshow X/Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/thejubalshow Tiktok ➡︎ https://www.tiktok.com/@the.jubal.show Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/thejubalshow YouTube ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@JubalFresh Support the show: https://the-jubal-show.beehiiv.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode you will hear: (08:53) Mark interviews Mitch Gordon and Jennifer Ziegenfus-Verto Education Part 3 of 5-Preview  Jen and Mitch talk about the growth of students who are now choosing Verto as their first choice and how, increasingly, students are starting with Verto as their first-choice option  Mitch explains the college counseling that Verto provides for students who want to start with Verto, and how they have their own version of the Common App  Jen talks about how incredibly important it is for Verto to have an academic team and an academic advisory board so Verto can have the right classes for students  Jen talks about how the Verto model is set up for students to graduate in four years  Mitch talks about the cost of attending a Verto program and Verto's commitment to access.  Mitch talks about the Global Citizenship scholarship, and some of the other scholarships that Verto offers  Mitch talks about what is covered and not covered in the Verto fees  Jen talks about how excursions are built into the Verto experience  Mitch talks about what qualifications are required for a student to transfer back, and we talk about how Verto can avoid sending a student to a college who has the correct GPA but the kid is a knucklehead  Mitch and Jen discuss what percentage of Verto students who start with the invite end up at a Verto partner school after their Verto experience  Mitch and Jen talk about how some colleges even send their students care packages, and some colleges even visit students at their overseas location (32:26)Mark and Christina interview Adam Miller, The VP of Enrollment at Whiman College, Part 1 of 3 Understanding Whitman · Adam gives his backstory · Adam explains, "Why Whitman" · Adam discusses, the "Semester in the West" · Adam explains the outstanding outdoor program at Whitman · Adam discusses the Senior Thesis and the strength in stem · Adam explains the very unique one on one career counseling program at Whitman Recommended Resources JG Talks: Helping prospective and current college students achieve success Colleges that allow self-reporting of test scores Colleges that Allow Self-Reporting of SAT and ACT Scores Great source for questions about finances and college Edvisors: Financial Aid, Student Loans, Scholarships and Money Management FAFSA Walkthroughs Mark recommends Complete FAFSA 2026‑2027 Walkthrough | From Start to Submit CSS PROFILE Walkthroughs CSS Profile Walkthrough MEFA Institute: A Deep Dive into the CSS Profile Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/blog/ 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people, find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/ Check out the college websites Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-websites/ If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCauBgityVXVHRQUjvlIRfYrMWWdHarB9DMQGYL0472bNxrw/viewform If you want a college consultation with Mark just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email at mark@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

Sept. 9, 2026- Republicans in Washington D.C. are limiting federal financing for student loans, which will likely drive more people to less consumer friendly private lenders. We explore a state effort to more tightly regulate private student loans with Kirsten Keefe, senior director of policy and advocacy for New York at The Institute for College Access & Success.

In this episode you will hear: Mark interviews Mitch Gordon and Jennifer Ziegenfus-Verto Education Part 2 of 5-Preview v Jennifer goes in some depth explaining when and how a university recommends the Verto option for students v Mitch explains what he means by the "glass half full" approach to when a student gets a Verto offer v Mitch talks about more selective colleges have partnered with Verto in recent years v Mitch talks about the experiential learning that happens at Verto v Mitch explains how he had his epiphany of how college can be a great benefit to the colleges v Jen was the Vice Chancellor at CU Boulder and she explains what the "value add' is to the colleges and she explains two distinct pathways that students come to their college from Verto; she describes the Direct Transfer Pathway to Verto and the traditional path where the college recommends Verto v Mitch talks about how Verto is creating the largest Transfer Network in the world and how it is an international network and how it is growing fast v Mitch talks about the year Verto started and what the early years were like; he also talks about what Verto looks for when they a select a college partner v Mitch talks about his vision for the future of Verto v Jen talks about what factor goes into whether a student gets assigned to Verto for one semester or for one year v Mitch talks about the five international locations that Verto has and he talks about what factors determine which location to the student ends up at Recommended Resources JG Talks: Helping prospective and current college students achieve success Colleges that allow self-reporting of test scores Colleges that Allow Self-Reporting of SAT and ACT Scores Great source for questions about finances and college Edvisors: Financial Aid, Student Loans, Scholarships and Money Management FAFSA Walkthroughs Mark recommends Complete FAFSA 2026‑2027 Walkthrough | From Start to Submit CSS PROFILE Walkthroughs CSS Profile Walkthrough MEFA Institute: A Deep Dive into the CSS Profile Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/blog/ 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people, find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/ Check out the college websites Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-websites/ If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCauBgityVXVHRQUjvlIRfYrMWWdHarB9DMQGYL0472bNxrw/viewform If you want a college consultation with Mark just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email at mark@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

⁠

In this episode you will hear: (22:15) Mark interviews Mitch Gordon and Jennifer Ziegenfus-Verto Education Part 1 of 5-Preview v Mitch Gordon shares his backstory v Mitch is a serial entrepreneur with all of his ventures being related to students having overseas experiences; he shares a few of his other educational ventures v Jennifer Ziegenfus give her fascinating backstory, and friends, you should have your student listen to Jennifer's background because it is textbook case for why I don't think students need to have it all figured out at 18, in terms of what they want to do with their lives v Mitch shares why he hired Jen, and what she does for Verto that is living out the values of Verto v Mitch shares what the mission of Verto Education is v Mitch shares how Verto challenges students v Mitch shares the nuts and bolts of how Verto works v Jennifer explains how her role is to be the liaison to support their partner colleges v Jennifer explains in depth how Verto does orientation, how Verto helps prepare students and their families for their transition to their overseas site where they will be living in the fall v Mitch talks about the two primary ways in which students find Verto Recommended Resources JG Talks: Helping prospective and current college students achieve success Colleges that allow self-reporting of test scores Colleges that Allow Self-Reporting of SAT and ACT Scores Great source for questions about finances and college Edvisors: Financial Aid, Student Loans, Scholarships and Money Management FAFSA Walkthroughs Mark recommends Complete FAFSA 2026‑2027 Walkthrough | From Start to Submit CSS PROFILE Walkthroughs CSS Profile Walkthrough MEFA Institute: A Deep Dive into the CSS Profile Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/blog/ 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please follow our podcast. It really helps us move up in Spotify and Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people, find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-books/ Check out the college websites Mark recommends: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/recommended-websites/ If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCauBgityVXVHRQUjvlIRfYrMWWdHarB9DMQGYL0472bNxrw/viewform If you want a college consultation with Mark just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email at mark@schoolmatch4u.com. All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/

David O'Brien, higher education policy scholar with the California Community Colleges System, is back to answer the question Thomas posed last time: why is college so expensive? They get into tuition vs. total cost of attendance, the dirty little secret of private university pricing, administrative bloat, the amenities arms race, and why the people loudest about college costs are likely well-off, but getting very little financial aid. Mentioned: The Daily: College, Student Loans, and Trump Sara Goldrick-Rab's research on college costs and student basic needs Cal Grant program (California) Pell Grant Americans with Disabilities Act Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? Apply here! Please support the show on Patreon! You get ad-free episodes, early episodes, and other bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/seriouspod

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jennifer Ledwith. Founder of Scholar Ready, discussed how families can successfully prepare for college while minimizing or eliminating student loan debt. Drawing from her personal experience of graduating from college with minimal debt and her work helping students earn scholarships since 2004, she shared practical strategies for test preparation, scholarship acquisition, college planning, and financial decision-making. The conversation focused on the growing cost of higher education, the dangers of excessive student loan borrowing, and the importance of early planning for both students and parents. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Help families understand how to reduce college costs. Educate parents about scholarships, student loans, and financial planning. Explain the importance of test preparation in securing scholarships. Provide a roadmap for students seeking debt-free college graduation. Raise awareness about common misconceptions surrounding college affordability. Discuss how AI is affecting student preparedness and scholarship applications. Key Takeaways 1. College Planning Should Start Early Jennifer emphasized that waiting until a student reaches senior year can limit scholarship opportunities. The ideal preparation process begins during: Middle school Freshman year Sophomore year Junior year Early preparation creates more options and stronger scholarship opportunities. 2. Scholarships Require More Than Good Grades According to Jennifer, successful scholarship candidates typically excel in three critical areas: Academic performance Standardized test scores Strong personal essays Families often focus on only one area while neglecting the others. 3. Student Loan Debt Can Be Avoided A central message of the interview is that many students can significantly reduce or avoid debt through strategic planning. This includes: Applying for scholarships early Understanding college costs Preparing for admissions exams Making financially sound college choices Jennifer built Scholar Ready specifically to help students accomplish those goals. 4. The Cost of College Requires Serious Financial Planning Jennifer compared paying for college to buying a home. She explained that families often spend months preparing for homeownership but approach college with far less planning despite similar costs. Her advice is to treat college as a major financial investment that requires preparation and professional guidance. 5. Not Every Expensive College Is the Best Financial Choice One of the myths Jennifer seeks to dispel is that private or out-of-state schools are always unaffordable. She explained that: Some private schools offer generous scholarships. Some out-of-state schools offer competitive aid packages. The actual cost may be lower than local options after scholarships are applied. Families should evaluate net cost rather than sticker price. 6. Parents Need Education Too Jennifer stressed that college planning isn't just for students. Parents need a clear understanding of: Scholarships Financial aid Loan options College affordability Long-term financial consequences Scholar Ready offers classes specifically designed to educate parents throughout the process. 7. Student Debt Is Becoming More Complex The interview explored changes in student lending and how borrowing limits can impact families. Jennifer noted that many students and parents are increasingly turning to private loans when federal aid falls short, often creating larger financial risks. 8. AI Can Become a Crutch Jennifer expressed concerns about students overusing artificial intelligence tools for writing assignments. While AI can support brainstorming and editing, excessive reliance can weaken: Writing skills Grammar skills Critical thinking Test performance Students eventually face standardized tests where AI cannot help them. 9. Standardized Tests Still Matter Despite changes in admissions practices, Jennifer believes strong SAT, ACT, and PSAT scores remain valuable, particularly when competing for scholarship dollars. Test preparation continues to play a significant role in scholarship success. 10. Different Families Need Different Solutions Scholar Ready offers multiple service options because every family enters the process with different: Timelines Goals Budgets Academic needs Jennifer believes effective college planning must be customized rather than one-size-fits-all. Key Themes Debt-Free College The interview centers on helping students graduate without burdensome student loan debt. Education as an Investment Jennifer encourages families to view college planning as a long-term financial strategy rather than a last-minute decision. Parent Involvement Parents play a crucial role in preparing students emotionally, academically, and financially. Preparation Creates Opportunity Students who prepare earlier gain access to more scholarship opportunities and better outcomes. Financial Literacy Understanding the financial side of higher education is just as important as academic preparation. Notable Quotes On Her Mission "I wanted to help students do the same thing that I did, which was to graduate from college with little to no student loan debt." On Rising College Costs "The household incomes are not keeping up with the rising cost of college." On College Planning "We need to take that same approach when it comes to college." On Scholarships "The grades, the essays and the test scores have to be on point." On Private Schools "Don't apply to a school out of state, don't apply to a private college because those colleges are going to be too much. No, not necessarily." On Scholarship Strategy "Do not start there. Start at the college or university." On AI "They've been using AI as a crutch." On Standardized Testing "There is no AI on the test." On Preparation "We're starting early." On Student Success "I am trying to pour that into my younger students." Success Highlights Founded Scholar Ready in 2004. Helped students earn scholarships and reduce college debt. Built a nationwide educational services company. Developed programs for both students and parents. Expanded services to include test preparation, essay coaching, and college planning. Studied personal financial planning and became a Certified Financial Planner to better serve families. Bottom Line Jennifer Ledwith's interview provides a practical roadmap for families seeking a more affordable path to higher education. Her message is clear: the rising cost of college requires intentional planning, early preparation, and informed decision-making. Through scholarship strategies, academic preparation, parent education, and financial literacy, students can significantly reduce debt and increase their opportunities for long-term success. #SHMS #STRAW #BEST Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. 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