The MEFA Podcast

In this episode, host Jonathan Hughes sits down with Stefanae Bowen, Director of Early College Programs at Middlesex Community College, to discuss the Commonwealth’s Early College Program. They cover how Early College works, who’s eligible to participate, the different types of programs available, and how students can earn college credits while still in high school at little or no cost.

In this episode, host Jonathan Hughes sits down with two of MEFA’s own, Public Relations Manager Lisa Rooney and Director of Creative Lauren Danz to discuss their college transfer journeys. Lauren and Lisa share their paths through the transfer process, including what led them to make the changes they did, the steps they took to transfer,the financial aid considerations they faced, and the challen...

In this episode, host Jonathan Hughes sits down with two admissions experts, Shannon Vasconcelos and Christine Kenyon, both college admissions consultants at Bright Horizons College Coach, to break down Early Decision and Early Action. They discuss the key differences between the two application options, how each one can impact students’ admissions chances, and some dos and don’ts when it comes to...

In this episode, host Jonathan Hughes sits down with MEFA’s own Christina Davidson and Darina Barreto about their experiences being college Resident Advisors (RAs). As former RAs, they discuss how they made the decision to apply for the role, the benefits and responsibilities of the job, and advice for students considering becoming an RA. What does it take to be an RA? Listen to this episode to fi...

In this episode, host Jonathan Hughes sits down with Fidelity Investments' 529 Managing Director Cory Latham to discuss Fidelity and MEFA’s recent College Savings Indicator study and how findings reveal that more parents in Massachusetts than ever before are planning to cover the full cost of their children’s college education. They also discuss the study's insights into how parents are saving, wh...

In this episode, host Jonathan Hughes sits down with MEFA’s Senior Director of College Planning, Education, and Training, Julie Shields-Rutyna, to discuss how MEFA can help families of all ages prepare for the year ahead with advice on planning, saving, and paying for college, as well as career readiness. Get tips specific to each grade level, including high school juniors and seniors, middle scho...

In this second part of Jonathan Hughes’s conversation with Shannon Vasconcelos of Bright Horizons College Coach, they discuss how students can find and maximize private scholarships from local and national organizations. Shannon shares practical strategies for identifying scholarships with smaller applicant pools, avoiding common scams, understanding how outside awards may affect financial aid, an...

Many families hope scholarships will be the key to reducing college costs, but few understand where the biggest scholarship opportunities actually come from. In part one of this two-part conversation, Jonathan Hughes talks with Shannon Vasconcelos of Bright Horizons College Coach about how scholarships really work, the difference between scholarships and grants, where to find scholarship opportuni...

With new federal caps on Parent PLUS Loans, many families may be wondering how to cover the remaining cost of college. In this episode of the MEFA Podcast, Jonathan Hughes talks with Gail daMota, President of the Education Finance Council (EFC), about alternative borrowing options, including state-based and nonprofit student loan programs. Gail explains how these mission-driven lenders differ from...

In this episode of the MEFA Podcast, host Jonathan Hughes talks with Community and Pathways Coordinator at Hoosac Valley Middle and High School, Erica Girgenti, about how Hoosac Valley integrates MyCAP into the curriculum. He also talks with Lindsay McGinnis, an Environmental Science Teacher, and two of her students, Abigail Martel and Olivia Silvernail, about their experience with MyCAP and their...

In this episode of the MEFA Podcast, host Jonathan Hughes talks with Joe Wyman, a liaison for the Office of Career and Technical Education within the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. They discuss MyCAP, a framework that engages students in the discovery of individual interests, skills, and talents, and how schools across the state are using MyCAP and integrating it w...

Starting July 1, 2026, new graduate students will no longer be able to borrow through the Federal Grad PLUS Loan program, a major shift in how many students finance advanced degrees. In this episode of the MEFA Podcast, host Jonathan Hughes talks with MEFA’s Director of College Relations, Shawn Morrissey, about what’s specifically changing, which federal loan options remain available, and how new...

In this episode of the MEFA Podcast, host Jonathan Hughes talks with Hale Pulsifer of Fidelity Investments about the powerful connection between disability, innovation, and employment. Hale shares how people with disabilities have inspired many everyday technologies and explains why companies that prioritize accessibility are seeing benefits for both employees and customers. The conversation also...

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Director of Recruitment at the College of the Holy Cross, Drew Carter, about how to lower pressure for students in the college search process. They explain why asking teens endless questions about their college preferences can overwhelm them, and why mini-exposures to campuses and casual conversations work better.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with two students from Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School, as well as an instructor. Michael Solata ,an Advanced Manufacturing student, explains some of the machines and programs they use, while Catherine Aguilar, a Veterinary Technician student, discusses her coursework, her co-op, and the animals she works with.

Host Jonathan Hughes answers a question from a student at Blue Hills Regional Technical High School about whether financial aid can change from year to year and what factors may cause those changes.

Host Jonathan Hughes answers a question from a student at Blue Hills Regional Technical High School about borrowing limits for student loans.

Host Jonathan Hughes answers a question from a student at Blue Hills Regional Technical High School about the FAFSA and community college.

This episode is all in the family as host Jonathan Hughes talks to Donna Connolly, a longtime MEFA Ambassador and retired college access counselor, and her son Shaun Connolly, the producer of this podcast. They discuss their experience of choosing Shaun’s college when he was in high school, including the finances involved in the decision, the emotions that came with it, and what it was like for Do...

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by frequent guest of the MEFA Podcast and founder and president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors (TISLA), Betsy Mayotte. They discuss changes to the Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS Federal Loans, as well as other changes within the federal loan programs offered by the Department of Education.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Jenna Shales, Executive Director of Student Accessibility Services at Bridgewater State University, about resources in higher education for students with disabilities. They discuss the key differences between K-12 and college disability services, the importance of student-led advocacy, the range of accommodations and campus resources available, and what to look for...

Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with HVAC and Plumbing Technician Matthew Belcher. They discuss Matthew’s education and career choices, which include community college, the trades, teaching, and owning his own business, as well as pivots in his industry, and his advice on learning, mentorship, and finding the right path after high school.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with six seniors from New Bedford High School about their experience navigating the college admissions and financial aid process. They discuss campus visits, college applications, financial aid forms, and the emotions of the entire process.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with economist Sandy Baum, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, about the complexities of college pricing. They discuss the difference between the sticker price and net price of college, how inflation affects the cost of going to school, and why many students are actually paying less for college now than they did a decade ago.

In this end-of-year wrap-up, host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna look back at hot topics and MEFA content that resonated the most with families in 2025. They review popular podcast episodes, top-read articles, and most-viewed videos, with topics ranging from 529 plans to financial aid tools to college admissions trends, and more. They also offer a look ahead to MEFA’s work in the...