Ol' College Try

You got the acceptance letter—now what does the financial aid offer actually mean? In this episode of Ol' College Try The Podcast , Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down one of the most confusing parts of the college process: financial aid award letters . From grants and scholarships to loans and work-study, they explain how to read between the lines, spot misleading language, and understan...

It’s a New Year’s special on Old'College Try , and Matt Carpenter and Peggy Keough are kicking off 2026 with the college-focused resolutions every family should consider. In this episode, Matt and Peggy each share two practical, high-impact resolutions designed to reduce stress, improve communication, and lead to better college and financial outcomes. From starting honest conversations early,...

In this special holiday edition of Ol’ College Try , hosts Matt Carpenter and Peggy Keough tackle listener-submitted Q&A questions just in time for the end of the year. From financial aid appeals at state schools to common FAFSA and CSS Profile misconceptions, Matt and Peggy break down what families really need to know—without getting lost in the weeds. This episode covers: How student and par...

Early Decision and Early Action results are rolling in — and for many families, emotions are running high. In this episode of Old College Try , Matt Carpenter and Peggy Keough, the Fair Godmother of Financial Aid, break down what families should do when early college decisions arrive… especially when the answer isn’t what you hoped for. They walk through the key differences between Early Decision,...

Got into your dream school Early Decision…but not loving the price tag? In this episode of Old College Try , Matt Carpenter and “fairy godmother of financial aid” Peg Keough break down how to appeal an Early Decision financial aid offer without breaking your ED agreement—or your budget. They cover: What Early Decision really means (and why that contract is a big deal for parents, students, and cou...

What is demonstrated interest —and can it really change a student’s chances of getting accepted? In this episode of The Ol’ College Try , host Peg Keough sits down with Mark Stucker, producer of Your College Bound Kid , to break down how colleges measure interest and why it matters for admissions and financial outcomes. You’ll learn how schools use demonstrated interest to predict yield (who’s lik...

It’s a special Thanksgiving mailbag episode of The Ol’ College Try podcast! Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough go in totally unprepared and answer your toughest, most common college-planning questions on the fly. They tackle what happens when you have two, three, or even more kids in college at once (and why some schools give a break while others don’t), how FAFSA and CSS Profile work for divorced or s...

Private scholarships are the biggest distraction in the college affordability world — and today, we’re setting the record straight. In this episode of Old College Try , hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down what families think they know about scholarships versus how the system actually works. From the myth of private scholarship riches to the colleges where every admitted student gets a d...

Learn why many college net price calculators are inaccurate—and how misinformation can cost families tens of thousands of dollars. In this episode, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down the flaws in NPCs, reveal real case studies from Northwestern and Duke, discuss CAP’s partnership with Niche featured in The New York Times, and explain how to get the most accurate college cost projections. Con...

In this episode of The Old College Try , host Matt Carpenter sits down with Rob Franek , Editor-in-Chief of The Princeton Review , to reveal the top colleges that give the most financial aid in 2025 . They break down how schools like Washington & Lee, Princeton, Vanderbilt, and BYU make college more affordable — and why the sticker price rarely reflects the real cost . Learn the difference bet...

In this episode of The Ol’ College Try , hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough dive deep into one of the trickiest financial aid topics—how divorce, separation, and split households affect college costs and aid eligibility. From defining what “separated” actually means to explaining which parent should file the FAFSA (and what happens if you’ve remarried), Matt and Peg break down the rules, the exce...

We’re kicking off the brand-new season — and our new name — Ol’ College Try ! 🎓 In this episode, hosts Matt Carpenter (Co-Founder of College Aid Pro) and Peg Keough (Director of Education) break down one of the biggest questions in college admissions: Should your student apply Early Decision? They unpack what Early Decision really means, how it impacts acceptance rates, financial aid, scholarship...

Big changes are coming to the College! podcast — including a new name and fresh intro music — but first, Matt Carpenter sits down with financial aid expert Kevin “Murph Man” Murphy for a deep dive into how college affordability really works. From high-income families unexpectedly qualifying for need-based aid to major wins on financial aid appeals, Matt and Kevin break down real-life case studies...

In this episode of College! The Podcast , host Peg Keough sits down with Rose Ellen Mocombe , one of College Aid Pro’s newest experts, to dive into everything PSAT. Together, they unpack what the PSAT really is, why students take it, and how it connects to the National Merit Scholarship Program . Rose Ellen explains how scores can lead to recognition and even scholarship money, while Peg offers in...

Don’t let costly FAFSA and CSS Profile errors hurt your financial aid eligibility. In this episode of College, the Podcast , Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough share the biggest mistakes families make on financial aid applications—from skipping the forms entirely to misreporting retirement accounts, home equity, or 529 plans. Learn why deadlines matter, how to avoid common pitfalls, and insider strateg...

Applying for college financial aid doesn’t stop with the FAFSA. For hundreds of schools—including Ivy League institutions, selective private colleges, and top public universities—families must also complete the CSS Profile. In this episode of College! Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down this complex and often intimidating form. You’ll learn: What the CSS Profile is and how it differs from the...

In this FAFSA-focused episode of College, the Podcast , hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down everything families need to know about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. From creating your FSA ID to understanding who the “custodial parent” really is, Matt and Peg cover key details that can make or break your financial aid eligibility. They explain how the prior-prior t...

In this episode of the College! Podcast , hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough kick off Financial Aid Month with a deep dive into the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). They break down what the FAFSA is, why it matters, and the biggest mistakes families make when skipping it. You’ll learn: Why every family should file the FAFSA , even high-income households The difference between nee...

In this episode of College! , Peg Keough sits down again with Melissa M. Stephens , Associate Dean of Enrollment Management & Financial Aid and a CAP expert, to break down the new federal legislation signed July 4, 2025 —nicknamed the One Big Beautiful Bill . Melissa explains: How loan limits for Parent PLUS and graduate students will change. What the timeline and negotiated rulemaking process...

What does enrollment management really mean, and why should families care? In this insightful conversation, College Aid Pro’s Peg Keough sits down with Melissa M. Stephens, Associate Dean of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid at Connecticut State University and the newest CAP financial expert. With more than 30 years of higher education experience, Melissa shares what enrollment management lo...

In this episode of College! , host Peg Keough talks with admissions expert Melissa Mieyr about how students can write standout college application essays. They break down the Common App personal statement, supplemental essay strategies, and the importance of authenticity and storytelling. Melissa shares why vulnerability matters, how to tackle “Why Us” essays, and why “optional” essays aren’t real...

Learn how to read and compare financial aid award letters with confidence. In this episode of College! The Podcast , Peg Keough and Megan Walter from the College Cost Transparency Initiative explain what every parent needs to know to spot hidden costs, understand true net price, and plan for all four years of college. 🎧 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning! Connect with U...

In this episode of College! , Matt Carpenter sits down with Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief at The Princeton Review and longtime voice in college admissions. They dive deep into the “50 Best Value Colleges” list, how it’s calculated, and what “value” truly means in higher education today. Rob also shares his personal college journey as a first-gen student, offers candid insights about financial aid, e...

Discover why liberal arts colleges are ideal for students who want to “do it all.” In this episode, retired admissions expert Peter Pitts breaks down myths about small private colleges, including Greek life, research opportunities, career placement, and financial aid. Learn what type of student thrives in this unique college environment and why these schools can lead to strong career outcomes and...

In this episode of College! , Peg and Admissions Expert, Joe Korfmacher dive deep into the different college application options—Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admissions. Learn how each pathway impacts admissions chances and financial aid opportunities, hear real-world case studies from Joe’s 15+ years of experience, and discover key tips for parents and students on c...