Smart College Buyer

Applying early sounds like a smart move. You hear about students getting accepted sooner, and it’s tempting to think an early application might come with a better financial aid package, too. But those are two different questions.  In this episode, I’m breaking down Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admissions through the lens of paying for college. We’ll look at what fami...

What Extracurriculars Actually Matter for College?  Extracurriculars can strengthen a college application, but more isn’t always better. Colleges want genuine involvement and impact—not a long list of clubs a student barely joined.  In this episode, I talk with independent educational consultant Allison Grandits of Grand Fit Educational Consulting about when to get involved, what leadership can lo...

College financial planning is about more than filling out the FAFSA and hoping for a good aid offer. Before families start comparing schools, I want them to know three numbers: what they can afford, what they’re willing to pay, and what the college thinks they can afford.  In this episode, I explain how those numbers shape everything from college list development to financial aid appeals and borro...

College funding looks different for every household. Some parents want to save toward a specific target, some want to have something available without overcommitting, and others are trying to balance multiple children's college planning with retirement, housing, and everyday life.   Today, I’m joined by Eric and Kaylee Roberge, co-hosts of the Money for Life podcast and leaders at Beyond Your Hamm...

College pricing can be frustrating because the number a school publishes is rarely the whole story. The sticker price, or total cost of attendance, may include tuition, housing, food, fees, books, and transportation. But after financial aid, scholarships, and grants, a family’s actual net price can look very different.  In this episode, I break down how families can estimate their real college cos...

As college admissions become increasingly competitive, I see more families wonder what actually helps students stand out beyond strong grades and test scores. In this episode, I sit down with Elton Lin, CEO and founder of ILUMIN Education, to talk about the growing role of passion projects in the admissions process—and why colleges are paying attention to them.  From student-run businesses to comm...

One of the most important things to know when understanding college affordability is that not all financial aid formulas work the same. Two families with identical financials can receive very different aid packages depending on whether a school uses the FAFSA or the CSS Profile—and how that school applies its formula.  In this episode, I walk through how each system evaluates your income and asset...

College planning isn’t just about getting in or figuring out how to pay—it’s about understanding the long-term financial impact on your entire family. In this conversation, I sit down with financial professional and parent Brian Eyster to break down how college decisions affect not just today’s cash flow, but future income, retirement, and financial flexibility. What becomes clear is that many fam...

If you’re trying to navigate the FAFSA, the most important thing to understand is that this is a formula—not a strategy game. There aren’t shortcuts or “tricks” that dramatically change your financial aid outcome. What matters is knowing how income, assets, and family structure are actually evaluated so you can make informed decisions around college affordability.  Where I see families get stuck i...

College meal plans seem simple—but they’re one of the most overlooked areas where families waste money. In this conversation, I sit down with nutrition and personal finance expert Reyna Gobel to break down how meal plans, food habits, and budgeting all intersect once students get to campus.  What looks convenient on the surface can quickly turn into unused meals, poor nutrition choices, and unnece...

Paying for college has become less about finding one perfect solution and more about understanding how different pieces fit together. Federal direct loans, parent PLUS loans, payment plans, savings, and private loans all work differently—and knowing those differences can help you avoid making rushed decisions under pressure.  In this conversation with John Hughes of the Massachusetts Educational F...

GPA is one of the most talked-about numbers in college admissions—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, I sit down with independent educational consultant Nancy Steenson to break down what that number actually means—and what it doesn’t.  We dig into how colleges evaluate transcripts, why different GPA scales make comparisons unreliable, and how course selection plays a much...

College planning is full of well-meaning advice — but not all of it actually helps families make better financial decisions. In this episode, I break down some of the most common statements families hear from financial advisors and explain why many of them reveal a limited understanding of how college funding and financial aid actually work.  From misconceptions about 529 plans and life insurance...

College scholarships often get treated like a lottery — something students try once during senior year and hope for the best. But the reality is very different. In this episode, I talk with scholarship expert Carlynn Greene about how students can approach scholarships strategically, starting earlier and applying smarter. Her experience winning more than $125,000 in scholarships shows that persiste...

Big promises grab attention — especially when it comes to college costs. In this episode, I break down the eye-catching claims about dramatically lowering your Student Aid Index (SAI) and explain what’s actually possible. From legal and tax maneuvers to aggressive investment strategies, we look at what’s real, what’s outdated, and what only applies to a very small group of families.   When “Lower...

College planning isn’t just about applications and tuition — it’s also about identity, independence, and how families change when kids grow up. In this episode, I sit down with Manhattan-based therapist Jake Hart to talk through what really shows up for students and parents during this season. We look at how expectations, emotions, and money conversations collide when college decisions get real —...

Paying for college has never been more confusing—or more expensive. In this special live episode of the Smart College Buyer podcast, recorded at FinCon 2025 in Portland, Jack Wang and Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor, unpack the real drivers behind rising college costs and new student loan limits.  Room and board, resort-style amenities, chef-designed cafeteria meals, and campus...

Paying for college starts long before tuition bills arrive—and it requires more than just financial aid forms. In this live episode of the Smart College Buyer podcast, recorded at FinCon 25 in Portland, Oregon, we dive into college budgeting, zero-based budgeting, student loan payments, and intentional spending to help families prepare for rising college costs with confidence.  (00:03:47) Zero-Bas...

For divorced parents of college-bound students...I’ve been there, done that, the participation medal is on my wall. Financial aid eligibility is NOT based on your divorce agreement, which parent claims the child on taxes, or who makes more money. BOTH divorced parents must submit financial info—even if you haven’t spoken in years.  Today’s episode answers the top questions divorced parents have ab...

The scariest thing about college isn’t the application—it’s the bill. But what if you could face tuition with clarity—and maybe even confidence?   Paying for college is more complex than ever—with tuition rising and new legislation changing the landscape for student loans and financial planning.  The earlier—and the more holistically—you strategize, the better set up your student (and your family’...

So, grandma and grandpa want to help pay for college? Congratulations!   First, we need some clarity on what exactly they mean. Are they going to start funding a 529 early, are they planning on writing a fat check to cover tuition each semester, or are they planning on covering the student loan payments?   Each option comes with its own student aid eligibility impact, tax repercussions, and, perha...

What if your teen could confidently KNOW the right career path before they ever enroll in their first college class?  What if your teen could focus and do well in class because they actually enjoy and are “wired for” those particular subjects?   Well, they can! Today you get to meet my friend and special guest, Jay Dusold, the creator of the Life After 12th Program, who’s dedicated his career to g...

Facing the looming cost of college? You’re not alone—countless families struggle to crack the code on paying for higher education without jeopardizing their financial future.   In this special episode, you get to hear me (your host, Jack Wang) being interviewed by Kathleen Keneally and Michael Connaughton on the Wicked Pissah Podcast to share actionable strategies and bust common myths about colle...

Think covering college costs with scholarships is impossible?   Regret waiting until senior year to think about paying for college?   Nia Grant is here to help you stop panicking about how to cover college costs, and, instead, start helping your teen find and apply for scholarships like it’s their full-time job. Nia was a senior in high school when she realized college tuition was her responsibili...

Choosing where your kid will attend to college and deciding how to pay for it are two HUGE, potentially life-changing decisions, both for the child and the parents - particularly those from lower-income or first-generation backgrounds, making admissions and financial guidance in this area essential. You shouldn’t have to choose between funding college and having a secure retirement.   Don’t DIY th...