Ol' College Try

In this episode, Matt and Peg break down how colleges price, discount, and compete for students—especially post-May 1. From Syracuse’s aggressive merit offers to the broader strategy behind tuition discounting, you'll learn how to navigate financial aid, appeal offers, and avoid paying full price. Get insider tips to play—and win—the college funding game.👉 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!Learn more about what we do at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠College Aid Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Create a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free MyCAP account⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here to start personalizing your college planning journey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to hear exactly when new episodes drop!

Join Peg Keough and her son, Brennan Keough, as they unpack the real challenges of the college admissions journey—from building the right college list and having honest financial aid talks to navigating first-year loneliness and picking a school that fits. A must-listen for families preparing for the college process.👉 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!Learn more about what we do at ⁠⁠⁠⁠College Aid Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠! Create a ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free MyCAP account⁠⁠⁠⁠ here to start personalizing your college planning journey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us⁠⁠⁠⁠ to hear exactly when new episodes drop!

In this episode of College!, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough unpack a flurry of hot-button topics shaping the higher ed landscape.First, they dissect the Wall Street Journal's latest report on elite colleges' response to a proposed tiered federal endowment tax, including an alternative plan from the so-called “Learn Alliance” (think Yale, Stanford, Princeton) to allocate 5% of their multibillion-dollar endowments toward student aid and teaching. Will it stick? And can it help flip the script on exclusivity in admissions?Next, they react to Trump's controversial effort to ban international students from Harvard. They explore how international enrollment fuels the U.S. higher education system and why such rhetoric could drive top global talent away.Finally, the duo continues their 529 college savings plan series, diving deeper into:How 529s work (tax-free growth & qualified expense rules)Missteps to avoid (like overfunding or risky late-stage investments)Comparison with custodial accounts, Roth IRAs, and private 529 optionsSmart savings strategies like dollar-cost averagingTips for families in high-tax statesWhether you're a parent planning for your child’s education, a counselor navigating FAFSA policy shifts, or just trying to stay on top of the higher ed rollercoaster, this episode has insights you can’t miss.Don’t forget to follow and share — and stay tuned for a special guest next week!👉 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!Learn more about what we do at ⁠⁠⁠College Aid Pro⁠⁠⁠! Create a ⁠⁠⁠Free MyCAP account⁠⁠⁠ here to start personalizing your college planning journey! ⁠⁠⁠Follow Us⁠⁠⁠ to hear exactly when new episodes drop!

In this candid episode of College!, co-hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough pull back the curtain on how they’re approaching college savings as parents—one with twins, one with a 10-year-old—and the different paths they’ve taken. Whether you’re just starting to think about saving or wondering if it’s too late, this conversation offers relatable, real-world insights with zero judgment.Matt and Peg also dive into the latest major policy developments, including proposed federal cuts to Pell Grants and work-study programs. What do these shifts mean for families planning ahead—and what actions can you take to “control the controllables”?Then, they tackle one of the most misunderstood tools in college planning: the 529 plan. From tax advantages to eligibility myths, they debunk common misconceptions and explain why this savings vehicle might be smarter than you think.👉 In this episode:Two personal college savings journeys—and how values, timing & income shaped themWhat recent proposed cuts to Pell Grants and work-study could mean for your familyThe truth about 529 plans: who they’re for, how they’re taxed, and what qualifiesWhy saving doesn’t hurt your financial aid as much as you might thinkHow to start where you are, and why alignment with your partner is key🎧 Whether you're saving a little, a lot, or not sure where to begin, this episode offers honest guidance, financial clarity, and peace of mind as you plan for what’s next.

Big shifts are coming to student financial aid—and parents need to be ready. In this episode of the College! podcast, Matt and Peg break down the proposed education bill shaking up college funding. Learn how the potential elimination of subsidized federal student loans, new limits on PLUS loans, lifetime borrowing caps, Pell Grant changes, and endowment taxes could affect your family's college plans. Whether your student is in high school or already in college, this episode gives you the critical insights to plan smarter and stay ahead.👉 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!Learn more about what we do at ⁠⁠College Aid Pro⁠⁠! Create a ⁠⁠Free MyCAP account⁠⁠ here to start personalizing your college planning journey! ⁠⁠Follow Us⁠⁠ to hear exactly when new episodes drop!

Explore the launch of MyCAP 2.0, last-minute appeal strategies for Class of 2025, federal student loan interest rate changes, and a deep dive into proposed college accountability legislation. Featuring expert insights from Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough.👉 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!Learn more about what we do at ⁠College Aid Pro⁠! Create a ⁠Free MyCAP account⁠ here to start personalizing your college planning journey! ⁠Follow Us⁠ to hear exactly when new episodes drop! Chapters Introduction (00:00)Exciting Updates on MyCap 2.0 (03:38)Navigating College Appeals and Financial Aid (05:24)Understanding the Impact of Credit Rating on Student Loans (07:17)Federal Student Loan Rates for 2025-2026 (08:49)Proposed College Accountability Measures (10:42)Challenges in Implementing Accountability in Higher Education (12:27)Understanding Risk Sharing in Higher Education (22:47)The Promise Grant and Its Implications (27:40)Accountability in Higher Education (33:04)Proposed Solutions for College Affordability (39:18)

In this episode of the College! podcast, hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough unpack major proposed changes impacting college affordability and financial aid in 2025. They explore the potential endowment tax increase from 1.4% to 21%, new rules that could revoke colleges' nonprofit status, and the controversial plan to require cost of attendance by academic program. Plus, they break down how new Pell Grant eligibility rules could hurt low-income, part-time, and neurodiverse students. If you're a parent, counselor, or college-bound family concerned about rising college costs, financial aid changes, and education policy, this is a must-listen episode.👉 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!Learn more about what we do at ⁠College Aid Pro⁠! Create a ⁠Free MyCAP account⁠ here to start personalizing your college planning journey! ⁠Follow Us⁠ to hear exactly when new episodes drop! Chapters Introduction and Vegas Vibes (00:00) Proposed Tax on College Endowments (02:46) Taxing Intellectual Property of Colleges (10:23)Changes in Cost of Attendance Calculations (14:52) Pell Grant Eligibility Changes (20:57) Conclusion and Final Thoughts (30:37)

Are student loan payments coming back? What happens if your child—or you—are in default? In this timely episode of the College! podcast, Matt and Peg break down the urgent changes to federal student loan repayments, what to do right now if you’ve fallen behind, and how it can impact everything from your credit score to your job search.Plus, if your high school senior just committed to college on May 1, don’t close the door just yet—many colleges are offering bigger financial aid packages even after the deadline. Learn how to appeal, renegotiate, and make last-minute money moves that could save your family thousands.We also unpack a powerful New York Times piece on how colleges use private equity firms to maximize what you’ll pay—and what you can do about it. And stay tuned for big news on the push for more accountability in higher education and what it means for future affordability.This is a must-listen for every parent navigating the college process—because being informed isn’t just power, it’s savings.👉 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!Learn more about what we do at College Aid Pro! Create a Free MyCAP account here to start personalizing your college planning journey! Follow Us to hear exactly when new episodes drop! Chapters: Intro (0:00) Navigating Student Loan Repayment Challenges (05:08) Understanding College Decision Dynamics (08:58) Maximizing Financial Aid Opportunities (13:04)The Business of Higher Education and Marketing Strategies (16:43) The Accountability Crisis in Higher Education (24:53) Government Oversight and College Responsibilities (28:37) The Role of Financial Aid and College Funding (33:55) Proposed Cuts to Educational Programs (39:45) Empowering Parents and Students for Change (45:50)

🚨 Student Loan Shakeup Alert!Federal student loan repayment is back—and that’s just the beginning. In this episode of College!, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough unpack urgent updates affecting millions of borrowers, including those in default facing wage garnishment starting May 5th. They also explore sweeping proposals from the House that could redefine the college funding landscape by eliminating subsidized loans, Parent PLUS loans, and graduate PLUS loans, while introducing new rules for Pell Grants and income-driven repayment plans. With a focus on borrower accountability and long-overdue college accountability, this episode is a must-listen for families, students, and financial planners navigating the evolving world of higher ed funding.👉 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!http://www.collegeaidpro.comhttp://www.mycap.collegeaidpro.comhttps://www.instagram.com/capcollegepod/

In this episode of The College Podcast, Peg Keough is joined by fellow College Aid Pro team members—and fellow moms—Cathy Portele and Ann-Marie Sanderson. Together, they dive into their personal experiences guiding their kids through the college admissions journey. From learning financial lessons the hard way, to setting clear expectations the second time around, this candid conversation offers invaluable insights for families navigating the process.Discover:The emotional and financial lessons learned from sending their first kids to collegeHow they're approaching the journey differently with their younger childrenThe power of setting boundaries, being transparent, and allowing kids to leadThe impact of military benefits, homeschooling, and music scholarships on college decisionsWhether you're a parent of a middle schooler or a senior deep in applications, this episode will resonate, inspire, and help you feel less alone in this transformative season.👉 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!http://www.collegeaidpro.comhttp://www.mycap.collegeaidpro.comhttps://www.instagram.com/capcollegepod/ChaptersIntroduction and Recent Developments in Education (00:00) Navigating the College Process: Insights from Three Moms (03:51) The Journey of College Selection: Personal Experiences (07:08) Financial Planning for College: Setting Boundaries and Expectations (09:58) Understanding Scholarships and Financial Aid (13:06) The Impact of Individual Choices on College Outcomes (16:04)Lessons Learned: Reflections on the College Experience (19:00) Final Thoughts and Advice for Parents (22:04) Conclusion and Future Considerations (24:57) Navigating Academic Expectations (27:28) Understanding College Financial Planning (29:21)The Importance of Early Preparation (33:19) Modeling Behavior for Future Success (37:29) Key Takeaways for Parents (40:30) Navigating the College Journey (46:44) Reflections and Lessons Learned (47:25)