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The CEO of MassEdCO, Mark Bilotta, discusses the services and tools MassEdCO offers and his career in financial aid and financial literacy.

Hosts Jonathan Hughes and Julie Shields-Rutyna discuss recent scholarship opportunities with MEFA’s own Lauren Danz, answer a MEFA Mailbag question on college savings, and talk to Director of Education and Training at the Common App Meredith Lombardi.

Welcome to the MEFA Podcast, where you'll find conversations with experts about every step of planning, saving, and paying for college and reaching financial goals. Listen to every episode wherever you get your podcasts.

Jonathan sits down with Old Rochester Regional High School counselor, Dr. Mike Janicki to discuss athletics in college admissions.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks to Drew Carter, Deputy Director of Admission at College of the Holy Cross, about five secrets to finding the right college.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Anthony Erwin of NASFAA and Anne McDermott, President of EASFAA and Director of Financial Aid at Salve Regina University.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks to Director of College Relations at MEFA, Shawn Morrissey about financial aid for graduate students.

Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna discuss financial aid and answer a questions from the MEFA mailbag. Then Jonathan talks to his wife, Cathy Hughes, about her non-traditional path to a college degree.

Host Jonathan Hughes has two conversations about unique paths when planning for college, Ellen Ullman and Gracie Rosenberg.

Host Jonathan Hughes breaks down how to complete these forms, including maintaining confidentiality between parents, which parent completes the forms, how to determine the custodial parent, and how to keep the financial aid office involved. Jonathan is joined by Susan Beard of Wheaton College. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review at trustpilot.com/evaluate/mefa.org Timestamp: (00:00) Intro (04:53) MEFA Mailbag (13:42) Filing Financial Aid Forms

The college experience can feel like a new and daunting idea for new and current college students. Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with MEFA’s MEFA Pathway Coordinator Ajea Stuppart about how to manage your college life.

MEFA’s Digital Creative Content Manager, Lauren Patten discusses scholarships, how to apply for them, where to find them and what you can use them for.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks to Sarah Lazare, Director of Banacos Academic Center at Westfield State University about how students with disabilities can prepare for college success and what specific programs Westfield State University offers to help students with disabilities navigate college.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Drew Carter, Deputy Director of Admission at College of the Holy Cross, who explains how students can present their best college admissions application.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks to President and Founder of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, Betsy Mayotte about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and its recent temporary changes.

Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with Jan Combs of Bright Horizons College Coach about making the best decisions for students after the high school career.

Saving for college may seem like an overwhelming task, but with the U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan, you can save in an account that offers affordability, flexibility, and powerful tax advantages. Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with Massachusetts guidance counselor and U.Fund account owner Kate Ryder about how she selected the U.Fund, her experience opening her account, how she’s able to save on a regular basis, and why saving for college is important to her.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Chris Peterson, Founder and Director of Penny Forward, who discusses growing up with a disability, how he got involved in the personal finance community, and how people with disabilities can save for expenses and plan for the future with ABLE accounts. Jonathan is also joined by MEFA’s Director of College Planning, Education, and Training, Julie Shields-Rutyna, and Attainable expert Mary Rubenis, who discuss what Attainable accounts are and their benefits.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by MEFA’s in-house loan product experts, Frank Cavanaugh and Meg Villavicencio, and MEFA’s Director of College Planning, Education, and Training, Julie Shields-Rutyna. Frank and Meg discuss private student loans, including when families can start applying, what determines if applicants are approved, what kind of rates and terms they may qualify for, and how to compare loan options. Jonathan and Julie answer listeners’ questions about assets on the FAFSA.

Students from Amherst Regional High School, Franklin County Technical High School, and Tewksbury Memorial High School share how they decided which colleges to apply to, what is was like to do virtual college visits, how cost factored into the college decision, the process of writing the college essay and applying for scholarships, the financial aid process, and how they finally decided on a college.