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.

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Connect with Us!

Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠

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Email: ⁠⁠support@collegeaidpro.com⁠⁠

Connect with Megan Walter & The College Cost Transparency Initiative

Website: https://www.collegeprice.org/home

Key Highlights:

• Why financial aid award letters often lack clarity — and how to spot misleading details.

• The difference between direct costs, indirect costs, grants, work-study, and loans.

• How the College Cost Transparency Initiative sets voluntary standards for clear award letters.

• Why families should calculate a four-year net cost instead of focusing on just year one.

• Practical tips for comparing offers and avoiding unnecessary student or parent debt.

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, explains why high sticker prices can be misleading, and makes a compelling case for why standardized tests still matter. Learn why the right school might not be the most obvious one—and how to get those shoulders down and navigate this stressful process with confidence.

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Connect with Us!

Website: ⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠

Create a FREE MyCAP Account: ⁠https://mycap.collegeaidpro.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/capcollegepod/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠

Email: ⁠support@collegeaidpro.com⁠

Connect with Rob Franek & The Princeton Review

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-franek

Website: ⁠https://www.princetonreview.com/

Best Value Colleges List: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/best-value-colleges/

🎙️ Episode Highlights:

• Rob Franek’s College Journey
  Rob shares his experience as a first-generation college student, attending Drew University, and the challenges his family faced navigating the admissions and financial aid process.

• Defining “Best Value” in Colleges
  A deep dive into how The Princeton Review identifies Best Value Colleges, weighing academic quality, cost, financial aid, career outcomes, and student satisfaction.

• Sticker Price ≠ What You Pay
  Rob and Matt emphasize that many high-sticker-price colleges can be the most affordable due to generous need- and merit-based aid.

• Spotlight on Lesser-Known Value Schools
  The episode highlights schools like Reed College, St. Olaf, and Union College as excellent academic fits with surprising affordability.

• Navigating Financial Aid Conversations
  Rob shares personal stories and guidance for families to have open, early conversations about money — even when it's uncomfortable.

• Merit Aid & Standardized Testing
  The role SAT/ACT scores play in unlocking merit scholarships — especially for middle-income “bubble families” who may not qualify for need-based aid.

• Advice for Families Starting the Process
  Rob offers encouragement and practical tips to help students and parents reduce stress, cast a wide net, and define what “fit” means for them.

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 personal growth.

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Connect with Us!

Website: https://collegeaidpro.com/

Create a FREE MyCAP Account: https://mycap.collegeaidpro.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/

https://www.instagram.com/capcollegepod/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/

Email: support@collegeaidpro.com

Connect with Peter Pitts

Website: https://www.lifechangingcolleges.com/

New Book: Finding Your College Major

Key Highlights:

• Debunking Liberal Arts College Myths: Discover how liberal arts colleges offer top programs in engineering, nursing, and business—not just humanities.

• Greek Life at Small Colleges: Learn why Greek systems at liberal arts colleges often outperform those at large universities in academics and community service.

• Undergraduate Research Opportunities: Explore how students at liberal arts colleges can start original research from their first year.

• Strong Career Outcomes: Understand why 90–99% of liberal arts graduates secure jobs or grad school placement within six months of graduation.

• Generous Financial Aid and Merit Scholarships: Find out how small liberal arts colleges provide substantial financial support to attract talented students.

• Who Thrives at Liberal Arts Colleges: Identify the type of student who excels in smaller, more personalized college environments.

• Campus Culture and Networking: See how faculty engagement, leadership opportunities, and alumni connections prepare students for career success.

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 choosing the right strategy, avoiding costly mistakes, and planning financially for college. Perfect for parents of rising seniors and anyone navigating the admissions process.

🎧 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!

• Learn more about what we do at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠College Aid Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
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In this must-listen episode of College!, host Peg Keough sits down with CAP Admissions and Financial Aid Expert Dan Bisig to break down everything families need to know about the Common App. What is it? When should students start? What are the big changes for this year’s cycle—and how can families avoid costly mistakes?

Dan shares expert insight on timelines, supplemental essays, scholarship opportunities, recommendation letters, and the biggest Common App updates for 2025 applicants. Whether you're a rising senior or a proactive junior parent, this episode is packed with actionable guidance to help reduce stress and maximize success.

🎧 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!
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The big, beautiful bill has passed—and it's bringing some of the biggest changes to higher education policy in years. In this episode, Matt and Peg break down what this means specifically for college-bound families.

They tackle the most important updates taking effect July 1, 2026, including:

• 📆 Timing: Who’s affected and when the changes kick in

• 💸 Pell Grant: What stayed the same and new usage rules

• 🚫 Parent PLUS Loan Cap: A new $65,000 lifetime limit—and why that might be a good thing

• 🧾 Simplified Loan Repayment: Two streamlined options, including the new “RAP” plan

• 🎓 529 Plan Flexibility: Expanded use for K–12 and workforce training

• 🏛️ College Accountability & Endowment Tax: How schools may feel the pressure to perform

Matt and Peg offer real talk and practical insights for families navigating the college planning process—plus a dose of optimism as they look ahead to a potentially more equitable and transparent system.

Don’t miss next week’s episode, where Peg sits down with CAP College Admissions Expert Dan “Lasso” Bisig to unpack the Common App before it officially goes live on August 1!

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!
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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!