Beyond Budgets Podcast23 Jan 2025

College Funding Secrets Every Parent Needs to Know

Planning for college can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode of Beyond Budgets, host Deb Meyer sits down with Ann Garcia, CFP®, also known as "The College Financial Lady." Ann is the author of How to Pay for College and a mom of twins who recently graduated debt-free. She combines her professional expertise with personal experience to share strategies that will help you save money and reduce stress during the college planning process.

Whether your child is years away from applying or you're in the thick of FAFSA forms and scholarship deadlines, this episode will leave you feeling more confident and equipped to navigate the journey.

Why You Should Listen

Decode the "real cost" of college: Find out why the sticker price rarely tells the whole story.
Uncover scholarships that match your student: Learn how to focus on opportunities that fit their profile.
Master financial aid tools: Get a crash course on FAFSA, the CSS Profile, and net price calculators.
Appeal like a pro: Discover how to successfully request more financial aid and reduce tuition costs.
Learn from real-life examples: Hear Ann's lessons from planning for her own twins—and how those lessons can help your family.

If you're ready to feel more in control of funding your child's college education, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Moments to Tune In For

[06:20] The truth about tuition: Why most families pay far less than the listed price.
[10:23] SAT/ACT scores: Do they still matter for scholarships?
[24:55] How to appeal a financial aid package—and why 75% of appeals succeed.

Resources

Connect with Ann Garcia

College Financial Plan Masterclass

Book How to Pay for College

Website and Blog howtopayforcollege.com

Connect with Deb Meyer

Schedule an Initial Call

Download your Free Resource

Website

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(64)

What Happens When Your "Perfect Plan" Falls Apart?

In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, Deb shares a major announcement: Beyond Budgets® is going on pause. After two and a half years of hosting this podcast, she steps back to focus on an un...

29 Apr 25min

How to Teach Kids About Money (Without Power Struggles) with David Delisle

What if raising financially responsible kids isn't about teaching them to save more but rather helping them understand what actually matters? In this episode, Catholic financial planner and host Deb M...

16 Apr 29min

How Much Inheritance is Too Much?

What's the right way to pass wealth to the next generation? How much inheritance is too much? We explore the deeper questions behind inheritance planning in this Beyond Budgets® episode … questio...

2 Apr 31min

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty with Deborah Johns of Unbound

In this special Podcasthon 2026 episode, host and Catholic financial planner Deb Meyer sits down with Deborah Johns, Chief Growth Officer of Unbound, to explore a radically different approach to pov...

19 Mar 32min

Grief, Faith, and Money: Healthy Healing for Parents

Grief can reshape your parenting, relationships, and decision-making. In Episode 59 of the Beyond Budgets® podcast, host and Catholic financial planner Deb Meyer talks with hospice nurse and Catholic ...

26 Feb 35min

Tame the Tax Chaos: Get Organized & Confident for Tax Season

Tax season doesn't have to be overwhelming, especially when you're armed with expert tips and a solid system. In episode 58 of the Beyond Budgets® Podcast, host Deb Meyer breaks down what parents nee...

12 Feb 27min

Reinvention, Personal Branding & AI with Mike Kim

Bestselling author and branding strategist Mike Kim joins Deb Meyer to share how personal branding isn't just for entrepreneurs. Mike offers real-life tools to help you show up with more clarity & c...

29 Jan 37min

College Admissions Secrets: What Parents Need to Know Before Junior Year

In this candid episode of Beyond Budgets®, host Deb Meyer shares her perspective as both a financial planner and a mom of a high school junior navigating the complex world of college prep. You'll h...

15 Jan 26min