Feeling lost in the maze of college financial aid? This episode breaks down the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) clearly and concisely.

Join us as we discuss:

—What is the FAFSA and who needs to fill it out?

—Understanding the Student Aid Index (SAI—previously “Expected Family Contribution”, EFC) and how it impacts aid.

—Types of financial aid: grants, loans, and work-study.

—Navigating deadlines and maximizing aid opportunities.

—Tips for parents and educators to guide students through the process.

Tune in to gain valuable insights and empower your students to access the financial support they need for college!

The post 556: Financial Aid 101: Expert tips for navigating the FAFSA and paying for college appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Finals week can be a pressure cooker for most students. But conquering exam season doesn’t have to involve all-nighters and endless anxiety!

In this episode, we break down three actionable tips to help students stay calm, focused, and productive during this overwhelming time. From prioritizing tasks to banishing all-nighters and creating your ideal study environment, we provide simple yet powerful strategies to ace those finals minus the stress.

The post 555: The Stress-Less Guide to Finals: Three Simple Tips to Stay Calm and Focused appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

The transition from the rigid structure of high school to the freedom of college can shock the system. Many students struggle to manage their time effectively when suddenly faced with unscheduled days and the responsibility of deciding how to spend their time independently.

This lack of structure can lead to procrastination, missed deadlines, and feeling overwhelmed. In this episode, we explore practical strategies to help students navigate this challenge.

We’ll discuss how parents and educators can empower high schoolers with autonomy and provide them with opportunities to practice structuring their own time before they arrive on campus. We’ll also share essential tips for college students already feeling overwhelmed by their “relaxed” schedules.

Listen in and learn how students can create a productive routine, prioritize tasks effectively, and make the most of their time on campus.

The post 554: Beyond the Bell Schedule: Equipping Students to Survive the Time Freedom of College appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

How do we guide the student who almost has too many interests and too many passions? They are likely feeling overwhelmed by the endless possibilities of majors, campuses, and careers, especially in the run-up to admissions letters.

In this episode, we answer a listener question and discuss practical strategies to support students who “love everything” to find clarity and make informed decisions about their future. From more common tips like campus visits to more abstract ones like exploring course catalogs, this episode is your guide to empowering undecided students to narrow down college choices, navigate major exploration, and discover their passions.

The post 553: How to Guide Multi-passionate Students to Choose the Right Campus or Major appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Overwhelmed by what to do after receiving college acceptance letters? In this episode, we tackle a listener question about the pressure to commit to a university, especially when facing a mountain of options and looming deadlines. We’ll uncover why schools push for early decisions, share creative workarounds to avoid those pressures, and provide simple strategies for staying organized and informed throughout the college decision process.

Whether you’re grappling with out-of-state tuition costs or simply feeling lost in a sea of high-stakes deadlines, this episode will equip you with the tools and knowledge to navigate this challenging time with confidence.

The post 552: Beyond Accepted: Navigating the College Decision Maze appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Imagine applying the strategies of FBI hostage negotiators to your interactions with students. In this episode, we delve into Chris Voss’s book “Never Split the Difference” and explore how its principles can transform communication with young people. Discover why giving students a sense of control and autonomy is crucial, and how shifting from “why” to “what” or “how” questions can foster ownership of their learning journey.

We’ll unpack actionable strategies for parents, educators, and advocates to empower students and guide them toward academic success by negotiating effectively for a more positive and productive educational experience.

The post 551: Never Ask Why: FBI Secrets for Negotiating with Students appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Choosing the right college is much more complex than affordability, location, and fit. Join us as we introduce our new co-host and explore how our unique upbringings influenced our college decisions. We’ll share our contrasting perspectives – one of us a first-generation college student, the other from a family of graduates – and reveal how family, school environments, and personal experiences shaped our views on higher education.

Get ready for some surprising revelations as we uncover unexpected differences and surprising similarities in our college search journeys. Plus, we’ll share valuable insights and advice to help your students navigate the complexities of college selection and avoid the pitfalls we encountered. Let’s discover how to empower the next generation to make informed college choices.

The post 550: Unpacking the Hidden Influences on College Choices appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

In this episode, Megan is joined by Phil Black of the ServeWell Academy who helps students and families interested in service academies and ROTC scholarships. Find out how this former Navy SEAL Officer with four sons — two at Yale on Navy ROTC scholarships, one at the U.S. Naval Academy, and one still in high school– saved over $1,000,000 in college expenses. Learn some key strategies for securing funding and admission to these highly regarded programs.

The post 549: Phil Black: How our family saved $1M in college expenses appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

In this episode Edward Coronado III joins Megan to discuss his Three Pillars Framework of the key areas that impact college success: learning & study strategies, productivity & executive function, and mindset & motivation.

We’ll dive deep into each pillar, exploring how weaknesses in one area can affect overall success. We’ll share real-life examples and guide you toward self-reflection with questions like:

• What study habits REALLY work for you?
• Where do you get stuck with productivity?
• How do you FEEL about school, beyond just grades?

This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help students optimize learning, boost productivity, and cultivate a positive mindset.

Edward is a higher ed administrator turned founder of Alma Modern, where they equip college success pros with the training and resources to empower their students to not just survive in college, but thrive.

The post 548: Three Pillars of Academic Success appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Building friendships and community is so important, but can also be a challenge. Alexis Moore Eytinge from The Confidence Society shares strategies including:

• Her personal Bill of Rights
• Building new friendships and networks in college
• Developing confidence
• Recognizing your own strengths

We also talk about bad relationships and what peers, mentors, and family members can do if they notice someone in a toxic situation.

Alexis is the founder of The Confidence Society where she supports students and parents through the independence transition by empowering them with boundary-setting skills, safety-planning techniques, and healthy relationship strategies. She has worked with women’s crisis organizations, police bureaus, community colleges, and universities on violence prevention, smart-partying practices, and self-defense programs. She is a certified life coach by the International Coaching Federation and holds a bachelor’s degree from Portland State University in Sociology and Gender Studies. She was a college orientation leader, theater kid, and is also a licensed New York City tour guide. She loves to watch individuals realize their value and begin to expect others to see it too. She lives in New York City.

Resources:

• 21 Strategies Workbook: https://www.theconfidencesociety.com/21strategies
• Online Self-Defense Series: https://www.theconfidencesociety.com/selfdefense

The post 547: Healthy Relationships with Alexis from The Confidence Society appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Join Megan as she speaks with guest, Edward Coronado III, founder of Alma Modern about a trap many students fall into this time of year. This is a phenomenon where students can be lulled into a false sense of security ... Read More »

The post 546: Danger Time for Grades: “I Got This” Thinking appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.