College debt can haunt young adults and their parents for decades—but it doesn’t have to.
Today on Parents of the Year, Shellee Howard, founder of University Ready and author of How to Send Your Student to College Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money, joins Andrew and Caroline to share her practical, proven strategies for helping kids graduate debt-free.
From strategic college tours and early family conversations about money to leveraging scholarships, community service, leadership, and international education opportunities, Shellee shows how intentional planning can transform college from a financial nightmare into an exciting, affordable opportunity.
Homework Ideas:
- Early Exposure & Conversations: Visit colleges informally whenever travelling (even just walking around campus). Start casual, pressure-free conversations about college from a young age, focusing on growth and experiences, not just academics.
- Family Money Conversations: Discuss openly what college means financially for your family. Have teens research tuition, scholarships, cost of living, and expected salaries for careers they’re interested in. AND, prioritize early where to spend and save money.
- Identify Scholarship Opportunities: Help your child identify their strongest skills (academic, leadership, sports, community service). Create a list of scholarship opportunities aligned to these strengths.
- Virtual College Tours: Use virtual tour apps to explore international universities early without cost. Identify top schools and consider a real-life visit only if they’re seriously interested or concerned about safety.
- Plan B & C Strategy Session: With your child, create multiple backup plans for college choices, scholarships, and financial options. Include scenarios like injury, job loss, or other unexpected events to teach realistic, flexible thinking.
About Shellee Howard
Shellee Howard is the founder of College Ready and a Certified Educational Consultant who helps high-achieving families send their kids to college without debt. With over 17 years of experience and four debt-free college grads of her own, she specializes in guiding complex teens toward top-tier schools with a personalized, strategic approach. Her proven Stand Out Strategy™ aligns academics, emotional readiness, and financial planning to turn college confusion into clarity.
Podfolio Link: podfol.io/profile/shellee-howard
Website: www.collegereadyplan.com
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parents-is-your-teen-college-ready/id1622261244
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward
Instagram: www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CollegeReadyPlan
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@collegereadyplan
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