The MEFA Podcast
We provide subject matter expertise on every step within the college planning process. Subscribe and listen to the MEFA Podcast to learn key information and helpful tips on 529 college savings plans, the college application process, financial aid & the FAFSA, student loan repayment, and more.
Episodes
November 28, 2023 • 35 mins
Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna first talk about exciting news about when the FAFSA will be available to fill out this year. Then they answer a mailbag question about the FAFSA and who gets to file as an independent student. Then Jonathan has a conversation with Brendan Melican. Brendan is a Worcester resident and student at Quinsigamond Community College
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November 14, 2023 • 42 mins
Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with Justin Draeger, President and CEO of NASFAA, about what NASFAA is, how they operate, how they help shape financial aid policy with Congress, and the future of financial aid policy.
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October 31, 2023 • 39 mins
Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna have a conversation with Director of Student Financial Services at Wheaton College Susan Beard on the topic of applying for financial aid with separated or divorced parents.
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October 17, 2023 • 46 mins
Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna answer some frequently asked questions about the FAFSA and the financial aid process. Then they talk with the founder and CEO of TuitionFit, Mark Salisbury, about gaps in admissions and financial aid transparency at colleges and how to determine which school makes the most financial sense.
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October 3, 2023 • 40 mins
Host Jonathan Hughes first talks with Julie about Federal Direct Student Loans going into repayment. Then they go to the MEFA Mailbag and answer a question about reporting savings accounts on the FAFSA. Finally, Jonathan sits down with Beth Probst of At the Core.
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September 19, 2023 • 34 mins
Host Jonathan Hughes has a conversation with the BabySteps Director of Program Evaluation Daphna Gluck on what the BabySteps Program is, its success so far, program improvements, and a brand new initiative, SNAP into BabySteps.
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September 5, 2023 • 42 mins
Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by President of Mount Wachusett Community College Jim Vander Hooven and Executive Director of Massachusetts Community Colleges Association Nate Mackinnon to discuss MassReconnect, a new Massachusetts program that pays for tuition and fees at any MA community college for anyone 25 and older. Learn who is eligible, how to take advantage of the program, and more.
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August 22, 2023 • 42 mins
Host Jonathan Hughes first talks to co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna about an online panel she moderated in conjunction with MEFA’s ongoing campaign The Time is Now. Then, they answer a question from the MEFA Mailbag, and finally, Jonathan talks with Adam Hartwell about Attainable, the ABLE Savings Plan.
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August 8, 2023 • 37 mins
Host Jonathan Hughes first talks to the Director of MEFA Pathway, Jennifer Bento-Pinyoun. Then, Jonathan and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna discuss MEFA’s The Time is Now campaign. Finally, Jonathan has a discussion with the new Director of GEAR UP in Worcester, Steve Winston.
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July 25, 2023 • 44 mins
Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Julie Shields-Rutyna about FAFSA Simplification. Then Jonathan and Julie go to the MEFA Mailbag to answer a question about using the UFund to pay for college. Finally, Jonathan has a conversation with Director of the Massachusetts GEAR UP Program, Robert Dais.
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July 11, 2023 • 26 mins
Episode #50. In this special episode, host Jonathan Hughes talks with Betsy Mayotte of TISLA (The Institute of Student Loan Advisors) to discuss the Supreme Court’s decision to block the Biden-Harris Student Debt Relief Plan.
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June 27, 2023 • 30 mins
Episode #49. Host Jonathan Hughes first answers a question from the MEFA Mailbag about private student loans. Then Jonathan sits down with Sherri Geller, the Co-Director of College Counseling at Gann Academy in Waltham, Massachusetts.
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June 6, 2023 • 41 mins
Episode #48. Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna first discuss MEFA’s prepaid tuition program, the U.Plan. Then, they go to the MEFA Mailbag and answer a question about letters of recommendation. Finally, Jonathan and Julie talk to Jill Desjean of NASFAA and Philip Levine of Wellesley College about FAFSA Simplification, including the adjustments to the form, the changes in terminology, and what families can expect...
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May 23, 2023 • 33 mins
Episode #47. Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna first interview Community Outreach Manager for MEFA Savings Programs, Adam Hartwell, about 529 Day and the Attainable Savings Plan. Then they go to the MEFA Mailbag to discuss financial aid and early decision. Finally, Jonathan talks with the Program Director of Veterans Upward Bound at Suffolk University, Nick Charrette. They discuss the program, their new tutoring...
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May 9, 2023 • 38 mins
Episode #46. Host Jonathan Hughes discusses student loan repayment for graduating college students with co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna. They then dive into the MEFA Mailbag and answer a question about to how to get a student motivated about the college process. Finally, Jonathan talks with Jonathan Gowin, Director of Tuition Break, about the New England Board of Higher Education’s Tuition Break program that allows New England residen...
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April 25, 2023 • 36 mins
Episode #45. Host Jonathan Hughes talks to high school seniors Lindsey Blais and Muhammad Salla about their college journey, including the application process, the financial aid process, their decision of which school to attend and why, and advice for other students. This episode was recorded and filmed at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School’s TV Production Studio.
Timestamp
(0:00) Intro
(1:53) Interview with Students
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April 11, 2023 • 46 mins
Episode #44. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Andover High School Principal Alicia Linsey and Director of Admissions at Worcester State University Joe DiCarlo about the National Association of College Admissions and Counseling and their Boston College Fair. Then Jonathan and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna go to the MEFA Mailbag and answer a financial aid question about students who have worked with the Department of Children and Famil...
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March 28, 2023 • 47 mins
Episode #43. Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna talk to Mark Stucker of the Your College-Bound Kid podcast. Mark is also an author and the founder and owner of School Match 4U, a personalized educational consulting firm. They discuss Mark’s podcast, alternatives to college, how to conduct a holistic college search, the value of college, and several college admissions trends, including test-optional and test-fre...
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March 14, 2023 • 35 mins
Episode #42. Host Jonathan Hughes discusses MEFA’s How to Pay for College campaign with co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna, including the webinars, seminars, tools, and guidance that MEFA is offering this upcoming spring for high school seniors and their families. Then they go to the MEFA Mailbag to discuss how to report properties and income on the FAFSA. Jonathan then talks to the CEO of MassEdCO, Mark Bilotta, about the services and t...
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February 28, 2023 • 31 mins
Episode #41. Hosts Jonathan Hughes and Julie Shields-Rutyna discuss recent scholarship opportunities with MEFA’s own Lauren Danz. Then, they go to the MEFA Mailbag and answer a question about grandparents opening MEFA U.Plan and U.Fund college savings accounts. Finally, Jonathan talks to Director of Education and Training at the Common App Meredith Lombardi about the basics of the Common App, how to navigate it, who can use it, and...
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