The Scholarship GPS Podcast: Your Directions to a Debt-Free College Degree

Jaime Smith is a certified educational planner with 25 years of experience in education at the middle, high school, and college levels. As a college adviser, she specializes in transfer admissions, homeschoolers, neurodiverse learners, and other nontraditional students. 

In our conversation, Jaime and I discussed:

• The number of students who transfer colleges
• The reasons students transfer colleges
• The process for transferring c...

If you have a Class of 2026 or Class of 2027 student, this is for you. Through the ACE Network, you’ll have access to 6 AMAZING and VETTED college planning experts. This affordable service gives you access to gems of personalized information on college admissions, college essays, SAT and ACTs, dorm planning, and, of course, scholarships!

Click the link to learn more: https://sites.google.com/view/ace-network/home

Space is extremely...

If you have a Class of 2026 or Class of 2027 student, this is for you. Through the ACE Network, you’ll have access to 6 AMAZING and VETTED college planning experts. This affordable service gives you access to gems of personalized information on college admissions, college essays, SAT and ACTs, dorm planning, and, of course, scholarships!

Click the link to learn more: https://sites.google.com/view/ace-network/home

Space is extremely...

Families often focus on GPA and test scores when it comes to scholarships—but there’s another powerful lever: your student’s college major.

In this live panel event, master career coach Lisa Marker-Robbins and scholarship strategist Dave Peterson explain how students who make intentional, well-informed college major choices can unlock more merit-based and private scholarship opportunities—and how to jump-start the process so you do...

The Class of 2027 Scholarship Navigator program provides: • Prep to apply for the FULL-RIDE Coolidge Scholarship. Students in the program have the option to participate in a book club/study to prepare to apply for this amazing scholarship opportunity! • Bi-weekly webinars: A new topic or scholarship will be covered in depth during these live webinars. Plus, time will be allotted for Q&A. • Online Support: You'll have direct ema...

I recently spoke with Kami Wanous, the creator of the Raising Leaders Roadmap and a homeschool mentor. A credentialed teacher with over seven years in public education and homeschooling since 2008, she draws on her background in English, leadership, and freedom principles to guide families toward meaningful learning. Kami helps homeschool parents create a culture that inspires a lifelong love of learning—equipping them to mentor wi...

I recently spoke with Sarah, whose daughter, Madeline, won 18 scholarships at her senior awards event. Sarah describes their scholarship journey and how they achieved such great success.

----------

In this free, live panel event, master career coach Lisa Marker-Robbins and scholarship strategis...

I recently spoke with Rachel Fusco, an educator and mental health professional dedicated to transforming the way we prepare young people for adulthood.

Over the past two decades, Rachel has personally supported over a thousand college-bound students in high schools, college access programs, and private admissions consulting. Rachel has shared her expertise as a presenter and trainer for prestigious colleges, private and public high...

In this week's episode, you will hear from Talon and his mom, Audria, and Victoria and her mom, Nicole. These students have earned over $300,000 in scholarships (so far)! They share their insights into how they did it, and give inspiration for others to follow in their footsteps.

----------

Check out the Scholarship Navigator Programs:

• For Current College Students
• For the High School Class of 2026
• For the High School Class of ...

I recently spoke with Luanne Lee, Owner of Your College Planning Coach.

Luanne has undergone extensive licensing and training as a College Financial Planning Specialist and for the past 15+ years has devoted her practice to providing financial education and efficient solutions to families maneuvering through the complex process of planning and funding for college without jeopardizing their retirement goals.

In our conversation, Lua...

I recently spoke with Jackie Pollina of J&J Test Prep and No B.S. SAT® Prep.

In our conversation, Jackie and I discussed:

• What the PSAT is, when to take it, and its predictive power for SAT scores

• The National Merit Scholarship, and how to qualify for it

• Balancing test prep with school, extracurriculars, and life

• Recent changes to the SAT and how that affects test prep

• How reading improves test scores

• And much m...

I recently spoke with Dr. Kellie Coppi of Say Yes to the Ess-ay. With nearly two decades of experience in college application coaching, Dr. Coppi provides expert guidance tailored to each student's unique needs. Dr. Coppi's background in higher education ensures that she understands the nuances of crafting compelling admissions essays.

In our conversation, Dr. Coppi and I discussed:

• Why high-stats students get rejected from c...

I recently spoke with Warren Buck of Future Finders. Warren’s background as a teacher and principal informs his work today, helping students with college and career planning.

In our conversation, Warren and I discussed:

• The proper use of AI in college planning and essays

• How to build a weighted college list that works for your teen

• The importance of including your budget in your college planning process

• How scholarships...

At RISE, they redefine academic excellence by empowering ambitious students through personalized mentorship and transformative educational opportunities. Recognizing that young scholars need more than traditional learning, they connect them with mentors from Oxbridge and Ivy League colleges. Their tailored programs in research, interview preparation, and academic tutoring nurture curiosity, build essential skills, and inspire the n...

Every year, more than half of the students I work with who apply for the Voice of Democracy Scholarship earn prizes through this incredible program.

In today's episode, we will hear from VFW Programs Director, Lynn Rolfe, about this fantastic opportunity. Plus, he shares information about their program for middle school students, Patriots' Pen!

I would love to work with your student on this and their other scholarship entries. The ...

Did you know that high school students can do college-level research that may actually be published in academic journals? That’s where Horizon comes in. Horizon Academic Research Program was founded in 2016 to give a platform to the world’s best young researchers. Horizon was founded by Columbia University alums with a strong belief in how early access to research can shape the lives of future leaders. Over the last 8 years, Horizo...

Macayla is a first-year college student who has earned multiple scholarships. She jumpstarted her scholarship journey as one of my Class of 2024 scholarship coaching students. Macayla and her mom, Leslie, share their thoughts on how having success with scholarships is a process, the benefits of scholarships beyond the money for college, and much more. Listen to my interview with Macayla and her mom, Leslie, to hear their tips and s...

I recently spoke with Katie Azevedo of School Habits. Having taught in both public and private school systems, Katie has seen firsthand how our students are expected to learn, but they are rarely given the tools or strategies to do so.

Since 2006, she has personally coached thousands of students, one-on-one, on standardized tests (SAT/ACT, SSAT, GRE), application essays, study skills, executive functions, and writing and reading in...

I recently spoke with Vida John of Vida John Tutoring. Vida is dedicated to helping motivated students excel in math problem-solving and competition math. She uses the Art of Problem Solving curriculum to help students understand, develop, and use their problem-solving techniques for math success!

• In our conversation, Vida and I discussed:
• Some of the  not-so-obvious benefits of participating in math competitions
• Similar compe...