The MEFA Podcast

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 all its different functions. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #40. Hosts Jonathan Hughes and Julie Shields-Rutyna discuss college campus visits. Then they answer a MEFA Mailbag question about making corrections on your FAFSA. Finally, Jonathan sits down with Old Rochester Regional High School Counselor Dr. Mike Janicki to discuss college athletics including the different associations and divisions, who gets scholarships, interactions with coaches, the athlete’s college application process, maintaining eligibility, and more. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #39. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with co-host Julie Shields Rutyna and MEFA Pathway Director Jennifer Bento-Pinyoun about how students can use MEFA Pathway’s College Search and Career Search features to create a postsecondary plan. Then, they go into the MEFA Mailbag to answer a listener’s question about reporting income on the CSS Profile. Finally, Jonathan talks to Drew Carter, Deputy Director of Admission at College of the Holy Cross, about five secrets to finding the right college, including embracing the unknown and being open to exposure. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #36. ***Please note that some details about the FAFSA in this episode are now outdated. Please reference mefa.org for updated information.*** Host Jonathan Hughes first talks to his co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna about the financial aid season. They discuss filing the FAFSA and CSS Profile as well how MEFA and other organizations can help families with that process. Then, they dive into the MEFA Mailbag to talk about a guardianship question related to financial aid. Finally, Jonathan talks to his wife, Cathy Hughes, to hear about her experience finishing her college degree later in her life. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #35. Host Jonathan Hughes has two conversations about unique paths when planning for college. He first talks to Ellen Ullman. She is the mother of a student who is enrolled at Michigan State University. After learning the cost difference between in-state and out-of-state tuitions the Ullmans decided to move to Michigan. After, he talks to Gracie Rosenberg, who was a dual enrollment student at Franklin County Technical High School and Greenfield Community College. You’ll first hear their initial conversation from a previous episode and then a follow-up from this past summer. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #34. The college experience can feel daunting for new and current students. Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with MEFA Pathway Coordinator Ajea Stupart about how to manage your college life. Ajea breaks down her blog series on the topic as well as some of her favorite features from MEFA’s college and career readiness tool, MEFA Pathway. Jonathan is also joined by Julie Shields-Rutyna, MEFA’s Director of College Planning. They discuss the parent side of students adjusting to college life as well as the financial side of paying for college. They also, as always, answer a question from the MEFA Mailbag. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #30. Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Drew Carter, Deputy Director of Admission at College of the Holy Cross, who explains how students can present their best college admissions application. Factors include letters of recommendation, the college essay, and demonstrated interest. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #26. Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by students from Amherst Regional High School, Franklin County Technical High School, and Tewksbury Memorial High School. These students discuss how they decided which colleges to apply to, what is was like to do virtual college visits, how cost factored into the college decision, the process of writing the college essay and applying for scholarships, the financial aid process, and how they finally decided on a college. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #19. Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Jennifer Bento-Pinyoun, Director of MEFA Pathway at MEFA, Cheryl Nelson, Counselor in the Lunenburg School District, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of College Planning, Education, and Training at MEFA. Jennifer explains how students and counselors can utilize MEFA Pathway, the Commonwealth’s free college and career planning portal for students in grades 6 through 12. Cheryl explains how she uses the platform with her eighth and ninth grade students, what her favorite features are, and what advice she would offer to other counselors looking to get started with MEFA Pathway. Jonathan and Julie answer listeners’ questions about applying for financial aid with international parents. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #18. Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Mary Rubenis, Outreach Manager of Attainable at MEFA, Sarah Lazare, Director of the Banacos Academic Center at Westfield State University, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of College Planning, Education, and Training at MEFA. Mary explains how individuals with disabilities can save for qualified expenses in an Attainable account and all the benefits the account provides. Sarah explains how students with disabilities can prepare for college success and what specific programs Westfield State University offers to help students with disabilities navigate college. Jonathan and Julie answer listeners’ questions about what happens to a 529 plan and an Attainable account when the owner moves to another state. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.