The MEFA Podcast

Episode #49. Host Jonathan Hughes first answers a question from the MEFA Mailbag about the timeline of applying for private loans and when to plan for repayment. Then Jonathan sits down with Sherri Geller, the Co-Director of College Counseling at Gann Academy in Waltham, Massachusetts. They discuss what rising high school seniors can do in the summer months to prepare for the college application process. Topics include the Common App, college essays, letters of recommendation, and more. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

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 and the Brookings Institution about FAFSA Simplification, including the adjustments to the form, the changes in terminology, and what families can expect when the FAFSA is available in December. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

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 aspect, as well as Nick’s journey with college and the Army. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

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 residents to receive a discount on tuition if they attend an out-of-state New England public college or university and major in an academic program not offered in their home state. They discuss how the program works, how students can participate, and the average student cost savings. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

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. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

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 Families. Finally, Jonathan has a conversation with Director of College and Career Counseling at Excel Academy Andrea Keenan. They discuss financial aid for undocumented students, how to help those students, how those students can advocate for themselves, and the different resources that are available. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

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-free schools, virtual admissions, and more. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

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 tools MassEdCO offers as well as Mark’s career in financial aid and financial literacy. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

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.