It’s My Birthday and I’m Back:A New Focus

AFTER A BRIEF HIATUS, I am coming back to the podcast and blog with a new perspective on my birthday. Today I am 36 years old, and my life has changed a great deal in ways I would have never expected. For the past year, I have written articles on scholarships and financial aid with the notion that others would read it and learn, and that it may somehow help my son 12 years in the future. However my purpose has come with an added urgency.

My girlfriend has brought into my life SIX, yes, SIX children, all of whom are a blessing and a joy. At ages 18,15,13,12,7 and 5, all have unique financial aid issues and financial concerns that need to be addressed. To help accomplish that, I will use the blog and my podcast to help them, and hopefully help others through the lessons I learn along the way. Wish me luck, and keep your comments coming. More to follow about the family!

Always,

Jr

How to Reduce Your EFC Before It’s Too Late: An Answer to a Readers Question

I received an interesting question from a reader today regarding her daughters financial future a year before she is to leave for college. Lee has asked the following

New Podcast Series: Jr’s Two Minute Financial Aid Tips!

After increased downloads of my regular podcast, I have decided to begin a new podcast series starting next week. The new podcast series will be two minutes or less each episode and cover one small topic on financial aid.

I am eager to hear any suggestions or thoughts on great topics you would like to see covered! Feel free to send them to me via the comments box below, or via email at collegemoneyman at gmail dot com.

My first five episodes will cover

• What is the FAFSA?
• What is the EFC
• What is the Pell Grant
• What is Federal Work Study
• What is the the FSEOG

How to Reduce your Expected Family Contribution When You Have a 529plan: EFC Reduction Strategies

Every year, families across the US do their best to sock away money for their kids education. They try everything from the simple savings accounts, to Educational IRA’s. But amongst all the option available for parents, no savings plan has the combination of ease of investment, low startp costs, low fees, and low impact on the Expected Family Contribution than the 529 College Savings Plan.