Ol' College Try

Navigating Early Decision financial aid can be tricky, especially with binding contracts. Explore how to appeal these offers without breaking agreements, and learn why 'negotiate' can derail your appeal. Discover practical tips for assessing aid fairness and hear real-life success stories from families. The hosts discuss the importance of using the right language in appeals and making clear monetary requests. Plus, take the Net Price Calculator Challenge for a chance to win $100 if you uncover discrepancies in college cost estimates!

Mark Stucker, producer of the Your College Bound Kid podcast and admissions expert, dives into the crucial concept of demonstrated interest in college admissions. He explains how colleges assess applicants' likelihood of enrollment and highlights key ways students can show genuine interest, such as campus visits, engaging essays, and email communication. Mark breaks down myths about demonstrated interest, discusses its impact on admissions strategies, and offers practical tips to help students stand out in their college applications.

It’s a special Thanksgiving mailbag episode of The Ol’ College Try podcast! Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough go in totally unprepared and answer your toughest, most common college-planning questions on the fly. They tackle what happens when you have two, three, or even more kids in college at once (and why some schools give a break while others don’t), how FAFSA and CSS Profile work for divorced or separated families, and the truth about your Student Aid Index (SAI)—including why it’s not what you’ll automatically pay.You’ll also learn how rental or investment properties are treated on the FAFSA vs. CSS Profile, why most colleges’ net price calculators are outdated (and how to double-check affordability the smart way), and whether appealing a financial aid offer can backfire (spoiler: it won’t—if you do it right).Perfect for parents trying to make sense of financial aid rules, tuition reality, and how to advocate for more aid without hurting admissions. Happy Thanksgiving—and don’t forget to send your next burning question for a future mailbag!Connect with Us! Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Create a FREE MyCAP Account: https://hubs.li/Q03PTJ_x0Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠support@collegeaidpro.com⁠⁠ PLUS Get 15% OFF site wide with coupon code COLLEGETRY15

Private scholarships are the biggest distraction in the college affordability world — and today, we’re setting the record straight.In this episode of Old College Try, hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down what families think they know about scholarships versus how the system actually works. From the myth of private scholarship riches to the colleges where every admitted student gets a discount, Matt and Peg unpack the real strategies that lead to meaningful savings.You’ll learn:Why private scholarships account for only 3–5% of all financial aid—and why they shouldn’t be your starting pointHow scholarship displacement works (and why that $2,000 award may not lower your bill at all)The 95% of aid families SHOULD be focused on—merit scholarships from the colleges themselvesWhat kinds of colleges don’t offer any merit aid at all (yes, it’s more common than you think)When appealing for more merit actually works—and how senior year performance can helpThe truth about full-ride scholarships vs partial awardsA proven step-by-step system for deciding which scholarships are worth your timePlus, the hosts preview next week’s listener mailbag episode and invite your questions!If you want to build a smart, financially sound college list, this episode is a must-listen.Connect with Us! Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Create a FREE MyCAP Account: https://hubs.li/Q03PTJ_x0Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠support@collegeaidpro.com⁠⁠PLUS Get 15% OFF site wide with coupon code COLLEGETRY15

Learn why many college net price calculators are inaccurate—and how misinformation can cost families tens of thousands of dollars. In this episode, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down the flaws in NPCs, reveal real case studies from Northwestern and Duke, discuss CAP’s partnership with Niche featured in The New York Times, and explain how to get the most accurate college cost projections.Connect with Us! Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Create a FREE MyCAP Account: https://hubs.li/Q03PTJ_x0Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠support@collegeaidpro.com⁠⁠

In this episode of The Old College Try, host Matt Carpenter sits down with Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief of The Princeton Review, to reveal the top colleges that give the most financial aid in 2025. They break down how schools like Washington & Lee, Princeton, Vanderbilt, and BYU make college more affordable — and why the sticker price rarely reflects the real cost.Learn the difference between need-based and merit-based aid, discover hidden scholarships, and get insider advice on how families can maximize financial aid and lower college costs. Whether you’re a parent, student, or counselor, this conversation is packed with practical college affordability insights you can use right now.Episode Highlights:How The Princeton Review ranks the best colleges for financial aidWhy a $90,000 sticker price might actually cost $20,000The truth about need-based vs. merit aidHow elite schools like Princeton and Amherst handle financial needRegional programs and tuition reciprocity that cut out-of-state costsWhy early financial planning gives families a major advantageConnect with Us! Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Create a FREE MyCAP Account: https://hubs.li/Q03PTJ_x0Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠support@collegeaidpro.com⁠⁠Connect with Rob Franek and The Princeton Review! Website: https://www.princetonreview.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprincetonreview/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-princeton-review/

In this episode of The Ol’ College Try, hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough dive deep into one of the trickiest financial aid topics—how divorce, separation, and split households affect college costs and aid eligibility. From defining what “separated” actually means to explaining which parent should file the FAFSA (and what happens if you’ve remarried), Matt and Peg break down the rules, the exceptions, and the planning opportunities families often miss.They also cover:The difference between FAFSA-only and CSS Profile schoolsWhat to do if your ex won’t cooperate—or can’t be reachedHow colleges verify your status (spoiler: not much)Why remarriage can change your aid picture completelyWhether you’re navigating co-parenting or just want to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table, this episode gives you the clarity (and humor) you need.🎧 Bonus: Peg’s musical pick of the week—“Wide Open Spaces” by The Chicks—sets the perfect tone for families starting a new chapter.Connect with Us! Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Create a FREE MyCAP Account: https://hubs.li/Q03PTJ_x0Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠support@collegeaidpro.com⁠⁠

We’re kicking off the brand-new season — and our new name — Ol’ College Try! 🎓In this episode, hosts Matt Carpenter (Co-Founder of College Aid Pro) and Peg Keough (Director of Education) break down one of the biggest questions in college admissions: Should your student apply Early Decision?They unpack what Early Decision really means, how it impacts acceptance rates, financial aid, scholarships, and family budgets, and whether it’s actually worth it. You’ll hear real stories from families, insider tips on how colleges use Early Decision to their advantage, and practical advice on how to decide if it’s the right move for you.Plus, meet the Futurebirds — the incredible band behind our new intro and outro music — and find out why we’re giving college planning an Ol’ College Try!📅 New episodes drop every Thursday at 12 PM ET.Connect with Us! Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Create a FREE MyCAP Account: https://hubs.li/Q03PTJ_x0Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠support@collegeaidpro.com⁠⁠

Big changes are coming to the College! podcast — including a new name and fresh intro music — but first, Matt Carpenter sits down with financial aid expert Kevin “Murph Man” Murphy for a deep dive into how college affordability really works. From high-income families unexpectedly qualifying for need-based aid to major wins on financial aid appeals, Matt and Kevin break down real-life case studies that challenge the biggest myths about who gets financial help for college.They explore the nuances of the FAFSA vs. CSS Profile, why divorced and business-owning families need to be strategic, and how understanding each college’s unique “business model” can unlock hidden discounts. Whether you’re earning six figures, managing multiple kids in college, or just starting your financial aid journey, this episode will help you see the system in a whole new light.🎙️ Highlights include:Why even $400K+ earners can qualify for need-based aidHow “appeals” (not negotiations!) can change everythingWhat divorced and split-household families must knowThe new FAFSA rule that benefits small business ownersTune in for insider insights that could save your family thousands on college costs — and get ready for next week’s big reveal!🎧 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!Connect with Us! Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Create a FREE MyCAP Account: ⁠⁠https://mycap.collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/capcollegepod/⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠support@collegeaidpro.com⁠⁠

In this episode of College! The Podcast, host Peg Keough sits down with Rose Ellen Mocombe, one of College Aid Pro’s newest experts, to dive into everything PSAT. Together, they unpack what the PSAT really is, why students take it, and how it connects to the National Merit Scholarship Program. Rose Ellen explains how scores can lead to recognition and even scholarship money, while Peg offers insights from a parent’s perspective on when and how kids should approach the test.They also explore the differences between the PSAT and SAT, how testing fits into today’s test-optional admissions landscape, and why strategy and early planning—both academically and financially—make a difference. Whether you’re a parent of a sophomore just starting the college journey or a junior preparing for test season, this episode offers clear, compassionate guidance to help your student feel confident and prepared.🎧 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!Connect with Us! Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Create a FREE MyCAP Account: ⁠⁠https://mycap.collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/capcollegepod/⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠support@collegeaidpro.com⁠⁠