The MEFA Podcast

Episode #54. Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna talk about MEFA’s upcoming Financial Aid 101 seminars and webinars that will provide an overview of the financial aid process and highlight FAFSA Simplification. Then they go to the MEFA Mailbag to answer a question about refinancing student loans. Then Jonathan is joined by President of Mount Wachusett Community College Jim Vander Hooven and Executive Director of Massachusetts Community Colleges Association Nate Mackinnon to discuss MassReconnect, a new Massachusetts program that pays for tuition and fees at any Massachusetts community college for anyone 25 and older. Learn who is eligible, how to take advantage of the program, and more. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #50. In this special episode, host Jonathan Hughes talks with Betsy Mayotte of TISLA (The Institute of Student Loan Advisors) about the Supreme Court’s decision to block the Biden-Harris Student Debt Relief Plan. They discuss the decision itself, what borrowers can expect, adjustments the Administration has made to the federal student loan program, 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 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 #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 #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 #38. Host Jonathan Hughes sits down at the Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Advisors (MASFAA) Conference in Plymouth, MA. There, he talks to Anthony Erwin, a Principal Consultant for Blue Icon Advisors of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Advisors (NASFAA). He also speaks with Anne McDermott, the Director of Financial Aid at Salve Regina University and President of EASFAA (the Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators). They discuss how financial aid differs across the country, where financial aid offices need support, advice for new aid administrators, and more. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #37. Host Jonathan Hughes first talks with co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna about students applying for private student loans for the spring semester. Then, they go into the MEFA Mailbag to answer a question about study abroad. Finally, Jonathan talks to Director of College Relations at MEFA Shawn Morrissey about financial aid for graduate students. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #9. ***Please note that some details about the FAFSA in this episode are now outdated. Please reference mefa.org for updated information. *** If you’re divorced or separated, you may have questions about completing financial aid forms. On this episode of The MEFA Podcast, MEFA's Associate Director of College Planning Jonathan Hughes breaks down how to complete these forms, including maintaining confidentiality between parents, which parent completes the forms, how to determine the custodial parent, and how to keep the financial aid office involved. Jonathan also answers listener’s questions about changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, adding additional colleges to the FAFSA, and applying your student loan when you transfer schools. Jonathan is joined by MEFA's Director of College Planning, Julie Shields-Rutyna, and Wheaton College’s Director of Student Financial Services, Susan Beard. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #33. Join co-hosts Jonathan Hughes and Julie Shields-Rutyna as they discuss features of mefa.org, including how to sign up for MEFA emails and where to find the MEFA blog post and webinars about financial aid, as well as all of the different services MEFA has to offer. Then they talk to MEFA’s Digital Creative Content Manager, Lauren Patten, about college scholarships, including how to apply for them, where to find them, and strategies for using them. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #31. In this bonus episode of The MEFA Podcast, host Jonathan Hughes talks to the President and Founder of TISLA (The Institute of Student Loan Advisors), Betsy Mayotte. Here, Betsy talks to Jonathan about the recent temporary changes made to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and walks us through the program itself. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.