The MEFA Podcast

The MEFA Podcast

Welcome to MEFA's podcast series. Here you'll find conversations with our experts about every step of planning, saving, and paying for college. You can listen to each podcast right on this page, or through the podcast app on your iPhone or Android. Send us a question and we might answer it on the next epsiode.

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Podcasts Categories
Paying For College Planning For College Saving For College
The MEFA Podcast
Learn About MEFA Pathway

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Jennifer Bento-Pinyoun, Director of MEFA Pathway at MEFA, who explains how students and counselors can utilize MEFA Pathway, and Cheryl Nelson, Counselor in the Lunenburg School District, who explains how she uses the platform with her eighth and ninth grade students.
The MEFA Podcast
How Students with Disabilities Can Save for Expenses and Prepare for College

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Mary Rubenis, Outreach Manager of Attainable at MEFA, who explains how individuals with disabilities can save for qualified expenses in an Attainable account, and Sarah Lazare, Director of the Banacos Academic Center at Westfield State University, who explains how students with disabilities can prepare for college success.
The MEFA Podcast
5 Ways High School Juniors Can Strengthen Their College Admissions Application
Wednesday, May 05 2021
Jonathan Hughes explains how students can present their best college admissions application. Factors include letters of recommendation, the college essay, and demonstrated interest. Jonathan is joined by Drew Carter, Senior Associate Director of Admissions at College of the Holy Cross, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of Training and Education at MEFA.
The MEFA Podcast
Researching Colleges When You Can't Visit Campus
Tuesday, June 23 2020
Hosts Jonathan Hughes and Jonathan Sparling explain how to know if a college is a good investment, online tools you can use in the absence of campus visits, and what resources colleges are offering prospective students to help them get a feel for campus.
The MEFA Podcast
College Planning in a COVID-19 World
Tuesday, June 02 2020
Hosts Jonathan Hughes and Jonathan Sparling discuss how COVID-19 affects every aspect of college planning, from students already attending college to colleges making plans for the upcoming school year to parents just starting to save.
The MEFA Podcast
Saving for College: Never Too Early, Too Late
Tuesday, August 29 2017
Julie Shields-Rutyna, MEFA's Director of College Planning, explains why middle school is a perfect time for families to begin planning for college.
The MEFA Podcast
The Pathway to Higher Education
Tuesday, August 29 2017
College planning expert Martha Savery shares her advice for families with middle school students around planning and saving for college.