The MEFA Podcast

Episode #90. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Stephanie Wells, MEFA’s Director of College Relations, about MEFA Loans. They discuss how to apply, the different loan terms, how families can determine the best option, and the differences between a MEFA Loan and the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #89. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Rob O'Dwyer, Director of Admissions at North Bennet Street School, a vocational school in Boston that trains students for careers in traditional trades that use hand skills in concert with evolving technology. They discuss the origins of the school, the students that attend, admissions decisions, and how students succeed there. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #88. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with MEFA’s own Julie Shields-Rutyna to answer a MEFA Mailbag question about the different ways families can pay the college bill. Then, MEFA’s Lauren Danz joins to share details of some available scholarships with August deadlines as well as a few scholarships specifically for adults learners. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #87. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with MEFA’s own Julie Shields-Rutyna about how there’s still time to apply to college for this upcoming fall semester. They discuss a webinar MEFA recently held with college admissions and financial aid experts, College Options for This Fall, which focused on colleges still accepting admissions applications, the FAFSA completion process, and how Massachusetts is helping students plan and pay for college. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #86. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Michael Goldstein, the Dean of Admissions and Head of Innovation for Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology. Michael discusses how Franklin Cummings operates, what opportunities they offer, what sort of student they are looking for, and even his own personal ideas on how to prepare students for their careers. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #85. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Co-Director of College Counseling at Gann Academy, Sherri Geller, about gap years, a period of time when students take a break from school, usually between high school and college. Sherri discusses what a gap year is, how students can research different programs, how colleges respond to students taking gap years, and more. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #84. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Dr. Timothy Poynton and Dr. Amanda Sterk of College Unmazed. Dr. Sterk is Director of College and Career Advising at Method Learning and Dr. Poynton is an Associate Professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology. They discuss how students should make informed decisions about selecting a college and how to prepare themselves for that decision. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #83. Host Jonathan Hughes talks college savings investing with Cory Latham, Managing Director and 529 Relationship Manager at Fidelity Investments. Jonathan and Cory discuss 529 accounts, how Fidelity approaches investing, the ways Fidelity works with customers to determine the best way to invest, and challenges that arise when saving for college. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #82. Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with Drew Carter, Deputy Director of Admission at College of the Holy Cross, about his tips for students visiting a college campus. They discuss what to look for, when to go, who to talk to, how to remember your visit, and much more. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #81. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Professor of the Practice of Biomedical Engineering and Global Health Emeritus at Duke University and founder of the International Research Institute (IRI) Dr. Robert Malkin. They discuss his journey to teaching at Duke, his love of science, and his creation of the IRI. Dr. Malkin also speaks to the importance of research, how he helps high school students get involved in it, and how that supports the education of those students. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.