The MEFA Podcast

Episode #67. Host Jonathan Hughes sits down for a conversation about historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with Dr. Danette Burgess, the President of EASFAA and a regional representative for NASFAA’s Diversity Task Force. Dr. Burgess is also the Senior Associate Director of Scholarships at Howard University and an alumnus of another HBCU, Norfolk State University. Jonathan talks with Dr. Burgess about her own educational journey, the impact of HBCUs on her life, and what it’s like to work and interact with current HBCU students. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #66. Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna discuss the most common issues that have come up for families while trying to file the 2024-25 FAFSA. Topics include FSA ID creation, filing the FAFSA without an SSN, delays in FAFSA Submission Summaries, adjustments to the family’s Income Protection Allowance, and more. They also answer a MEFA Mailbag question about parent assets and the FAFSA. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #65. Host Jonathan Hughes answers a MEFA Mailbag question with co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna about if 529 plans owned by non-parents need to be claimed on the FAFSA. Then MEFA’s own Lauren Danz describes 3 upcoming scholarships that have February deadlines including The Christopher’s High School Poster Scholarship, the Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship, and the Scholars Helping Collars Scholarship. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #64. Host Jonathan Hughes sits down with three freshmen from King Phillip High School, Tanmayee Kollouri, Laura Da Silva, and Ella Bailey, who participated in an international business competition through the DECA Program at their school that focused on financial aid and student loans. Jonathan talks with them about their interest in the topic, how they have informed their school about their project, as well as some of their own interests in higher education. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #63. Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna discuss the new 2024-25 FAFSA and the issues that have arisen, how to file the form, and what to do if problems arise. Then they answer a MEFA Mailbag question about creating an FSA ID and who needs one to file the FAFSA. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #62. Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna answer a whole range of questions regarding FAFSA Simplification and the new 2024-25 FAFSA, with topics including preparing to fill out the form, creating an FSA ID, and specific niche situations some families may have when filing. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #61. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Bright Horizon College Coach’s Sara Calvert-Kubrom about how students can use social media to their advantage in the college admissions process. They discuss how to connect with schools, ways to research a school’s culture, how to use social media on campus visits, and more. They also talk about how students can curate their social media accounts for sports recruiting, to share their art portfolios, and create a general image for their future school. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #60. Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna first share the exciting news of when the FAFSA will be available to fill out this year. Then they answer a MEFA Mailbag question about who gets to file as an independent student on the FAFSA. Finally, Jonathan has a conversation with Brendan Melican, a Worcester resident and student at Quinsigamond Community College. Brendan and Jonathan discuss the MassReconnect program, which is allowing Brendan to attend college for free, as well as what it’s like being the parent of a college student while being one himself. They also discuss adult learners, the community college experience, and advice for those thinking about using MassReconnect. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #59. Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with Justin Draeger, President and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), about what NASFAA is, how they operate, and how they help shape financial aid policy with Congress. Jonathan and Justin also discuss how Congress legislates, and what Justin thinks about the future of financial aid policy. Jonathan and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna then answer a MEFA mailbag question on how retirement rollovers will be affected with upcoming changes to the FAFSA. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #58. Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna have a conversation with Director of Student Financial Services at Wheaton College Susan Beard. They focus on how families with separated or divorced parents should complete the CSS Profile® and the FAFSA, the two financial aid forms for college. They discuss the different layers of the CSS Profile, and how parents should fill out the form based on their individual situation. They also discuss the guidelines around the FAFSA and how to determine which parent should complete the form. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.