The MEFA Podcast

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Stephanie Wells, Director of College Relations for MEFA, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of College Planning, Education, and Training at MEFA. Stephanie discusses what Grade 12 students and their families can expect to see on financial aid offers, including grants, scholarships, and work-study, and what the difference is between each type of loan that may be listed on a financial aid offer. Jonathan and Julie answer listeners’ questions about why some colleges offer more financial aid than others and discuss how to determine your net price at each college. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Jim Slattery, Senior Director of Financial Aid at Northeastern University, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of College Planning, Education, and Training at MEFA. Jim discusses why some colleges require the CSS Profile™, the differences between the CSS Profile and the FAFSA, how non-custodial parents file the CSS Profile, and why it’s in families' best interest to provide financial aid offices with as much information as possible. Jonathan and Julie answer listeners’ questions about if funds earned from a co-op are counted in the financial aid formula and discuss Federal Student Loan repayment resuming on May 1st. CSS Profile is a registered trademark of the College Board, with which MEFA is not associated. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Shaun Connolly, Communications Associate at MEFA, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of College Planning, Education, and Training at MEFA. Shaun discusses how he opened a U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan account for his son, how he saves for college, and how he created a college gifting page to encourage friends and family members to contribute to his college savings account. Jonathan and Julie answer listeners’ questions about saving for college and discuss the two Massachusetts college savings plans, the U.Fund College Investing Plan and the U.Plan Prepaid Tuition Program. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Nick Charrette, Assistant Director of Veterans Upward Bound, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of College Planning, Education, and Training at MEFA. Nick discusses what Veterans Upward Bound offers, the different types of GI Bills, and how veterans can maximize their education benefits. Jonathan and Julie answer listeners’ questions about applying for financial aid with international parents and discuss Massachusetts state financial aid programs. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Jennifer Bento-Pinyoun, Director of MEFA Pathway at MEFA, Cheryl Nelson, Counselor in the Lunenburg School District, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of College Planning, Education, and Training at MEFA. Jennifer explains how students and counselors can utilize MEFA Pathway, the Commonwealth’s free college and career planning portal for students in grades 6 through 12. Cheryl explains how she uses the platform with her eighth and ninth grade students, what her favorite features are, and what advice she would offer to other counselors looking to get started with MEFA Pathway. Jonathan and Julie answer listeners’ questions about applying for financial aid with international parents. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Mary Rubenis, Outreach Manager of Attainable at MEFA, Sarah Lazare, Director of the Banacos Academic Center at Westfield State University, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of College Planning, Education, and Training at MEFA. Mary explains how individuals with disabilities can save for qualified expenses in an Attainable account and all the benefits the account provides. Sarah explains how students with disabilities can prepare for college success and what specific programs Westfield State University offers to help students with disabilities navigate college. Jonathan and Julie answer listeners’ questions about what happens to a 529 plan and an Attainable account when the owner moves to another state. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Stephanie Wells, Director of College Relations at MEFA, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of Training and Education at MEFA. Stephanie Wells explains how to compare college loan options, including the differences between Federal Direct Student Loans, the PLUS Loan, and private loans, as well as paying the college bill through a combination of past, present, and future income. Jonathan and Julie discuss the VaxMillions lottery and how fully vaccinated individuals between ages 12 and 17 can enter to win a college scholarship in a U.Fund 529 account. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Jennifer Ma, Senior Policy Research Scientist at the College Board, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of Training and Education at MEFA. Jennifer Ma explains College’s Board recent Education Pays report, including patterns among U.S. adults with different education levels and disparities in college participation and completion across demographic groups. Jonathan and Julie discuss new college loan rates and answer listeners’ questions about letters of recommendation. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Dror Liebenthal, co-founder and CEO of bold.org and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of Training and Education at MEFA. Dror Liebenthal explains how students can search for scholarships on bold.org, an innovative, streamlined, and secure service that matches students to exclusive scholarships. Jonathan and Julie discuss vaccine requirements at Massachusetts colleges and answer listeners’ questions about financing off-campus housing. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Paul Curley, CFA, Director of 529 & ABLE Research at ISS Market Intelligence, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of College Planning, Education, and Training at MEFA. Paul Curley explains all you need to know about 529 accounts, including their history, how they work, what studies show about opening an account, and why it’s important to start saving for college. Jonathan and Julie discuss everything MEFA has planned to celebrate 529 Day and the benefits to having both a U.Fund and U.Plan. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.