MEFA Blog

MEFA Videos

Our videos are great college planning resources that provide information and guidance to help your family prepare for the future. Find videos by clicking on the categories listed below. This page includes all of our recorded webinars.

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The MEFA Institute<sup>TM</sup> Financial Aid 101 for School Counselors
This webinar provide school counselors and college access professionals with an overview of the college financial aid process, including details on financial aid applications and eligibility, how colleges determine how much aid to offer, and information on financial aid offers. This webinar is for counselors who want to get a good understanding of the basics of the financial aid process.
Financial Planning with ABLE Accounts
With an Attainable Savings Plan, individuals with disabilities and their families can save for qualified disability expenses while keeping benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. In this webinar Cynthia Haddad, Certified Financial Planner at Affinia Financial Group, discusses the key features of ABLE accounts and shares real-life examples of how clients utilize these accounts to benefit themselves or family members.
Creating an FSA ID
MEFA's Associate Director of College Planning Jonathan Hughes explains how to create your FSA ID, who needs to create an FSA ID, and what your FSA ID will be used for even after college.
Saving for College
This webinar is for parents with children of all ages and describes information and resources that families can use to put a college savings plan in place. We answer questions such as: Why and how much should I save for college? When and how should I start? What is the best way to save? How will saving affect college financial aid? Watch to learn how to prepare best for college costs. Download the webinar slides to follow along.
Financial Aid 101
This webinar provide information and clarity on the entire college financial aid application process. Learn about financial aid applications and types of financial aid, the factors that determine your aid eligibility, how colleges determine the amount of aid to offer, and the details of financial aid offers.
College Admissions
The college search and application process can be overwhelming. This webinar will help you establish a personalized admissions road map by addressing topics such as current trends in admissions, building a balanced list of colleges, and the different components of the college application including transcripts, essays, and interviews. Download the webinar slides to follow along.
Can I Get a Loan Without My Parents?
Students often wonder if they can get a college loan without their parents on the loan application. MEFA's Associate Director of College Planning Jonathan Hughes explains how by filing the FAFSA, students are eligible for Federal Direct Student Loans without any co-borrowers. Private loan approval is dependent on income and credit score, so students often need the assistance of a co-borrower for these loans.
Using Veterans’ Education Benefits to Finance a College Education
Are you a student Veteran looking to understand how you can apply your service-connected benefits to your education? Join the Assistant Director of Veterans Upward Bound, Nick Charrette, for a deep dive into different GI Bill types, Chapters 30, 31, and 33, VR&E benefits, in-state tuition waivers, FAFSA, and more. Learn the best ways to calculate your own benefit entitlement and which pitfalls to avoid. Download the webinar slides to follow along
The FAFSA
If you need financial aid for college, you'll have to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The FAFSA becomes available every year on October 1st for the following academic year. Learn what you'll need to include on the form and how you can complete it.
Understanding Financial Aid Offers & Paying the College Bill
This webinar provides valuable guidance for high school seniors who have received their college acceptance letters and financial aid offers and are trying to make the college decision. Topics include an overview of different types of financial aid, an explanation of how to calculate the balance due at each college, and methods for paying the college bill.