The MEFA Institute: Create and Update a Resume with MEFA Pathway

Learn how students can build and update a resume with MEFA Pathway, MEFA’s free college and career planning portal.

The MEFA Institute: The Importance of Early College & Career Planning

This webinar, presented with Scott Solberg of Boston University, provides a detailed overview of how students who are introduced to higher education and career opportunities in middle school are better prepared to graduate with a planned path that leads toward a career and be more proactive, adaptive, and resilient in life management. Scott Solberg, Professor of Counseling and Applied Human Development at Boston University's School of Education, demonstrate a “Who Am I” activity that counselors can use to help youth identify their talent and skills that align to the workforce. Download the webinar slides to follow along.

College Financing with Gail Holt from Amherst College

This webinar, presented with Gail Holt of Amherst College, provides information and clarity on the entire college financial aid application process. You'll 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. Download the webinar slides to follow along.

90 Seconds With MEFA: The U.Fund

As the Massachusetts 529 college savings plan, the U.Fund offers affordability, flexibility, and powerful tax advantages. MEFA's Associate Director of College Planning Jonathan Hughes explains how the U.Fund works, how the money is invested, and which expenses the funds cover.

The MEFA Institute: A Deep Dive Into the CSS Profile

This webinar for school counselors and college access professionals, presented by Gail Holt of Amherst College, introduces the nuts and bolts of the CSS Profile, a financial aid application required by approximately 250 colleges, universities, and scholarship agencies across the country. Topics include tips on completing the Profile, specific financial and household data collected, and how colleges and universities use the application information.

90 Seconds with MEFA: College Gifting

Did you know that friends and family members can contribute directly to your college savings account? With more money in the account to invest and earn returns, your savings have the potential to grow faster to help you reach your goals. MEFA's Associate Director of College Planning Jonathan Hughes explains how you can set up gifting for the U.Fund College Investing Plan and the U.Plan Prepaid Tuition Program.

College Admissions with Andrew Carter of College of the Holy Cross

The college search and application process can be overwhelming. This webinar, presented by Andrew N. Carter, the Senior Associate Director of Admissions at College of the Holy Cross, helps 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 letters of recommendation.

Transition to Adulthood with ABLE

ABLE is the perfect tool for youth with disabilities to use to save for current and long-term expenses as they transition out of high school. In this webinar you’ll learn about Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the impact work may have on benefits, Social Security Administration (SSA) Work Incentives, and student benefits counseling.

90 Seconds with MEFA: Why Save for College?

Even if you understand the importance of saving for college, it can be challenging to start the process. And many people fear that if they can't pay for all of college with savings, it's not worth it to try. MEFA's Associate Director of College Planning Jonathan Hughes explains why saving is important, how the cost of college might not be as high as you think, how savings can reduce the need to borrow, and why saving for college sends a message to a child.

90 Seconds with MEFA: What is a 529 Plan?

Any way that you can save for college is a good way, but 529 plans were specifically created to save for college and have tax advantages. MEFA's Associate Director of College Planning Jonathan Hughes explains how to set up a 529 account, how the money is invested, where the funds can be used, and which expenses the funds cover.