We all know that college is a significant expense for students and their families. But there are so many action steps that students can take, starting as early as middle school, to help them reduce their postsecondary costs and make the best financial decision for themselves and their family. Within this MassEdCO Fall Forum, recorded in December 2022, an expert panel walk through the college planning process from middle school through college graduation and touch on the critical decision points for students and how to navigate them wisely. Panelists discuss using career aspirations to help inform college selection, which data is truly important in the college search, key programs that lower college costs, navigating college spending and budgeting, loans, and so much more. Panelists include Mark Bilotta, CEO of MassEdCO, Apelila Joseph, MEFA Pathway Program Manager, Ebony Marsala, Director of Financial Aid at Boston College, Tim Poynton, Associate Professor at UMass Boston, and Bill Smith, Assistant Vice President of Student Financial Assistance at Stonehill College. 

Download MassEdCO Fall Forum Additional Resources.