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Listen "College Planning, Financial Aid Myths & Admission Strategies: Reverse Interview for the Financial Planning Association of New England | EP 19"
Episode Synopsis
Facing the looming cost of college? You’re not alone—countless families struggle to crack the code on paying for higher education without jeopardizing their financial future.
In this special episode, you get to hear me (your host, Jack Wang) being interviewed by Kathleen Keneally and Michael Connaughton on the Wicked Pissah Podcast to share actionable strategies and bust common myths about college funding for the Financial Planning Association of New England.
Real Talk on College Costs, Financial Aid & Admissions Tips
During this episode, I was speaking to my fellow financial advisors in an effort to help them navigate this complicated life stage their clients may be facing. However, much of the information shared, is also VERY helpful to families and parents with kids approaching college.
Here are a few key takeaways families and advisors can use to navigate this complex process:
The College Financial "Game" Is Winnable, If You're Willing To Change Your Mindset
Many parents approach college planning with outdated strategies—timelines haven’t changed much since they were students. Rethinking the process early, including financial planning before applications go out, makes a huge difference!
Emotion Drives Almost Every Decision (But the Math Still Matters)
Planning isn’t just about crunching numbers—95% of the work is managing expectations, navigating emotions, and aligning family values. Parents need to get on the same page and have candid conversations before involving their college-bound kids.
Flexibility Beats Rigidity in Saving and Paying for College
Maximizing options—like balancing 529 plans for college with flexible accounts supporting retirement—helps families avoid tough tradeoffs. Creativity (think hiring your kids in your business or using smart tax strategies!) can unlock significant funding opportunities.
Whether you’re a parent, financial advisor, or student, the best results come from approaching college funding intentionally—not leaving anything to luck.
Maximizing College Financial Aid & Admissions – Expert’s Perspective
(00:08:14) Rethinking College Admissions Strategy
(00:10:01) Financial Aid Misconceptions
(00:14:52) Ivy League Pressure and Reality
(00:18:06) College Costs Misconceptions Explained
(00:23:47) College Savings vs. Retirement Priority
(00:32:57) Parent Approaches to College Funding
(00:39:15) High School Financial Aid Planning
(00:42:41) Tax-Smart College Funding Strategies
(00:48:29) Financial Aid vs Tax Codes
Financial Aid, College Admissions, & Parent Strategies
Thinking about college for your kids? In this episode, we broke down what families really need to know about paying for college today—and why following outdated advice can lead to costly mistakes. We covered common misconceptions, how financial aid actually works, and creative strategies to find scholarships and manage costs. Don’t wait until senior year—smart planning starts early, aligns with your family’s goals, and puts you in a position to win the college game without drowning in debt.
"The very first mention of anything financially related is fall senior year when you got to fill out the FAFSA soon, right? Whereas parents really need to think about that a lot earlier in the process because it has an impact on aid." - Jack Wang (00:09:12)
Got a high schooler in your house? Forward this to your partner or a friend who’s facing the college money crunch! And if your financial planner needs a primer on college planning, send them my way way—I'm always happy to collaborate and educate!
Follow the Wicked Pissah Podcast & hosts:
Kathleen Kenealy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenkenealy/
Michael Connaughton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-p-connaughton-cfp%C2%AE-clu%C2%AE-chfc%C2%AE-5601535/
The full Wicked Pissah Podcast episode can be found here: Wicked Pissah Podcast: #255 - Navigating Egos and Emotions During the College Planning Process – With Jack Wang
Connect with your host, Jack Wang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejackwang/
*be sure to send a connection request with a message saying Hello!
Navigate college funding with me at www.smartcollegebuyer.com
The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Nothing in this podcast is a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any financial product or service. Every family’s financial situation is unique, so always consult with your own financial or tax professional before making any decisions. While we do our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we can’t guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Your mileage may vary. No warranties, express or implied. Batteries still not included.
In this special episode, you get to hear me (your host, Jack Wang) being interviewed by Kathleen Keneally and Michael Connaughton on the Wicked Pissah Podcast to share actionable strategies and bust common myths about college funding for the Financial Planning Association of New England.
Real Talk on College Costs, Financial Aid & Admissions Tips
During this episode, I was speaking to my fellow financial advisors in an effort to help them navigate this complicated life stage their clients may be facing. However, much of the information shared, is also VERY helpful to families and parents with kids approaching college.
Here are a few key takeaways families and advisors can use to navigate this complex process:
The College Financial "Game" Is Winnable, If You're Willing To Change Your Mindset
Many parents approach college planning with outdated strategies—timelines haven’t changed much since they were students. Rethinking the process early, including financial planning before applications go out, makes a huge difference!
Emotion Drives Almost Every Decision (But the Math Still Matters)
Planning isn’t just about crunching numbers—95% of the work is managing expectations, navigating emotions, and aligning family values. Parents need to get on the same page and have candid conversations before involving their college-bound kids.
Flexibility Beats Rigidity in Saving and Paying for College
Maximizing options—like balancing 529 plans for college with flexible accounts supporting retirement—helps families avoid tough tradeoffs. Creativity (think hiring your kids in your business or using smart tax strategies!) can unlock significant funding opportunities.
Whether you’re a parent, financial advisor, or student, the best results come from approaching college funding intentionally—not leaving anything to luck.
Maximizing College Financial Aid & Admissions – Expert’s Perspective
(00:08:14) Rethinking College Admissions Strategy
(00:10:01) Financial Aid Misconceptions
(00:14:52) Ivy League Pressure and Reality
(00:18:06) College Costs Misconceptions Explained
(00:23:47) College Savings vs. Retirement Priority
(00:32:57) Parent Approaches to College Funding
(00:39:15) High School Financial Aid Planning
(00:42:41) Tax-Smart College Funding Strategies
(00:48:29) Financial Aid vs Tax Codes
Financial Aid, College Admissions, & Parent Strategies
Thinking about college for your kids? In this episode, we broke down what families really need to know about paying for college today—and why following outdated advice can lead to costly mistakes. We covered common misconceptions, how financial aid actually works, and creative strategies to find scholarships and manage costs. Don’t wait until senior year—smart planning starts early, aligns with your family’s goals, and puts you in a position to win the college game without drowning in debt.
"The very first mention of anything financially related is fall senior year when you got to fill out the FAFSA soon, right? Whereas parents really need to think about that a lot earlier in the process because it has an impact on aid." - Jack Wang (00:09:12)
Got a high schooler in your house? Forward this to your partner or a friend who’s facing the college money crunch! And if your financial planner needs a primer on college planning, send them my way way—I'm always happy to collaborate and educate!
Follow the Wicked Pissah Podcast & hosts:
Kathleen Kenealy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenkenealy/
Michael Connaughton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-p-connaughton-cfp%C2%AE-clu%C2%AE-chfc%C2%AE-5601535/
The full Wicked Pissah Podcast episode can be found here: Wicked Pissah Podcast: #255 - Navigating Egos and Emotions During the College Planning Process – With Jack Wang
Connect with your host, Jack Wang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejackwang/
*be sure to send a connection request with a message saying Hello!
Navigate college funding with me at www.smartcollegebuyer.com
The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Nothing in this podcast is a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any financial product or service. Every family’s financial situation is unique, so always consult with your own financial or tax professional before making any decisions. While we do our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we can’t guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Your mileage may vary. No warranties, express or implied. Batteries still not included.
In God we trust