Why Should You Be Concerned About Paying for College

Why Should You Be Concerned About Paying for College

Author: Chuck Moore, CCFC, Al Hoffman, CCA and Gary Carpenter, CPA, CCA September 1, 2025 Duration: 6:37

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably already noticed that tuition and fees don’t look anything like they did when you were in school. And if you’re a student, you may already be concerned about how you’ll pay for your education.

The truth is, college costs are going up, and they’re going up faster than most people’s income. However, the good news is that if you understand what’s driving these costs and plan ahead, you can prepare to pay a reasonable amount and avoid being caught off guard.


Navigating the financial aid process for college can feel like deciphering a complex code, especially with significant updates on the horizon. The Prepare For College, LLC podcast, hosted by experts Chuck Moore, Al Hoffman, and Gary Carpenter, breaks down that code into understandable terms. Their combined expertise as Certified College Financial Consultants and a Certified Public Accountant focuses squarely on the practicalities of funding higher education. Each episode delves into the major changes coming to the 2026-2027 FAFSA, explaining not just the "what" but the "so what" for families. Beyond the forms, conversations explore broader strategies for selecting the right school and managing the entire spectrum of college expenses without crippling debt. This isn't theoretical advice; it's actionable guidance from professionals who deal with these numbers and policies daily. Tuning in provides clarity and a sense of control during a typically stressful planning phase. Whether you're a parent starting to save or a student finalizing applications, this podcast serves as a reliable resource for making informed, confident decisions about one of life's biggest investments.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 77

Prepare For College, LLC
Podcast Episodes
Scholarship Letters of Recommendation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:44
These scholarship letters of recommendations don’t just support your student; they sell your student to a committee who hopes their investment pays off. And the right letter can be the difference of being put into the “m…
"Annuities & Financial Aid, What Parents Must Know” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:57
Today we will talk about the complexity of some of the FAFSA rules when it comes to qualified and non-qualified retirement plans and completing the FAFSA. We are going to try to simplify the rules, calm the confusion, an…
Odd, Niche, Fun, And Little Know College Scholarships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:36
When most students think of scholarships, they imagine high GPAs, varsity athletes, or major academic prizes.But there’s a vast and often overlooked category of odd, niche, fun, “weird” scholarships that reward unique tr…
Nontraditional Education After High School [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:07
Today we’re digging into a big question family’s need to know: “Should My Student Consider A Non-traditional Educational Pathway Instead of Attending A Four Year Traditional College?”Are universities still teaching stude…
Do Merit Awards Affect My Financial Aid? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:42
If you receive an outside scholarship, the college will review the scholarship and may apply a process known as scholarship displacement. Basically, the school reduces something in your aid package to make room for that…
6 Different Assets That Can Affect Financial Aid Eligibility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:57
Today we’re digging into a big question families always ask: Do my savings and assets hurt my child’s chances of getting financial aid?" Some assets do count; others don’t. And here’s a surprise, parent assets usually co…
Are There Tax Implications If I Give A 529 plan To Someone Else? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:35
Today, we’re answering a question a lot of parents and grandparents have: What happens if you change the beneficiary of a 529 plan to someone outside the family? Are there any tax implications, and if so, who actually pa…