Smart College Buyer

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By: Innovative Advisory Group

Latest from Smart College Buyer - Page 2

College scholarships often get treated like a lottery — something students try once during senior year and hope for the best. But the reality is very different. In this episode, I talk with scholarship expert Carlynn Greene about how students can approach scholarships strategically, starting earlier and applying smarter. Her experience winning more than $125,000 in scholarships shows that persistence, positioning,…

Big promises grab attention — especially when it comes to college costs. In this episode, I break down the eye-catching claims about dramatically lowering your Student Aid Index (SAI) and explain what’s actually possible. From legal and tax maneuvers to aggressive investment strategies, we look at what’s real, what’s outdated, and what only applies to a very small group of…

College planning isn’t just about applications and tuition — it’s also about identity, independence, and how families change when kids grow up. In this episode, I sit down with Manhattan-based therapist Jake Hart to talk through what really shows up for students and parents during this season. We look at how expectations, emotions, and money conversations collide when college decisions…

Paying for college has never been more confusing—or more expensive. In this special live episode of the Smart College Buyer podcast, recorded at FinCon 2025 in Portland, Jack Wang and Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor, unpack the real drivers behind rising college costs and new student loan limits. 
Room and board, resort-style amenities, chef-designed cafeteria meals, and campus…

Paying for college starts long before tuition bills arrive—and it requires more than just financial aid forms. In this live episode of the Smart College Buyer podcast, recorded at FinCon 25 in Portland, Oregon, we dive into college budgeting, zero-based budgeting, student loan payments, and intentional spending to help families prepare for rising college costs with confidence. 
(00:03:47) Zero-Based Budgeting…

For divorced parents of college-bound students…I’ve been there, done that, the participation medal is on my wall. Financial aid eligibility is NOT based on your divorce agreement, which parent claims the child on taxes, or who makes more money. BOTH divorced parents must submit financial info—even if you haven’t spoken in years. 
Today’s episode answers the top questions divorced parents…

The scariest thing about college isn’t the application—it’s the bill. But what if you could face tuition with clarity—and maybe even confidence?  
Paying for college is more complex than ever—with tuition rising and new legislation changing the landscape for student loans and financial planning. 
The earlier—and the more holistically—you strategize, the better set up your student (and your family’s financial…

So, grandma and grandpa want to help pay for college? Congratulations!  
First, we need some clarity on what exactly they mean. Are they going to start funding a 529 early, are they planning on writing a fat check to cover tuition each semester, or are they planning on covering the student loan payments?  
Each option comes with its own student…

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…