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Financial Aid
College Admissions
FAFSA
College Planning
Department Of Education
Student Loans
CSS Profile
Scholarships
Federal Student Loans
College Affordability
College
Liberal Arts Colleges
Merit Scholarships
College Aid Pro
Early Decision
Student Aid Index
Financial Aid Appeals
Parenting
Pell Grants
College Costs

Let’s give the college planning game an Ol’ College Try—together. New episodes every Thursday at 12PM ET. Ol’ College Try is your go-to podcast for students, families, and educators ready to tackle the college planning process with confidence. Hosted by Matt Carpenter, Co-Founder of College Aid Pro, and Peg Keough, Director of Education, each episode breaks down the ins and outs of financial aid, ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes67Foundeda year ago
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Education

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Artwork for Ol' College Try

Latest Episodes

Are you planning college visits but not sure where to start? In this episode, host Peg Keough sits down with CAP financial aid expert Jonathan West to break down everything families need to know about college visits — from sophomore year exploratory ... more

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What if the biggest mistake families make in the college process happens before they even apply?

In this episode, Matt sits down with College Aid Pro expert and former USC Director of Financial Aid, JP Schmidt, for an inside look at how colleges rea... more

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In this episode of The Ol' College Try Podcast, host Peg Keough sits down with admissions expert Jenna Schebell to pull back the curtain on what really happens after students submit their college applications.

Before diving into the admissions conve... more

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Making your final college decision? You’ve got a number—but do you actually have a plan to pay it?

In this episode, Matt and Peg tackle your biggest end-of-month Q&A just days before the May 1 deadline. From 529 strategies to student loans and finan... more

YouTube

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Admissions Beat
Admissions BeatLee Coffin • Vice President and Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid at Dartmouth College

Recent Guests

JP Schmidt
Financial aid and admissions expert; former Director of Financial Aid at University of Southern California
University of Southern California
Episode: College Admissions Is a Chess Match: How Families Can Stop Playing Checkers
Jenna Schebell
Seasoned admissions expert who has held admissions office and leadership positions in college admissions and college counseling; founder of College Navigators
College Navigators / College Navigator
Episode: Inside College Admissions: How Schools Really Decide Who Gets Accepted
Dr. Jason Slone
Book author, former dean, and professor
Georgia Southern University / College Aid Pro
Episode: Too Rich for Aid, Too Poor to Pay: Inside College Costs with Dr. Jason Slone
Mike Hunsberger
Subject matter expert on federal government student loans; military veteran
College Aid Pro
Episode: The End of Student Loan “Blank Checks”: What Families Need to Know Now
Mark Hernandez
Stanford graduate, veteran high school teacher, and college essay consultant
Episode: A Stanford Grad’s Advice on Elite Colleges, Admissions & College Fit
Jocelyn Pearson
Owner and founder of The Scholarship System
The Scholarship System
Episode: Private Scholarships Demystified: How to Find Them, Win Them, and Avoid Costly Mistakes
Lisa Burfine
Director of School Counseling for the Cranford Public Schools
Cranford Public Schools
Episode: High School Counselor Insights: What Makes a College Application Stand Out
Mike Hinderman
Director of Scholarships at the University of Oklahoma and CAP financial expert.
University of Oklahoma
Episode: Merit Scholarship Appeals: What Works, What Doesn’t, and When to Ask
Emma Claire Carpenter
Daughter of Matt Carpenter
Episode: Holiday Q&A: Financial Aid Appeals and FAFSA Myths with a Special Guest

Hosts

Matt Carpenter
Co-Founder of College Aid Pro; Host of Ol' College Try
Peg Keough
Director of Education; Co-host of Ol' College Try

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 25 ratings
  • False information

    Hosts say people should consider their rental properties as businesses instead of investments, which is contrary to written government guidance. Hosts say they ignore the government guidance. They are having people falsely fill out the FAFSA to qualify for more financial aid.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    water4days
    United States5 months ago
  • Great content, hope you expand

    Thanks so much College Aid Pro for finally moving into the podcast space. I’m at a point in my life where I cannot sit down and watch webinars in the evenings, but I’ve appreciated these weekly updates I can listen to on the go. I appreciate your up to date information and breaking down the latest news. I hope that in the future, you will begin to cover some of your webinar topics in these podcasts. You have a wealth of knowledge, and I appreciate you sharing it with us in this format. My only c... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    TripletsLaunch2027
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A critical listener highlighted concerns about potential misinformation and factual accuracy.
One listener appreciated the podcast expanding beyond webinars, with a note to tone down expletives.
Great to hear weekly updates and breaking down latest news; very helpful for up-to-date planning.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

College Payment Plan Explained: Loans, 529s & What to Do Before Decision Day
Q: Is it better to drain a 529 account before a UTMA account with capital gains?
The decision depends on the tax implications of liquidating UTMA gains versus using 529 funds for qualified expenses. UTMA gains are taxed to the student, and timing can be critical to minimize taxes, especially with large unrealized gains before senior year. A strategic approach often involves coordinating withdrawals across accounts to optimize tax outcomes and financial aid eligibility.
Too Rich for Aid, Too Poor to Pay: Inside College Costs with Dr. Jason Slone
Q: What sparked your pivot into college financial aid planning?
Seeing his own family's costs for college while his son was considering options convinced him to dive into financial aid planning to help others navigate affordability and reduce debt.
Student Loans, Myths & Middle-Class Reality: What Families Need to Know Right Now
Q: Should we borrow with a federal Parent PLUS loan or private student loan?
The hosts advocate starting with federal Direct Loans for the student and considering Parent PLUS only if needed; private loans can be an option, but they typically have different terms and may require a co-signer with potential release options. Shop around and compare rates and terms before deciding.
A Stanford Grad’s Advice on Elite Colleges, Admissions & College Fit
Q: What is the Stanford culture like, and what kind of student thrives there?
The culture mixes a relaxed, façade of not working hard with a deep, persistent work ethic. Students who thrive tend to be curious, willing to try new things, and engaged with a diverse community while embracing hard work behind the scenes.
A Stanford Grad’s Advice on Elite Colleges, Admissions & College Fit
Q: How did you end up applying to Stanford and deciding to attend despite financial concerns?
A combination of a timely college counselor push, weighing financial aid against other full-ride offers, and a family commitment to education led him to apply and ultimately choose Stanford. Once there, he pivoted to manage costs through strategic course planning and a focus on graduating sooner.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ol' College Try

What is Ol' College Try about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosts guide families, students, and educators through the college funding maze with practical advice on financial aid, loans, scholarships, and planning. Episodes mix how-tos, Q&A, and timely updates on federal rules, aid formulas, and private funding options, often illustrated with real-family anecdotes. The show stands out for translating complex financial aid topics into actionable steps, featuring diverse guests from education, scholarships, and admissions, and maintaining a candid, personable tone that many listeners appreciate for staying up-to-date without the overwhelm.

Compared with peers, this program tends to emphasize proactive planning, transparent budgeting, and negotiation with financial aid offices, making it helpful fo... more

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Ol' College Try launched a year ago and published 67 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Ol' College Try?

Recent guests on Ol' College Try include:

1. JP Schmidt
2. Jenna Schebell
3. Dr. Jason Slone
4. Mike Hunsberger
5. Mark Hernandez
6. Jocelyn Pearson
7. Lisa Burfine
8. Mike Hinderman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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