We closed 2023 with many positive events and changes in the higher education industry. We experienced a slight increase in enrollment, a new view of the need for a Gap Year, the introduction of a new Better FAFSA, and a state, Massachusetts, taking the lead to shine an intense light on our state’s need for tuition equity and affordability programs. Here is a look at the new year and some of the many things students, parents, employer-employees should have on their radar. Added to already robust affordable education pathways, this month, Massachusetts became one of a few states to offer in-stat ..read more

The first semester of the new college school year is in the books. Finals are over, grades will be posted, and for many students they will learn how their transition to college life is progressing. It’s time for the Christmas break! Christmas is a beautiful time. It is a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate the holiday spirit. For new first-year college students, the break is a vital time to relax, refuel, and re-energize. For many, this first significant break is a time to question their college path and whether they will be successful. For parents, the Christmas break is their ..read more

Need help with how to finance your education after high school? Check out the many different options available to residents of Massachusetts.    4-Year Public Institution – apply to and receive an acceptance to attend any of the 4 UMASS Universities or 16 State Universities and pay in-state tuition, fees, and housing. Mass Transfer Program – begin and complete an associate’s degree at any of the 15 Community Colleges and be eligible for reduced tuition and fees when transferring to obtain your four-year degree at one of the state’s 20 public colleges and universities. Community ..read more

Need help with how to finance your education after high school? Check out the many different options available to residents of Massachusetts.  can make it work. 4-Year Public Institution – apply to and receive an acceptance to attend any of the 4 UMASS Universities or 16 State Universities and pay in-state tuition, fees, and housing. Mass Transfer Program – begin and complete an associate’s degree at any of the 15 Community Colleges and be eligible for reduced tuition and fees when transferring to obtain your four-year degree at one of the state’s 20 public colleges and universities. Comm ..read more

Originally published 2021 – Revised 2023 What Lies Ahead After High School? Many high school students, parents, and young adults ponder this question. What direction should I take? Follow everyone or go on a different path? Finding the right one can be the key to future financial and personal success. Thankfully, there are many choices. Attending College right out of high school has historically been the path everyone has been encouraged to follow. The Higher Education Act of 1965 was a catalyst in moving a country to adopt the mindset. The expansion of student financial aid programming, the ..read more

We can all agree the pathway to education after high school can be expensive. One of the most significant financial investments an individual and family will make in their lifetime. Right behind purchasing our first home, saving for retirement, and raising a family. I know; I am the parent of four. The number #1 question I am asked is, can a student or family finance this critical life-changing event? The answer is all about individualized, realistic goals and planning. Best for your student and family now and in the future. It is about expectations based on your student’s authentic academic a ..read more

The Fall is a beautiful time to be in our beautiful state and New England. Just a stone’s throw in five directions, you can be in another State/region to enjoy different types of food, entertainment, activities, and the local settings. You can even track a few more miles and find yourself in New York and Canada. Ah, but this is not a travel piece. We’ll leave that to the travel experts and folks at AAA Northeast. This Fall is a critical time for high school and college-age students and their families as the focus turns to what’s happening in and out of school. Academics, extracurricular activi ..read more

College to career planning begins before the drop of leaves and the shift in the winds. Summer closes, and the seriousness of the Fall returns to households and all who support the education-seeking student. This year, by all indications, will be another fun and exciting experience. To help, I’m flying above the crowd to identify what’s on the radar. Forty-six million borrowers will return to making their monthly loan payments as the freeze on Federal Student Loan payments ends. Borrowers should assess their financial budgets and eligibility for repayment relief or forgiveness. A new group of ..read more

Choosing an education pathway can be a maze of twists and turns that can baffle even the best of individuals. With the recent announcement of the Mass Reconnect Program a new way to make education affordable, lets look at the many ways to find an affordable education pathway after high school here in the Commonwealth.. Attend a four-year in-state public university – choose from one of thirteen state universities or the four University of Massachusetts campuses. Enroll and pay the in-state costs, including tuition and fees, housing, meals, and individual campus fees. Attending a private college ..read more

Choosing an education pathway can be a maze of twists and turns that can baffle even the best of individuals. With the recent announcement of a new way to make education affordable, I thought it was time to recap what’s happening in Massachusetts. Here are the many ways to find an affordable education pathway after high school. Attend a four-year in-state public university – choose from one of thirteen state universities or the four University of Massachusetts campuses. Enroll and pay the in-state costs, including tuition and fees, housing, meals, and individual campus fees. Attending a privat ..read more