Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College

Brock Jolly
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education
  • Updated Semimonthly

Welcome to The Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College! The podcast that proves sending your kids to college doesn’t have to feel like buying a small island. Hosted by Brock Jolly, Certified Financial Planner, and Founder of The College Funding Coach ® , this show is for parents who want to give their kids a great education without breaking the bank in the process. Let’s face it: college is expensive, the process is confusing, and most families are stuck asking, “How do we make it all work?” We all want to give our children a brighter future, and for many, college is a part of that. If you’re like many families, you may be torn between saving for college or retirement. It doesn’t have to be that way. Each episode, Brock and a lineup of financial experts, counselors and trusted advisors sit down to tackle the tough questions and share proven strategies – from saving smarter and maximizing aid to scholarships, tax-savvy planning and ways to capture free money for college!

Episodes

  1. Aug 20

    The Sticker Price Myth (Ep. 5)

    Wondering how to pay for college without sacrificing your retirement? Before you rule out a private or out-of-state school because of the sticker price, you may be overlooking financial aid opportunities that could make your child’s dream college more affordable than you think. In this episode, Brock Jolly, CFP®, explains why families shouldn’t assume an in-state public university is always the most affordable option. He breaks down how need-based financial aid, merit scholarships, the Student Aid Index (SAI), Net Price Calculators, and financial aid appeals can affect what your family actually pays for college. Through real-world examples, including a family that saved approximately $168,000 after successfully appealing a financial aid offer, Brock shares practical strategies to help families make more informed college funding decisions. You’ll learn about: Why the sticker price isn’t always what you’ll actually pay for college, and how private colleges can sometimes cost less than in-state public universities. How need-based financial aid, merit scholarships, and the Student Aid Index (SAI) influence college affordability and why eligibility can vary from one school to another. Why Net Price Calculators aren’t always accurate, what to do if your financial aid offer falls short, and when it makes sense to appeal a college financial aid package. What colleges look for when awarding merit scholarships, and how understanding the financial aid process can help families compare college offers with greater confidence. And more! Resources: TuitionFit Common Data Set Connect with Brock Jolly: 703-424-2401 Toll-Free: 800-969-2362 Veritas Financial The College Funding Coach LinkedIn: Brock Jolly

  2. Jul 15

    Paying for College While Protecting Retirement (Ep. 4)

    College costs continue to rise, leaving many families wondering how to prepare without putting their future at risk. How do you balance paying for college, preparing for retirement, understanding scholarships, and making informed decisions when so much can change over time? In this episode, Brock Jolly, CFP®, explores the realities of college planning and the financial decisions families face long before tuition bills arrive. He explains the difference between sticker price and actual cost, breaks down scholarship misconceptions, discusses the role of need-based and merit aid, and shares why flexibility matters when saving for education.  The conversation also highlights inflation’s impact on college costs, common planning mistakes, and ways families can evaluate college affordability while protecting retirement goals. Key takeaways: Why college sticker prices often differ significantly from what families ultimately pay How scholarship expectations can create planning gaps when costs continue rising What parents should consider before committing large amounts to 529 plans Why inflation remains a major factor when estimating future college expenses How balancing retirement and college funding requires evaluating tradeoffs early And more! Connect with Brock Jolly: 703-424-2401 Toll-Free: 800-969-2362 Veritas Financial The College Funding Coach LinkedIn: Brock Jolly

  3. Jul 8

    Paying for College Without Sacrificing Your Future (Ep. 3)

    Paying for college has become one of the biggest financial stress points for families, and most parents feel like they are trying to solve it alone. This episode sets the stage for a smarter, more human approach to college planning, one that does not force families to choose between their kids’ education and their own future. In this episode, Brock Jolly, CFP®, talks about why college funding has become so confusing, why many traditional planning conversations fall short, and how families can approach the process with more clarity and confidence. You’ll learn about: Why college planning sits at the intersection of emotion, urgency, and complexity How college costs have outpaced nearly every other expense in the economy Why focusing only on in-state options may limit better-fit opportunities How thoughtful planning can support both college and retirement goals at the same time Who this podcast is for, and how it is designed to support parents, advisors, counselors, and students And more! Resources: Visit the College Funding Coach Connect with Brock Jolly: Veritas Financial The College Funding Coach LinkedIn: Brock Jolly

  4. Mar 24

    The High Cost of Waiting — Why Starting Early Matters More Than You Think (Ep. 2)

    College planning often feels like something you can deal with later, until later arrives faster than expected. In this episode Brock Jolly, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC, CASL®, CFBS®, RICP®, talks about why early college planning creates flexibility, reduces stress, and gives families more control over how they pay for college, without sacrificing retirement. You’ll learn about: Why saving early is about options, not perfection Waiting to plan limits flexibility and increases pressure The power of compounding small monthly habits over time Why college planning should be treated as a process, not a last-minute event How early conversations can improve family decision-making and reduce stress And more! Resources: College Funding Coach Connect with Brock Jolly: Veritas Financial The College Funding Coach LinkedIn: Brock Jolly

  5. Mar 24

    College Planning Is About More Than Paying Tuition (Ep. 1)

    Most families approach college planning with assumptions that quietly cost them options. In this episode, Brock Jolly breaks down the biggest myths families believe about paying for college, the first question every family must answer before choosing a strategy, and common planning mistakes that can create unnecessary financial pressure later. In this episode, Brock Jolly, CFP®, talks about how education, financial literacy, and intentional planning intersect, and how families can make smarter college decisions without putting retirement at risk. You’ll learn about: Who really qualifies for financial aid and who doesn’t Why scholarships rarely cover what families expect The first planning question that determines which strategies actually apply How overfunding a 529 plan can create avoidable tax and penalty issues Why it is rarely “too late” to improve a college funding plan How college and retirement planning should work together And more! Resources: Visit College Funding Coach for workshops and webinars Connect with Brock Jolly: Veritas Financial The College Funding Coach LinkedIn: Brock Jolly

  6. 09/26/2025

    Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College

    Welcome to The Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College! The podcast that proves sending your kids to college doesn’t have to feel like buying a small island. Hosted by Brock Jolly, Certified Financial Planner, and Founder of The College Funding Coach ® , this show is for parents who want to give their kids a great education without breaking the bank in the process. Let’s face it: college is expensive, the process is confusing, and most families are stuck asking, “How do we make it all work?” We all want to give our children a brighter future, and for many, college is a part of that. If you’re like many families, you may be torn between saving for college or retirement. It doesn’t have to be that way. Each episode, Brock and a lineup of financial experts, counselors and trusted advisors sit down to tackle the tough questions and share proven strategies – from saving smarter and maximizing aid to scholarships, tax-savvy planning and ways to capture free money for college! Whether you’re mapping it all out in kindergarten or knee-deep in FAFSA forms for your high school senior, you’re in the right place. Each episode, you’ll walk away with clear guidance, smart tools, and the occasional dad joke – all designed to help you fund your child’s future without wrecking your own. Tune in now and visit thecollegefundingcoach.org/podcast for workshops, resources, and our newsletter packed with tips you didn’t even know you needed! Want personal guidance? Schedule a consultation with a College Funding Coach advisor to get answers tailored to your family’s unique situation. Join the Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College Listener Group on Facebook, an exclusive community where you can dive deeper into strategies, ask questions, and connect with fellow parents navigating the college funding journey. Because the best secrets are shared with Friends!

  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College! The podcast that proves sending your kids to college doesn’t have to feel like buying a small island. Hosted by Brock Jolly, Certified Financial Planner, and Founder of The College Funding Coach ® , this show is for parents who want to give their kids a great education without breaking the bank in the process. Let’s face it: college is expensive, the process is confusing, and most families are stuck asking, “How do we make it all work?” We all want to give our children a brighter future, and for many, college is a part of that. If you’re like many families, you may be torn between saving for college or retirement. It doesn’t have to be that way. Each episode, Brock and a lineup of financial experts, counselors and trusted advisors sit down to tackle the tough questions and share proven strategies – from saving smarter and maximizing aid to scholarships, tax-savvy planning and ways to capture free money for college!

Information

You Might Also Like