Stuff About Money: Episode 79: Navigating Student Loans: A Roadmap to Funding College with John Hupalo

In this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, and host of the Stuff About Money podcast, continues his conversation with John Hupalo from My College Corner, exploring the complex world of student loans. Building on their previous discussion about the FAFSA form, they cover the various types of loans available to students, including federal, private, and state-based options. John shares valuable insights on responsible borrowing, the differences between subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and how parents can navigate the financial landscape to support their children's education. 

Join them as they unpack essential questions surrounding student loans, such as what to consider when comparing offers, the impact of cosigners, and effective repayment strategies. This episode aims to empower parents and students with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about financing college, ensuring a brighter financial future for everyone involved.

Episode Highlights:

• Erik discusses the common struggle parents face between saving for retirement and funding their children’s education. (03:12)
• John explains the importance of prioritizing retirement savings over college funding and the emotional aspect of this decision. (04:12)
• John explains the differences between subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans and the responsibilities they entail for borrowers. (10:25)
• John discusses tuition payment plans as a valuable tool to reduce student borrowing through incremental payments. (19:05)
• John shares the advantages of private credit loans for parents, including fixed rates and co-signer release options. (30:32)
• Erik emphasizes the importance of having early, realistic conversations with children about college affordability to manage expectations. (39:00)
• John shares insights on exploring non-traditional options, such as lesser-known colleges with strong programs, as alternatives to expensive brand-name schools. (41:07)
• Erik discusses the need to separate emotions from financial decisions to ensure sound choices for long-term stability. (44:23)

Key Quotes:

• “Every single student who goes to college, no matter what parents make or have, is eligible for a federal student loan.” - John Hupalo
• “This is the time in life to be realistic, not optimistic and not pessimistic about what it is, right? You know how much you saved or didn’t save, and that’s not a value judgment.” - John Hupalo

Resources Mentioned:

• John Hupalo
• My College Corner
• Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA
• Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC
• Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors