Don't Believe The Hype: College Financial Planning with Jason Slone, PhD, CCFC®

From Ivy League myths to the hidden mechanics behind college rankings, this episode is a masterclass in what families actually need to know before making one of their biggest financial decisions. Barbara sits down with Jason Slone, PhD, CCFC®, Wealth Advisor and Head of College Planning at Etch Financial, and author of the Amazon number-one book Too Rich For Aid, Too Poor To Pay. Jason breaks down the four financial fit categories, the real cost of prestige, and the tools families can use to shop smart for college without derailing their retirement.

What’s in This Episode:

• Why today's parents are caught off guard by rising college costs
• The selection bias behind Ivy League success and why prestige may not be worth the price
• The biggest mistakes families make, including skipping a budget and assuming they won't qualify for aid
• How Jason used a real-money exercise with his own son to choose a debt-free path
• Why Jason calls a college degree a commodity and what rankings aren't telling families
• How universities manipulate selectivity rankings using test-optional admissions policies
• The Chivas Regal effect and why colleges raise prices on purpose to signal prestige
• The four financial fit categories and how to match your family's profile to the right school
• How College Aid Pro helps families estimate true net cost across thousands of schools for free