MEFA

When MEFA's Shaun Connolly was a senior in high school, his parents said "no" to his first choice college because it was not a financial fit. Looking back now, he realizes what a good decision it was to choose an affordable school. In the latest episode of the MEFA Podcast, Shaun and his mother Donna discuss the emotions involved with making that decision and advice for other parents who may be navigating a similar situation. Listen to the episode at bit.ly/3Q2Z68v

MEFA's Julie Shields-Rutyna recently participated in a panel on Paying for College in the Age of ROI at the Education Finance Council Annual Membership Meeting. Julie was able to share her expertise on the importance of saving for college and how families can utilize their savings to pay the college bill. MEFA was proud to participate in this meeting and to gain insight into regulatory and higher education issues.

School counselors, are you looking for scholarships to share with your students? We’ve rounded up some scholarships with deadlines in April that students can apply for right now. Send these to your students, include them in your newsletters to families, or print them out to have on hand in your office! Get the details at bit.ly/41G4JvO.

In the latest episode of the MEFA Podcast, Donna Connolly, a retired college access counselor, and her son Shaun Connolly discuss their experience of choosing a college when Shaun was in high school, including the difficulty of making the financial decision and the emotions involved. Listen to the episode at bit.ly/3Q2Z68v. What have your conversations with students and families around college affordability been like? Let us know in the comments.

In March and April, as high school seniors begin to receive financial aid offers, one common question arises: "Is this all free money?" The answer depends on the type of aid offered.

Did you miss our recent webinar about MEFA Pathway's Work-Based Learning Tool? You can watch the recording anytime. This webinar explains how to implement MEFA Pathway's work-based learning tool in your school and how it aligns with MyCAP to support student success. MEFA Pathway, MEFA’s free college and career planning website for students in grades 6-12, offers a work-based learning tool that enables high schools to connect students to real-world career experiences. Schools can showcase apprenticeships, internships, career fairs, job shadowing, and more—all in one place. Students participating in opportunities can set goals, track skill development, and receive feedback directly from their worksite supervisors, while educators gain a centralized view of every student’s work-based learning journey. Watch the recording on-demand at bit.ly/46MKkt5 If you have any questions, stop by our Office Hours for K-12 Educators on April 15th from 8:00 to 9:00 AM. Join the Office Hours at bit.ly/3Nscp1A

School counselors, if you work with college-bound high school seniors, they are likely anticipating the college bill. It's helpful for families to know what to expect before it arrives. Here are a few key things families should understand: 📧 The student typically receives the bill communication 📅 The bill will likely arrive in June or July 💰 The bill will include direct costs 🎓 Financial aid will be listed on the bill If families have questions about their college bill, encourage them to contact MEFA.

Will you be attending the Brighter Futures Conference? If so, make sure to stop by MEFA's booth! Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress and National Down Syndrome Society are presenting Brighter Futures: A National Conference on Adults with Down Syndrome and Aging on March 27 and 28 at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. MEFA's Adam Hartwell will be there, along with our partners at Fidelity Investments, to provide information and answer questions about Attainable, the Massachusetts ABLE Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged account that allows individuals with disabilities to save without affecting federal benefits. We look forward to seeing you there. For more information about Attainable, visit mefa.org/able.

School counselors, do you work with students who are applying to college? Encourage them to attend our March 31st webinar where they will hear from a panel of college admissions experts from Brandeis University, Worcester State University, and Texas Christian University as they share their advice on how to launch the college search and admissions process. Students and families can bring all their questions about searching for and applying to college, campus visits, college fairs, standardized tests, and applications. Families can register at bit.ly/40DERR3

School counselors, make sure to register for this discussion on the financial aid process and emerging trends. Jackie Hayes from Assumption University, Ryan Forsythe from Worcester State University, and Jessica Sabourin from Worcester Polytechnic Institute will share insights on institutional timelines, common FAFSA and documentation challenges, strategies for helping families compare financial aid offers, and ways school counselors can effectively work with financial aid offices. There will also be time for audience questions. Can't make the live event? You can still register to have the webinar recording emailed to you once the event ends. This webinar is also eligible for PDPs! Register at bit.ly/47Hp1sn