Podcast
Office Hours
Hosted by Scholarships360 · EN
Scholarships360’s Office Hours podcast explores the trends shaping higher education while breaking down what they mean for students and families today. Host Will Geiger sits down with leaders across the field, including VPs of Enrollment, EdTech founders, and Directors of College Counseling, to unpack the ideas, challenges, and innovations driving the future of higher ed and turn them into actionable advice for students and parents navigating the process of admissions and financial aid.
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Managing the Cost of College with Jeff Mavros
Jan 2700:38:47Tap to summarizeAbout this episodeOn this week's episode, Jeff Mavros, the Director of Admissions at Illinois State University, discusses what parents and students get tripped up on when it comes to college shopping. He suggests reframing affordability as managing the cost of college via smart planning, budgeting, and understanding how much each family can feel comfortable paying and borrowing.He also explains the importance of filling out the FAFSA early, and how state grants like Illinois' MAP Grant can make college affordable for low-income families. He dives into some hidden costs of college, such as transportation, textbooks, and housing, and gives strategies to be a frugal college student, such as student discounts.Jeff also describes different paths to a degree, such as two-year, four-year, and transfer pathways. He encourages students to consider long and short-term outcomes when deciding on a college, rather than only looking at the up-front price.
Transcribe →Redefining College Value with Bill DeBaun
Jan 2000:35:39Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Bill DeBaun, the Senior Director of Data and Strategic Initiatives at NCAN, pushes for new ways to define college value. He describes flaws in the current college rankings systems and encourages students to look beyond prestige to find their ideal fit. He also promotes alternative pathways to higher education, stressing the importance of a post-secondary education, whether it's a four-year degree, two-year degree, or certificate.He also discusses the “enrollment cliff” and how it could shift college recruitment, financial aid leverage, and transfer pathways, especially from community colleges and returning adult learners. He ends the episode with some practical next steps for students and families.
Transcribe →Using AI to Level the Playing Field with Wendy Lin-Cook
Jan 1300:30:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Wendy Lin-Cook gives students and families an encouraging approach to the admissions process: dream big, explore options widely, and don’t limit yourself based on assumptions about cost. She offers some advice on how to look beyond sticker price to get a better picture of the cost of an institution. She also makes the case that applicants should focus on academic and personal fit before worrying about cost.Wendy also discusses how artificial intelligence is changing the college admissions and financial aid experience in ways that directly benefit students and families. She explains how AI tools can help answer questions 24/7, support families in multiple languages, and guide students through complex processes like the FAFSA. She gives some insider insights on how AI is reshaping admissions essays, and what readers look for in an essay in the AI era. She makes the case that AI can help level the playing field, especially for first-generation and underrepresented students.
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