College gets expensive fast, and most families are forced to make big decisions with only half the story. We sit down with Rudy Kuntz, a financial aid counselor at Baldwin Wallace University, to talk through what the financial aid process actually looks like from the inside and why it’s rarely just “here’s your number, good luck.”

We dig into Rudy’s path from Cleveland to BW, how commuting can help students save money, and what it’s like to work in an office that has to balance real human conversations with strict federal and state regulations. We also talk about the parts students don’t see: processing, adjusting offer letters, answering “we need more money” questions, and helping families understand what they can realistically pay. If you’re comparing colleges, trying to decode an award letter, or just want a clearer view of college affordability, this one is for you.

Then we lighten it up with Cleveland food recommendations, Filipino flavors, Blackstone griddle life, and Rudy’s pandemic-era movie podcast, plus a quick debate on modern comedies. We close with the Fast Fiddy Five and a simple message that belongs everywhere: be kind.

Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a friend who’s navigating college costs, and leave a review if it helped. What’s the most confusing part of financial aid for you right now?

All music brought to you by former guest of the show Speedo

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