Wondering how to pay for college without sacrificing your retirement? Before you rule out a private or out-of-state school because of the sticker price, you may be overlooking financial aid opportunities that could make your child’s dream college more affordable than you think.

In this episode, Brock Jolly, CFP®, explains why families shouldn’t assume an in-state public university is always the most affordable option. He breaks down how need-based financial aid, merit scholarships, the Student Aid Index (SAI), Net Price Calculators, and financial aid appeals can affect what your family actually pays for college. Through real-world examples, including a family that saved approximately $168,000 after successfully appealing a financial aid offer, Brock shares practical strategies to help families make more informed college funding decisions.

You’ll learn about:

• Why the sticker price isn’t always what you’ll actually pay for college, and how private colleges can sometimes cost less than in-state public universities.
• How need-based financial aid, merit scholarships, and the Student Aid Index (SAI) influence college affordability and why eligibility can vary from one school to another.
• Why Net Price Calculators aren’t always accurate, what to do if your financial aid offer falls short, and when it makes sense to appeal a college financial aid package.
• What colleges look for when awarding merit scholarships, and how understanding the financial aid process can help families compare college offers with greater confidence.
• And more!

Resources:

• TuitionFit
• Common Data Set

Connect with Brock Jolly:

• 703-424-2401
• Toll-Free: 800-969-2362
• Veritas Financial
• The College Funding Coach
• LinkedIn: Brock Jolly

College costs continue to rise, leaving many families wondering how to prepare without putting their future at risk.

How do you balance paying for college, preparing for retirement, understanding scholarships, and making informed decisions when so much can change over time?

In this episode, Brock Jolly, CFP®, explores the realities of college planning and the financial decisions families face long before tuition bills arrive. He explains the difference between sticker price and actual cost, breaks down scholarship misconceptions, discusses the role of need-based and merit aid, and shares why flexibility matters when saving for education.

The conversation also highlights inflation’s impact on college costs, common planning mistakes, and ways families can evaluate college affordability while protecting retirement goals.

Key takeaways:

• Why college sticker prices often differ significantly from what families ultimately pay
• How scholarship expectations can create planning gaps when costs continue rising
• What parents should consider before committing large amounts to 529 plans
• Why inflation remains a major factor when estimating future college expenses
• How balancing retirement and college funding requires evaluating tradeoffs early
• And more!

Connect with Brock Jolly:

• 703-424-2401
• Toll-Free: 800-969-2362
• Veritas Financial
• The College Funding Coach
• LinkedIn: Brock Jolly

Paying for college has become one of the biggest financial stress points for families, and most parents feel like they are trying to solve it alone. This episode sets the stage for a smarter, more human approach to college planning, one that does not force families to choose between their kids’ education and their own future.

In this episode, Brock Jolly, CFP®, talks about why college funding has become so confusing, why many traditional planning conversations fall short, and how families can approach the process with more clarity and confidence.

You’ll learn about:

• Why college planning sits at the intersection of emotion, urgency, and complexity
• How college costs have outpaced nearly every other expense in the economy
• Why focusing only on in-state options may limit better-fit opportunities
• How thoughtful planning can support both college and retirement goals at the same time
• Who this podcast is for, and how it is designed to support parents, advisors, counselors, and students
• And more!

Resources:

• Visit the College Funding Coach

Connect with Brock Jolly:

• Veritas Financial
• The College Funding Coach
• LinkedIn: Brock Jolly