Shows / The College Investor Audio Show
The College Investor Audio Show
The College Investor podcast is a daily audio show that's dedicated to bringing you the best of TheCollegeInvestor.com. We discuss a variety of topics, all relating to millennial money - including student loan debt, investing, earning more money, and more! Robert Farrington, the founder of The College Investor and a Millennial Money Expert, shares how to get out of student loan debt so that you can start investing and building wealth for the future. Instead of cutting expenses and living a…
Episodes
- The College Investor Audio Show
27,000 Borrowers Stuck In Student Loan Complaint Backlog
The Department of Education’s ombudsman office, which handles disputes from student loan borrowers, is facing a backlog exceeding 27,000 cases, according to a…
- The College Investor Audio Show
529 Plans Grow 8% in Q2 2025 Before Big Rule Changes
In the three months ending June 30, 2025, 529 college savings and prepaid plans saw one of their strongest periods of growth in years. The latest data from ISS…
- The College Investor Audio Show
Student Loan Complaint Backlog Grows As SAVE Borrowers Stay In Limbo
The week began with anticipation for the August 4 court status report in the lawsuit over the SAVE repayment plan. Borrowers hoping for clarity instead saw a…
- The College Investor Audio Show
Which AI Tool Gives The Best Student Loan Recommendations?
When families weigh their options for paying for college, the question “What’s the best student loan?” seems straightforward. But as we learned after asking…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhat Is Demonstrated Interest And How Does It Impact College Admisssions?
Demonstrated interest refers to the ways a student indicates interest in a specific school. This includes visiting campuses, reaching out to admissions…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Pay For College With A 529 Plan
Taking money out of a 529 plan is more complicated than putting money into a 529 plan. If you do it incorrectly, you may owe taxes and a 10% tax penalty, plus…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow Much Does It Cost To Rush (From Real Bama Rush Numbers)
As someone who spent her freshman year at the University of Alabama (UA), I know firsthand how costly simply attending two semesters of classes can be there…
The College Investor Audio ShowEarly Action vs. Early Decision: What You Need To Know
There are three main options for college admissions applications: early action, early decision, and regular decision. Early decision applications involve a…
The College Investor Audio ShowGoing Back To School As An Adult: Is It Worth It?
Economic uncertainty has been known to drive adults back to school to boost their educational credentials. Now, that the pandemic is over but there is still a…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhat Is The PSLF Buyback Program?
The PSLF Buyback Program allows you to "buy" missing payments that would have allowed you to qualify for loan forgiveness. To qualify for the Public Student…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhere To Apply To College - Finding Academic and Financial Fit
When students prepare to apply for college admissions, they should start to make a list of colleges they want to apply to. When crafting a well-balanced…
The College Investor Audio ShowWho Gets Merit Based Scholarships At Private Colleges?
Wondering which students and families actually get merit-based scholarships and grants at private colleges? We have the data. Parents of college-bound children…
The College Investor Audio ShowTrade School Loan Forgiveness Programs
Student loan forgiveness applies to a variety of degrees, even trade schools. So even if you went to a trade school, vocational school, or apprenticeship…
The College Investor Audio ShowMust-Ask Questions About College Costs: Protecting Your Investment
Paying for college isn’t just about covering tuition. It’s about understanding what happens when life takes a turn and what protections exist if it does. Each…
- The College Investor Audio Show
Which Payments And Periods Count For PSLF?
After years of payments, pauses, and paperwork, many public service workers are confused on what payments and time periods may count for Public Service Loan…
The College Investor Audio ShowCommon Dorm Room Disasters That Could Cost You Big
College move-in day is filled with excitement, but new students often learn quickly that shared living spaces come with unexpected risks. And if you’re not…
- The College Investor Audio Show
Quick Update On What's Happening With Student Loans
Robert was on MoneyLife with Chuck Jaffe this week talking about the current status of student loans. Tune in to hear Robert's thoughts on what's going on with…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Legally Reduce Your IDR Payment (And Avoid Fraud)
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans provide affordable monthly student loan payments by basing the payments on a portion of the borrower’s discretionary…
The College Investor Audio ShowCan You Appeal A Financial Aid Award After Admissions?
Many families assume that once a student accepts admission to a college, the financial aid offer is final. In most cases, that’s true. Schools often budget…
- The College Investor Audio Show
Congress Unveils Plan To Change Student Loan Repayment Plans
The latest reconciliation bill set for review in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce proposes some of the most extensive changes to higher…
- The College Investor Audio Show
The Best Ways To Pay Off Student Loans Faster
Student loan debt is not fun to have. While it may have been necessary to pay for school, now that you’re graduated, it’s time to think about ways to pay off…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhat Happens To Financial Aid If You Take A Gap Year
With the stock market fluctuating and new tariffs raising concerns about family finances, some families are re-thinking the college decision (at least in the…
The College Investor Audio ShowDeferred vs. Waitlisted: What Each Decision Really Means
For high school seniors navigating college admissions, few emails inspire more confusion than a notice of being "deferred" or "waitlisted." While neither…
The College Investor Audio ShowThe Problem With ‘Sell In May And Go Away’ Investment Strategy
Have you heard the phrase "Sell In May And Go Away"? There are many weird stock market indicators that pundits try to use to explain what you should be doing…
- The College Investor Audio Show
Making Savvy Student Loan Decisions For College
Today's episode is an interview Robert had with Jack Wang from the Smart College Buyer podcast. He talks about how to think about college costs, making smart…
The College Investor Audio Show5 Ways To Invest In Real Estate To Become A Millionaire
There are multiple ways to invest in real estate. And believe it our not, 90% of the world's millionaires have created wealth through real estate. At least…
- The College Investor Audio Show
The Best Investment Strategy by Age [Ultimate Guide]
There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to the best investment strategy. But it's one of the questions I receive almost everyday. From what do I invest…
The College Investor Audio Show8 Popular Alternative Investments Ideas And Examples
With the stock market down almost 10% this year, more and more investors are looking for alternative investments outside of stocks and bonds. Diversifying an…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Use A Roth IRA To Save For College
While a Roth IRA is one of the best ways to save for retirement, it can also be used to save for college. A Roth IRA is one of the best ways to invest for…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow Structured Settlements Impact Financial Aid
Eligibility for need-based financial aid depends on the student’s demonstrated financial need. Structured settlements can change how a student's financial aid…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhat To Do If Your Financial Aid Appeal Is Denied
Financial aid can provide students with access to educational options they may not have otherwise had. But sometimes, students are denied additional financial…
The College Investor Audio ShowCan Student Loans Be Discharged In Bankruptcy?
It's a common myth that student loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. However, the U.S. Department of Education has the legal authority to allow a…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhat Happens To An HSA When You Die?
A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is arguably the best tax-advantaged account available in the United States. Contributions and qualified withdrawals are…
The College Investor Audio ShowThe Top 10 Best Investors Of All Time
I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the best investors in modern time. These are all individuals who made significant amounts of money by…
The College Investor Audio ShowAre There Time Limits Or Age Limits On 529 Plans?
For families saving for education expenses, 529 plans remain one of the most flexible and long-lasting options available. Unlike other college savings accounts…
- The College Investor Audio Show
30 Passive Income Ideas You Can Use to Build Real Wealth
If you're looking for passive income ideas, you may think the whole concept is a myth - there's no way that you can earn money by doing nothing. It's why…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhat Is A Multigenerational Or Dynasty 529 Plan?
A Multigenerational 529, also known as a Dynasty 529 Plan, is a way of using one or more 529 plans to leave a legacy of education for future generations. A…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhy Fill Out The FAFSA Even If You Don't "Think" You'll Receive Aid
Even if you don't think you'll receive financial aid, you likely should fill out the FAFSA. According to Sallie How America Pays for College report, 74% of…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow to Actually Get a Full-Ride Scholarship
A full-ride scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies and equipment. It can include…
The College Investor Audio ShowCan Colleges Withhold Your College Transcript?
Colleges have been known to withhold college transcripts to recover unpaid debts. But this practice is becoming illegal in some places. For many students and…
The College Investor Audio ShowState Taxes And Student Loan Forgiveness
While many types of student loan forgiveness are tax-free federally, several states may levy taxes on student loan forgiveness. Even though some popular…
The College Investor Audio ShowCollege Rankings Fraud and Loan Forgiveness: What to Know
With the recent reports about colleges providing false information for rankings, could college ranking fraud or misleading financial aid award letters qualify…
The College Investor Audio ShowFederal vs. Private Student Loans: What To Know
If you're looking for additional funds to pay for college, you may be looking at Federal vs. private student loans. After you're admitted to college, you’ll…
The College Investor Audio Show$1 Trillion In CDs Are Maturing In 2025: Here's What You Need To Know
CDs (or certificates of deposit) are low-risk savings vehicles offered by banks, credit unions and many other financial institutions. Individuals can commit a…
The College Investor Audio ShowCan A 529 Plan Be Used For Dual Enrollment?
Dual enrollment allows you to earn college credit while you’re still in high school. Doing so can help you save money on the total cost of your education while…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Invest $50,000: 7 Different Options To Invest Your Cash
If you've come into a windfall of money, you might be wondering what is the best way to invest $50,000 (or even more)? With a large amount of money to invest…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhat Are The Best 529 Plans Based On Performance?
529 plan performance is tough to measure - it's not just the investment returns, but it's also about the tax benefits and fees. Minimizing costs is usually key…
The College Investor Audio Show5 Legal Ways To Lower Your Student Loan Payment
Don't you wish you could lower your student loan payment? It's possible, and legal, do work some "magic" to get your student loan payment lower. If you don't…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Start Investing After College For 22 – 29 Year Olds
You know you want to invest. You know you need to invest. But honestly, how do you start investing in your 20s after college? Who do you trust? Do you pay…
The College Investor Audio ShowDo Colleges Look At Your Attendance?
Applying to college may be the most stressful thing you've encountered in your life so far. Depending on the college you're applying to, you may have to submit…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Do Your Own Taxes (DIY or Tax Pro)
Our parents had it rough during tax season. Doing their own taxes sometimes took a week or more. They’d spread papers and receipts across the kitchen table…
The College Investor Audio ShowNeed Blind Colleges: What To Know
As you start to consider where you’ll go to college, affordability is typically top of mind. The cost of higher education in the U.S. can be daunting, but…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhat To Do With Your Unwanted Christmas Gifts
Christmas is over! Now it's time to handle all of the unwanted Christmas gifts that you're stuck with. Hopefully you have a family full of awesome gift-givers…
The College Investor Audio ShowMedical School Admissions Guide: What To Know
The competition to get into medical school is intense, and you need to be prepared. Start your planning with our medical school admissions guide. Learn more.
The College Investor Audio ShowCan You Return Unused Financial Aid Money?
Financial aid consists of loans, scholarships, and grants that help cover the cost of college. Depending how much you need to pay for books, tuition, and…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Make Group Work And Group Projects Successful
If there’s one thing you’re certain to encounter in college, it’s group projects. Some students love the collaboration, while others dread the challenge of…
The College Investor Audio ShowGraduate School Admissions Guide
Graduate school is an opportunity to advance your education and further your career. While post-pandemic applications are up, actual enrollments are down, so…
The College Investor Audio Show8 Ways to Protect Your Financial Data from Hackers
In today's world of data breaches, online banking, and online shopping, it's essential that you take practical steps to keep your financial information secure…
- The College Investor Audio Show
How Does the College Admissions Process Work?
You’re reading this because it is likely that a year from now, you will be getting ready to attend a college to pursue a major you’re excited about. But how…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow Much Do Federal Student Loan Servicers Make Per Loan?
Borrowers often believe that student loan servicers get to keep the interest on the loan. But it doesn’t work like that. Servicing companies collect payments…