Shows / Ol' College Try
Ol' College Try
Let’s give the college planning game an Ol’ College Try—together. New episodes every Thursday at 12PM ET. Ol’ College Try is your go-to podcast for students, families, and educators ready to tackle the college planning process with confidence. Hosted by Matt Carpenter, Co-Founder of College Aid Pro, and Peg Keough, Director of Education, each episode breaks down the ins and outs of financial aid, scholarships, student loans, and smart college planning—without the overwhelm. 💡 Get expert…
Episodes
- Ol' College Try
Q&A: FAFSA, Middle-Income Families, Business Owners & Financial Aid Strategies
Could applying for financial aid hurt your student's chances of getting into college? What can middle-income families do when they earn too much to qualify for…
- Ol' College Try
Is Your College Financially Stable? What Parents Need to Know About College Closures, Tuition & Financial Health
What happens if your student's college closes before they graduate? And how can families tell whether a college is financially stable before committing…
- Ol' College Try
Sorority Rush & Greek Life: What Parents Need to Know About Recruitment, Rejection & Finding Your Fit
Sorority recruitment isn't what it used to be. Between TikTok's #RushTok, competitive applications, recommendation letters, and carefully curated social media…
- Ol' College Try
Early Decision vs. Early Action: When Should Your Student Apply to College?
Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, Rolling Admission—what do all of these college application options actually mean? And could the deadline your…
- Ol' College Try
CSS Profile Deep Dive: What Parents Need to Know Before They Submit
The CSS Profile is officially live—but what exactly is it, who needs to complete it, and why can it have such a major impact on what your family pays for…
- Ol' College Try
Q&A: Where to Start With College Planning, FAFSA & Understanding Your SAI
Feeling overwhelmed by college planning and have no idea where to start? You're definitely not the only parent asking that question. In this month's Old…
- Ol' College Try
FAFSA Deep Dive: Deadlines, FSA IDs & the Mistakes That Could Cost You Aid
FAFSA season is officially here—but when should you actually submit it? Do you need to rush to file on October 1? And which mistakes could potentially cost…
- Ol' College Try
Homeschool to College: What Parents Should Know About Admissions, Transcripts & Scholarships
Can homeschooled students get into competitive colleges? Are they eligible for merit scholarships? And what exactly does a homeschool parent need to do when it…
- Ol' College Try
What Really Happens After You Submit Your College Application? An Insider’s Look at Admissions & Financial Aid
What actually happens after your student hits “submit” on their college application? And why can two equally qualified students receive completely different…
- Ol' College Try
Q&A: Student Loans, Credit Scores, College Budgets & SAI Strategies
What’s the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized student loans? What credit score do you actually need to borrow for college? And can those ads…
- Ol' College Try
FAFSA 2027–28: Why Every Family Should File & What to Do Before October 1
FAFSA season is almost here—and even if you think your family won't qualify for financial aid, you should still file. In this episode of Old College Try, Matt…
- Ol' College Try
“Free Tuition” Isn’t Always Free: What Families Need to Know About College Cost Promises
"Free tuition." "No-loan school." "Families making under $200,000 pay no more than $20,000." These college affordability promises sound incredible—but what do…
- Ol' College Try
AP vs. Dual Enrollment vs. Honors: Which Classes Actually Matter for College?
Should your student take AP classes, dual enrollment, or honors courses? Will they improve admissions chances? And can they actually save you money on college?…
- Ol' College Try
Q&A: Parent PLUS Loans, Multiple Kids in College & Borrowing Without Regret
How do you choose the right student loan? What happens if you have two kids in college at the same time? And are outside scholarships really worth it if…
- Ol' College Try
Freshman Year Survival Guide: Homesickness, Making Friends & Thriving in College (Part 2)
The first few weeks of college can be exciting...and overwhelming. In Part 2 of Peg Keough's conversation with life coach Suzanne Hanna, they dive into what…
- Ol' College Try
The Emotional Side of Senior Year: Helping Your Teen Navigate the Transition to College (Part 1)
Senior year isn't just about applications, acceptance letters, and graduation it's one of the biggest emotional transitions your family will ever experience…
- Ol' College Try
Why Is College So Expensive? The Truth Behind Rising Costs & What Families Can Do About It
Why does college cost so much and who's actually responsible? In this episode of Old College Try, Matt Carpenter and CAP's Director of Education, Peg Keough…
- Ol' College Try
Parent PLUS Loan Changes Are Here: What Every Family Needs to Know Before Paying for College
Major federal student loan changes officially took effect on July 1 and the impact could be far bigger than most families realize. In this episode, host Matt…
- Ol' College Try
Q&A: Scholarships, Parent PLUS Loan Changes & How Families Actually Pay for College
Got questions about paying for college? In this month's Q&A episode, host Matt Carpenter and CAP's Director of Education, Peg Keough, tackle some of the most…
- Ol' College Try
From MIT Dreams to the Perfect Fit: A Dad’s Real College Planning Journey
What happens when your student's college plans take an unexpected turn? In this special parent spotlight episode, host Peg Keough sits down with College Aid…
- Ol' College Try
SAT vs. ACT: What Families Need to Know About Test Scores in 2026
Should your student take the SAT or ACT? Do test scores still matter? And if a college is test-optional, is it really optional? In this episode, host Matt…
- Ol' College Try
College Admissions Q&A: Financial Fit, Merit Aid, GPA Myths, and Test Scores Explained
What does “financial fit” actually mean? Should your student take the SAT or ACT? Do weighted GPAs really matter? And how do merit scholarships actually work?…
Ol' College TryCollege Visits 101: When to Go, What to Ask, and How to Avoid Costly Mistakes
Are you planning college visits but not sure where to start? In this episode, host Peg Keough sits down with CAP financial aid expert Jonathan West to break…
- Ol' College Try
College Admissions Is a Chess Match: How Families Can Stop Playing Checkers
What if the biggest mistake families make in the college process happens before they even apply? In this episode, Matt sits down with College Aid Pro expert…
Ol' College TryInside College Admissions: How Schools Really Decide Who Gets Accepted
In this episode of The Ol' College Try Podcast, host Peg Keough sits down with admissions expert Jenna Schebell to pull back the curtain on what really happens…
Ol' College TryCollege Payment Plan Explained: Loans, 529s & What to Do Before Decision Day
Making your final college decision? You’ve got a number—but do you actually have a plan to pay it? In this episode, Matt and Peg tackle your biggest…
Ol' College TryCollege Waitlist Explained: What It Means, Your Chances & What to Do Before May 1
Waitlisted? You’re not alone—and you’re not out of the game… but you’re not in it either. In this episode, Peg is joined by CAP expert Dan “Lasso” Bisig to…
Ol' College TryThe Final Countdown to May 1: Making the Right College Decision
With the May 1 college decision deadline fast approaching, this episode breaks down exactly what families need to be doing right now to make the smartest…
Ol' College TryToo Rich for Aid, Too Poor to Pay: Inside College Costs with Dr. Jason Slone
What if everything you thought you knew about paying for college… was wrong? In this episode of Ol’ College Try, Matt sits down with Dr. Jason Slone—former…
Ol' College TryThe Truth About College Admissions: Essays, Odds & Financial Reality
What does it really take to get into college today—and is it worth the cost? In this episode of The Ol’ College Try, Peg Keough sits down with former Stanford…
Ol' College TryStudent Loans, Myths & Middle-Class Reality: What Families Need to Know Right Now
In this open Q&A episode of Ol' College Try, Matt and Peg tackle some of the biggest (and most misunderstood) questions families have about paying for college…
Ol' College TryThe End of Student Loan “Blank Checks”: What Families Need to Know Now
Federal student loans are changing—big time. From the elimination of the SAVE repayment plan to new caps on Parent PLUS loans, these updates could dramatically…
- Ol' College Try
A Stanford Grad’s Advice on Elite Colleges, Admissions & College Fit
What is it really like to attend one of the most selective colleges in the world? In this episode of Ol' College Try, host Peg Keough sits down with Mark…
Ol' College TryThe “Prior-Prior Year” Rule: The Financial Aid Secret Most Families Miss
Most families assume colleges look at their current income when determining financial aid. They don’t. In this episode, Matt and Peg break down the…
Ol' College TryYour Monthly Financial Aid Grab Bag Q&A: Blizzards, Bruce & Big Questions
It’s a true Tale of Two Cities episode—Matt’s digging out from the Blizzard of ’26 in the Northeast while Peggy’s bracing for 80-degree temps in Arizona. After…
Ol' College TryFrom TRIO to NASA: How Students Are Turning Lab Culture into a Launchpad for College
What happens when federally funded college access programs, a cutting-edge STEM lab, and one determined high school student collide? 🚀In this special episode…
Ol' College TryPrivate Scholarships Demystified: How to Find Them, Win Them, and Avoid Costly Mistakes
Private scholarships can feel overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes too good to be true. So how do families actually use them to lower the cost of college? In…
Ol' College TryHigh School Counselor Insights: What Makes a College Application Stand Out
In this episode, Peg Keough sits down with fellow Jersey girl and longtime College Aid Pro advocate Lisa Burfeindt, Director of School Counseling for the…
Ol' College TryMonthly Grab Bag: FAFSA vs. CSS, AI Anxiety, and Other Questions Keeping Parents Up at Night
College costs feel overwhelming—and this week on Old College Try, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough open up the grab bag to tackle the real questions families are…
Ol' College TryAppealing Need-Based Financial Aid: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents
If your child was accepted to college but the financial aid offer doesn’t reflect your real financial situation, you may be able to appeal — and win. In this…
Ol' College TryMerit Scholarship Appeals: What Works, What Doesn’t, and When to Ask
Merit scholarships aren’t always final—and a smart appeal can make a real difference. In this episode of The Ol’ College Try, host Peg Keough sits down with…
Ol' College TryFinancial Aid Award Letters Explained: Grants, Scholarships, Loans & What You Really Owe
You got the acceptance letter—now what does the financial aid offer actually mean? In this episode of Ol' College Try The Podcast, Matt Carpenter and Peg…
Ol' College TryFour College Resolutions Every Family Should Make This Year
It’s a New Year’s special on Old'College Try, and Matt Carpenter and Peggy Keough are kicking off 2026 with the college-focused resolutions every family should…
Ol' College TryHoliday Q&A: Financial Aid Appeals and FAFSA Myths with a Special Guest
In this special holiday edition of Ol’ College Try, hosts Matt Carpenter and Peggy Keough tackle listener-submitted Q&A questions just in time for the end of…
Ol' College TryCollege Rejections: What to Do If Your Child Doesn’t Get Into Their Dream School
Early Decision and Early Action results are rolling in — and for many families, emotions are running high. In this episode of Old College Try, Matt Carpenter…
Ol' College TryHow to Appeal Early Decision Financial Aid (Without Breaking Your ED Agreement)
Got into your dream school Early Decision…but not loving the price tag? In this episode of Old College Try, Matt Carpenter and “fairy godmother of financial…
Ol' College TryDemonstrated Interest with Mark Stucker: What It Is and How It Impacts College Admissions
What is demonstrated interest—and can it really change a student’s chances of getting accepted? In this episode of The Ol’ College Try, host Peg Keough sits…
Ol' College TryCAP's Thanksgiving Special: Financial Aid Q&A for Stressed-Out Parents
It’s a special Thanksgiving mailbag episode of The Ol’ College Try podcast! Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough go in totally unprepared and answer your toughest…
Ol' College TryPrivate Scholarships vs Merit Scholarships: What Families Need to Know
Private scholarships are the biggest distraction in the college affordability world — and today, we’re setting the record straight. In this episode of Old…
Ol' College TryThe Truth About College Net Price Calculators: What They Don’t Tell You
Learn why many college net price calculators are inaccurate—and how misinformation can cost families tens of thousands of dollars. In this episode, Matt…
Ol' College TryColleges That Give the Most Financial Aid with The Princeton Review’s Rob Franek
In this episode of The Old College Try, host Matt Carpenter sits down with Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief of The Princeton Review, to reveal the top colleges that…
Ol' College TryFAFSA for Divorced and Separated Parents: Who Files and How Colleges Decide
In this episode of The Ol’ College Try, hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough dive deep into one of the trickiest financial aid topics—how divorce, separation…
Ol' College TryShould You Apply Early Decision? Here's What You Need to Know
We’re kicking off the brand-new season — and our new name — Ol’ College Try! 🎓 In this episode, hosts Matt Carpenter (Co-Founder of College Aid Pro) and Peg…
Ol' College TryFinancial Aid Myths, Appeals, and Real-Life Case Studies with Expert, Kevin Murphy
Big changes are coming to the College! podcast — including a new name and fresh intro music — but first, Matt Carpenter sits down with financial aid expert…
Ol' College TryPSAT Prep, Practice & Purpose: What Families Need to Know
In this episode of College! The Podcast, host Peg Keough sits down with Rose Ellen Mocombe, one of College Aid Pro’s newest experts, to dive into everything…
Ol' College TryTop FAFSA & CSS Profile Mistakes to Avoid: Financial Aid Pitfalls That Cost Families Thousands
Don’t let costly FAFSA and CSS Profile errors hurt your financial aid eligibility. In this episode of College, the Podcast, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough share…
Ol' College TryCSS Profile vs FAFSA: What Parents Need to Know About College Financial Aid
Applying for college financial aid doesn’t stop with the FAFSA. For hundreds of schools—including Ivy League institutions, selective private colleges, and top…
Ol' College TryFAFSA Made Simple: FSA IDs, Custodial Parent Rules & Prior-Prior Tax Years Explained
In this FAFSA-focused episode of College, the Podcast, hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down everything families need to know about completing the…
Ol' College TryFAFSA 101: Why Every Family Should File the FAFSA (Even If You Think You Won’t Qualify)
In this episode of the College! Podcast, hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough kick off Financial Aid Month with a deep dive into the FAFSA (Free Application for…
Ol' College TryThe One Big Beautiful Bill: What Families Need to Know About New College Loan Limits & Accountability
In this episode of College!, Peg Keough sits down again with Melissa M. Stephens, Associate Dean of Enrollment Management & Financial Aid and a CAP expert, to…