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 TryBehind the Scenes of College Enrollment: Why It Matters for Families
What does enrollment management really mean, and why should families care? In this insightful conversation, College Aid Pro’s Peg Keough sits down with Melissa…
Ol' College TryHow to Write a Standout College Essay: Expert Tips on the Common App, Supplemental Essays, and Using AI Wisely
In this episode of College!, host Peg Keough talks with admissions expert Melissa Mieyr about how students can write standout college application essays. They…
Ol' College TryParents’ Guide to Decoding Financial Aid Award Letters: College Cost Transparency Explained
Learn how to read and compare financial aid award letters with confidence. In this episode of College! The Podcast, Peg Keough and Megan Walter from the…
Ol' College TryRob Franek on College Admissions, Scholarships & The Princeton Review’s Best Value Colleges List
In this episode of College!, Matt Carpenter sits down with Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief at The Princeton Review and longtime voice in college admissions. They…
Ol' College TryWhy Liberal Arts Colleges Create Well-Rounded, Career-Ready Graduates: Insights from Admissions Veteran Peter Pitts
Discover why liberal arts colleges are ideal for students who want to “do it all.” In this episode, retired admissions expert Peter Pitts breaks down myths…
Ol' College TryCollege Admissions Made Simple: Early Decision, Early Action & Admissions Terms Explained
In this episode of College!, Peg and Admissions Expert, Joe Korfmacher dive deep into the different college application options—Early Decision, Early Action…
Ol' College TryThe Ultimate Common App Guide: Tips, Deadlines & Insider Advice with Admissions Expert Dan Bisig
In this must-listen episode of College!, host Peg Keough sits down with CAP Admissions and Financial Aid Expert Dan Bisig to break down everything families…
Ol' College TryBig Beautiful Bill, Big Changes: What the New Higher Ed Reform Means for College-Bound Families
The big, beautiful bill has passed—and it's bringing some of the biggest changes to higher education policy in years. In this episode, Matt and Peg break down…
Ol' College TryThe College Pricing Playbook: How Colleges Discount, Compete, and Poach
In this episode, Matt and Peg break down how colleges price, discount, and compete for students—especially post-May 1. From Syracuse’s aggressive merit offers…
Ol' College TryThe College Money Talk: Real Advice from a Parent-Student Duo Who've Been Through It All
Join Peg Keough and her son, Brennan Keough, as they unpack the real challenges of the college admissions journey—from building the right college list and…
Ol' College TryAre Colleges Feeling the Heat? Endowment Tax, International Student Ban from Prestigious Universities & 529 Truths
In this episode of College!, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough unpack a flurry of hot-button topics shaping the higher ed landscape. First, they dissect the Wall…
Ol' College TryOur Journeys as Parents: How We Saved (or Plan to Save) for Our Kids’ Education—Plus 529 Tips & Big Policy Shifts
In this candid episode of College!, co-hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough pull back the curtain on how they’re approaching college savings as parents—one with…
Ol' College TryMajor Changes to Student Loans, PLUS Loans & Pell Grants: What Families Need to Know
Big shifts are coming to student financial aid—and parents need to be ready. In this episode of the College! podcast, Matt and Peg break down the proposed…
Ol' College TryWhat’s New in College Planning: MyCAP 2.0, Last-Minute Appeals, Student Loan Rates & College Accountability Reform
Explore the launch of MyCAP 2.0, last-minute appeal strategies for Class of 2025, federal student loan interest rate changes, and a deep dive into proposed…
Ol' College Try🎙️ New College Affordability Changes: Endowment Tax Hikes, Pell Grant Rules & Cost of Attendance Overhaul
In this episode of the College! podcast, hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough unpack major proposed changes impacting college affordability and financial aid in…
Ol' College TryStudent Loan Defaults, Post-Decision Day Aid Boosts & College Cost Strategies Every Parent Needs to Know
Are student loan payments coming back? What happens if your child—or you—are in default? In this timely episode of the College! podcast, Matt and Peg break…
Ol' College TryStudent Loan Shakeup: What Borrowers & Families Need to Know About the New & Proposed Changes
🚨 Student Loan Shakeup Alert! Federal student loan repayment is back—and that’s just the beginning. In this episode of College!, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough…
Ol' College TryCollege Planning From the Mom Side: Real Talk on Costs, Choices & Second Chances
In this episode of The College Podcast, Peg Keough is joined by fellow College Aid Pro team members—and fellow moms—Cathy Portele and Ann-Marie Sanderson…
Ol' College TryGet to Know Our CEO & Our Plan to Fix the U.S. College System Part 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with College Aid Pro CEO Kevin Degnan, we go deep on why the U.S. college system is broken—and how we can fix it. With $1.8…
Ol' College TryGet to Know Our CEO & Our Plan to Fix the U.S. College System Part 1
In Part 1 of this special two-part episode, Matt sits down with College Aid Pro CEO Kevin “Degs” Degnan to unpack the personal journey that shaped his mission…
Ol' College TryWhat Parents Need to Know About FAFSA Chaos, Loan Forgiveness & College Costs in 2025
In this timely episode, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down the latest chaos in the world of student loans and college financial planning. With recent…
Ol' College TryCollege Costs, Harvard’s Tuition Shift, and What Could Go Right?
This week on College, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough dive into major changes shaking up higher education, including Harvard’s latest tuition policy update and a…
Ol' College Try🎓 The Future of College Costs: Financial Aid, Loans & What Families Should Expect in 2025
📢 Episode Description: In this episode of College!, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down the latest college financial aid changes, student loan policies…
Ol' College TryThe Future of College Funding: Student Loans, Policy Shifts & What Parents Must Know
With major changes happening in higher education policy, student loan repayments, and financial aid structures, what do parents and students need to know right…
Ol' College TryNavigating DOE Policy Changes: How New Financial Aid & Student Loan Shifts Impact Families
In this week's podcast, Matt and Peg discuss the evolving landscape of student loans, federal funding, and the implications of recent educational policies…
Ol' College TryUnderstanding Recent & Potential Policy Changes in Education
In this episode, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough discuss the current landscape of college funding, including the implications of recent education policies, the…
Ol' College TryDepartment of Education Federal Funding Freeze: Latest Updates & Implications
In this conversation, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough discuss the recent announcement regarding the Department of Education and its implications for higher…
Ol' College TryMatt's Story | Navigating the Complexities of College Financial Aid and School Selection
Join Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough as they explore the complexities of the college experience, focusing on financial aid trends, personal college journeys, and…
Ol' College TryPeg’s Story | Navigating the College Journey: Insights & Experiences
In the inaugural episode of 'College', hosts Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough dive into the multifaceted journey of college planning, emphasizing the emotional…