We are in for a special treat on this episode of The College Checklist Podcast with our first three-peat guest, Jodi Okun! Jodi has a wealth of knowledge on all things paying for college – including student loans.

In the past, Jodi has helped us understand the bird’s eye view of the financial aid process, the changes that came to the FAFSA in 2016, and now she’s back to help us understand how families can wisely leverage student loans to help pay for college.

For some families, taking out student loans for college is not an option; for others, loans can be a viable way to bridge the gap between the free cash for college that you’ve earned and the remaining balance of your tuition.

I encourage all families to start by exploring the free money options out there – merit aid and grants and private scholarships – first. Then, once you’ve accrued as much free money for college as possible, consider student loans.

Jodi is a great guide as we learn about this sometimes necessary part of the paying for college puzzle. In this episode, Jodi gives us an overview of the many ways to pay for college with particular emphasis on the different types of student loans, including information on loans for graduate school.

Listen Now: All About Student Loans

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About Jodi Okun

Jodi Okun is the founder of College Financial Aid Advisors. Jodi has a passion for helping families open up educational opportunities for their children. She has helped thousands of families navigate the financial aid process. Jodi’s background includes over ten years in the financial aid industry.

Jodi is a former Sr. Asst. Director of Financial Aid at Occidental College and previously worked at Pitzer. She is the host of #CollegeCash: a Twitter chat devoted to connecting college-bound families with higher education professionals. Jodi also writes for the Huffington Post and is the brand ambassador for Discover Student Loans. 

Show Notes

Read Jodi’s book for a deeper dive on all things financial aid!

Secrets of a Financial Aid Pro by Jodi Okun*

Quotable Quotes

“You don’t have to pay for college just one way.”

“It is not one scholarship for $60,000, it is 60 scholarships for $1,000.”

“The first loan to look for is the federal student loan package.”

Get In Touch with Jodi

• College Financial Aid Advisors Website
• Jodi on Twitter 

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The post All About Student Loans (Episode 92) appeared first on Higher Scores Test Prep.