The Final Countdown to May 1: Making the Right College Decision episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 16, 2026 · 32 MIN

The Final Countdown to May 1: Making the Right College Decision

from Ol' College Try · host Matt and Peg's College Planning Podcast

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 possible choice—financially and academically.Matt and Peg dive into real-world strategies for navigating this critical moment, including when (and if) it makes sense to put down multiple deposits, how to handle schools delaying financial aid appeal decisions, and why colleges don’t always have your financial best interest in mind.They also walk through what happens after you commit—covering timelines for bills, how to actually pay for college, and the smartest ways to use 529 plans without leaving money on the table. Plus, they unpack how much student debt is “too much,” and how families can avoid costly mistakes that follow students long after graduation.Whether you're a senior racing toward Decision Day or an underclassman hoping to avoid the same stress, this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap to finish strong—and start college on the right financial footing.🎧 Song Picks from This Episode:“Honeybee” – Goose“Hungersite” – GoosePlus, a shoutout to Bruce Springsteen (“The Boss”)—still delivering unforgettable live performances.Connect with Us! Student Loan Fact Sheet: https://hubs.li/Q04cmnWD0Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Create a FREE MyCAP Account: https://hubs.li/Q03PTJ_x0Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ PLUS Get 15% OFF site wide with coupon code COLLEGETRY15 💸

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 possible choice—financially and academically.Matt and Peg dive into real-world strategies for navigating this critical moment, including when (and if) it makes sense to put down multiple deposits, how to handle schools delaying financial aid appeal decisions, and why colleges don’t always have your financial best interest in mind.They also walk through what happens after you commit—covering timelines for bills, how to actually pay for college, and the smartest ways to use 529 plans without leaving money on the table. Plus, they unpack how much student debt is “too much,” and how families can avoid costly mistakes that follow students long after graduation.Whether you're a senior racing toward Decision Day or an underclassman hoping to avoid the same stress, this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap to finish strong—and start college on the right financial footing.🎧 Song Picks from This Episode:“Honeybee” – Goose“Hungersite” – GoosePlus, a shoutout to Bruce Springsteen (“The Boss”)—still delivering unforgettable live performances.Connect with Us! Student Loan Fact Sheet: https://hubs.li/Q04cmnWD0Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Create a FREE MyCAP Account: https://hubs.li/Q03PTJ_x0Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ PLUS Get 15% OFF site wide with coupon code COLLEGETRY15 💸

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The Final Countdown to May 1: Making the Right College Decision

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This episode is 32 minutes long.

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This episode was published on April 16, 2026.

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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 possible choice—financially and academically.Matt and Peg dive into real-world strategies for...

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