Scoring the Most Financial Aid for College w/ Phillip Levine

Economist Phillip Levine joins Joel and Matt to dissect the opaque world of college pricing and financial aid. He explains why the sticker price is almost never what families actually pay, how enrollment trends are shifting negotiating power, and the crucial differences between need-based and merit-based aid. The conversation covers practical strategies for estimating real costs, navigating the FAFSA, and even negotiating financial aid offers, arguing that families who invest time in understanding the system can save tens of thousands of dollars.