On episode 214, Alexis Avila talks to Ron Caruthers. Ron Caruthers is the nation’s foremost expert on college planning and college funding, and the author of What Your Guidance Counselor Isn’t Telling You…Inside Secrets to Choosing Your Career, Selecting Your Major and Getting IN to Your Top College Choice.

He’s loved by hundreds of parents for finding creative and effective ways to fund their children’s college dreams while keeping them on track for retirement. Many know Ron as their Financial Fixer.

Our Guest:

Ron Caruthers was born and raised in Santa Monica, California—right up the street from the Santa Monica Pier. His parents later moved inland where Ron graduated from Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, CA in 1985 as valedictorian – ranked 1st of 419 seniors. However, Ron and his family found themselves unable to pay for college – a situation many of his clients and audience understand all too well.

This setback forced him to take a hard look at how unprepared most students are for college, career, and managing their money after college.

Since then, he has worked with over 4600 families to help make their children’s dreams a reality, while providing sound financial guidance along the way!

Ron Caruthers was an adjunct instructor at Palomar and Mira Costa Colleges in San Diego, California, and a regular on San Diego’s morning news programs. He has been interviewed on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. He has also been quoted in Newsweek, Inc. Magazine, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal, among other publications.

On today’s episode Ron gives us his best tips on how to pay for college without going broke.

Listen to my other financial aid podcast with Todd Weaver, episode #210 on

FAFSA TIPS to get the Most Financial Aid

Ron’s 5 step process to getting the most free money?

  1. Make sure you understand the formula and get your number down as low as possible
  2. Pick schools that are affordable on own or have money to give you (more expensive schools have money to give)
  3. Fill out your forms accurately and on time (December is fine and don’t apply first two weeks of October)
  4. Appeal a financial aid decision if necessary. Most of the time when you appeal, you get more money
  5. Look for grants and outside scholarships

Ron’s final advice for teens and parents

College is not free but it can be more affordable if you understand the system. So get educated.

To work with Ron Caruthers check out http://www.roncaruthers.com

What was your biggest takeaway from this podcast about How to Pay for College Without Going Broke? Do you have any questions for Ron Caruthers and Alexis Avila?

Post your comments below:

SAT Prep

Subscribe to our Blog Feed
Become a Fan on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter