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 need to know about the Common App. What is it? When should students start? What are the big changes for this year’s cycle—and how can families avoid costly mistakes?

Dan shares expert insight on timelines, supplemental essays, scholarship opportunities, recommendation letters, and the biggest Common App updates for 2025 applicants. Whether you're a rising senior or a proactive junior parent, this episode is packed with actionable guidance to help reduce stress and maximize success.

🎧 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!

• Learn more about what we do at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠College Aid Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
• Create a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free MyCAP account⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here to start personalizing your college planning journey!
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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 what this means specifically for college-bound families.

They tackle the most important updates taking effect July 1, 2026, including:

• 📆 Timing: Who’s affected and when the changes kick in

• 💸 Pell Grant: What stayed the same and new usage rules

• 🚫 Parent PLUS Loan Cap: A new $65,000 lifetime limit—and why that might be a good thing

• 🧾 Simplified Loan Repayment: Two streamlined options, including the new “RAP” plan

• 🎓 529 Plan Flexibility: Expanded use for K–12 and workforce training

• 🏛️ College Accountability & Endowment Tax: How schools may feel the pressure to perform

Matt and Peg offer real talk and practical insights for families navigating the college planning process—plus a dose of optimism as they look ahead to a potentially more equitable and transparent system.

Don’t miss next week’s episode, where Peg sits down with CAP College Admissions Expert Dan “Lasso” Bisig to unpack the Common App before it officially goes live on August 1!

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 to the broader strategy behind tuition discounting, you'll learn how to navigate financial aid, appeal offers, and avoid paying full price. Get insider tips to play—and win—the college funding game.

👉 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!

• Learn more about what we do at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠College Aid Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
• Create a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free MyCAP account⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here to start personalizing your college planning journey!
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to hear exactly when new episodes drop!