Counseling Families Through College Costs with Michelle Smoley, AFC®

In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts , we sit down with Michelle Smoley, AFC®, a seasoned financial counselor with over two decades of experience guiding families through the higher education journey. Michelle shares her expertise in helping clients navigate student loans, financial aid, and the often-complex decision-making process around college financing. From strategies for saving and borrowing wisely to addressing common misconceptions about financial aid, Michelle provides actionable insights for financial counselors and planners working with clients of all ages. Whether you’re counseling parents, students, or young adults preparing for college, this episode equips financial professionals with the knowledge and tools to provide informed, practical guidance. Show Notes: 00:00 Welcome to Real Money, Real Experts 06:31 Michelle’s Journey into Financial Counseling 13:01 Key Trends in College Financing 23:01 Common Misconceptions About College Costs 30:01 Early Financial Education for Young Adults 53:31 Michelle’s 2 Cents Show Note Links: T. Rowe Price’s 12th Annual Parents, Kids, & Money Survey Michelle's favorite Private Lendor platform Find an AFC Connect with Michelle on Linkedin! Want to get involved with AFCPE®? Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course , or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

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Counseling Families Through College Costs with Michelle Smoley, AFC® is an episode from Real Money, Real Experts by AFCPE®.

This episode is 37:28 long.

This episode was published on Sep 2, 2025.

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