Help Your Teen Access More Money for College
Event Date: October 14, 2026
Paying for college can feel overwhelming. There's so much information out there and so many steps that sometimes it's hard to understand what college will actually cost for your family. The good news is the average amount of institutional aid has nearly doubled over the past 20 years, and student borrowing has declined. You don't have to figure out the path to accessing aid alone.
In this BigFuture® Live event, we shared how FAFSA®, scholarships, grants, savings, and financial aid offers all fit together and how parents can help their teens access as much money for college as possible. We talked about what families need to know, what steps to take, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Watch now for practical next steps to help your teen access more money for college.
Key Takeaways:
1. People Consistently Overestimate What College Actually Costs
"People's impression of college cost is even greater than it actually is." – Phil Levine, College Board
When surveyed, most people guessed the average cost to attend a public four-year university was $10,000 or more above the real number. The sticker price gets all the attention, but it's rarely what families actually pay, so it's worth looking past it before ruling a school out.
2. Outside Scholarships Are Still Worth Applying For, Even If They Can Affect Aid
"Don't just automatically discount it because you're afraid it's going to reduce your funding from the institution, because that's not always the case." – Sarah Baumhoff, Kennesaw State University
Some colleges will adjust aid when a student brings in outside scholarship money, but many won't, especially if the scholarship covers a cost (like books) that wasn't already covered. Calling the financial aid office to ask how a specific scholarship will be treated takes the guesswork out of the decision.
3. A Job Loss or Income Change Doesn't Lock You Into an Outdated FAFSA
"We can help you through a process where we'll collect some additional data from you and help make changes to what you filed originally on your FAFSA." – Jillian Glaze, Bunker Hill Community College
Because the FAFSA relies on tax information from two years prior, it may not reflect a family's current financial reality after a job loss or reduced income. Reaching out directly to a school's financial aid office can trigger a professional judgment review that updates a family's aid eligibility based on what's actually happening now.
4. Scholarship Money Often Goes Unclaimed Simply Because Students Don't Apply
"I have seen where students literally leave that money on the table." – Kemmoree Duncombe, Kirtland Community College
Scholarships can come from a wide range of sources, local organizations, high schools, employers, not just the college itself, and many go unclaimed because students assume it's not worth the effort. Encouraging students to apply broadly, even for smaller awards, can add up to real money that makes a meaningful difference.
Speakers
| Phillip LevineEconomics Professor, Creator of MyInTuition, and Author of Hidden Tuition: An Insider's Guide to College Pricing and Financial Aid Phillip Levine is the Katharine Coman and A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Economics at Wellesley College, a Senior Fellow for Higher Ed Affordability and Transparency Initiatives at the College Board, a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He previously served as a senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Levine earned his BS from Cornell University and his PhD from Princeton University. He has written dozens of journal articles and authored, coauthored, or edited six books on social policy. His 2022 book, A Problem of Fit: How the Complexity of College Pricing Hurts Students – and Universities (University of Chicago Press), examines college pricing and access. His forthcoming book, Hidden Tuition: An Insider’s Guide to College Pricing and Financial Aid (University of Chicago Press), is an accessible question-and-answer guide to the financial aid system and strategies for families. He created MyinTuition, a set of simplified tools to estimate prices at dozens of colleges and universities, which has since been acquired by the College Board. |
| Jillian M. GlazeSenior Director, Student Financial Services, Bunker Hill Community College Jillian M. Glaze is the Senior Director of Student Financial Services at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston. At one of Massachusetts’ most diverse college campuses, Jillian enjoys working closely with students from many cultures, languages, and life experiences, and she believes deeply that every student deserves opportunity. With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, Jillian strives to explain complex financial aid processes in practical ways that empower families to make informed decisions. She serves in leadership roles in organizations such as the College Board, Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and frequently presents on college affordability and access. In 2025, she was honored with the Edward M. Kennedy Public Service Award, recognizing her commitment to service, advocacy, and student success. Jillian’s work is grounded in one simple goal: helping students feel confident and supported as they pursue their dreams. |
| Kemmoree Duncombe, FAAC®Director of Financial Aid, Kirtland Community College Kemmoree Duncombe, FAAC®, is the Director of Financial Aid and Veterans Certifying Official at Kirtland Community College in Michigan. With more than 20 years of financial aid experience across four-year universities and community colleges, she is passionate about helping students and families navigate the financial aid process. Kemmoree regularly works with high school seniors and their families through Paying for College events, helping them understand financial aid, college costs, and the resources available to make college more affordable. |
| Sarah BaumhoffInterim, Associate Vice President of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Kennesaw State University Sarah Baumhoff is serving as Interim Associate Vice President of Scholarships and Financial Aid/Executive Director, Financial Aid Counseling, Outreach & Scholarships at Kennesaw State University. Sarah has been at Kennesaw State for the last 15 years. Sarah is currently overseeing all functions of the Scholarships and Financial Aid Office. Prior to joining the staff at KSU, Sarah has worked at several different higher education institutions and the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Sarah has worked in financial aid in some capacity since her days as a college work-study student in the financial aid office. Sarah and her husband, Ken, have two sons, Adam and Andrew. Both are currently attending college with one being a senior and the other being a freshman. |
Video
Help Your Teen Access More Money For College
Figuring out what college will really cost can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. In this BigFuture® Live recording, Phillip Levine, author of Hidden Tuition and creator of MyinTuition, shares 10 tips on how FAFSA®, scholarships, grants, savings, and aid offers fit together. Panelists Jillian Glaze of Bunker Hill Community College, Kemmoree Duncombe, FAAC® of Kirtland Community College, and Sarah Baumhoff, MSEd, FAAC®️ of Kennesaw State University joins Phil in answering questions during a live Q&A. Watch to learn what steps to take, what mistakes to avoid, and how to help your teen get as much money for college as possible.
Download
Help Your Teen Access More Money for College Presentation
Want the key points from our BigFuture® Live event in one place? Download the slides from Phillip Levine, author of Hidden Tuition and creator of MyinTuition, to see his 10 tips for getting the most money for college. They're easy to save, print, or share with your teen as you plan your next steps.
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Paying for College
Can your child afford to go to college? The answer is yes, but you need to carefully plan together how to pay for it.
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Scholarships, Grants, and Institutional Aid
Whether you’re pursuing a certificate, trade program, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree, you can get help paying for college. Learn more.
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How Does Financial Aid Work?
Billions of dollars of financial aid are available to students every year who need help paying for college. If you want this assistance, make it a priority to determine your eligibility and apply on time.
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Scholarship Directory
Browse over 24,000 scholarships, with more than $1.5 billion scholarship dollars yearly.