Shellee Howard: Smart College Choices That Won’t Wreck Your Finances
Is college really worth six figures or more? In this episode, you’ll learn how to treat college like a business decision, protect your retirement, and still help your student land at a great-fit school.
In this episode, Leonard and Shellee Howard discuss:
College as a business and ROI-focused decision
FAFSA, 529 plans, and common financial aid mistakes
Four “buckets” of college money and scholarship strategy
Standout strategy, early planning, and major/career alignment
Community service, global perspective, and nonprofit impact
Key Takeaways:
College should be evaluated like any other major purchase, by asking what you’re really buying, what the long-term return on investment looks like, and how it fits your family’s financial goals.
Completing the FAFSA correctly is critical; misunderstanding the process or providing unnecessary information can reduce access to certain financial aid opportunities.
Starting college planning as early as the summer after eighth grade gives students a clean slate to choose the right classes, activities, and “passion with purpose” projects that help them stand out.
The perceived prestige of a college name matters far less than fit: academic rigor, available majors, student goals, and the likelihood of graduating into a real career all need to align.
Community service and global engagement don’t just build character; they help students develop maturity, perspective, and compelling stories that strengthen applications and shape who they become.
“So when you think of college, you have to remember college is a business, and you have to treat it as such. And so it's more about what is right for your family and your wants, your desires. There's no one right answer.” - Shellee Howard
About Shellee Howard: Shellee Howard is the Founder and CEO of College Ready, a Certified Independent College Strategist, career counselor, best-selling author, international speaker, and host of the Parents Is Your Teen College Ready? podcast. With over 18 years of experience, she has helped thousands of students and families navigate college admissions, scholarships, career planning, and financial strategies. A mother of four college graduates, including a son who attended Harvard, Shellee uses her personal experience and expertise to help families find the right academic, social, and financial fit for college while minimizing student debt. She is also the founder of EmpowerEducation World, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering students through education and community service.
Connect with Shellee Howard:
Website: https://collegereadyplan.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward/
College Ready Plan Clarity Call: https://go.collegereadyplan.com/start-college-planning
Connect with Leonard Raskin:
Website: https://www.raskinglobal.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardraskin/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaskinGlobal
Email: lraskin@raskinglobal.com
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.