College! Podcast Episode 11: College Planning From the Mom Side: Real Talk on Costs, Choices & Second Chances

When it comes to college planning, it’s often the parents behind the scenes doing a lot of the heavy lifting—financially, emotionally, and logistically. In this heartfelt and information-packed episode of The College Podcast, host Peg Keough is joined by two of her College Aid Pro colleagues, Cathy Portele and Ann-Marie Sanderson, to discuss their firsthand experiences helping their kids navigate the college admissions and financial aid process.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore college options or you’re a few years into the journey, this conversation offers relatable advice, practical takeaways, and a healthy dose of reassurance for parents and guardians supporting college-bound students.

🎓 Three Moms, Three Journeys, One Shared Goal

Peg, Cathy, and Ann-Marie aren’t just experts in the college planning field—they’re also moms who’ve lived through the process with their own kids. Cathy and Ann-Marie each have three children, and they share stories of what went right, what went wrong, and what they’re doing differently with their younger children.

From the emotional challenge of letting go to the financial stress of making college affordable, their stories are filled with honest moments every parent can relate to.

💸 Learning the Financial Side the Hard Way

One of the central themes of the episode is how each mom approached college affordability—and how their understanding of financial aid, scholarships, and total cost of attendance evolved through the process.

  • Ann-Marie candidly admits she “stuck her head in the sand” when her twin sons first started exploring college. She was focused on their academics and extracurriculars, assuming the college details would just “work themselves out.” But with no 529 plan or deep financial planning in place, she quickly realized the importance of knowing about net price calculators, scholarship availability, and merit aid.
  • Cathy, who thought she had a handle on the college search with her first child, also fell into the “we’ll figure it out” trap. She and her husband eventually realized that setting clear financial boundaries from the beginning would’ve saved a lot of stress—and are now taking a totally different approach with their second daughter, including using College Aid Pro’s MyCAP software to run cost comparisons early.

These conversations emphasize the importance of starting early, understanding your financial situation, and being transparent with your student about what your family can and can’t afford.

📚 Every Student’s Path is Different

Another powerful insight from the episode is that no two students—or college paths—are the same.

  • Ann-Marie shares how one of her twins earned significant merit aid and is thriving at a private school where he’s essentially being paid to attend. Her other son, however, fell in love with a different school and will graduate with student loan debt. The contrast is a powerful reminder that fit and finances both matter—but so does letting your child make their own decisions (and sometimes, their own mistakes).
  • Cathy’s daughters have different preferences, too. Her oldest wanted a small, out-of-state school, while her younger daughter is leaning toward a large, in-state university with football games and more familiar faces. The takeaway? Kids know what feels right to them—and that “gut feeling” matters just as much as rankings or prestige.

👩‍👧‍👦 Emotional Honesty, Parent Perspective, and Long-Term Thinking

One of the most valuable takeaways from this episode is the emotional lens that only a parent can provide. Both guests talk openly about the emotional rollercoaster of watching your child make one of the biggest decisions of their life—and how to manage your own expectations while still being a guide.

From Peg’s reminder that college is just one chapter in your child’s life, to Ann-Marie’s wisdom that “the relationship is more important than the outcome,” the episode offers a thoughtful balance between financial planning and parenting mindset.

Cathy’s insight about stepping back and letting your child “fail forward” also reinforces the need to let go—while still being a strong, supportive presence.

✅ Key Takeaways for Parents Supporting College-Bound Students:

  • Start early: Use tools like MyCAP to understand your financial aid eligibility and net cost.
  • Be transparent: Set financial boundaries before your student builds their college list.
  • Let them lead: Guide your child, but don’t control every step.
  • Plan holistically: Consider academic fit, emotional well-being, and financial outcomes together.
  • Stay connected: Focus on maintaining a strong parent-child relationship through the process.

Whether you’re navigating the college admissions journey for the first time or you’re back for round two, this episode is a must-listen for families who want to make informed, empowered decisions.

👉 Listen to the Full Episode OUT NOW and find College Aid Pro on Instagram to catch Cathy’s expert parental insights and social media tips every week!