The Scholar Budget - Helping Students Navigate Finances & Earn a Debt-Free Degree

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In this conversation, we talk to Thyra and Vivian, the founders of Origami for Good, a nonprofit organization that uses origami to spread joy and creativity to various communities, including the elderly, youth, and soldiers. We discuss their organization's origins, their work's impact on recipients, the importance of creativity in volunteering, and how inclusivity and cultural understanding are central to their mission...

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In this conversation, Tori Meglio, VP of Donors at Bold.org, discusses the organization's mission to reduce student debt through impactful scholarships. She explains how Bold.org differentiates itself from other scholarship platforms by offering exclusive opportunities and a user-friendly application process. Tori emphasizes the importance of authenticity in scholarship essays and shares success stories of students who...

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Abraham Sculley shares his personal journey of becoming a mental health advocate for college students. He discusses the challenges he faced as a first-generation college student and how it led to his own experience with depression. Sculley emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health and highlights the role of finances in mental well-being. He encourages students to share their mental health journeys in sc...

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Meet Rachel Davison Humphries, Senior Director of Civic Learning Initiatives at the Bill of Rights Institute. She discusses the organization's mission to teach civics and equip students and teachers to live the ideals of a free and just society. The Bill of Rights Institute offers free educational resources for teachers and students, including AP prep materials and in-person programs. Rachel also introduces the My Im...

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Sally Watanabe talks about the World of 8 Billion International Student Video Contest, a program that encourages middle and high school students to create 60-second videos on global issues related to human population growth. The contest, sponsored by Population Education, aims to promote critical thinking, communication skills, and creativity among students. Sally highlights the benefits of participating in the con...

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In this conversation, Benjamin Warren from the Washington Society of CPAs discusses the importance of scholarships for accounting students, the role of the WSCPA in supporting aspiring CPAs, and the various scholarship opportunities available. He emphasizes the significance of storytelling in applications, the criteria for selection, and offers advice for students on how to position themselves as strong candidates. B...

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Treyvious Copeland, a first-year doctor of pharmacy candidate at Florida A&M University, shares his journey and offers advice for students. He emphasizes the importance of being intentional and knowing your why, as well as getting involved in extracurricular activities to stand out. Treyvious discusses the challenges of balancing high school and college courses and the importance of time management and adaptabili...

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In this episode, Chaffee Viets, Director of the Office of Scholar Programs at Georgia Tech, discusses the broader impact of scholarship programs beyond financial awards. He oversees programs like the Stamps President Scholars and Tech Promise Scholars at Georgia Tech. Viets highlights trends in scholarships, including the increased focus on service and rising competitiveness. He advises students to start early, be au...

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In this episode, we connect with Ariana, her mother, and Ms. Smith to discuss the Time for Change Youth Challenge and how Ariana's initiative, Celebrate Crates, came to life. The discussion highlights the importance of community involvement, the role of family and educators in supporting youth projects, and the positive impact of such initiatives on personal growth and community well-being. The Time for Change Youth Ch...

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Francisco Tezen, the president and CEO of A Better Chance, discusses the organization's mission to help young people gain access to competitive middle schools and high schools, leading to opportunities at top colleges and universities. A Better Chance works nationally in seven core markets, providing support and guidance to students and families throughout a rigorous application process. The organization also offers ...

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In this episode, Daniel Barkowitz, Assistant Vice President of Financial Assistance and Student Employment at the University of Miami, discusses the importance of completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and offers valuable tips for students and parents. He explains the FAFSA's role in determining eligibility for federal aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Daniel highl...

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In this episode of the Scholar Budget Podcast, we connect with Sarah Lankford and Taylor Gorycki from the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation. They discuss the foundation's mission to combat hunger, the legacy of Stephen J. Brady, and the various programs they run, including the Stephen J. Brady Scholarship. We highlight the importance of youth engagement in community service, the scholarship application process, and the i...

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Create for Kids is a nonprofit organization founded by Suma Gadde and Sarah Younes. Their mission is to help kids all around the world, especially in places where they may not have access to organizations or nonprofits. They provide care packages to children in hospitals, reaching out to them through social media or hospitals. There is no age limit to get involved, and students can earn community service hours by partner...

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Meet Percio Pichardo, Senior Manager of Recruitment and Retention for SEO Scholars. We discussed the amazing free eight-year program that aims to close the opportunity gap for underserved students. The SEO program provides academic support, mentoring, career development, and college readiness opportunities. The program guarantees that students who apply and enroll will attend a four-year college. SEO Scholars offers on...

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In season two of the Scholar Budget Podcast, we focus on providing information and resources to help students earn a debt-free degree. The stacking method, dual enrollment, and other methods are key ingredients to a debt-free college degree. We also emphasize the importance of completing the FAFSA application and addressing mental health and wellness in relation to scholarships and academic success. 

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Is it me, or did the summer get here faster than expected? Living in Miami makes it feel like the summer started three weeks ago. This is the time to start preparing for the beach, vacations, and getting scholarship ready. Learn what you can start doing right now to prepare for scholarship success. Don’t wait; this is your time to prepare for a debt-free degree.

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This is one of those episodes that can save you time, money, and disappointment. Using AI tools like ChatGPT for scholarship essays is not recommended. Scholarship organizations are looking for authentic and honest stories from students, which AI cannot provide. Relying on AI tools can lead to negative consequences, such as being caught for plagiarism. Instead, listen to find out what you can do to start securing schol...

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Happy Financial Literacy Month!

Let's talk with Eric Smith, a financial literacy coach who shares his journey from being a banker to teaching money management skills to NFL players, NBA players, college athletes, and other groups. He emphasizes the importance of cash flow management as the first step to financial success and cautions against borrowing more than necessary for college expenses. Eric makes financial litera...

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In this episode, Shaundrea Dixon, the founder of Progressive Opportunities, Inc., shares her mission to provide pre-college resources and scholarships to low-income students and families in Florida. She aims to break the misconception that low-income students cannot afford college and provides free guidance and resources to help them access scholarships. Shaundrea emphasizes the importance of local scholarships and o...