Have you ever felt like the stress of planning and paying for college is just too much to organize, prioritize, and manage—leaving you wondering if higher education can ever feel affordable and achievable?
On this episode of the Making the Grade Podcast, Georgia & Christine sit down with Howard Freedman—financial aid consultant, author of Making College Happen, and longtime leader in financial management.
Howard shares how executive function skills like planning, organization, and prioritization shaped his journey—from being a detail-oriented student, to careers in payroll and process improvement, to reinventing himself as a financial aid consultant helping families make college possible.
He also reflects on leadership lessons, including a memorable payroll story that taught him the importance of preparation and problem-solving under pressure. Howard explains how he applies his ABC Model (Acknowledge the problem, Build teamwork, Commit to doing it better) to guide both organizations and families.
Together, they discuss persistence, reducing stress in the financial aid process, and practical strategies families can use to stay grounded and focused on what matters most when planning for college.
Read the cliff notes below or 🎧 listen now:
📌 Learn More
- Learn more about Howard’s work and find his book, Making College Happen, on Amazon.
- Learn more about Executive Function Skills and take our Free Quiz on finding your EF Personality!
- Listen & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts