In this episode of The Above Board Podcast, John talks with Shellee Howard, college planning expert, founder of College Ready, and author of How to Send Your Student to College Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money. Shellee shares how families can navigate the college process with confidence by finding the right school, minimizing debt, and making smart decisions from start to finish. Whether your student is a freshman or a senior, this conversation will help you plan with purpose and peace of mind. Learn more at www.collegereadyplan.com Get Shellee’s book: How To Send Your Student To College Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money   00:18 Meet Shelly Howard: College Planning Expert 01:17 Shelly's Personal Journey into College Planning 02:56 Building a Strategy for College Planning 06:48 The Importance of Passion and Purpose 12:01 Challenges Faced by High School Counselors 16:49 Empowering Students to Make Big Decisions 23:04 Starting College Planning Early 27:39 Financial Planning for College 28:54 The Importance of GPA and Test Scores 29:59 Creating a Unique Test Strategy 31:03 Maximizing Scholarships Through PSAT 31:45 Community Service and Passion with Purpose 33:39 The Role of Athletics and Extracurriculars 39:54 Understanding Different Buckets of Money 41:13 Negotiating College Scholarships 42:53 The Student Aid Index and FAFSA Insights 48:01 Wrapping Up and Additional Resources