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How To Help Your Teen Earn Scholarships with Shellee Howard to Graduate Without Debt
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If college costs feel like a moving target, this conversation gives you the playbook. We sit down with Shellee Howard—founder of College Ready and CR Future Now—to map a student-first strategy that earns scholarships, reduces debt, and sets teens up for meaningful careers. Shellee shares how to align academic fit, social fit, and financial fit so families stop guessing and start negotiating with clarity. You’ll hear why motivation matters more than hype, how to turn passion into a focused leadership narrative, and what actually opens the door to merit money.
We break down the numbers and nuances: lowering your Student Aid Index, completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile without common errors, and building a scholarship plan that pairs institutional awards with targeted private opportunities. Shellee’s approach treats admissions like a business case—when a student can show measurable impact, colleges respond with funding. Expect practical tips on documenting achievements, selecting projects that address real-world problems, and managing the process so that sophomore and junior years build momentum rather than stress.
CR Future Now takes it further by connecting identity to majors, careers, and actual earnings. Students explore strengths, run salary and cost-of-living realities, and learn to iterate: try, learn, pivot. Parents get a framework for listening without judgment and helping teens build confidence and grit. You’ll walk away with clear next steps, from early planning and testing strategy to webinars and community talks designed to help families win at admissions and financial aid.
Ready to build a plan that fits your student and your budget? Listen now, subscribe for more conversations with change makers, and leave a review to share what strategy you’ll try first.
Connect with Shellee Howard
Website: https://collegereadyplan.com
All Social Media Platforms: podfol.io/profile/shellee-howard
LinkedIn- Shellee Howard - College Ready | LinkedIn
Instagram: @collegereadyplan
Facebook: College Ready | Corona del Mar CA | Facebook
Stay tuned for the next episode of Ready Set Collaborate with Wanda Pearson. Subscribe - Follow and Like Ready Set Collaborate with Wanda Pearson
Chapters
1. Welcome And Guest Introduction (00:00:00)
2. Shelly’s Mission And Credentials (00:00:39)
3. Debt-Free Starts With Student Motivation (00:03:42)
4. Origin Story And Ivy League Outcome (00:05:56)
5. Strategy Beats Headlines About Aid (00:08:22)
6. The Gap In School Counseling (00:08:57)
7. Why Readiness Matters In A Social Era (00:09:49)
8. The College Ready Framework (00:10:48)
9. Treat Admissions Like A Business Case (00:12:00)
10. Start Early And Stand Out (00:13:56)
11. CR Future Now And Career Clarity (00:15:46)
12. Building Grit And Listening Well (00:17:58)
13. Transforming A Botanist’s Dream (00:19:45)
14. Books, Speaking, And Global Impact (00:22:19)
15. Action Plan For Families (00:24:46)
16. Webinars, FAFSA Help, And Outreach (00:26:21)
17. How To Connect And Final Thanks (00:27:07)
18. Closing And Subscribe Reminder (00:28:44)
102 episodes
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