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Simply SmarterAuthor: Caleb & Jill
Welcome to the Simply Smarter Podcast hosted by College Prep Expert Caleb Pierce and Marketing Director Jill Purcell. On this show, well help families navigate some of the areas surrounding the college prep process by providing college and ACT related advice for students and their families. Listen each week to find out how students can score better on college placement tests, with techniques and methods that build confidence, beat test anxiety, and identify strengths within each student. Language: en-us Genres: Courses, Education, How To Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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The One-Point Trick: How to Turn $3,000 in Test Prep Into $24,000 in Scholarships
Episode 3
Tuesday, 30 September, 2025
In July 2025, everything changed for families planning for college. New legislation now allows you to use 529 College Savings Plans for ACT and SAT test prep—completely tax-free. But here's what makes this really exciting: quality test prep typically improves scores by 3-5 points, and at most universities, even a single point can mean the difference between no scholarship and $6,000-11,000 per year.In this episode, we break down:How tax-free 529 withdrawals create an automatic 22-24% discount on tutoringReal scholarship thresholds at major universities (one point = $8,000-16,000 over four years)The "529 Multiplier Effect" showing 14-21x returns on test prep investmentsWhy parent-owned 529s have minimal impact on financial aidState tax benefits you can stack on top (up to $10,000 in deductions)Practical timelines for juniors and seniorsWhether you're just starting to think about college or your student is taking the ACT next month, this episode reveals how to maximize every educational dollar while accessing premium tutoring that was previously out of reach.Explore the 529 Multiplier Effect ToolTake a Free Practice TestSubscribe & Review: If this episode helped you understand the ACT changes, please subscribe to Simply Smarter Podcast on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us reach more students and families navigating the college admissions process.
