If you have been following the news around higher education finance, you know that 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, is set to overhaul the federal student loan system in ways that will fundamentally change how students and families pay for college and graduate school. The most significant changes take effect July 1, 2026, and they are sweeping

The conversation around college has shifted dramatically. With mounting student debt, high-profile dropouts succeeding without degrees, and growing skepticism about the “value” of higher education in the US, families are (understandably) asking: Is college still worth the investment?

This was a very legitimate concern from a former student, and it's gotten worse over the years. What used to be an impressive course load has become the expectation at many competitive high schools, leaving students exhausted and families wondering: how much is too much?

"My daughter just started high school, but all her friends are already touring colleges. Are we falling behind?"

I occasionally hear this question from anxious parents who worry they're either starting too late or pushing their child too early. The truth? There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a sweet spot for most families.