I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with family and friends.
As far as resolutions – don’t make them…..for me it’s all about:
- Getting to NC to visit my granddaughters more….
- Taking more walks on Long Sands Beach and at Nahant…
- Keep doing right for my students and families
- Sharing more education and knowledge on life after high school planning
- Keeping a diligent eye on the changing landscape of higher education
- Networking more, listening more, helping more
If you’re into making resolutions and still thinking, here is a good read on the subject.
Closer to home, in your home and business, a lot of excellent, wonderful, and exciting things are going to happen in 2026.
Here is what I am hearing, seeing, and learning to help ensure you have a successful year as parents, grandparents, and working adults.
- If you’re looking to borrow from the federal student aid programs to pay for college or career school, rules are changing on July 1, 2026: loan limits and program eligibility.
- Repaying your student loans will look different, especially for those who have not been paying since 2022. Tighter and less flexible repayment terms may cause many to fall into delinquency and default—rules of the game change on July 1, 2026.
- Hoping to stay away from the national testing scene, many colleges will be returning to their pre-COVID-19 admission requirements, including the reintroduction of national testing (SAT/ACT).
- Considering an elite, highly selective, sought-after college or university for 2027. Apply early. Over 2/3 of the Class of 2030 were taken from early applications, and upwards to 20% from the binding Early Decision applicant pool.
- Free and discounted tuition and fees will continue to be offered at community and private institutions for those who qualify. But legislative funding appropriations can throw a wrench into the 100% access for all.
- High schools, public, private, and charter, will grapple with an increased number of students and families leaving for homeschooling as families worry about the impact of budget cuts, safety, and bullying.
- Colleges and universities across the country will continue to eliminate underperforming, undersubscribed academic programs, resulting in reductions in staffing and faculty.
- The words skilled trades, community college, and non-degree credential programs will gain greater exposure and enrollment. Outstanding!! However, social pressures & the nature of higher education, it’s a business, will continue to promote the college for all mindset.
- Purchasing education after high school will remain expensive. Daunting for many…. Tackling the ‘how will we pay’ and ‘where should we go’ questions is critical. Answers we need before you fall in love with a dream college or get accepted and realize you can’t pay without depleting your retirement – Never – Never – Schedule a call with me 😊.
For Professionals, CEOs, CFOs, leaders in business and especially the financial services sector, your clients and workforce will be affected by these and other personal, emotional, and economic changes. Here’s what I see:
- Parents and young adults will be spending more time at work seeking answers to the questions causing them stress and anxiety day and night. Financial, health, family
- Productivity and general health for many will weaken as stress over tuition bills, loan repayment, and troubling college experiences for their students haunt their minds.
- More parents will consider delaying retirement contributions, while others will raid their retirement savings to pay for college.
- More families will ask grandparents to risk their golden years to cosign a private education loan.
- Parents with questionable or troubled credit profiles will scramble to find ways to pay for college as further limitations on federal student loan borrowing.
- Millions of borrowers will experience negative credit score hits, limiting or erasing access to consumer borrowing as the government catches up on student loan repayments after a six-year pause.
- Wage garnishment, bankruptcy, and lost SS benefits will return, affecting payroll and bank account deposits.
- Employees and clients will turn to you as their trusted employer and advisors for guidance. Please take a minute to prep your employee assistance programs and outreach services to ensure they offer a broad range of support. Schedule a call if I can help.
NO, I’m not starting 2026 with a negative lens. It’s laser-focused on these and other issues affecting families and individuals. I want 2026 to be better than 2025, for my children, grandchildren, you, and yours!
If I have hit a cord at home or work, let’s start 2026 on a positive note!!
Everything begins with a conversation – schedule a no-obligation time to talk at www.calendly.com/tom-126 or call 617-240-7350.