Sending a child to college is exciting but it can also be one of the most stressful and expensive decisions a family faces. How do you choose the right school without losing sleep (or breaking the bank)?

In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, hosts Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale sit down with Heidi King from College Inside Track to unpack the overwhelming world of college planning. Heidi shares both her professional expertise and personal experience guiding her own children through the process. From navigating skyrocketing tuition to evaluating merit aid and building a school list that truly fits, she explains why college is not a prize to be won but a match to be found. Listeners will hear how early conversations reduce stress, why the “sticker price” isn’t always the real price, and how families can approach this milestone with clarity instead of panic.

What to expect:

• Why college is the second biggest family purchase after a home
• The surprising truth about merit aid and need-based aid
• How to help your child explore fit without obsessing over prestige
• Practical tips for starting the process early, and keeping stress manageable
• And more!

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®: 

• The Planning Center
• LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux
• jude@theplanningcenter.com
• Phone: (504) 717-4862

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

• LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale
• caleb@theplanningcenter.com 
• Phone: (309) 797-4030

Connect with Heidi King:

• College Inside Track
• LinkedIn: Heidi King
• heidikingcit@collegeinsidetrack.com

About Our Guest:

Heidi King is part of the education and partnerships team at College Inside Track, a firm that has helped families for nearly 20 years identify the right academic, social, and financial fit for their students. Having guided her own two sons through the process, Heidi brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal insight to families navigating one of life’s biggest investments.