187: Legacy Over Loans - A Midlife Mom’s Guide to Paying for College with Melissa Rowe

PURPOSESCAPING : Build confidence to reinvent and find purpose in midlife

Episode Summary:

If you’re a mom in midlife like me, you already know—college isn’t cheap, and the thought of paying for it can feel overwhelming. But my guest today, Melissa Rowe, wants you to know that smart moms don’t pay full price for college.

Melissa is an educator, college access expert, and founder of Capture Greatness, where she’s helped students earn over $12 million in scholarships and gain admission to top schools like Yale, UPenn, Cornell, Howard, and Morehouse.

In this episode, Melissa and I talk about what it really takes to save thousands on college costs and how to set your kids up for success without sacrificing your peace—or your retirement. She shares why scholars get the dollars (not just “good students”), why parents shouldn’t be discouraged by the sticker price, and how starting early and telling the right stories can make all the difference.

If you’re a mom navigating midlife, raising ambitious kids, and trying to build a legacy instead of a lifetime of debt—this episode is for you.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why scholarships are more about strategy than straight A’s

• How to find money most families overlook

• Why starting early gives your child a major advantage

• How to tell a compelling scholarship story that wins real dollars

• What every midlife parent should know before college applications begin

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Free Course: Secrets to Scholarship Success → CaptureGreatness.org

• Connect with Melissa Rowe → [Instagram or LinkedIn

• Follow Amanda on Instagram → [@iamamandamillerlittlejohn]

✨ Episode Reflection:

Sending our kids to college shouldn’t break us. This conversation will remind you that legacy isn’t just about money; it’s about creating opportunity and freedom for the next generation.