Kim Clark

May 1 is the deadline for high school seniors to decide which college they'll attend in the fall, and money is a big factor in that decision. Midday Money contributor Kim Clark, senior writer for Money magazine and an expert on higher education finances, untangles the financial aid process. Also, David Leondhardt, Washington bureau chief of The New York Times, on why high-achieving, low-income students are not entering the country’s best colleges.

Kim Clark, senior writer for Money magazine, joins us for a look at the latest in consumer news concerning higher education. Are we facing a student loan sequel to the home-mortgage crisis? Are high-income professionals getting a bigger break on student loans than low-wage earners under the federal government’s new income-based repayment program? Plus: what the so-called “fiscal cliff” and Congress’ inaction might do to the stock market, and why Baltimore County’s plan to borrow money for its employee pensions might be a bad bet.

May 1 is the deadline for high school seniors to decide which college they'll attend in the fall, and money is a big factor in that decision. Midday Money contributor Kim Clark, senior writer for Money magazine and an expert on higher education finances, untangles the financial aid process. Plus, battling food prices -- how to save money while grocery shopping; Midday listeners compare notes on saving at the checkout and share their opinions of Maryland supermarkets.

Kim Clark, senior writer for Money Magazine, joins us for the debut of Midday on Personal Finance, our monthly show devoted to personal financial advice and consumer news. This hour: how brokerage firms are not required to put investors’ interests before their own and why a new rule requiring them to do so is being held up by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Also, Kim warns against a hot, new “alternative” investment and suggests credit cards that give you the best bang for your buck.

According to Inside Higher Ed, an education news Web site, more and more colleges are recruiting students who are able to pay full tuition regardless of their credentials.  A scary scenario - with tuition rising by roughly 8 percent a year and the cost of attending a public university in 2020 projected to be almost 40,000 a year. This hour: The cost of higher education and its influence on admissions. Also, strategies on how to pay for college.