Paying for business school can feel overwhelming—but it doesn't have to.

In this episode of Inside the GMAT, Zach sits down with Allie Danziger, Chief Marketing Officer at Ascent Funding, to discuss one of the biggest concerns facing prospective students: how to finance graduate management education.

Together, they explore why cost remains a major barrier for candidates, common misconceptions about loans and scholarships, strategies for building a realistic financial plan, and ways students can evaluate the long-term return on investment of their degree.

Whether you're just beginning to research programs or preparing to enroll this fall, this conversation offers practical guidance to help you approach funding decisions with greater confidence, including:

• Why financing feels overwhelming for so many candidates
• The difference between scholarships, federal loans, and private loans
• How to calculate your true cost of attendance
• Common funding mistakes students make
• Ways AI can help students plan financially
• Why starting early matters
• How Ascent Funding supports students beyond financing

About our guest:

Allie Danziger is Chief Marketing Officer at Ascent Funding, where she leads marketing, growth, and customer experience initiatives focused on helping students and families access education financing with confidence.

A serial entrepreneur and business builder, Allie has founded, scaled, and successfully exited two companies. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about creating innovative solutions that help individuals achieve their educational and professional goals.

In 2020, she founded Ampersand, a workforce development platform designed to help early-career professionals build career-ready skills and connect education to employment outcomes. Ampersand was acquired by Ascent Funding in 2023. Prior to Ampersand, Allie founded and led Integrate Agency, one of Texas's leading marketing and public relations firms, serving more than 600 organizations and growing a team of over 250 professionals.

Today, Allie brings a unique perspective at the intersection of education, career readiness, marketing, and technology, helping organizations create meaningful pathways from education to long-term success.

Helpful Resources:

Check your rates with Ascent: https://partners.ascentfunding.com/gmac

Apply for the GMAC scholarship: https://www.ascentfunding.com/scholarships

Register for the GMAT: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Financing Education
01:39 Understanding the Barriers to Financing
06:10 Navigating the Cost of Attendance
11:16 Funding Options Explained
15:32 Common Misconceptions in Student Financing
18:14 Timing Your Financial Decisions
21:40 Ascent Funding's Unique Approach
25:03 Collaboration with GMAC
26:40 Final Thoughts and Action Steps