696. NEW WAYS TO USE YOUR 529 PLAN
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Release Date: 12/16/2025
713. THE IMPACT OF DIVORCE ON COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
While the pain divorce can cause everyone involved is well known, less understood are the problems that only pop up when the FAFSA is due. Amy and Mike invited college financial prep expert Vicki Vollweiler to explain the impact of divorce on college admissions and financial aid. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is college planning actually more complicated after divorce? What mistakes do divorced parents make before senior year that end up costing them later? How do financial aid rules treat divorced families differently... and why is there so much confusion? ...
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712. HOW BUSINESS-MINDED STUDENTS CAN STAND OUT IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
College admissions is serious business, doubly so if you want to study business at a selective institution. Fortunately, the very traits that presage corporate or entrepreneurial success contribute mightily to the application process. Amy and Mike invited independent education consultant Evan Green to explore how business-minded students can stand out in college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? When a high school student is interested in business, how should they approach college applications? What are good extracurricular activities that high school...
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711. HOW TO WIN SCHOLARSHIPS
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Yes, of course college students want scholarships. Who wouldn’t want their education funded in part or entirely with funds that don’t need to be paid back? But an astonishingly deep well of free money seems inaccessible to most applicants. Amy and Mike invited educator Leia LeMaster Horton to explore how to win scholarships. What are five things you will learn in this episode? When should students start going after scholarships? What are the three types of scholarships? Which major private, merit-based scholarships are most strategic to target? What preparation should a...
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710. UNPACKING AND SOLVING MATH ANXIETY
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Of all the subjects taught in school, mathematics is most certainly the most common source of stress. But what’s so mind-numbing about numeracy? Amy and Mike invited educator Dan Roeder to unpack and explore solutions for math anxiety. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is math anxiety? What causes math anxiety? What are the major impacts of math anxiety? What are proven solutions for math anxiety? How can someone support a student or child to alleviate math anxiety? MEET OUR GUEST Dan Roeder is a math educator and researcher focused on understanding and...
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709. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: February 2026
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The Tests and the Rest podcast consistently focuses on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What have Amy and Mike been up to this month? Where did Amy travel? Should Mike change his intro to the podcast? What are three...
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708. WHAT MAKES A GREAT COLLEGE TOWN?
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Tremendous amounts of interest and anxiety are expended on answering the question of where a student might go to college. Usually, though, the focal point is the school and not the community around the school, when sometimes the setting makes all the difference. Amy and Mike invited educator Ryan Allen to explore the question of what makes a great college town. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is a college town? Why are some towns with colleges not proper college towns? What are some of the best college towns in the United States? What features or factors...
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707. OVERLOOKED TEST TAKING SKILLS
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Every exam is designed to assess an obvious array of knowledge and skills. However, much more than the obvious is often needed to truly excel. Amy and Mike invited educator Mike Settele to review overlooked test-taking skills. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What are the obvious or well-known test-taking skills? What are some classic test-taking skills that influence the score? What are some overlooked test-taking skills? Are any of these skills hard or impossible to improve during the test prep timeline? What is the most important test-taking...
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706. COACHING FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
When you need expert individual support with skill, strategy, behavior, or body of knowledge, you’ll probably reach out to a tutor or coach. How do those roles differ, and how can you get the most out of them? Amy and Mike invited test prep professional Scott Clyburn to define coaching for academic success. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Is there a difference between teaching and coaching? What are simple conversation habits that keep students in the driver’s seat in learning? What is the best way to benchmark executive function skills? Why is it...
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705. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A COLLEGE CONSULTANT?
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
A DIY attitude can not only open the mind to new experiences and illuminate hidden strengths but also save a dollar or two. But we may not want to tackle every important task alone, particularly one as complex and chancy as a competitive college application. Amy and Mike invited independent educational consultant Jodi Rosenshein Atkin to help assess how to know if you need a college consultant. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Does every student need outside help in applying to college? What does a student’s high school have to do with the need for a college...
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704. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: January 2026
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The Tests and the Rest podcast has always been relentlessly focused on exploring important topics in testing, admissions, education, and learning with amazing expert guests. Sometimes, though, we enjoy an unstructured opportunity to discuss our own takes on major issues, upcoming events, and our endeavors at the intersection of business and education. Catch up with us in the latest episode of EXTEMP with Amy & Mike. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What have Amy and Mike been up to this month? Where did Mike travel? What are Amy and Mike’s favorite family meals?...
info_outlineEvery dollar saved for college is a dollar you won’t have to borrow. But even if you can save, what’s the best way to put money aside for higher education? Amy and Mike invited financial expert Joanne Dashiell to explore new ways to use your 529 plan.
What are five things you will learn in this episode?
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What exactly is a 529 plan, and how does it work?
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Can you talk about the two different types of 529 plans, savings and prepaid?
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What are some of the tax advantages associated with using a 529 plan?
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How have 2025 policy changes expanded 529 plan flexibility?
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What is the one message you hope families take away about saving for college?
MEET OUR GUEST
Joanne Dashiell serves as Chief Marketing Officer at CollegeWell and Private College 529 Plan. In her current role, Joanne is responsible for leading all marketing efforts across multiple audiences and channels for CollegeWell. She brings over 20 years of higher education experience and a passion for helping families and students make their college dreams an affordable reality. Through her varied roles, Joanne has helped tens of thousands of families prepare for college by developing education and outreach programs for audiences of all ages.
As an industry expert, Joanne has delivered presentations throughout the country at national, regional, and state conferences. She serves as a resource for secondary and post-secondary professionals, providing guidance on financial aid regulations and trends in college enrollment and financing. Joanne’s higher education career began in 2001, during which she spent several years working in financial aid at both public and private institutions, as well as in various roles at MEFA, ASA, and the Higher Education Assistance Group.
Joanne can be reached at education@pc529.com.
LINKS
Can 529 Funds Be Used to Pay for Test Prep?
Private College 529 Plan | What is a 529 Plan?
Education Savings Vehicles: Know Your Options
RELATED EPISODES
THE ROLE OF TEST SCORES IN COLLEGE MERIT AID
BUSTING MYTHS ABOUT HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE