702. WHAT IS THE CSS PROFILE?
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Release Date: 01/20/2026
702. WHAT IS THE CSS PROFILE?
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
The old saying that you won’t receive what you don’t ask for definitely applies to college financial aid. Nobody likes paperwork, but there’s one critical financial aid form that unlocks access to more than $14 billion in nonfederal aid. Amy and Mike invited financial planner Brian Eyster to explain exactly what the CSS Profile is. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the CSS Profile, and how does it differ from the FAFSA? Do all private universities require the CSS? How can I find out which colleges? Which assets and which income(s) do you need to...
info_outline
701. TEST SCORES: THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS EDGE
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Even as many competitive colleges are returning to test score requirements for admissions, many others remain at least nominally optional. What does the near future hold for testing, and who stands to gain from improved exam performance? Amy and Mike invited educator Phillip Bates to explore the college admissions edge of test scores. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How significant are standardized test scores in today's increasingly holistic college admissions landscape? What strategies can students employ to maximize their test scores and gain a competitive edge in...
info_outline
700. CELEBRATING OUR 700TH EPISODE
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
After 699 episodes devoted to amazing conversations about testing, admissions, education, and learning, it’s time for something completely different. Amy and Mike invited educator Scott Greenspan to help celebrate our 700th episode. What are five things you will learn in this episode? How did Tests and the Rest start, and how has it changed over time? What impact has the podcast had so far? What are Amy and Mike’s theme songs, mentors, and dream vacations? Who else would Amy and Mike be willing to host TATR with? What might the future hold for the National Test Prep...
info_outline
699. BEST COLLEGES FOR YOUR TUITION DOLLARS
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
An assortment of institutions as diverse and differentiated as colleges and universities can be ranked and sorted in any number of ways. If not all listing criteria are equally relevant, which ones should you trust to find your best fit schools? Amy and Mike asked Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris to clarify his rankings for the best colleges for your tuition dollars. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What's wrong with the metrics that U.S. News and similar ranking systems use to rate colleges? What alternative metrics would be better to rate colleges? ...
info_outline
698. WHAT DOES PUBLIC EDUCATION OWE TO ADVANCED STUDENTS?
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Public schools are mandated to provide educational opportunities to all students and generally work very hard to support learners with profound deficits or differences. But what about learners who require enrichment rather than accommodations? Amy and Mike invited Kenneth Shores to examine the question of what public education owes to advanced students. What are five things you will learn in this episode? In theory, what is the purpose of public education? Why has public education struggled to support advanced students? Does harm occur when enrichment is withheld from thriving students? ...
info_outline
697. EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: December 2025
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
EXTEMP WITH AMY & MIKE: December 2025 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? How was the NTPA Winter Workshop? What are Amy and Mike’s plans for...
info_outline
696. NEW WAYS TO USE YOUR 529 PLAN
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Every 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? What exactly is a 529 plan, and how does it work? Can you talk about the two different types of 529 plans, savings and prepaid? What are some of the tax advantages associated with using a 529 plan? How have 2025 policy changes expanded 529 plan flexibility? What is the one message...
info_outline
695. TEST PREP PROFILE: Dani Fleischer & Kevin McCormick
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUESTS Kevin S. McCormick is a certified New Jersey English teacher who has taught middle and high school in Elizabeth, NJ since 2013. Before joining Teach for America, he worked in Institutional Equity Sales at Salomon Smith Barney, the NYSE, and the American Stock Exchange. He holds an MBA in Finance and International Business and a BA in English from NYU. Dani Fleischer is a writer and educator whose work has appeared in The Huffington Post and The Washington Post. Like...
info_outline
694. TEST PREP PROFILE: Lucy Zhang
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Lucy Zhang is the owner of A+ Test Prep and Tutoring, a 30+ year–old company helping students boost SAT/ACT scores and academic performance. She also co-founded SetSail, an online tutoring company connecting U.S. tutors with students abroad, and now runs both organizations. Lucy is focused on growing her impact by bringing additional tutoring teams into the fold, so more students can access high-quality, one-on-one support. Find Lucy on . ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and...
info_outline
693. TEST PREP PROFILE: Roman Marchenko
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Roman Marchenko. After 15 years of teaching high school social studies in public and private settings, Roman transitioned to full-time test preparation. He’s always been a big fan of standardized tests, and a large part of his practice is getting students to evolve their mindset about the ACT and SAT. So many view these tests as a necessary evil, at best, but that serves as an obstacle to performance! Roman’s favorite part of the job is getting to glimpse...
info_outlineThe old saying that you won’t receive what you don’t ask for definitely applies to college financial aid. Nobody likes paperwork, but there’s one critical financial aid form that unlocks access to more than $14 billion in nonfederal aid. Amy and Mike invited financial planner Brian Eyster to explain exactly what the CSS Profile is.
What are five things you will learn in this episode?
-
What is the CSS Profile, and how does it differ from the FAFSA?
-
Do all private universities require the CSS? How can I find out which colleges?
-
Which assets and which income(s) do you need to reveal or disregard?
-
How do you value your farm, business, and real estate, and how do you discount the values properly with documentation?
-
Are you able to amend the CSS after submission?
MEET OUR GUEST
Brian Eyster, CCFS®, ELA™, LIC, is the visionary founder of the G.R.A.D. Process™, a groundbreaking system created to help families navigate the challenge of paying for their children's college education without sacrificing their retirement goals.
Over his 27-year career, Brian has developed a profound understanding of the financial needs of families. His personal experiences with college planning for his own kids have shaped his approach to wealth management, risk mitigation, resource allocation, and college funding strategies.
As a highly sought-after speaker, Brian shares his knowledge on Creative Funding for College, Cash Flow Design, Income Planning, Risk Management, and Tax-Advantaged Strategies. Clients trust and respect Brian for his commitment to delivering exceptional service.
Brian lives in Metro Detroit with his wife, two kids, three cats, and enough guitar and softball equipment to last three generations.
Brian can be reached at https://essentialstrategies.net.
LINKS
How to Complete the CSS Profile
Participating Institutions and Programs
FHFA House Price Index® Datasets
How Student Loans Secretly Sabotage Your Financial Future
College Planning With Brian Eyster
RELATED EPISODES
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FAFSA AND CSS PROFILE
THE BETTER FAFSA FOR NEW AND PREVIOUS FILERS
WHAT DO FEDERAL POLICY CHANGES MEAN FOR FINANCIAL AID?
ABOUT THIS PODCAST
Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.