07/09/2026
Michigan has nearly 8,000 financial advisors.
Only TWO hold the Certified College Financial Consultant (CCFC) designation.
This past March, I was honored to become one of them—and the first in Metro Detroit.
This wasn't a weekend certification or a split-screen multiple-choice exam.
It took over a year to complete, culminating in a graduate-level, real-world case study that required developing solutions for complex college funding and financial planning scenarios.
I've been helping families since 1998, and Essential Strategies has been serving families since 2006—about the same time Justin Verlander was a rookie with the Detroit Tigers.
This is now my fourth decade on the diamond, and one thing I've learned is that college planning isn't about swinging for the fences...
It's about making consistent, smart decisions—more Tony Gwynn than Tork or Greene.
That's exactly why the G.R.A.D. Process™ was developed -- helping families Gather Insights, Recapture Wealth, Achieve Results, and Directly Monitor a smartly designed college strategy.
A sincere thank you to the American Institute of Certified College Financial Consultants (AICCFC) and Dr. Ross Riskin for creating a designation that raises the bar for our profession.
If your organization, company, or parent group is looking for someone to speak about college planning, financial aid, or paying for college without sacrificing retirement...
The arm's always warm in the bullpen. ⚾
Feel Free to click the link below to view my # blockchain-verified credential.
Certified College Financial Consultant (CCFC) • Brian Eyster • American Institute of Certified College Financial Consultants
Home of digital credentials
12/19/2025
I had a great time joining Jax Crider on the podcast to dig into a topic that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough — how student loans and college planning impact long-term financial health.
We covered a lot, including:
🎓 Why early planning matters
📚 When AP and dual credit make sense (and when they don’t)
💰 How student loans quietly shape your financial future
📉 How 529 plans fit into the picture
📌 And new ways to think about college paths and choices
This conversation was full of practical insight for parents and students who want to make smarter, more confident decisions about college and money — without guesswork, stress, or regret.
Huge thank-you to Jax for bringing me on and opening up such an important conversation. 🙌
If you’re planning for college — or helping someone who is — this episode is well worth your time:
👉 https://youtu.be/nQI9By2QGk8?si=xlj9vtrQiOMBB-tU
Mortgage Mastery Simplified HouseU
How Student Loans Secretly Sabotage Your Financial Future
How Student Loans Secretly Sabotage Your Financial FutureIn this episode, Jax Crider and Brian Eyster discuss the complexities of financial planning, particu...
12/05/2025
I had an awesome time joining John Tripolsky and Chris Picciurro, CPA on the Teaching Tax Flow Podcast to dig into one of the most misunderstood areas in financial planning: FAFSA + college funding strategy.
We covered the real levers families can pull to make college more affordable. From understanding the shift to the Student Aid Index (SAI), to knowing which assets hurt you, to the critical timing windows parents often miss (hint: sophomore year is where the magic starts).
If you want a clear, actionable breakdown of:
✨ FAFSA vs. CSS Profile
✨ How income + assets actually impact aid
✨ What parents of juniors must do right now
✨ And how tax planning plays a huge role in lowering your SAI
…this episode is a must-listen.
🎧 Watch or listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZERpXBj8tQ&list=PLJLHnPJdx3pknaBg3vX3ZE2h6vfK-qZe0&index=1
Huge thank you to John and Chris for having me on — always a blast diving into strategy with you both!
Teaching Tax Flow Chris Picciurro
