Award: $1000
Deadline: March 3, 2015
More info: http://www.diplomaframe.com/contests/frame-my-future-scholarship-contest-2015.aspx
Showing posts with label community college. Show all posts
Showing posts with label community college. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Frame My Future Scholarship Contest
This scholarship is for students attending a US college or university full-time for the 2015-2016 academic year (community college, undergraduate, or graduate school). To qualify, applicants must be legal US residents. To apply, applicants must create an original, creative entry piece that reflects the given topic. The piece may be a photograph, collage, poem, drawing, painting, graphic design, typed essay, scrapbook style page, or anything that can be created within one image. The entry must be the applicants' own work.
Award: $1000
Deadline: March 3, 2015
More info: http://www.diplomaframe.com/contests/frame-my-future-scholarship-contest-2015.aspx
Award: $1000
Deadline: March 3, 2015
More info: http://www.diplomaframe.com/contests/frame-my-future-scholarship-contest-2015.aspx
Saturday, April 26, 2014
MedPro Rx, Inc. "Education is Power" Scholarship
This scholarship is for individuals with hemophilia or von Willebrand disease. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be applying to or currently enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary college, university, or vocational school.
Award: $500-$2500
Deadline: May 1, 2014
More info: http://www.medprorx.com/scholarship.html
Award: $500-$2500
Deadline: May 1, 2014
More info: http://www.medprorx.com/scholarship.html
IAPMO Scholarship Essay Contest
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
This scholarship is for current high school seniors and students enrolled or accepted as full-time students in an accredited technical school, community college, trade school, four-year accredited college or university, or an apprentice program. To apply for this scholarship, applicants must write an essay of 800 to 1600 words on the following topic: "How is the planet's energy future tied to the innovation and skill of the plumbing and mechanical industry?"
Award: $500-$1000
Deadline: May 1, 2014
More info: http://www.iapmo.org/pages/essaycontest.aspx
This scholarship is for current high school seniors and students enrolled or accepted as full-time students in an accredited technical school, community college, trade school, four-year accredited college or university, or an apprentice program. To apply for this scholarship, applicants must write an essay of 800 to 1600 words on the following topic: "How is the planet's energy future tied to the innovation and skill of the plumbing and mechanical industry?"
Award: $500-$1000
Deadline: May 1, 2014
More info: http://www.iapmo.org/pages/essaycontest.aspx
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Scholarship for Students who are Hard of Hearing or Deaf
This scholarship is for students who have a minimum 40dB bilateral hearing loss as evidenced on audiogram by an SRT of 40dB or greater in both ears. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be either entering college on a full-time basis or currently attending college on a full-time basis at a college or university in the United States. Applicants must be pursuing a bachelor's degree in any discipline; graduate degrees, associate's degrees, community colleges, or vocational programs do not qualify. Applicants must have a minimum 3.2 GPA or be at least 85% in all courses. For high school students entering college, this is the cumulative GPA for grades 9-11 and the first semester of 12th grade. For students currently at a freshman level in college, this is the cumulative GPA for grades 9-12 and first semester of college. For college students who are sophomores or higher this is the college transcript for all semesters completed. Along with the traditional scholarship application materials, applicants must also submit a recent audiogram or statement from a hearing health professional verifying hearing loss level.
Award: $1000
Deadline: May 1, 2014
More info: http://www.sertoma.org/scholarships
Award: $1000
Deadline: May 1, 2014
More info: http://www.sertoma.org/scholarships
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Engineering for You Video Contest
This competition is open to individuals or teams in six competition categories. To enter, applicants must create and submit a 1 to 2 minute video showing engineering contributions that serve human welfare and the needs of society occuring anywhere during the time period from 1964 to 2064. What will engineering create in the next 50 years? Rev up your
creativity, pull out your camera or phone, and produce a video showing
the world how you see engineering enhancing quality of life and serving
the needs of society. Middle school, high school, community college through grad school students eligible. See website for complete rules and submission guidelines.
Award: $5,000 - $25,000
Deadline: March 31, 2014
More info: http://www.nae.edu/e4u/
Award: $5,000 - $25,000
Deadline: March 31, 2014
More info: http://www.nae.edu/e4u/
Friday, November 29, 2013
The Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships
Anne Ford Scholarship
The 2013-2014 scholarship application is now available. All application items must be postmarked by December 31, 2013. The Anne Ford Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year over four years) granted to a graduating high school senior with a documented learning disability who will be enrolled in a full-time bachelor’s degree program in the fall of 2014.
Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship
The 2013-2014 scholarship application is now available. All application items must be postmarked by December 31, 2013. The Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship is a $2,500 one-time scholarship awarded to a graduating high school senior with a documented learning disability who will be enrolled in a two-year community college, a vocational or technical training program, or a specialized program for students with LD in the fall of 2014.
More info: http://www.ncld.org/about-us/learning-disability-scholarships-awards/anne-ford-allegra-ford-scholarships
The 2013-2014 scholarship application is now available. All application items must be postmarked by December 31, 2013. The Anne Ford Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year over four years) granted to a graduating high school senior with a documented learning disability who will be enrolled in a full-time bachelor’s degree program in the fall of 2014.
Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship
The 2013-2014 scholarship application is now available. All application items must be postmarked by December 31, 2013. The Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship is a $2,500 one-time scholarship awarded to a graduating high school senior with a documented learning disability who will be enrolled in a two-year community college, a vocational or technical training program, or a specialized program for students with LD in the fall of 2014.
More info: http://www.ncld.org/about-us/learning-disability-scholarships-awards/anne-ford-allegra-ford-scholarships
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program
This scholarship program is for students who are enrolled at a community college through December 2013. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must have a cumulative college-level GPA of 3.5 for all course work completed in the last five years, regardless of institution attended. Applicants must be on track to earn an associate's or bachelor's degree (or equivalent), and have a minimum of 36 semester (or 48 quarter) college-level credits completed at or transferred to a community college by December 31, 2013, and 48 semester (or 72 quarter) college-level credits by August 31, 2014. Applicants also must have a minimum of 30 semester (or 45 quarter) college-level credit hours completed at a community college in the past five years. Applicants must be enrolled at least part-time at a two- or four-year college for the fall 2014 semester and hold temporary or permanent residency in the country of the community college the student is attending or possess an appropriate visa.
Deadline: December 2, 2013
Award: $1000-$2500
Open to everyone as well as Phi Theta Kappa members
More info at: http://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/applicants/#.UpUnlSc2Ygw
and: http://www.ptk.org/scholarships
Deadline: December 2, 2013
Award: $1000-$2500
Open to everyone as well as Phi Theta Kappa members
More info at: http://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/applicants/#.UpUnlSc2Ygw
and: http://www.ptk.org/scholarships
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
4 College Admissions Strategies for Students With Bad Grades
4 College Admissions Strategies for Students With Bad Grades
By Briana Boyington
http://news.yahoo.com/4-college-admissions-strategies-students-bad-grades-165232530.html
As a high school student in Tennessee, Austin Herrera knew that he wanted to go to college. But with grades ranging from A's to D's, he knew his options would be limited.
Herrera says he was too distracted in school and his reputation as a class clown, extracurriculars and lack of interest and effort affected his grades. Dyslexia, he says, was another hurdle that affected his grades and confidence.
"I doubted myself and sort of gave up on myself when I saw the grades that I had, because I would work hard and study but I still came out with a low grade," he wrote in an email.
Herrera switched schools his senior year and used the new atmosphere to change direction and focus on the future. Realizing that his past academic problems would affect his admission chances, Herrera used his personal statement to acknowledge his grades, discuss his learning disability and show his interest in studying business and film.
"I explained dyslexia -- what it was and how I learned. I just explained that I'm a very hard worker and passionate."
Herrera was accepted into two of the five schools he applied to and now studies film as a freshman at Columbia College Chicago.
For students who struggle academically in high school, the college application process can be especially stressful. The competitive admissions process can make these students feel like college is out of reach, but there are still options.
Admissions experts say students can explain an academic dip in college applications and use the rest of their senior year to make their application more appealing. Students should talk to a counselor to examine all their options, but the following four strategies can help students with poor grades strengthen their college applications.
[Avoid these big college application mistakes.]
1. Take responsibility and offer an explanation: There are many reasons a student's grades can drop, including family issues, illness, a switch in teachers during the year or a lack of maturity. Admissions officials recognize that grades aren't always an indicator of capability, so experts say students need to take the time to write an honest explanation about their grades.
"Everybody makes mistakes; there's not one perfect person out there. But how do you learn from those mistakes -- if you can explain it thoughtfully and in a mature way, often times a college is going to understand that," says Kat Cohen, CEO and founder of IvyWise, an educational consulting company.
Students can discuss poor grades in a personal statement or in the additional information field on the Common Application.
"You can point out on it, 'I take full responsibility for the grades that I earned early on. I was not mature enough. I didn't realize the effort that it would take to be successful in high school. I've learned and I've improved,'" says Nancy McDuff, associate vice president for admissions and enrollment management at the University of Georgia.
2. Get recommendation letters from teachers and counselors: A good word from a high school counselor or teacher who knows a student well can go a long way in college admissions, experts say.
"Sometimes a great letter of recommendation can come from a teacher who has seen a student greatly improve their grade and go from very low to very high, even if the student has higher grades in other classes," says IvyWise's Cohen.
[Learn how to secure a good recommendation letter.]
Students should develop close relationships with counselors and teachers and have an explicit discussion about what they'd like addressed before a letter is written, experts say.
3. Wait to apply and improve your grades: Early admission is extremely competitive, so experts recommend students with poor grades on their transcripts apply during regular admission and use the extra time to take challenging courses and improve their GPA.
"Focusing on your grades now is critical. There are lots of different ways to improve your grades," says Cohen.
Students should use their teachers as tutors, visiting them frequently to discuss what to focus on and what weaknesses to work on, she says.
[Learn how to apply to college when you don't have all A's.]
4. Start at a community college: For students without the academic background for a four-year institution, admissions officials recommend attending a community college for at least a year. That's especially true if students need to catch up on developmental course work.
"Community colleges are better prepared to handle that and get the student up to that level playing field so they can transfer to a four-year university," says Jeff Fuller, director of student recruitment at the University of Houston.
Students who take this route should maintain a perfect grade point average, Fuller adds.
Admissions officials want to make sure applicants will be able to thrive in college. Students with low grades will need to prove that their past poor grades aren't indicative of who they are now and their capabilities as a college student.
"The F will always be on their transcript. But like everything in the college admissions process, students that show that they can overcome either adversity, academic preparation, whatever it may be -- those are great telling signs for a student's perseverance and persistence towards graduation," Fuller says.
By Briana Boyington
http://news.yahoo.com/4-college-admissions-strategies-students-bad-grades-165232530.html
As a high school student in Tennessee, Austin Herrera knew that he wanted to go to college. But with grades ranging from A's to D's, he knew his options would be limited.
Herrera says he was too distracted in school and his reputation as a class clown, extracurriculars and lack of interest and effort affected his grades. Dyslexia, he says, was another hurdle that affected his grades and confidence.
"I doubted myself and sort of gave up on myself when I saw the grades that I had, because I would work hard and study but I still came out with a low grade," he wrote in an email.
Herrera switched schools his senior year and used the new atmosphere to change direction and focus on the future. Realizing that his past academic problems would affect his admission chances, Herrera used his personal statement to acknowledge his grades, discuss his learning disability and show his interest in studying business and film.
"I explained dyslexia -- what it was and how I learned. I just explained that I'm a very hard worker and passionate."
Herrera was accepted into two of the five schools he applied to and now studies film as a freshman at Columbia College Chicago.
For students who struggle academically in high school, the college application process can be especially stressful. The competitive admissions process can make these students feel like college is out of reach, but there are still options.
Admissions experts say students can explain an academic dip in college applications and use the rest of their senior year to make their application more appealing. Students should talk to a counselor to examine all their options, but the following four strategies can help students with poor grades strengthen their college applications.
[Avoid these big college application mistakes.]
1. Take responsibility and offer an explanation: There are many reasons a student's grades can drop, including family issues, illness, a switch in teachers during the year or a lack of maturity. Admissions officials recognize that grades aren't always an indicator of capability, so experts say students need to take the time to write an honest explanation about their grades.
"Everybody makes mistakes; there's not one perfect person out there. But how do you learn from those mistakes -- if you can explain it thoughtfully and in a mature way, often times a college is going to understand that," says Kat Cohen, CEO and founder of IvyWise, an educational consulting company.
Students can discuss poor grades in a personal statement or in the additional information field on the Common Application.
"You can point out on it, 'I take full responsibility for the grades that I earned early on. I was not mature enough. I didn't realize the effort that it would take to be successful in high school. I've learned and I've improved,'" says Nancy McDuff, associate vice president for admissions and enrollment management at the University of Georgia.
2. Get recommendation letters from teachers and counselors: A good word from a high school counselor or teacher who knows a student well can go a long way in college admissions, experts say.
"Sometimes a great letter of recommendation can come from a teacher who has seen a student greatly improve their grade and go from very low to very high, even if the student has higher grades in other classes," says IvyWise's Cohen.
[Learn how to secure a good recommendation letter.]
Students should develop close relationships with counselors and teachers and have an explicit discussion about what they'd like addressed before a letter is written, experts say.
3. Wait to apply and improve your grades: Early admission is extremely competitive, so experts recommend students with poor grades on their transcripts apply during regular admission and use the extra time to take challenging courses and improve their GPA.
"Focusing on your grades now is critical. There are lots of different ways to improve your grades," says Cohen.
Students should use their teachers as tutors, visiting them frequently to discuss what to focus on and what weaknesses to work on, she says.
[Learn how to apply to college when you don't have all A's.]
4. Start at a community college: For students without the academic background for a four-year institution, admissions officials recommend attending a community college for at least a year. That's especially true if students need to catch up on developmental course work.
"Community colleges are better prepared to handle that and get the student up to that level playing field so they can transfer to a four-year university," says Jeff Fuller, director of student recruitment at the University of Houston.
Students who take this route should maintain a perfect grade point average, Fuller adds.
Admissions officials want to make sure applicants will be able to thrive in college. Students with low grades will need to prove that their past poor grades aren't indicative of who they are now and their capabilities as a college student.
"The F will always be on their transcript. But like everything in the college admissions process, students that show that they can overcome either adversity, academic preparation, whatever it may be -- those are great telling signs for a student's perseverance and persistence towards graduation," Fuller says.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Pima Community College Scholarships
Eligibility: Students planning on attending PCC
Requirements: Pima admission application.
Awards: variously based on financial need, course of study, academic ability, community involvement. Amount: Varies
Due Date: Pima application must be submitted by April 2, 2014
Website: http://www.pima.edu/paying-for-school/scholarships-grants/
Requirements: Pima admission application.
Awards: variously based on financial need, course of study, academic ability, community involvement. Amount: Varies
Due Date: Pima application must be submitted by April 2, 2014
Website: http://www.pima.edu/paying-for-school/scholarships-grants/
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
101 Ways to Pay for College
College students and parents are always looking for creative ways to finance their college education and reduce college expenses. It’s important to look at paying for college from every angle, from the school you choose to the way you finance your education. It’s also much easier to pay for college if your monthly expenses are well-managed, or you have a small income to tap into. Check out these 101 tips to pay for college!COLLEGE PLANNING
- If you are a high school senior, apply to multiple schools so that you have several financial aid offers to compare.
- Take a look at colleges that are close to your home, or close to a relative you can stay with. If you can commute to school, you won’t have to pay for room and board.
- Carefully plan your school application and college testing expenses – they can add up!
- If able, take Advanced Placement tests while in high school to obtain college credit. Any credits you receive could enable you to graduate early, which would save you money in tuition!
- Your high school may have a program with a local community college that will allow you to take “dual credit” classes.
- See if your school has a tuition payment plan available.
- Consider attending a community college while you decide on your college major and save money to attend a 4-year school.
- If you are planning to attend a public school, consider attending one in the state you live in, to take advantage of lower tuition charges available to in-state students.
- Select your college dorm carefully. Some dorms may cost more because they are newer, or have additional facility/recreation fees attached.
- Select your campus meal plan carefully. If you use up your meal credits early, you will have to purchase additional credits. Most plans do not let you roll over unused credits to the next school year.
- Select your college major carefully. You’ll want to research future career options and salary expectations to make sure you will be able to afford to repay your student loan debt.
- If you are interested in joining the ROTC or the military, you may be able to have all or part of your college education paid for.
APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
- Fill out the FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid) every year at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ to qualify for financial aid.
- Once you fill out the FAFSA, your school will send you an award letter with your financial aid package.
- If your family’s financial situation changes after you’ve already submitted your FAFSA information (i.e. job loss, medical emergency) work with your school’s financial aid office to see if you can obtain increased financial aid.
GET FREE COLLEGE GRANTS
- College grants are free – you don’t have to pay them back! Once you fill out the FAFSA, you are automatically in the running for federal and most state grants based on the financial information that you entered.
- If you are a graduate student, ask your financial aid office if there are non-need based grants available for your field of study (sometimes called fellowships).
APPLY FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
- If you are lucky, your school may award you with an athletic or academic scholarship. These types of scholarships often cover all 4 years!
- Ask your financial aid office if there are college scholarships available for your field of study, heritage, community, or hobbies.
- Ask your department (i.e. English, Science, Business) if there are scholarships available for your major. Your dean or professor may know about these scholarships, too.
- Look for college scholarships from your workplace, church, community, and organizations that you are involved with.
- Start a college scholarship search on the web with sites like Fastweb. Your personal profile that you set up will help you find scholarships that match your profile.
BORROW STUDENT LOANS
- The Federal Stafford Loan is a low-cost student loan, backed by the federal government. Your award letter will show how much you are eligible to borrow every year, or you can do additional research here.
- Graduate students can use the Federal Grad PLUS Loan , to supplement Stafford Loan funds.
- If you have maximized free money and federal loan options, consider using a private student loan to pay for college.
SAVE MONEY ON COLLEGE TEXTBOOKS
- Purchase used college textbooks at the college bookstore. Just make sure you get in line early – used textbooks get sold quickly.
- Look for new or used college textbooks online on sites like Ebay or Amazon. If you are able to find the majority of your textbooks with one vendor, you might qualify for free shipping or a volume discount.
- You can download certain popular textbooks for free from websites like Freeload Press.
- If you’re strapped for cash, ask your professor if you can use a previous edition of the textbook (older editions are usually less expensive).
- If you don’t need your textbooks once you’re done with them, sell them back to the bookstore or on sites like Amazon or Ebay.
MAKE EXTRA MONEY
- If you were awarded federal work-study on your award letter, you can earn extra money by working at your school or in your local community.
- If you were not awarded federal work-study money, ask your financial aid office if you can get on a waiting list in case there is an opening.
- Get a paid college internship. Many degree programs now require an internship to fulfill graduation requirements, but you’ll probably have to work harder to find one that pays.
- Ask your favorite professor if he/she needs an assistant.
- Look for part-time student jobs in your campus newspaper, on campus bulletin boards or in your college’s student activity office.
- Apply for part-time work at local businesses or restaurants.
- Ask friends and family if you can intern at their workplace.
- Start up a baby-sitting, pet-sitting or house-sitting business that you can run in your spare time.
- Find a summer job at a camp or local business .
- Sign up with your school or a local company to become a tutor. You may be able to make even more money by starting your own tutoring business.
- Creating websites is a lucrative part-time job for many students.
- Start your own business in your local community or online (just think Michael Dell).
- If you are majoring in photography, consider working as a wedding or portrait photographer in your free time. Your school may also hire student photographers to work at athletic games and school functions.
- Your school may hire students to work during athletic events.
- If you have school spirit, get hired by your school to give tours or allow a prospective high school student to live with you for the weekend.
REDUCE YOUR COLLEGE EXPENSES
- Work with a college advisor to make sure that you are taking the appropriate classes to fulfill your major and graduation requirements on time.
- Look for student travel deals on sites like StudentUniverse or STA Travel.
- Use student flight deals offered by airlines, like AirTran.
- If you will be flying extensively, sign up for a frequent flier program to earn free flights.
- Purchase your computer, software and accessories through a student discount program from Dell, Apple, HP or Microsoft.
- Use free campus transportation whenever possible.
- Split your campus parking pass with a friend, and share the cost. If you don’t want to buy a parking pass, consider parking off-campus.
- Walk, bike or skate to school.
- Carpool to school or work with a friend or roommate.
MANAGE YOUR LIVING EXPENSES
- Rent or dorm fees are generally the second highest education expense, after tuition. Shop around to findcollege apartment move-in specials for college students.
- Find roommates to split your living expenses.
- Consider doing without, or reducing, monthly expenses like cable, telephone and entertainment expenses.
- Buy used furniture on Craigslist or through campus newspaper ads.
- Purchase student discount cards, or look for student discounts at local restaurants and businesses.
- Reduce food expenses by cooking more at home, instead of eating out.
- You may be able to get free room and board by signing up to be a dorm monitor or resident assistant.
- Some college apartment complexes provide free or discounted rent for students who refer other tenants to the building.
- Join your family’s cell phone plan (it’s usually cheaper than getting your own). Check your account frequently online or on your phone to make sure you don’t go over your allotted minutes or text messages.
- Use free websites like Facebook or Flickr to communicate with friends and family, and share pictures for free.
- Communicate using inexpensive or free internet calling services, like Skype. You can also talk for free on some instant messengers, like MSN, if both parties use headsets or microphones.
- Start using coupons at the grocery store, local restaurants or department stores.
- Bring your own snacks to class, so you won’t be tempted to buy anything from the vending machine or cafeteria.
- Some campuses have free Wi-Fi. Check to see if it’s in a convenient location to avoid paying for internet.
- Look for free events happening on campus, like movie screenings, rather than going to the movie theater.
- Never turn down free food around campus (club meetings, events, etc).
- Ask about free student checking and savings account at local banks.
DEBT MANAGEMENT
- Use cash or student loans to purchase textbooks, food and other college expenses instead of a credit card.
- If you need a credit card, make sure you get one with no annual fee and a low interest rate.
- Save money in interest by paying more than the minimum on your credit card.
- Save big money by paying the interest on your unsubsidized student loans every month while you are in school, if you are able.
GIFT IDEAS
- Send your family and friends your high school graduation invitations, along with a letter explaining your college intentions. They may just send you contributions to your college fund.
- Ask family and friends to contribute to your 529 College Savings Plan or another type of college saving account in lieu of birthday or holiday gifts.
- Ask family and friends to donate furniture for your apartment or dorm room.
- Ask a relative to give you a loan, that you will pay back with interest. Make sure you draw up the appropriate paperwork to protect both parties.
- If your relatives are about to get a new computer, ask if they will give you their old one!
PARENTS
- Pay for all or part of college expenses with your personal cash or savings.
- Create a 529 College Savings Plan for your child’s education.
- Some states will allow you to lock in today’s tuition prices through a 529 Pre-paid Tuition Plan.
- Help your student find and apply for college scholarships.
- Ask your employer if they offer scholarships for employees’ children.
- Take out a Federal PLUS Loan in your name to help pay for your child’s education.
- Help your child obtain a private student loan by co-signing.
- If you have a lot of unnecessary items around the house, consider holding a garage sale or selling items onEbay and using the funds for your child’s education fund. Also, many household items can be donated to charity, which would save you money on taxes that you can then use to help pay for your child’s education.
- Help your student create a budget and stick to it.
- Many parents have to reduce their monthly expenses while their child is in college, in order to have enough left over to pay their child’s food and living expenses while he/she is in college.
- Purchase airfare for your child to come home well in advance to save money in travel costs.
- Mail your student care packages with food and study supplies to help reduce spending needs. Weigh the cost of mailing a grocery gift card rather than mailing food items; it’s probably much cheaper to send a gift card than a heavy package.
- If your student needs a credit card, consider adding him/her to one of your accounts. Chances are your card’s interest rates are better than what he/she could qualify for, and you can keep an eye on college spending.
- If you are paying for college expenses, make sure you look into all of the tax deductions available to you.
AFTER COLLEGE
- Sign up for the Peace Corps, Americorps, or similar volunteer organization after college. In exchange for your service, you may receive money towards your student loan debt.
- If you work in a public service job for 10 years while making payments on your student loans, the government will forgive the rest of your student loan debt. To receive this benefit, your loans must be consolidated into a Direct Loan held by the Department of Education while you make payments, so consider consolidating as soon as you leave school and your grace period expires.
- Consider working for an employer in the private field that offers student loan payoff as an employee benefit.
- See if your occupation has jobs that qualify you for loan forgiveness in exchange for a certain number of years in public service (Ex. teacher, physician, nurse, lawyer).
- Live at home after college. You can use the money you save in rent and expenses can help pay off your student loans.
- Paying more than the minimum on your student loans will reduce the amount you will pay in interest, and pay the loans off faster.
- Use your student loan interest as a tax deduction every year, if you qualify.
10 Simple Ways to Avoid College Debt
NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- For many students, getting an education comes at a big expense. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, private and federal student loan debt has collectively topped the $1 trillion mark.
The growth isn’t related to a record number of new students. Instead, data from the Department of Education reveals many existing borrowers have been unable to keep up with interest payments, and debt is growing even for many who have left school.
This frightening finding indicates just how important it is to head off to college with a financial plan. Here are some important steps students can take while in high school and college to make sure they’re not buried in debt post-graduation.
Take Advanced Placement courses in high school
Dedicated students can “bank” some credits by enrolling in (and acing) the Advanced Placement or AP courses offered at their high schools, says Ornella Grosz, author of Moneylicious: A Financial Clue For Generation Y.
Dedicated students can “bank” some credits by enrolling in (and acing) the Advanced Placement or AP courses offered at their high schools, says Ornella Grosz, author of Moneylicious: A Financial Clue For Generation Y.
These courses, sponsored by the College Board, are generally considered college level, and many universities will permit incoming students who score high enough on the standardized exam to use them as substitute for core classes.
“This is definitely a saver,” Grosz says, noting that her brother, who is two years younger, was able to gain ground on her credits-wise after acing several AP exams.
Do your homework regarding student loansStudents should begin their financial aid search by completing the free FAFSA form online to see what federal aid they are eligible for, says Brent Neiser, senior director at the National Endowment for Financial Education. For a MainStreet breakdown of the FAFSA process, click here.
If you’re pursuing private student loan options, it’s important you understand the verbage in the contracts.
“All student loans are not created equal,” Suzanna de Baca, vice president of wealth strategies at Ameriprise Financial, says. “Some accrue interest while you’re still in school.”
To minimize the chances of ending up with a loan you won’t be able to pay back, de Baca suggests asking a loan officer at your local bank or a family financial adviser to go over common terms and conditions with you. You can also check out MainStreet’s round up of 10 student loan terms explained for a basic tutorial.
Research scholarships and grantsRemember, financial aid isn’t restricted to the money you get a lender or your schools of choice to give you. There are also a plethora of smaller scholarships and grants out there many students can apply for.
“The funding for college is out there, but you have to do your research,” de Baca says. For instance, she points out, many religious or faith-based organizations offer assistance to stand-out members of their congregations. Employers may also have scholarships set aside for their worker’s children.
Look for these opportunities by scouring the internet or rifling through some scholarships books. You also can check out the seven off-the-beaten path scholarships mentioned in this MainStreet round up to get started!
Think about money when making an academic decision
Wanting to go to the schools at the top of most “best” lists is certainly admirable, but you shouldn’t let status lead you to enroll in a school you really can’t afford.
Wanting to go to the schools at the top of most “best” lists is certainly admirable, but you shouldn’t let status lead you to enroll in a school you really can’t afford.
“In recent decades, students have become very concerned with prestige and status,” de Baca says. “But you need to consider the trade-off.”
If a school is truly out of your price range or you don’t plan on majoring in field that is likely to net a job with a salary high enough to justify the pricey degree, it may be a good idea to opt for a state university or a community college instead.
But only after exploring all your options
Of course, you don’t want to make your final decision before having a concrete idea of how much money each college or university may be willing to put towards your education. According to Grosz, while big name or Ivy League universities may have much higher tuition, they also tend to carry bigger endowment or scholarship funds. As such, students with stellar academic records shouldn’t write off a school they assume will be out of their cost range.
Of course, you don’t want to make your final decision before having a concrete idea of how much money each college or university may be willing to put towards your education. According to Grosz, while big name or Ivy League universities may have much higher tuition, they also tend to carry bigger endowment or scholarship funds. As such, students with stellar academic records shouldn’t write off a school they assume will be out of their cost range.
“It’s tough because you do have to pay for all your applications,” she says, before urging students to keep their options open if there is a school they are particularly interested in, since they may offer more aid than their smaller counterparts.
Go to community college for core classes
If you don’t receive the necessary aid from the school of your choice, you may want to consider spending your first few years at a community college.
If you don’t receive the necessary aid from the school of your choice, you may want to consider spending your first few years at a community college.
“Many employers and grad schools care more about where you finish than where you start,” Neiser says. You may be able to lower the total cost of your tuition by taking some basic English, Math or History classes over the summer at a local community college as well.
“Bank some credits at a lower per average cost on your core classes,” he adds
.
Take a gap year
Another potential way to minimize debt is to take a year off in between high school and college. Those truly low on funding can spend this year working in an attempt to save up enough money to attend their college of choice.
Neiser says those who really use their gap year to focus on finances may find “you haven’t spent as much money and you brought some into your life to mitigate the loans you take out later on.”
You can find more information about whether a gap year is right for you in this MainStreet analysis.
Work part-time
Working 15 to 20 hours a week while in school is another great way to subsidize pricey tuition. Again, de Baca advises students concerned with working part-time while being a full-time student to consider the tradeoff.
“Earning money during school can take a bite out of what you have to borrow,” she says, “even if it means going to school one semester longer.”
In addition to school work study programs, you can find some of the better side jobs to consider in this MainStreet round up.
Only spend loans on education-related expenses
The quickest way to get into financial trouble is to put your loan money towards every line item in your budget.
“It really is a loan, but most people look at it as a windfall,” Grosz says. Instead of succumbing to temptation, try to only put borrowed funds towards tuition, fees and education-related expenditures like books. To ensure you don’t stray, make some small changes to your general budget.
“Instead of trying to lower the dollar amount, you have to reduce the frequency,” Grosz says. For instance, you might want to only get two lattes from the campus coffee joint once a week rather than every morning.
Get smart about other costs beyond tuition
There are also ways to minimize the amount of loan money you have to put towards secondary educational expenses. For instance,buy or rent used textbooks via websites like Chegg.com or CampusBookRentals.com in lieu of buying new ones at the campus bookstore. You might also want to consider living home instead of dorming on campus. In these instances, it helps to research public transportation options to keep the costs of commuting down.
“There’s always another way of looking at things,” Neiser says. “Slow down the process and analyze costs so you don’t get caught.”
Click here: http://www.mainstreet.com/article/moneyinvesting/education-planning/10-simple-ways-avoid-college-debt?page=1
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Arizona Community Colleges
http://www.collegeatlas.org/arizona-community-colleges.html
Community Colleges: More time to plan for your future
Though sometimes overshadowed by the ritz and glitz of liberal arts schools and bustling research universities, community colleges truly provide a great introduction to higher education. Typically offering a range of two-year associates degrees, certificate programs and vocational training, community colleges present a good jumping off point for those unsure of what direction they might want to head. Moreover, since the majority of schools have adopted an open enrollment policy, all most students need is a high school diploma or GED and the desire to register.
If you’re wary of enrolling in community college but unsure of whether a four-year school is the right move for you at this time, consider the following:
Click here: https://www.mycollegeoptions.org/Core/SiteContent/Students/Advice/College-Resource-Center/College-Search---Selection/College-Choices/Community-Colleges.aspx
REASONABLE PRICE TAG
Community colleges are generally thousands of dollars cheaper than either public or private four-year institutions. Additionally, despite the reduced rate, financial aid is often available for those students unable to cover the full cost. What’s more, the low tuition also allows students to save for bachelors programs, should they decide to apply in the future.
UNPARALLELED FLEXIBILITY
Unlike many four-year colleges and universities, community colleges don’t require you to be a full-time student. You have the ability to take a few classes while you simultaneously focus on other pursuits. Indeed, you can juggle a couple courses as you develop artistic ambitions, hold down a job or tend to familial obligations.
IMPROVE YOUR ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS
Many students often don’t hit their academic stride until after they graduate from high school. Community college offers students a clean slate and the chance to explore both new and traditional subjects from a fresh perspective. Additionally, small class sizes and individual attention translate into a supportive environment that truly provides the tools for success. Certainly, it’s quite common for students to use an associates program as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree. In fact, many community colleges maintain partnerships with four-year institutions that guarantee an acceptance letter should the student meet GPA and course requirements.
STAY CLOSE TO HOME
There are a number of students who, though armed with a diploma in hand, don’t feel quite ready to leave the nest. Of course, there are also a handful of young adults whose families rely on them for help and support. Regardless of reasons or factors, plenty of students must attend school locally. Fortunately, accessibility is the hallmark of community college and there’s usually a campus within a short drive of most towns. Further, many programs are even adding online components. We think you’d be hard pressed to find a better commute!
Amidst the hoopla of frat parties, Division I sports and hallowed and historic lecture halls, it’s easy to dismiss community college. However, two-year schools provide fantastic educational opportunities. They allow students to dip their toe into the higher ed. waters without fear that they will drown (metaphorically speaking of course). Further, they allow students to move at their own time and their own pace, helping ignite new passions along the way. And all the while maintaining an exceedingly affordable price tag!
Click on the logo to check out a great Community College:
Financial Aid for Community College Students
For many students and their parents, attending a few years of community college prior to enrolling at a four-year college is a wise idea. Not only can they save a significant amount of money on their tuition costs, but also on room, board, and transportation.
Sadly, many students and parents assume that because community college is so “cheap," that financial aid for community college students doesn’t exist. Just the opposite is true, however.
Here’s a breakdown of the major financial aid programs available for community college students:
Stafford Loans:
Stafford Loans can provide over $100,000 in financial aid for community college students, regardless of their family’s income or asset levels. Students that demonstrate need may receive more favorable rates and repayment terms. To qualify, you must be enrolled at least half-time and complete the FAFSA form.Perkins Loans:
Perkins Loans are considered the most favorable Federal loan program for community college students. The rates and repayment terms offer a significant advantage over the Stafford, PLUS, and private loans. To qualify, you must be enrolled half-time and show substantial financial need on your FAFSA form.PLUS Loans:
PLUS Loans are available to parents to help provide financial aid for community college students. Unlike Stafford and Perkins Loans, they are the parent’s responsibility to repay. While rates may not be as attractive as Stafford and Perkins loans, they’re still less costly than most private loan programs. To apply for a PLUS Loan, you will most likely need to complete the FAFSA form and pass a credit check.Pell Grants:
Pell Grants are one of the most elusive forms of financial aid for community college students. This is due to the fact that these awards are “grants” that never need to be repaid. Part-time students are eligible, but will receive a reduced award amount. To be considered, students need to complete the FAFSA form and show significant financial need.State Programs:
Many states offer programs that provide financial aid for community college students that are residents of that state. However, many of these programs are the first to get cut when a state experiences a budget crisis. To apply for state-based financial aid, contact your school’s financial aid office.Scholarships:
Numerous private organizations, non-profits, and businesses offer scholarships for community college students. For these organizations, community college scholarships provide an opportunity to impact a large number of students with a relatively small amount of money.
To find out about scholarships for community college students, you should talk to your community college financial aid office.
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