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Sunday, March 30, 2008

The Search for Financial Aid  

Financial Aid Search: Free Money for Students


A financial aid search can take you through several programs, and confuse the best of us. The programs below offer some help to get you through college. Take a minute and read through it. These programs just refer to free money for college, or nearly free.

One term you may want to learn is FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a form you fill out to determine if you qualify for federal grants or loans. Many states also use it for their programs. Let's get into programs so you can find some money.

1. Government grants, the main grant you can get from the federal government being the Pell grant. Others include the Federal Supplemental Equal Opportunity Grant or FSEOG for cases of extreme need. The Academic Competitiveness Grant or ACG, for the first two years of college for students with great academics and little money. The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent or SMART Grant, applies to the last 2 years of a 4-year degree, in a technical field. Math, engineering, chemistry, biology and many other majors would all fit if you apply for this grant program. You must fill out a FAFSA for all federal grant programs.

2. State grant programs: nearly every state has a grant program to offer more aid to their residents. You can find these through the state website, usually the department of higher education. Most of these require a FAFSA to determine need.

3. Scholarships: the subject of scholarships fills pages and pages of books. Why? Because everyone is different, and most only give an award to 1 to 5 people. Essentially, you get a scholarship for demonstrating talent or skill in a certain area, such as music, academic achievement (grades), sports, and so on. Once you have a scholarship, you may be able to renew it. You can find hundreds of scholarships from every organization you can think of, some right in your own neighborhood. Be careful of consultants that offer to find you a scholarship if you'll pay them. Usually a FAFSA isn't part of this, but could be if you are applying for a state or federal scholarship.

In the section below I cover a few programs that you have probably heard of. These programs offer great help, but may require you to plan ahead. Again, just free money for college or nearly free programs here again in this section.

4. HOPE scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits actually aren't a scholarship - sorry. These are tax credit programs. You can use tuition and fees from your family members that you support (think dependents) as tax credits when figuring your taxes. HOPE only applies to the first two years. The Lifetime Learning tax credit you can use over and over again. It phases out as your income goes up. Not financial aid like a grant, where someone gives you a check, but may it apply to you. Talk to a tax pro for more in this one. (Also, several states have scholarship programs named HOPE. Those are different programs than this one.)

5. Tuition waiver programs usually come from states, and offer certain groups either free or greatly reduced tuition. Typically applies to state schools, but some programs include private colleges and universities. As financial aid goes, free tuition is good.

6. Loan forgiveness programs offer to pay your loans in exchange for your work in a specific field. For example, work as a school teacher and you can get some of your loans paid or forgiven. This program also goes by the name tuition forgiveness. Note that this doesn't happen until you go to school, graduate, and get a job that offers this type of aid. Still, borrow and someone else pays it back is a nice package.

7. Tuition Assistance programs or Tuition Reimbursement may sound familiar if you have a job. Many companies offer a program like this to employees, and generally few ever apply to use it. I have worked for a company that offered reimbursement, where you pay, take the class, then fill out a form and get some or all of your money back. And I have also worked for a company that paid the tuition up front for me. Both programs can offset much of the tuition for your schooling. No FAFSA involved.

Several options to choose from, and you can do all of them if you want. Searching for financial aid doesn't have to be hard. Keep looking, and you'll find a way.

Author: Kevin Ihrig

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/financial-aid-search-free-money-for-students-312385.html

About the Author:
Need more info in your financial aid search for money for college? Come to come to Beat-Tuition.com and download my free short report on financial aid

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Thursday, March 6, 2008

Choosing a Carpet Cleaner  

The best carpet cleaner is one of prevention and maintenance before a problem gets out of hand. Here are some tips to prevent mold and mildew from growing:

* Keep your carpet clean * Brighten up your home, if well lit then molds and mildew will not thrive as they dark areas * Dry any areas that become wet as your carpets hold in moisture, molds and mildew need moisture to survive * Do not place anything wet or damp on your carpet such as wet clothes or footwear

It is far cheaper to maintain your carpet than to replace it altogether. Even the best carpet cleaner on the market will be a less expensive alternative than new carpets. When purchasing cleaning products it is essential to read the label. In addition, it is equally important to know exactly what material your carpet is. Test out any cleaner on an inconspicuous area of your flooring. Alternatively, it is better to have a swatch of fabric that can be used for testing.

The best carpet cleaner professionals in the industry also recommend using a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air, which will help to eliminate the potential for mold and mildew to grow. In addition, fans and air conditioning units also work to reduce the moisture level in a home. A home remedy for cleaning carpets is to sprinkle baking soda around on your carpet and let sit for a few hours before vacuuming. This can help to eliminate mold and mildew on your carpets. Deciding on the best carpet cleaner for your needs depends on a number of factors. One of the main factors to decide is exactly how you want to clean them. The dry carpet cleaning method works well on natural fibers that are not meant to withstand a lot of moisture. If your carpet consists of manufactured fibers such as polyester or Teflon coated then the traditional methods of cleaning such as steam cleaning or shampooing are best. One last decision to make is whether you are going to do the work yourself or hire a professional cleaner to do the work.


About the Author

We provide tips and information on carpet cleaning in Boston and choosing the best carpet cleaner along with other carpet cleaning related information. by D. Karlson

by Natalie | 0 comments

Monday, March 3, 2008

Is Grad School Worth It?  

You see friends going back to graduate school. Your mother clips newspaper mentions of grad programs and slyly mails them to you with "thinking of you" post-its attached. You see a job posting for the position of your dreams, then notice the "master's degree required." In short, there are a lot of reasons you're thinking about going back to school.

In 2004, there were over 2 million students enrolled in U.S. graduate schools, and it may seem clear to everyone around you (that newspaper-clipping mother of yours, for instance) that you should be among them. Credentials are great, but you've probably also heard the horror stories of the "over-qualified candidate." And while Mr. Over-qualified may be an urban legend, the tradeoffs involved in either leaving the workforce or continuing to work while earning a degree are significant. Financially, professionally, and personally, is graduate school really worth it?

Graduate School to Launch Your Career

For Chris, 30, the answer to the "was it worth it" question is a definite yes. He went straight from college into a Masters of Teaching (MAT) program. "My undergraduate drama degree wasn't landing me any jobs," he says, "and I wasn't passionate enough about acting to [endure] the waiter/actor life for long." A year and a master's degree later, he started teaching. His degree gave him the teaching license he needed, but because it was a graduate degree, it also meant his salary was several thousand dollars higher than other beginning teachers who only held bachelor's degrees. What's more, each year thereafter his salary increased at a higher rate than theirs, but the real clincher was that he got to be a drama teacher.

For many people like Chris, a graduate degree is a means of launching a career. Academics present a classic argument for a post-graduate degree as a PhD is essential. This also holds true for doctors and lawyers. However, if you're already working in your field of choice and are simply looking to get ahead, the question of graduate school may become more complicated.

Graduate School as a Career Booster

Will, 29, works in hotel management and decided the time off in going to graduate school wasn't worth it. "I'd get a bump in pay and position if I got an MBA, but in my industry, just working those two years would get me more in terms of promotions, experience, and salary." However, he decided he wanted the extra education anyway. Will felt that education would give him a slight boost at work and because it would give him a foundation to make a change in career field easier if he ever wanted to make one. So his solution was to keep working while enrolling in a distance-learning MBA program. Even though it's the "have-it-all" answer, it hasn't been without sacrifices. He's busier than ever, with weekends and evenings now packed with schoolwork. For him, though, it's worth it. "My wife and I don't have kids yet," he explains, "so this is the best time for us to work really hard."

Part-time or distance learning graduate degree programs are becoming more and more popular. In 1990 only about a third of graduate students were enrolled part-time, but today roughly half of them are. For students like Will, doubling up works fine, but for others it can be a real burden. With more graduate school options than ever, there's plenty of flexibility to be had, but you'll have to take a close look at your personal life and the changes that you'll need to make.

Graduate School as Reinvention

Karin, 28, also enrolled in a post-collegiate program while working full-time, but for her, the program was all about reinvention. She already had an MBA and was working at a job she liked well enough, but she couldn't stop thinking "that if I really loved what I was doing, life would be different." So she finally enrolled in a massage therapy program. She took weekend and evening courses, and now that she has the experience and education she needs to be a practicing massage therapist, she's said goodbye to technology management and hello to her own massage therapy business. "Now I'm doing what I really want to be doing and building my own business, and I'm so excited about it," she says. Unlike her old job, she explains, "Here people come happy and leave happy. It's as much therapy for me as it is for my clients."

If you're looking to change over to another field--and you're not alone in the modern workforce where mid-career career change is commonplace--a graduate degree or certificate or even coursework in a new area can do the trick.

Even with all the upsides of post-collegiate education, the answer to "is it worth it?" is still complicated. Take a close look at your profession, the flexibility of various programs, and your personal and financial situation because when all is said and done, the only real question is "is it worth it for me?" Now quickly, clip this article and send it to your mother.


About the Author

Edu411.org is a career education directory for finding colleges and universities, training schools, and technical institutes. {a href=" http://www.Edu411.org"}

Posted in , by Natalie | 0 comments

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Save Money On Books  

Every college student knows that textbooks are too expensive. Fortunately, with the proliferation of online storefronts and resources that put budget shopping, used book exchanges and Web-wide price comparisons only a few clicks away, you should be able to find at least some great deals at huge savings.

Here are five websites to check out if you’re looking to save money on next semester’s textbooks.

Amazon.com

Amazon is the first place to look because of its extensive selection of both used and discounted new books. When you pull up a book you’ve searched for, be on the lookout for a button that says “Used.” Clicking this link will bring you to a page listing used copies of that book, arranged from lowest to highest price.

From here, you can look at each available used copy to see what condition it’s in and the seller’s trust rating—these used copies are being sold by other Amazon users, not by Amazon itself, so see what other buyers have had to say about the seller.

If all seems okay, go ahead and buy! Amazon routinely saves students hundreds of dollars on book costs.


Textbooks.com

Textbooks.com is another option for frugal textbook seekers and offers a simple process for either buying or selling your textbooks.

If you’re shopping, you can just start searching from the homepage. You can also use the “Browse” feature to search for textbooks by subject.

If you’re there to sell, just click on “Sell Books,” and you’ll get easy-to-follow directions on how to proceed. Textbooks.com even pays for you to ship your books to them.

Half.com

Pretty much everyone knows about world-class online auction site eBay, but did you know there’s a section of their non-auction resale website, Half.com, dedicated to just textbooks?

Choose either “Buy textbooks” or “Sell textbooks,” type in the ISBN of the book you’re buying or selling, and go from there. Your eBay user ID and password will work on Half, and best of all, the reliability and reputation of eBay stand behind any Half.com transactions you make!

CampusBooks.com

CampusBooks boasts a selection of over eight million college textbooks and an average student savings of 58%. If that’s not enough, the website goes one better by letting you compare prices from dozens of other sites. This free feature helps you make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. And let’s face it: Comparison shopping is a habit any college student should get into.

CheapestTextbooks.com

CheapestTextbooks brags that some of its student shoppers can save a whopping 90% over traditional bookstores! In addition to a price comparison service that flags the cheapest textbook price, this site features both used and new books, free shipping offers, and even more money-saving online coupons and deals. The truly thrifty should give CheapestTextbooks.com a whirl!


From The Student's Blog.

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Monday, February 18, 2008

Hidden Costs of College  

If you were asked how many years it takes to earn a Bachelor's Degree from college, you would probably say 4 years right? Unfortunately, if you go by the averages, you'd be off by 2 years. Those 2 extra years can cost you thousands of dollars.



It's No Longer "4-Year College"

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Education, the average time it takes to earn a Bachelor's Degree is now 6.2 years. Only 36% of those who begin public 4 year college graduate in 4 years!



Why is it taking longer? Research shows that there are a handful of key reasons:



Just Enough to Get By

Many students view college as an entitlement. They go to college not because they see value in it, but because it's what is expected. As a result, these students do just enough to get by. Without the motivation, direction, or focus, they take longer to graduate or ultimately, drop out.



Not Prepared

Many students simply aren't prepared for the academic challenge of college. Without planning early in their high school years, they opt out of the more challenging classes that would have prepared them for college. As a result, when they reach college, they need remedial courses to catch up.



"I'll Decide Later"

Some students don't take the time to think through what they'll do after they graduate. Without some idea of their interests and aspirations, they find it easier to postpone decisions about their future. College becomes a comfortable place to hangout until they decide.



Transfers

Studies have shown that students who transfer from one college to another (even once), typically take longer to graduate.



Changing Majors

It is not at all unusual for college students to change their majors. But the further a student is into their college experience, the greater impact changing majors can have on meeting graduation requirements.



Working Their Way Through College

With today's high cost of college, many students are having to work their way through school. Juggling the demands of both school and a job can delay graduation.




The Cost of Delayed Graduation

Based on data from The College Board's 2006-07 Annual Survey of Colleges, if a student takes 6 years to graduate, the cost difference could be anywhere from $33,000 to $67,000 more than planned! The data shows that the average cost of attending a 4-year college including tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies is:



Public In-State:

  • 4 Years: $65,428
  • 6 Years: $98,142
  • Difference: $32,714



4-Year Public Out-of-State:

  • 4 Years: $105,216
  • 6 Years: $157,824
  • Difference: $52,608



4-Year Private College:

  • 4 Years: $133,204
  • 6 Years: $199,806
  • Difference: $66,602



Don't Pay More Than You Have To

Many factors such as financial aid will determine what you'll actually pay for college. But why spend any more money than you have to? If you focus on the things that you can control to insure on-time graduation, college doesn't have to be a 6 year journey.


  1. Increase Self-Knowledge. The more a student knows about his/her own interests, strengths, and aspirations, the easier it is to focus and direct one's educational path.
  2. Plan Ahead. By taking advanced placement classes in high school, students accomplish two things. First, they increase their chances of getting accepted to the college of their choice. And second, they can actually "place out" of college level classes which can accelerate earning a degree.
  3. Get Guidance. College is a big investment. Don't struggle by yourself! Save time and money by getting advice from a career consultant trained in education and career guidance. Expert guidance can replace guesswork with a planned approach to deciding which college to attend, what to major in, and how to align an education with best-fit career options.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/the-hidden-cost-of-college-304123.html

About the Author:
Brian Sanders is President and CEO of Clear Ambition , an online company that helps students and adults make better, more confident decisions about their life direction and career path by providing self-assessment and 1-to-1 personal career and education guidance.

Visit our website at www.Clear Ambition.com for more information and a free interest analysis.

Posted in , , , , by Natalie | 0 comments

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Should I Consolidate My Student Loans?  

Free Money Finance on Why You May or May Not Want to Consolidate Your Loans

USA Today talks about college students consolidating their student loans, but their list can be applied to anyone who has loads of debt and wants to have them all consolidated with one lender. They suggest the following as reasons to consider loan consolidation:

  • You still have variable-rate loans.
  • Lower payments.
  • Fewer bills to pay.
  • Borrower benefits.

They are correct -- these are benefits of loan consolidation. If you are someone who accumulated tons of debt and now has your finances under control, debt consolidation can be something you'll want to seriously consider. But in most of the cases I've dealt with, loan consolidation is used incorrectly and leads to people becoming mired in additional debt. It goes something like this:

1. Jim spends like crazy racking up tons of debt -- much of it credit card debt.

2. Jim's debt gets to the point where he can't manage it. He simply owes too much and at too high of a rate. It's putting a lot of pressure on him and his finances.

3. Jim consolidates his loans. He usually gets a lower rate than what he was paying and he extends the payments over more years. This allows him to make a much lower monthly payment, taking pressure off his finances and freeing up some cash every month.

4. He goes back to his free-spending ways, racking up more debt (again, much of it is on credit cards.)

5. He eventually gets back to the point he was in in #2 above. Only this time, no one will consolidate his loan -- he's simply got too much debt and is too risky. Now he's stuck, and he's in big financial trouble.

So let me say it again: If you are someone who accumulated tons of debt and now has your finances under control, debt consolidation can be something you'll want to seriously consider. But if you don't have your finances (your spending, really) under control, then I recommend you do NOT opt for a loan consolidation. It won't help you in the long run and eventually you'll end up in worse shape than you are now.

Posted in , , , , , , by Natalie | 0 comments

Monday, February 4, 2008

Why You Should Get Your Degree  

After a hectic time in high school, most graduates want to take some time off and have plenty of fun and unwind. A few also take jobs in order to pay for their education later - and others just want take the time to find out what they want to do. However, all of these delays are only hindrances to obtaining a degree and can have a negative effect on economic stability and future prospects.

It is well known that a bachelor's degree is prerequisite to getting a lucrative job in any industry - and the earlier one has it, the better it is in terms of career growth. So with all these choices to make, online undergraduate programs are becoming more popular than ever.

The Advantages

With the Internet maturing day by day, the quality of online education is improving, removing all possible barriers to higher education. The primary benefit of an undergraduate online education program is that physical presence is not required to take a course. So with a busy lifestyle for a time consuming job, if a person has the zeal to pursue further education, the online option gives students the opportunity to do both.

When work takes up most of your time, even after a few hours of socializing and doing chores a few hours to spare, online education makes it easy to progress in your chosen career field. For those who cannot pursue a degree because of geographical constraints, pursuing an undergraduate education online enables them to attend classes from their home computer and saves them time and gas.

Other Advantages

Pursuing an undergraduate online education offers a similar level of education that is provided in regular classes. Students can work on their program of study at their convenience. Studies never interfere with travel plans, employment and basically any activity that couldn't be done on the campus. Undergraduate online education is unique. They are more facilitative, as discussions are quick and easy to understand. Classes are held through chat, Internet meetings and email, as well with the subject coordinator and other students. There are virtually no shortcomings in online interactions.

Another advantage of undergraduate online education is that it is different from traditional education and benefits students by giving them access to develop technological competencies and exposure to telecommunication technologies. Also, online education gives students an exceptional experience in education, irrespective of age and geographic location. It provides psychological support by shedding introvert behavior and slow learning processes. With online education, students have time to prepare notes and other information discussed in the virtual classroom because all the subjects discussed will be posted online.

The best and most valid advantage of undergraduate online education is that there are a limitless number of courses by many educational institutes. From courses in fine arts to medical science, most are provided online and these e-learning courses are as simplified as possible.

Posted in , by Natalie | 0 comments

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