Posts Tagged ‘College Education’

Unusual Scholarships – Strange and Wacky Ways to Fund a College Education

February 11th, 2010



If you are searching for some creative funding to pay for school, unusual scholarships might be the answer. Did you know that there are thousands of dollars in free money for college that go unclaimed each year because eligible students fail to apply for these oddball awards? You could very well be eligible for these unusual scholarships if you know where to look.

As weird as it may seem, you can earn money for school for being unique. Here are some of the best ways to find some of these unclaimed and low competition scholarships that you could very well be eligible for.

Watch the media around you. Commercials, magazines, newspapers, and bulletin boards are great places to spot odd scholarships. For example, the Coca Cola Company sponsors a scholarship with the main criteria based on being a first generation college student.

Get a list of scholarships offered by the college you interested in attending that includes the criteria. Some of these lists are not published or distributed to students but instead remain within the financial aid office of a school and are matched to students who are viewed as eligible.

Check with organizations you are involved with or those that support your interests or hobbies. For example, the Vegetarian Resource Group awards money for school to students who promote vegetarianism within the community and write an essay about being a vegetarian.

Online. The internet is without a doubt the number one way to find unusual scholarships. There are many databases that allow you to search for contests and awards based on your own personal characteristics and criteria. The best custom search I have found is on unusual scholarships, and it is completely free.

By: J.C. Taylor

How to Pick a College Financial Literacy Program

February 9th, 2010

According to recent reports there is a financial crisis sweeping the country has affected everybody, but college student have been some of the hardest hit. Many people forget to consider is how it will affect their children’s college education.

Now days it is tough to get a student loan and this is even affecting many current students. Unfortunately, more are more students are dropping out of college due to financial reasons. Many universities have made cuts to their class schedule which forces many college students to stay in school for several more years to earn their degree. This often leaves them with a large college debt bill when they finally do graduate.

One of the best things one can do in a climate of economic challenge is to get a college education. For many high school students, a college education is something they were working towards for many years. Yet when many do graduate high school they are unprepared for the financial challenges that await them in college.

Since financial education is not required in most high schools and many parents are not able to teach this to their children either – it is up to colleges to give them a financial literacy program they need to succeed. This not only will help the students but also the colleges themselves. College financial literacy programs will help them retain students, boost their graduation rate and earn a highly respected reputation.

Providing a college financial literacy program will help your students be responsible with their money and this is a crucial part of preparing them for college and beyond. One great way to do this is through college financial literacy programs and we’ll take a look at how these programs can make a difference in your student’s college success.

College financial literacy programs are designed to getting students ready to be financially responsible. Plus this involves them picking up real world life skills that will help them succeed after college. A real world college financial literacy program should include training on: the mental game of money, having a proper relationship with money, what accounts to open, how to evaluate loans, how to build credit, investments, how to use credit and debit cards responsibly, and deciding the difference between a need and a want.

College financial literacy programs should teach your students about finances in a way they relate too. Financial literacy presentations, curriculum and other programs should instill these skills in a way that educates and entertains. Since college age students learn much more effectively through entertainment than just the run of the mill boring presentation.

College financial literacy programs are the beginning to solving the problems that are faced by so many people today. They will help your students make a big difference in their life and will help them to develop responsible, effective spending habits.

Pros And Cons Of Distance Education

February 8th, 2010



Previously, it was possible to practice distance learning only through the mail. However, in recent times, with the help of technological advancements, these programs are also available online. Distance learning is beneficial to those students who not only wish to complete higher studies but also need to earn a living at the same time. It is also ideal for those who can study only part-time, as they may be busy with other activities. Distance learning programs are offered for education at any level, but are more popular with university studies.

Distance education, as the name suggests, is a method of implementing education to students living in distant places and cannot access further education. Using this approach, the student is not required to attend classes like in a regular school or college. Education is imparted through correspondence and communication between the institution and the pupil.

Procedure

In order to gain knowledge and complete higher studies, a student does not have to attend regular educational institutions. Distance learning makes the task of achieving the desired course of education easier while sitting in the comfort of your home. In distance learning, you do not have the advantage of receiving personal attention and guidance of a teacher or a professor as in a regular school. Instead you need to study on your own.

The educational institution supplies all the required educational material, resources and references. This correspondence will help you to stay in touch and move in pace with the activities and course of studies of other students attending regular schools and colleges. The institution usually provides an entire range of books, audio and visual aids such as tapes and CDs where you have enrolled.

Requirements

In order to implement distance-learning programs effectively, you need to correspond and communicate with the instructors regularly. To enable efficient and quick communication, it may be necessary for you to install a computer. To clear your doubts and answer your queries, you may also have to download certain programs and suggested websites or interact with the professor through videoconferences.

Advantages

Distance learning provides you the convenience of studying in the comfort of your home and saves you from the daily grind of commuting. You have the liberty of performing other chores and completing studies at the same time. These programs offer immense flexibility of pace, especially to those who are involved in other occupational activities.
Disadvantages

You will be entirely by yourself and can receive help only through the resources supplied by the institution. If you are not good at grasping and learning without the supervision and guidance of an instructor, the program may prove to be quite a challenging task. If you cannot adhere to deadlines and have a habit of procrastinating, distance learning is not a very good idea.

A simple guide to make the task of distance learning easier is to follow basic rules and management techniques. Prepare a timetable and allocate appropriate hours to studies and other activities. Dedicate the required time and attention to learning. Stay in regular contact with your teachers and other students so that you don’t lag behind. Do not hesitate to ask questions and clear your doubts. Put in all the hard work and effort as you would in a regular school.

Before you finally decide to enroll as a student of distance education, remember to consider the positive and negative aspects so that the program proves to be beneficial.

By: Tony Jacowski