Parenting

Parenting

9 Books for Parents of College Students

Blog, Colleges, General, Parenting, Parents, Students

San Jose State University has put together a helpful list of “text book”s to help parents understand their new role in life, the parent of a college student.   The list contains a meaningful mixture of practical advice about financing college, how to have important frank conversations, along with strategies regarding issues common to both student and parent – each with a healthy sprinkling of humor.  [read more]

A Case for Helicopter Parenting

Blog, General, Information, Parenting

Psychology Today posts an article, citing a recent study completed by a group at the University of Texas, finds that “emerging adults” (18-29) need more guidance than ever today.  “Parents who are involved and supportive across a wide range of areas produce young adult children who have a clearer sense of self and are more satisfied with their lives.”  [read more]

Scholarship Search Engines and Databases

Tags: , , Blog, Colleges, Parenting, Scholarships, Students
Many seniors are seeking information about scholarship opportunities above and beyond those that have been sent to you by your counselor.  Take advantage of the fact that there are multiple sites on the internet that provide a free scholarship search service for you.  Among some of the services you might consider are the following:
Here are a small group of scholarships you might consider:

Fair Test – National Center for Fair and Open Testing

Application, Blog, Colleges, General, Information, News, Parenting

FairTest, otherwise known as the National Center for Fair & Open Testing “works to end the misuses and flaws of standardized testing and to ensure that evaluation of students, teachers and schools is fair, open, valid and educationally beneficial…FairTest also works to end the misuses and flaws of testing practices that impede those goals.”  This organization is committed to affecting a change in testing biases such as racial, class, gender, and cultural barriers that affect a student’s assessment, particularly with tests that affect enrollment  in college or specialized programs.

FairTest has led the charge challenging colleges and universities to consider ACT/SAT scores optional in the college admissions process.  To date more than 800 colleges and universities have taken on that charge and they are referred to as TEST OPTIONAL SCHOOLS.  Here is an up-to-date list of TEST-OPTIONAL SCHOOLS.

What is a 529 College Savings Plan?

Blog, General, Information, Parenting

A 529 is a tax-advantaged method for one person to save money to pay for another person’s college expenses some time in the future.  The 529 is available in two forms:  as a pre-paid tuition plan that can be sponsored by the state or by an individual college and as a college savings plan often investing in the stock market or in mutual funds.  The 529 is not limited to parents who initiate the savings plan, but often grand parents and other close relative or friend who will open an account on the child’s behalf.

Choosing the best program requires a solid understanding of the difference between the two formats.  The US Securities and Exchange Commission has outlined the two most commonly used college savings plans in the following article.  [read more]