Diane Stemper, Executive Director of Financial Aid at The Ohio State University helps to clear the muddy waters of the financial aid package so that parents can better understand the award letter and make more informed decisions. [read more]
Financial Aid
Jane Manley
March 25, 2013
Graduating early from college can have a significant positive financial savings. Using such tactics as using AP, dual credit, and/or CLEP credits to fill core requirements as well as taking advantage of summer opportunities and online courses at local junior colleges to fulfill core requirements can eliminate thousands of dollars from the more traditional four-year graduation plan. Students finishing in the middle of the year often have less competition in the job market because only about five to ten percent of students graduate in December, according to Inside Higher Ed. [read more]
Jane Manley
March 20, 2013
David Bergeron, Acting Assistant Secretary for the US Department of Education, outlines the impact of sequestration on federal student assistance programs intended to defray some of the costs of higher education. [read more]
Jane Manley
March 18, 2013
Who says that you have to be a high school senior or a college student to enter a scholarship competition? It is never too early to start searching. Check out the earlier blog, SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH ENGINES AND DATABASES, to find some great search resources. The following are a few scholarships to get you started.
Nicholas A Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition – Submit up to three original, unpublished haikus. Deadline: March 25, 2013
Don’t Mess With Texas – Any high school senior planning to attend a Texas college or university next year. Deadline: April 12, 2013
Foot Locker – UNCF – Any high school senior or current college student attending a UNCF member institution in the fall or 2013. Deadline: April 24, 2013
Everyone Deserves A Second Chance At Life – Write a crime prevention essay using APA format. Deadline: June 30, 2013
Jane Manley
March 17, 2013
More colleges than ever are offering 4-year graduation guarantees to incoming freshmen, a trend that has lead to higher enrollment numbers at some colleges and universities. As enticing as this prospect may seem to parents concerned about footing the bill, there are often important tradeoffs. Kim Clark of CNN Money explains. [read more]
Jane Manley
March 14, 2013
As members of Congress continue to struggle with the nation’s debt crisis, many eyes turn to the cost of federally backed student loans and the interest rate for subsidized loans. [read more]
Jane Manley
March 11, 2013
The US Army News Service announces that new requests for tuition assistance will be denied until further notice due to budget cuts. This declaration affects both active duty and reserve soldiers. [read more]
Jane Manley
March 4, 2013
NICOLE ALLAN and DEREK THOMPSON of The Atlantic supply an interesting take on the state of student debt as well as the value of a college education. While “the cost of college has spiked 150 percent since 1995, compared with a 50 percent increase in the cost of other goods and services” and “outstanding student loans soared to nearly $1 trillion—a 300 percent jump since 2003” is the student debt level really a national crisis? [read more]
Jane Manley
February 20, 2013
My College Options has put together some practice advice on how to apply for and secure scholarships for college. There are three practical skills: establish a routine, create an essay bank, and pay close attention to the rules. [watch video]
Jane Manley
February 20, 2013
Many colleges/universities post March 1 as the Priority Deadline for financial aid. This designation usually means that the college has limited funds however they will usually be able to meet those established needs if all paperwork including the FAFSA are completed prior to the priority deadline. Applications for aid are usually filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Federal Student Aid has put together a video to help students and parents what happens after the FAFSA has been filed. [watch video]