6 Tips to Keep Your Study Group Together

BY SYLVIA KOHL

Starting a study group is relatively easy. Keeping a study group together, on the other hand, is far more difficult. If you want your study group to thrive, you’ll need to take proactive measures to keep the group active, keep your group members attending and participating, and attract new members.

How to Improve Student Retention

Assuming you’re in control of the group, either as the designated leader or as the person most likely to take responsibility for the group, there are some measures you can take to ensure your students keep coming back, week after week:

• Make a schedule and stick to it. One of the easiest ways to keep students coming back is to pick a firm schedule and stick to it, no matter what. If you keep changing the date, time, or location, some members are bound to get confused or frustrated, and they’re likely to leave as a result. You won’t be able to please everyone with your consistent schedule, but you will make it more likely for your attendees to stick around for the long haul.
• Create a tangible takeaway as a reminder. You can encourage repeat participation by giving all your study group members some kind of tangible takeaway. A small booklet or flyer should be enough to help your participants keep your group top of mind, and remind them of when and where you meet. Alternatively, if your group prefers more digital communication and reminders, you could setup a social media group or shared calendar to facilitate automatic reminders.
• Advertise your group on public boards. Go out of your way to advertise the group on public boards; after all, that’s what they’re for. The increased exposure should be enough to attract more people to the group. Those people will invite their friends, and soon, you’ll have small clusters of people constituting the bulk of the group. Those clusters will keep individuals within the clusters accountable, adding to the retentive power of the whole.
• Ask professors to announce your group. For a little extra leverage, ask your professors to mention the study group at the beginning or end of each lecture. This will aid in the recruitment process, but will also serve as a reminder to all study group participants that the group is still meeting on a regular basis. This makes it harder to ignore or forget about.
• Work with individuals. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd, especially as your study group keeps growing. If a member feels like they don’t get to participate often, or that they aren’t truly a part of the group, they’re not going to want to keep coming back. To prevent this and encourage more participation, focus your attention on individual members of the group. Make sure they introduce themselves, ask them to participate regularly, and work to understand their individual motivations for meeting. This makes people feel more invested in the experience, and will keep them coming back.
• Keep meetings interesting. Nobody will want to return to your study group if it’s like every other study group on campus. You’ll need to engage students’ creativity, present something unique, and make the experience a fun one. How you do that is up to you, the nature of the people in your group, and the type of class you’re taking. As long as you make the experience a memorable one, people will want to keep coming back.

Why Retention Is Important

Why is it worth the extra effort? Study groups that retain high numbers of students and participation see the following benefits:

• They last longer. Groups with more people will naturally last longer, since individual departures will be less likely to impact the longevity of the group.
• They utilize more diverse viewpoints. Diversity is important if you want your meetings to be productive. Having a large number of students will automatically bring more diverse viewpoints and study angles to the group.
• They recruit other people. Big groups attract even more members—because clearly, you’re doing something right. That helps the group last even longer.
• They meet consistently. Finally, big groups with long-time members naturally meet more consistently—and that predictability is a good thing for everyone involved.

Don’t let your study group fall apart the week after it was created. If you want to keep getting the most use out of your study group, go out of your way to keep your students together.

Sylvia Kohl is an IT teacher with more than 8 years of professional experience. Her main spheres of interest are e-education and she convinced that learning process doesn’t stop after years in school and university.

 

 

Expand Your College Budget with these Techniques

By Linda Anderson

College is an incredible and magical place where you uncover treasure trove of knowledge and life lessons. It is your stepping stone to adulthood. But often students in college end up spending way too much, which can plunge them into utter poverty at the end of the month. Here are some frugal hacks which can help you breeze through college without begging from your parents.

Budget and lists

It is important to make a budget, charting out your month’s income and allotted expense for everything, including partying, splurging, drinking etc. This will help you be on top of your finances. You know how much money you can spend on any particular thing, as well as formulate some plan to make up for any accidental additional expenses that you may have incurred. When you go for shopping, make a list of things to buy so that you do purchase everything you need to, on one single shopping trip. Often people end up buying unnecessary stuff simply because they saw it at the store and more shopping trips increase the chances of spending more money.

Get second hand text books

Text books are usually extremely pricey which burns a huge hole in the pockets of students. When you have already spent quite an amount on admission, moving etc., buying new textbooks can be a financial burden, especially when you would probably not need them after the semester. So, instead of buying, borrow and scan to create an e copy which you can read on your laptop. It would be great if you can buy old books off your seniors which will cost you around half of the money you would have had to spend otherwise.

Find student discounts

Did you know that your student id card doubles as a discount card in a number of stores and even in transport? There are plenty of stores around the country, especially in popular college towns, which offer excellent student discounts on essential items. You can also avail lucrative discounts on transport. Buses like Greyhound etc. will let you travel for much cheaper if you can produce your student id. Therefore, it is a good idea to carry your it around. You can also save up on transport by cycling to places instead of driving.

Use open source instead of Windows

Instead of buying software and operating system, you can easily avail high quality open source software and OS for free. They will have the same functionality as your paid Windows versions but they come without burning a hole in your pocket. You can easily use such software to write your papers, create presentations and do all your work. They also come with updates from time to time which will help you avail cool new features, and that too at no cost at all.

Look out for coupons

It is a wise idea to schedule your shopping around the ties of sale, which will help you buy everything you need at a cheaper price. But sales do come only a few times so you will have to buy otherwise as well. Every time you shop something, you can save bits by looking out for coupons and discount codes. Before you go shopping, online or at a local store, check out for discount coupon codes at companies like Nitro Coupons which will help you buy everything you need at a cheaper price.

If you spend carefully, you will not end up adding more debts to your student loan. Therefore, will be less debt to pay back once you have a job. This will also help your credit score.

Linda Anderson is a  writer and musician residing in Boise, ID in the United States, although I spent a small amount of time (about three years) living in the UK growing up, due to my father’s occupation. I graduated from the College of Idaho with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and a focus in marketing in 2014.

 

College Plagiarism Origin and How to Root It Out

BY DAVID GUTIERREZ

The meaning of the term “plagiarism” is fairly flexible – it can range from wholesale copy/pasting of someone else’s text and passing it for your work to much vaguer situations like using someone else’s ideas and presenting them as your own without referring to the original author. Plagiarism is an academic dishonesty, and depending on your academic level it may be a cause for many unpleasant consequences, ranging from failing grades to outright expulsion.

Many students continue to resort to it despite all potential problems. Some do it because “everybody does it,” others, because they’ve started small and got bold because they weren’t found out, still others say they just cannot cope with their work otherwise. But one thing is certain: with every passing year copy/pasting turns into a worse and worse idea. So how does one eliminate it from one’s life? Let’s take a look.

1.    Make Sure to Give Credit

If you use somebody else’s ideas in your writing, make sure you mention their names and refer to the exact sources of your information. For that matter, always keep track of the points of view and thoughts that appear in your writing.

2.    Use a Plagiarism Checker

Probably the most obvious way to make sure you never get accused of plagiarism is to mechanically check your work for possible matches. This may be a good idea even if you have written everything on your own without even thinking of lifting fragments from other sources – sometimes you may unconsciously copy entire phrases from books and articles you’ve read previously, and they may be enough for an accusation of plagiarism. To avoid this and make sure your paper does not have anything “stolen”, try using a plagiarism checker.

3.    Don’t Think You Won’t Be Found out

Technological possibilities for discovering cases of plagiarism are getting better and readily available with every passing year. While twenty years ago you could’ve probably been found only in case your teacher read the source you lifted contents from, today the process is automated, and even a high school teacher can check any number of texts for copy/paste in a matter of minutes. The likelihood of success decreases while risks remain the same – it just isn’t worth it anymore.

4.    Paraphrase

If you’ve found information that is just perfect for your assignment, there is no need just to copy/paste it. Try to put it in your own words, rearrange things so that ideas follow each other in a different order. Make sure you don’t copy more than two words in a row, and best of all – express the same general idea without following the original’s structure. On advanced academic levels, this method may still not be enough – if you rework a fairly well-known piece of work, it will be noticed.

5.    Compile

If you use more than one source of information and freely combine and shuffle data from all of them, it is unlikely to be considered plagiarism. Don’t restate ideas – draw from all your sources and present the findings in a way that doesn’t resemble the originals.

6.    When not Sure, Refer to the Author

If you are not sure if the idea is attributed to a particular author, better play it safe and give him credit for it. Some pieces of data are too distinct and simply paraphrasing them just won’t cut it.

All in all, there are many ways to avoid using plagiarism and still heavily use other people’s work as supporting material. Apply some amount of creativity, and you will be able to do so without much hassle.

David Gutierrez has worked in the field of web design since 2005. Right now he started learning Java in order to get second occupation. His professional interests defined major topics of his articles. David writes about new web design software, recently discovered professional tricks and also monitors the latest updates of the web development.

 

How to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking at College

BY ETHAN DUNWILL

All over the world, public speaking is the most reputed and accepted co-curricular activity. In every educational institution, it is supported as a co-curricular activity. Most other activities are merely accepted by the institutions but public speaking is something else. Just because this activity will help you to improve your self-esteem and institutional performance.

By mastering public speaking, you can do many things –

• Give better presentation
• Make understandable speeches
• Prove your logics to fellow students and teachers
• Communicate with everyone

However, the first step in achieving all these things would be to overcome your fear of public speaking.

Ways to Overcome The Fear of Public Speaking

Not everyone is able to give perfect public speeches. Some can do it, and most have fear of it. There are many ways to overcome this fear.

This is a matter of practice at first. But there are many influential activities that will help you to build up the confidence to overcome the fear. It’s actually not the fear that someone feels but rather a lack of confidence. So, to beat the fear of public speaking and boost your college performances you have to build up confidence first. The fear of public speaking is called Glossophobia and you are not the only one who suffers from it.

Always try to speak up in the class

Speaking up in the class with the teacher helps a lot to build up confidence. Always try to stand up and communicate with the teacher. This way, you can easily gain a solution to the problem you or the class is facing and you can also overcome the fear of speaking in front of a lot of people.

Practicing In front of The Mirror

This is a very important practice. Great public speakers, at the beginning of their careers, have tried it at least once in their life. They have said that if you can face yourself while speaking, you can face thousands of other people. Because the fear you’re having is within yourself. So if you can face yourself, you won’t be afraid to face a lot of other people undeniably.

Become an English Tutor

Becoming an English tutor is another good thing you can do. If you become an English tutor, you can easily overcome the fear of public speaking. As an English tutor, you will have to become fluent in presentations, in giving speeches, in communicating with people. Also, teaching English will extend your own vocabulary and by using sophisticated words you will feel more knowledgeable, thus boosting your confidence. While an English tutor is teaching his/her students, he can easily learn the tactics of communication and make the students understand whatever he or she wants to say. The exact same skills can and should be applied in public speaking.

Relaxation

There are many other ways in which you can overcome the fear of stage or the fear of public speaking in front of a lot of people. You have to be relaxed in front of them. To be relaxed and patient and calm, you count the seats to keep the adrenaline flow go slower, or you can breathe to keep your muscles relaxed. Also, pausing frequently, while giving a speech will help you relax and choose the correct words, without sounding awkward.

However, to be honest, these are not permanent solutions. You must find out a permanent solution for a problem like this that works best for you. Because if severe, this can cause panic attacks or even heart attacks. Eventually, with a lot of practice and experience, you will completely eliminate your fear of public speaking.

Ethan Dunwill is a business consultant and contributing blogger for several websites, who currently works as a freelncer. He believes that education is the most important part of any developed society and always eager to share his experience. You can talk to Ethan via Twitter.

 

 

7 Ways for Students to Overcome Writer’s Block

BY FREDDIE TUBBS

While writer’s block can affect all of us at various times, it is no longer some insurmountable menace that we can’t overcome. Whether you’re worried about what you’re writing, trying too hard to be perfect, or just lose inspiration, rest assured that you’re normal. There are also plenty of ways in which you can overcome your block quickly without getting too stressed. There’s no longer any reason to panic or miss you deadline, as you can just try out the following 7 ways to get over your writer’s block and get back to your craft.

1.     Move Around

Sometimes you get writers block because you just can’t see further. Changing your environment by heading to a coffee shop, a library, or even just another room in your house can provide a fresh perspective.

2.     Find another Outlet

Sometimes you just need to put down the pen and take a break from writing. However, you’ll recover from your block quicker by indulging in another creative outlet.

3.     Make the Most of Online Tools and Resources for Writing and Editing

Online tools for writing and editing can make a huge difference in overcoming your writer’s block. They can spark your inspiration, or at the very least help you sift through what you already have and find something great to work with. The following tools are some of the most useful:

• Now Novel – this is a great tool for anyone looking to write fiction. This tool keeps your work private but it’s an amazing way for your work to stay organised, and help you develop a writing process.
• Write my essays – the forums at paper fellows are full of professional and amateurs alike who are able to provide awesome support and advice when you need it.
• Zen Pen – this tool is awesome if you’re easily distracted. You are provided with a completely plain interface, that’s just a blank page, so you can’t see any external links or procrastinate.
• Trello – this tool is great for anyone who is more of a visual learner, and would benefit from being able to see their progress so far in order to figure out how to proceed.
• Dissertation Writing Services – this writing tool is a cool way to find some inspiration and generate some ideas. You’ll be over your writer’s block in no time.
• Resume Writing Service – when you’re short of ideas, you can head to this site for inspiration and generate some great new threads of writing for ideas.
• Essay Roo – sometimes you just have to power through your writer’s block, and monitoring your daily word count, by setting and hitting targets is one way of doing that.
• UK Writings – when you’re writing for academia or for school, you’ll have to spend a lot of time referencing, and this can interrupt your writing flow or process. Using this tool can stop you from suffering from writer’s block if your work is disturbed.

 

4.     Move Your Body

If you want your brain to be full of energy, you need to work on your body too, and getting some fresh air, moving around, whether it’s yoga, dance, boxing, or hiking, can really clear your head, and help you gain a fresh perspective and point of view.

5.     Start Early

You may need to edit this writing heavily, but starting super early can leave you in a dream-like state where thoughts just spill over from your brain.

6.     Turn Off You Phone

You’ll need to get rid of all distractions, but the easiest one to eliminate is your cell phone.

7.     Always Have a Notepad

Inspiration could hit you anywhere, so make sure you can write them down and get to work when you get home.

Writer’s block can prove to be a massive struggle for anyone trying to hammer out a career, or get through a degree, but following the above tips can help you break through it quickly and effectively.

 

Author:

Freddie Tubbs is an eLearning project manager from Fort Myers, Florida. He works as a language researcher at Best assignment writing services and is a contributing author at The Atlantic.

7 Smart Excuses For Not Drinking at The Next Students’ Party

BY LUCY TAYLOR

Being a student means that you are under a lot of pressure from fellow students to act the way that they think you should. College parties mean drinking, dancing, playing drinking games, and all the rest, right? You actually don’t have to drink at every party, and certainly not in order to have a good time. Here are seven smart excuses to use when people are hassling you about not drinking with them.

 

1. Be the designated driver

If a lot of people are crowding around to one dorm, or one frat house, or one hall to have a party, many of them aren’t going to be from within walking distance. If anyone asks you why you aren’t drinking, simply tell them that you are driving home – even if it’s not true, it’s a valid excuse. There can be serious issues for your college career if you are caught drinking and driving. You could be expelled from your course, fined, put on probation, or even given jail time if your offence is serious enough. With such heavy legal consequences hanging over the decision to drink and drive, fellow students should respect your decision not to do so.

 

2. Mention your training

If you are training for a sport, you won’t want to get drunk. Not only can it play havoc with your body, but the extra calories in alcohol can play havoc with your training diet too. If you have a football scholarship, for example, fellow students will be much more likely to understand that you don’t want to jeopardise your position by drinking. This is especially great as an excuse if you also have to get up and train early the next morning.

 

3. Pretend you’re pregnant

Alright, so this will only work for girls, not guys. But if you pretend that you’re pregnant, no one at all is going to question why you aren’t drinking. If you use this excuse, you have to be comfortable with rumours spreading about it, and so you need to not care what other people think about you. It’s easy to brush questions off the next day by refuting the idea that you’re pregnant and suggesting that whoever thought that must have been drunk.

 

4. Say you’ve already been drinking

If you aren’t hanging out with the same people consistently all night long, this will work wonders. Whenever someone asks you why you aren’t drinking, you can just tell them that you finished your last drink a few moments ago and now you’re taking a break. Why not? They won’t be able to figure out whether you really did have a drink or not, and it’s not really any of their business anyway.

 

5. Hold a drink in your hand

If you are still getting hassled about not drinking even with your excuses in play, you can avoid hearing the questions in the first place by simply picking up a drink. Whether you grab a beer or just a solo cup with a little liquid inside, you’re going to look like you’re drinking even though you aren’t. This is a good way to not have to give an excuse, since everyone will assume you are having a drink. A great way to take this to the next level is to fill a cup or bottle with water, and if asked, tell people it’s vodka. This way you can still take a sip now and then without having to actually drink.

 

6. Say you’re allergic

Many people are actually allergic to alcohol, so this could be a great excuse. Try doing a little bit of research first so that you know what the symptoms are and can talk about it further if pressed, otherwise this excuse may fall apart.

 

7. Tell people you’re an alcoholic

Again, this excuse requires you to not care what people think about you, because if you do, you won’t want to have this reputation. But being a recovering alcoholic is something that most people understand, and they won’t push you to drink.

These smart excuses will all help in tricky situations, but the best move may just to politely but firmly state that you don’t want to drink. Anyone who doesn’t respect that isn’t worth your time.

Bio: With a huge love for writing and helping all those in need of help, Lucy Taylor is a legal expert, currently supporting LY Lawyers. She is also a staunch supporter of responsible driving and educating motorists about dangers of alcohol. Follow Lucy on her Twitter.

5 Financial Habits To Develop While Being a Student

by Melissa Burns

When you are a student your adult life seems to be a hundred years away. Thinking about retirement in your 20s while you still likely have a student loan to pay off is so uncommon, but it is important to establish good saving habits as early as possible even if you are on a tight budget.

Regardless of who you are, you should never be dependent on someone else upon your finances because you never know what can happen. Sometimes this message can get lost in our consumeristic culture but let’s review some of the financial habits that can help you become more independent and save for the future.

Credit Score

A credit score is the most important 3 digit number associated with you. If you have a credit card, you have a credit score. Remember that the higher your credit score is, the better interest rate you are going to get.  When you buy a car, house or anything like that you will want to get the best credit score possible. Aim for 720+, this number will bring you the best interest rate. If you have not checked your credit score this year, you’d better do it right now.

Avoid Credit Card Debt

Maybe you have heard from a million people, don’t get a credit card debt. However, having a credit card is the smartest thing you can do as you can earn cashback, rewards and other things that will help you to save more. Whether you want to have a vacation or buy something on Amazon, these things pay off.

Investing

The lure of big money always attracts young people to start investing. However, making money in equities is not easy. It not only requires research and patience but also a deep understanding of the market. Before you start investing, get knowledgeable on it.

 Refinance Student Loans

Going to college may cost thousands of dollars, and you need to figure out the best strategy for your student loans. The best thing to do so is to refinance them. There are companies that offer lots of refinancing options. You can also check out a bank you have your student loan, but make sure you pay attention to a few things. Often when you refinance you stretch the time of the loan from ten to even thirty years. This is great for your monthly payment but very bad for the amount of money you will eventually pay.

Individual Retirement Account

The individual retirement accounts (IRA) have become popular among young people that enable them to take control over their retirement savings. The most common types are traditional and Roth IRA. They are easy to set up, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. Because IRA is an investment account, you can invest in bonds, stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, or precious metals.

However, the currency has its shortcomings. It is prone to inflation, and there is no sure fire way of telling what will happen in future. In order to avoid these shortcomings, many people choose gold IRA. Gold has one significant advantage over currency – it cannot be affected by inflation, which is a very important feature when it comes to long-term investment. Taking into account that our economy is anything but stable, investing in gold offers more security against market fluctuations and allows to take control of your retirement.

When you are in your 20s, you may have your first job and just starting to get established. There are a lot of life and relationship things to think about, but you should also be thinking about your money.

Melissa Burns graduated from the faculty of Journalism of Iowa State University. Nowadays she is an entrepreneur and independent journalist. Follow her @melissaaburns or contact at burns.melissaa@gmail.com

 

 

How to Get Financial Aid for Career School and Technical Ed

By Melissa Brodsky

Disclosure: This article was originally published at Career School Now.

Furthering your education can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be completely cost driven. There are many ways you can get financial aid in order to alleviate the cost of career and technical education or college. The trouble is, the whole concept of financial aid can be overwhelmingly confusing for many, whether you are headed off to college or career school. Where can you find available money, and how do you apply for it? Add in the deadlines, criteria, paperwork, and all the other necessary evils that go hand-in-hand with finding and applying for scholarships and grants, and it can be a long and drawn-out process. However, financial aid, in the form of scholarships and grants for trade school, doesn’t have to be intimidating obstacle. There are millions of dollars available every single year, ready and waiting for students to receive so they can pursue their dream technical ed. school careers.

Types of Financial Aid for Career School

 There are three major types of financial aid available. There are government-funded grants, scholarships, and both private and federal government loans. Government grants are considered “gift aid”; the money is free and does not require the student to pay it back. Grants are based on need, while scholarships are often given to students with high academic and test scores, or outstanding ability in certain areas. There are also student loans that require reimbursement. Depending on whether they are private or federally funded, the interest rate will vary. There is a vast number of scholarships available; these also do not need to be paid back. Visit the full Financial Aid Guide based on the book, “The Scholarship and Financial Aid Solution,” for help finding and applying to scholarships.

Sources of Financial Aid for Career School

 Many colleges and institutions have their own funds that can be applied for, whether it’s a scholarship, grant, or loan. There are also state government and federal government sources that can be awarded to students who need help paying for career school or college. Many sources of financial aid are not on a “one-and-done” type of basis. They require the student to remain in good to excellent academic standing, and the school financial aid office will monitor the student’s record. If a private school is bleeping on your radar, don’t be discouraged due to its high cost. Private schools offer better financial aid than public schools, both on need and merit. This is largely due to the fact that private schools are funded by donations and endowments, as well as tuition, while public colleges are state funded. The price published on the private college’s informational package or website isn’t necessarily the actual out-of-pocket cost; many offer grants based on financial need that can actually bring the cost down to the same level as public colleges. Many colleges have a net price calculator available on their websites, which helps students figure out the net tuition cost including financial aid options. It’s a good idea to visit each potential school’s website, locate the calculator, and follow the instructions. Have your tax documents available to complete the net price calculations, in order to receive a reliable cost estimation. This could take awhile, depending on how many colleges are on the list. But, it’s a worthwhile endeavor when trying to compare college costs.

How to Get Financial Aid

The student must start off by applying for the FAFSA. It can be done all online, but it can also be done via snail mail. The FAFSA is a fairly easy, yet time-consuming process. A school’s financial advisor may be able to help, to make it more efficient. The earlier the application is in, the more aid the student may receive. The application will once again be available as of October 1, 2017. It cannot be stated enough the importance of filing the FAFSA before applying for any more grants or scholarships, as all of the awards are based on this form.

Breaking Down the Financial Aid Options

 

1. Grants: Grants are the most desirable due to the fact that they don’t have to be paid back. Two of the best options are the Free Application For Federal School Aid, or FAFSA, and the Pell Grant. There is also the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) that can give some additional funding depending on need, which the FSEOG is based upon. To even begin the financial aid process, you MUST fill out the FAFSA form.

10 FAFSA FACTS

Because the FAFSA is THE most important step in obtaining grant or scholarship money, here are some important facts to know:

1. File as early as possible; the FAFSA is first come, first served!
2. Because family or individual income is a factor, minimize the amount of taxable earnings.
3. Make sure “college savings” is in a parent’s name, when possible.
4. FAFSA is not just for low to middle income families. Wealthy families are eligible, as well.
5. The FAFSA determines where the $150 billion will be distributed.
6. FAFSA uses a July-June calendar with the form available for processing in January.
7. If the student is from a divorced home, use the financial information of the parent who more time is spent with. This is including a stepparent.
8. Twenty four is the age when a student is considered independent and may file accordingly.
9. Because the FAFSA is recalculated annually, it needs to be filled out every year for the course of the student’s education.
10. Full-time students will receive more funding than part-time students.

 

 

• Pell Grant: There are extenuating circumstances that could exclude a student from being eligible for Pell Grants, such as incarceration. The amount awarded changes yearly, but the 2016-2017 maximum allowance is $5,815. Pell Grant amount awards are based on financial need, the cost of college attendance, full or part-time student status, and whether the student will be attending for a full year. Pell Grants can only be received for 12 semesters or six years of college attendance. The amount of any other financial aid does not affect the amount received from the Pell Grant. Pell Grants are awarded through the FAFSA application; there is no other way to apply. The Pell Grants need to be renewed annually, in the same way as the FAFSA. Funds are disbursed by the school the student is attending.
• FSEOG: This grant is a need-based monetary award. It can pay anywhere between $100-$4,000 per year depending on the student’s financial circumstances. It can be done online, but the student must be a U.S. citizen, a full-time student who already completed the FAFSA application, and is in dire need of additional funding for college or trade school. Like the Pell Grant, the FSEOG amount is determined by the FAFSA; there is no other way to apply for this grant directly. The money is either sent to the student by check or is credited to the school account. If the student’s financial circumstances do not make him or her eligible for the FSEOG, then he or she may be better fitted for a Pell Grant.
• FAFSA: The FAFSA is simply a free application for students to fill out to help them obtain money to pay toward their schooling. This online form MUST be filled out by any student wanting to apply for grants and scholarships, as it is used to determine the amount of money the student will be awarded. Every single loan and grant is based upon the FAFSA, and colleges also base their scholarships on FAFSA. It’s important to find out deadlines of schools being applied for because they could differ drastically from one to the other, and timeliness is extremely important in order to receive the highest amount of money. The federal deadline for filling out the FAFSA form is June 30th, but each state may be different.

 

2. Federal Loans: Student loans help cover the cost of school, but they must be repaid over a designated period of time and usually with a high interest rate. Two loans to be aware of, both offered through the Department of Education, are The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and The Federal Stafford Loan. Also, there is the Sallie Mae Career Training Smart Option Loan. These loans are usually lower than the market rate, so the payback isn’t as daunting. They do not reduce the cost of schools; they just are there to help with the immediate cost and will have to be paid back upon graduation and employment or when lessening college enrollment to part-time status.

 

• The Federal Stafford Loan is offered by the Department of Education, which can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized means the government pays the interest during select times while unsubsidized has no federal aid. The subsidized loans are for low-income undergraduate students with high financial help needs, and there is no time limit on how long the student can receive the loans. Unsubsidized loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students, and it does not matter what their income levels are. Unlike the subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans are only available for up to six years of education.
• William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan is the largest loan lender through the Department of Education. Under this program, there are four different types of loans available: Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Direct Consolidation Loans. The ungraduate student can borrow between $5,500-$12,500 per year with any of these loan programs. Parents applying for loans for their dependent student would qualify for the PLUS loan, which covers the costs not covered by other financial aid. Only borrow what is needed.
• Sallie Mae Career Training Smart Option Loan allows the borrower to take out a loan for the entire cost of school with a choice of repayment options. There are no prepayment penalties with this option, and payments start upon receiving money, but at low rates. Six months post graduation is when full payment plus interest begins.

Federal loans have a fixed interest rate that is much lower than credit card interest rates. If the student ever had to consolidate his or her debt, a federal loan can be rolled into it. Interest rates on Federal loans are tax deductible. Unlike a private loan, if there is financial hardship, the debt repayment can be postponed or payments can be lowered. There is no prepayment penalty fee, and a portion of the loan can also be forgiven if you work in public service. To receive a Federal loan, you must first fill out the FAFSA. Based on the result of the FAFSA, a financial aid offer will be sent out by the college or career school from which the student is enrolling in. This might include the federal loans, as well. Before any federal money is given, the student will have to complete entrance counseling that will spell out the exact loan obligation so that it is easily understood, and a Master Promissory Note, or an agreement to the terms of the loan, will have to be signed. The school will have all the information and will help the student understand how to make sense of it.

 

3. 3. Private Student Loans: Approximately 38 percent of all money students receive is from loans. Many private loans need to be paid back even when the student is still enrolled in college and at a high interest rate, the average being 18 percent annually. The interest rate is what can bring the cost of the loan up tremendously. Interest may not be tax deductible with private loans and many not be included in the event of a debt consolidation. Private loans rely on credit scores along with other factors specific to the loan institution.

 

4. Scholarships

 

4.1. Merit Scholarships: Merit scholarships are given directly through the specific schools and the student has to apply for them. The scholarships are awarded based on certain criteria which is generally school specific and usually based on the applying student’s GPA and test scores as well as personal achievements. Vatterott now offers a variety scholarship opportunities for both part-time and full-time student status. Need and merit-based scholarship options are available with Remington College. The Lincoln Tech Group of Schools has over $15 million in scholarship funds available nationally for students who qualify. Whichever school you are considering, make sure to check the financial aid and scholarships sections of their websites to find out what the school offers and what the qualifications are.

 

4.2. Vocational Scholarships: Depending on which trade the student is entering, there are scholarships available. Examples such as Home Depot for students studying construction, contracting, and HVAC. Straightforward Media offers six different types of scholarships of $500, given out four times a year. Another, 2nd Chance Scholarship is given out by American Fire Sprinkler Association, and it awards five $1,000 scholarships to high school graduates going into trade school. They also have a High School Senior Scholarship Contest that awards 10 students each a $2,000 scholarship to go to trade school. Nexstar Legacy Foundation gives out two scholarships per year to students going into HVAC, plumbing, or electric, and it can be renewed for up to four years. The American Welding Society also hosts a variety of scholarship opportunities for undergrads interested in welding engineering or welding engineering tech studies. There are also scholarships available directly through the colleges or career schools, and it’s important to consult their websites for specifications.

 

4.3. Career School Scholarships for Women: There are a variety of scholarships available for women who are entering trade school. They are especially specific to women entering male-dominated professions which are heavy in trade schools such as welding, electric, and mechanical. The larger grants may be very competitive. There are smaller grants available that may be easier to receive. The American Association of University Women is awarded to full-time, female students who are entering fields where women aren’t represented such as math, engineering, and sciences. Deadline to apply is January 10th. There are a number of female-specific scholarships available for those entering the culinary field, such as Culinary Institute of America (CIA) but this is merit-based and the applicant must carry a GPA of 3.2. Horizon Scholarship for Women in Defense is available for females headed into Criminal Justice fields or any other field of study.

 

4.4 Top Three Websites for Finding Career School Scholarships

1. Cappex: Not only does Cappex help students with their college searches, they also match you with potential scholarship opportunities just by filling out its free profile form. Cappex gives you the options and allows you to make your own decisions. It has its own scholarship available, as well.

2. Chegg: Chegg personalizes your search for scholarships by matching you with ones that fit your career goals, simply by filling out its profile form. The service sends out reminders so you’ll never have to worry about missing deadlines, an important factor when trying to get the most scholarship money.

3. Fastweb: Fastweb is another targeted scholarship search that helps students find even some of the most obscure ones. You just complete an online profile on the site, and it allows you access to its database of 1.5 million available scholarships totalling over 3 billion dollars.

 

5.Grant Options

 

5.1. Lottery Grants: Some states, such as South Carolina and Georgia, host lottery and scholarship grants. In Georgia, the Georgia HOPE Grant Program pays for career school programs, and gives a $100 book reimbursement to the recipient. Not all states offer lottery scholarships, so it’s best to check with the school financial office to find out if your state offers a lottery-based scholarship.

 

5.2. Minority-Specific Grants: There are so many grants available to minorities that have historically been underrepresented within the educational system. These grants are available in hopes of making higher education obtainable to minorities who would otherwise not be able to attend colleges or career schools. There are grants available through the state and Federal governments, as well as through private sources, professional organizations, charitable foundations, and college and universities. Certain standards apply, so research is crucial.

Not all career schools qualify for government financial aid, so make certain to discuss viable options with the financial aid officer at your school of choice. Your school’s financial aid officer is probably the best source of information when it comes to finding available grant and scholarship money for technical ed or career school. There is a lot of financial aid money for career schools out there to help those who need it!

Melissa Brodsky is a Content Strategist and Writer for Career Now Brands and CDL Marketing Group. We provide students with the largest school database, as well as information on different careers, programs, and schools. She may be contacted at melissa@careernowbrands.com.

Use Your Hobbies to Pay for College

BY GORDON SCHORR

Are you worried about how you are going to pay off all of your student loan debt after you graduate from college? How would you like to not have much debt to pay off in the first place? No, we are not exactly talking about taking on a part-time job while you are going to school. We are actually talking about getting scholarships, based on your hobbies. You might be surprised to learn that many companies and individuals offer scholarships to those have hobbies, from amateur radio to knitting and more. Here are some cool ideas to check out.

 

1. Knitting – Do you love to knit? If so, you could win yourself $3,000 towards your education expenses. The Beans for Brains Scholarship is from Jimmy Beans Wool store, and it is open to students from all over the world who are skilled at knitting. So, if people made fun of you for knitting, it is time to show them a thing or two by putting that talent to good use. Create something really awesome, and get your application in.
2. Gaming – It’s a good thing that you didn’t listen to your mother when she said you were too into trading card games and that you needed to get a life. Your knowledge of games could win you a $5,000 scholarship. All you have to do is write an essay that is related to the trading card game, “Magic: The Gathering”. The more you know about the game, the better your chances are of getting that scholarship. Applications for 2018 scholarships are open in the fall, and must be submitted no later than March 31, 2018.
3. Videos – How many times have you been asked to get your camera out of someone’s face? Well, all of those videos you took for fun may have given you the experience to win $1,000. The ACT Video Contest is open to juniors and seniors in high school. The ACT test is important, but not mandatory, and all students are encouraged to take it. All you have to do is submit a video that makes students want to take the ACT.
4. Photography – If you are interested in photography, you could put your talents to good use and win a $500 Camera Runner Photography Scholarship. This award is given to students in high school and college, and part-time students are eligible to apply. You must write an essay about what you love about photography, and submit one of your favorite photos. The deadline for application is August 31.
5. Egg Donor – If you are between 18-28 years old, pass the basic qualifications, and have a good health and family history, you can start applying to the program by New Hope Fertility Center immediately.
6. Poetry – If you are into poetry, there is an awesome scholarship that would be perfect for you to apply for. The Power Poetry Scholarships are for high school seniors, undergraduate students, and graduate students who have a love of, and a talent for poetry. The winner will receive a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to use towards tuition or other educational expenses.
7. Automotive Interests – Students who have an interest in working in the automotive field are eligible to apply for the Automotive Hall of Fame scholarships. There are many different awards for both high school seniors and college students who have a love of automobiles. The amounts often depend on the financial need of the winning students. To be eligible for most of these scholarships, you must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, be a US citizen or live in the US and hold a valid visa, and have two letters of recommendation that show you have a true interest in automobiles.

 

Gordon Schorr is an online educator and creative writer. 

 

5 Questions To Ask Before Going Into Business at College

BY SYLVIA KOHL

If you are in college, it’s time to start a business and find a product or service you can actually sell into the marketplace. As a college student, you have time on your side, and you can take risks. If you can live in college campus or parents basement for a couple of years, you can save money to set up a foundation to run your business and scale your company.

Think about Google, Facebook, and Microsoft. All these companies have one thing in common – they were college start-ups. Students and great ideas can sometimes be catalysts for innovative business. However, it is not necessary to be an IT genius to thrive in the entrepreneurial space. The way to get business ideas is not to try to think of business ideas. It’s to search for problems, preferably problems you have yourself. If you have such a problem in mind and an idea of how to solve it, here are some thought-provoking points to consider when thinking about starting your business in college.

Things to Consider Before Starting a Business in College

Are You Passionate About Your Idea?

Find something you are passionate about creating, improving or changing – use your experience to develop something that has to mean and provides a service. Don’t choose the idea that you aren’t very excited about, but you think it can potentially make a lot of money. Remember that passion is the main driver that can make any idea successful.

What Resources Do You Have?

Use the resources at your disposal to start your business. As a college student, professors who are highly skilled in their field are available to give advice and lead you in the right direction.

If you are thinking seriously about your venture, after creating a business plan start searching for capital – whether you borrow money from friends, family or get a loan from the bank. Another way to make your idea a reality is to get access to university entrepreneurial loans. Remember to keep entrepreneurial spirit especially in the beginning when you have a minimal income.

Have You Identified the Potential Customers and Brand Influencers?

Depending on a product or service, your future company has a network of college students who can become potential customers or brand influencers. Think about joining target networking organizations to start forming the needed connections as early as possible.

Do You Have Enough Time to Run a Business?

It can be really hard to keep up with your studies and business. Many working students have faced the situation where they had to understand how to wisely organize their tasks in a time frame. College may seem difficult at times, and it can be tempting to take a break, but that won’t solve anything. Instead of leaving college, ask for help if you think things are getting too hard. Time management is another great way to free up more time for your business. One useful tip to take control over your college life is to print out your study program for the whole semester, with details about each course, and deadlines for submission of assignments.

How Will You Protect Yourself?

Once you have an idea and plan in mind, you should be ready to protect your business with trademarks, copyrights, patents of your logo, brand and company name. Moreover, don’t talk about your idea too much. It’s not necessary to reveal every detail of how your product works.

 

How to Know if You Are Ready to Become an Entrepreneur?

Believe it or not, there is never a perfect time to start a business. No matter how old you are, or how much experience has, you’ll never have zero risks. However, if you understand the risks of business ownership, have an idea you’re passionate about and have found resources and mentors who can guide you through the toughest moments, it’s time to begin your entrepreneurial journey.

Sylvia Kohl is an IT teacher with more than 8 years of professional experience. Her main spheres of interest are e-education and she convinced that learning process doesn’t stop after years in school and university.