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Manuel Gonzalez semi-finalist for New York Times Scholarship

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Manuel Gonzalez, a senior at TAPCO,  was selected as a NY TIMES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM semi-finalist.  He is one of 16 students chosen from the Bronx, a group chosen from several hundred applicants.  Of the 16 chosen from the Bronx, only 10 of the 16 were public high schools.

We are very proud of Manuel and his accomplishments.  He has been a model student, availed himself of college readiness opportunities, like COLLEGE NOW.  He is also been involved in our award winning video program and is an accomplished artist.


Highest paying majors revealed by new college study May 24, 2011.

For a link to this article follow here.

Understand your financial aid award letter.

March 15th, 2011

Resources for Educators

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) published an Award Letter Evaluation Tool in 2001 to help colleges make their financial aid award letters more intelligible. A March 2005 article entitled Recommended Elements of Award Letters by Mark Kantrowitz in Emerging Issues in Higher Education, a publication of the Council on Law in Higher Education, also discusses best practices in the design of financial aid award letters.

Federal Legislation

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HR 4137), which passed the House and Senate on July 31, 2008 includes a requirement for the US Department of Education to develop a model institution financial aid offer form. The text of the legislation is as follows:

SEC. 484. MODEL INSTITUTION FINANCIAL AID OFFER FORM.

(a) MODEL FORMAT. – The Secretary of Education shall - (1) not later than six months after the date of enactment of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, convene a group of students, families of students, secondary school guidance counselors, representatives of institutions of higher education (including financial aid administrators, registrars, and business officers), and nonprofit consumer groups for the purpose of offering recommendations for improvements that - (A) can be made to financial aid offer forms; and (B) include the information described in subsection (b); (2) develop a model format for financial aid offer forms based on the recommendations of the group; and (3) not later than one year after the date of enactment of the Higher Education Opportunity Act – (A) submit recommendations to the authorizing committees (as defined in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003); and (B) make the recommendations and model format widely available.

(b) CONTENTS. – The recommendations developed under subsection (a) for model financial aid offer forms shall include, in a consumer-friendly manner that is simple and understandable, the following: (1) Information on the student.s cost of attendance, including the following: (A) Tuition and fees. (B) Room and board costs. © Books and supplies. (D) Transportation. (2) The amount of financial aid that the student does not have to repay, such as scholarships, grants, and work-study assistance, offered to the student for such year, and the conditions of such financial aid. (3) The types and amounts of loans under part B, D, or E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq., 1087a et seq., 1087aa et seq.) for which the student is eligible for such year, and the applicable terms and conditions of such loans. (4) The net amount that the student, or the student.s family on behalf of the student, will have to pay for the student to attend the institution for such year, equal to - (A) the cost of attendance for the student for such year; minus (B) the amount of financial aid described in paragraphs (2) and (3) that is offered in the financial aid offer form. (5) Where a student or the student.s family can seek additional information regarding the financial aid offered. (6) Any other information the Secretary of Education determines necessary so that students and parents can make informed student loan borrowing decisions.

This article originally appeared on FinAid.org.

After you submit your application for financial aid, you will receive a financial aid award letter from the college(s) to which you applied, typically in early to mid-April. This letter spells out the details of your financial aid package.

A financial aid package is a collection of different types of financial aid from multiple sources. It is intended to help you fill the gap between your ability to pay (your expected family contribution or EFC) and college costs (the cost of attendance or COA). It is based on your financial need, the difference between COA and EFC.

After you receive the award letter, you may be asked to return a signed copy of the letter in which you accept or reject each source of financial aid. The college will not increase other aid to compensate if you reject part of the financial aid package, such as loans. (FinAid recommends accepting the Perkins and Subsidized Stafford Loans, as these are very low cost loans based on financial need. The government pays the interest on both loans while the student is enrolled in college at on an least half-time basis.)

Problems with Award Letters

There is no standard format for award letters, making them difficult to interpret and to compare and contrast. Some common problems include:

  • Differences in definitions of cost of attendance. Some colleges don’t even include the cost of attendance on the award letter. Others include just tuition and fees, but omit room and board. Others include room and board in addition to tuition and fees, but don’t include other costs, such as books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses. Some spell out all the major components, while others just report a single total figure.

    Even when the award letter includes all the costs, there may be significant differences in individual cost components. For example, transportation costs may vary depending on whether the college is close to home or halfway across the country. Colleges may also underestimate certain costs, such as textbook costs, in order to make their financial aid offer appear to be more generous.

  • Difficulty identifying award components. Sometimes award letters use cryptic acronyms to identify components of the financial aid package, without spelling out which are loans, which are grants, and which are work-study. When loans are included, the colleges rarely highlight the terms of the loans (interest rates, fees, years to repay, in-school deferment, subsidized vs unsubsidized interest) on the award letter. Some loans may appear to be need-based loans awarded by the college, but a really co-branded private student loans.

  • Front-loading of grants. Some colleges will include more grants in the award letters sent to freshmen, with the balance between loans and grants shifting toward loans in later years. This is partly because the Stafford Loan limits are lower for freshmen and sophomores, and partly because of a desire to minimize the amount of debt of any student who drops out during the first year. But it can also make the first financial aid package appear more attractive to prospective students. So ask the colleges whether you can expect to receive a similar amount of grants in subsequent years if your financial circumstances are similar.

  • Gapping. Some colleges do not meet the full demonstrated financial need of all students, but instead leave a gap. This usually occurs at colleges with limited student aid budgets. The colleges that practice gapping do not highlight the gap and often try to mask it by including non-need-based aid as part of the financial aid package.

  • Packaging of non-need-based aid. Certain loans, such as the unsubsidized Stafford loan, the PLUS loan and private student loans, are intended to help families pay for the family contribution. These loans are available to everybody, without regard to financial need. Colleges sometimes include these on the award letter, to ensure that families are aware of these borrowing options. But it makes it more difficult to compare award letters, when one college packages the PLUS loan and one does not. You are eligible for these loans at every school, even if they are not listed on the award letter.

  • Listing specific lenders on the award letter. You are not required to use a lender recommended by the school. You can use any lender. It pays to shop around, as lenders offer a variety of loan discounts that can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the loan. See preferred lender lists for additional information.

If you win any outside scholarships, you have to tell the college about them. Unfortunately, federal regulations require the college to reduce your need-based aid package when you win an outside scholarship or other ‘resource’. Colleges do, however, have some flexibility in how they reduce your financial aid package. Many will use the outside scholarship to first fill any gap, and then use half the funds to reduce loans and half to reduce grants. Ask the college for information about it’s outside scholarship policy if this will affect you.

Evaluating an Award Letter

The first thing to do when you receive an award letter is to identify the major cost components at the school and the major components of the financial aid package. The cost figures should include tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses. The financial aid package should include grants, work-study, and need-based loans. There may also be non-need-based loans. Total each category separately, so that you can compare the award letters from different colleges on an apples-to-apples basis.

Some educators suggest calculating the percentage gift aid (grants and work-study) in the financial aid package. FinAid does not agree with this advice, as such percentages are at best an imprecise gauge of the factors that matter most to the family, namely how much the college is going to cost. For example, one college may offer a greater percentage grants, but still cost the family more because the total cost of attendance is greater.

FinAid recommends looking at two figures that provide meaningful information about the cost of the college: net cost and out-of-pocket cost:

  • Net cost is the difference between the cost of attendance and the financial aid package, once everything has been put on an apples-to-apples basis. The cost of attendance figures should include all the missing components. The financial aid package should not include any loans that aren’t based on financial need. The net cost figure tells you how much money you will need to obtain from your own resources and non-need-based loans to pay the tuition bill. It is a measure of your cash flow requirements, and should roughly correspond to the expected family contribution (EFC). Since most colleges use the same EFC, the net cost should be similar across all the financial aid award letters. If there’s a significant difference in net cost, it is often a sign that there may be unusual circumstances that were brought to the attention of one college but not the others. (See negotiation and professional judgment for more information.) Financial aid packages are based on financial need, and shouldn’t vary much because the family’s ability to pay is the same for all schools.

  • Out-of-pocket cost is the difference between the cost of attendance and just the gift aid components of the financial aid package (grants and work-study). It excludes all loans from the financial aid package. Out-of-pocket cost is a measure of just how much the college is really going to cost you. It tells you how much money you will spend from savings (including section 529 college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans), current income (including tuition payment plans), and future income (including need-based and non-need-based student loans) in order to pay from college.

Resources for Students and Parents

There are several tools available to help you decode your financial aid award letter. FinAid offers two award letter comparison tools.

  • The Simple Award Letter Comparison Tool compares the financial aid packages from three colleges, highlighting any significant differences. The tool also calculates the net cost and out-of-pocket cost figures defined above, and estimates the lifetime cost of any education loans.
  • The Advanced Award Letter Comparison Tool is like the Simple Award Letter Comparison Tool, but includes non-financial criteria in addition to financial criteria for comparing colleges, letting you see the differences visually in a matrix format.


Are College Rankings Accurate?

Click here for an article discussing this topic.

CLCU Newsletter with information on college majors.

To download the CLCU Newsletter with information on college majors click here

The College Application Calendar

October
  • Your child should ask her counselor, teachers, and coaches or employers for letters of recommendation. Letter writers should be given plenty of time to meet application deadlines and should be provided with stamped and addressed envelopes.
  • If your child is taking SAT tests this month, make sure that scores are sent to the appropriate colleges.
  • Early decision or early action candidates should be sure to get all forms in as soon as possible.
Learn More:
  • Letters of Recommendation
November
  • Your child should submit early decision and early action applications on time.
  • Help your child wrap up college essays. You can help proofread essays for mistakes, but remember that writing the essay is your child's responsibility and it should reflect her voice, not yours.
  • Remind your child to follow up with teachers to ensure that letters of recommendation are sent on time to meet application deadlines.
  • Applications should be mailed as early as possible for colleges with rolling deadlines (admissions decisions are made as applications are received).
  • If your child is taking SAT tests this month, make sure that scores are sent to the appropriate colleges.
Learn More:
  • What's in a College Essay?
  • Types of Essays & Sample Questions
December
  • Your child should try to finish all college applications before winter break. Remember to make copies of each application before sending it off.
  • If your child is taking SAT tests this month, make sure that scores are sent to the appropriate colleges.
  • Early decision and early application responses arrive this month.
January
  • Early decision and early application responses arrive this month.
  • Some colleges include first-semester grades as part of the application folder. This is called the mid-year grade report. Your child's counselor should send grades to colleges that require them.
February
  • Remind your child to contact her colleges and confirm that all necessary application materials have been received.
  • Encourage your child to stay focused on schoolwork. Colleges want to see strong second-half grades.
Learn More:
  • What to Do about Senioritis
March
  • Some admissions decisions arrive this month. Read each letter carefully, and take note of all reply deadlines.
Learn More:
  • Decision-Making Guide
April
  • Most admissions decisions and financial aid award letters arrive this month. Read each letter carefully, and take note of all reply deadlines.
  • Your child should make a final decision, and mail the enrollment form and deposit check to the school she has selected before May 1 (the reply deadline for most schools).
  • Remind your child to notify each of the schools she will not be attending in writing so that your child's place can be freed up for other students.
  • If your child is on the waiting list, have her contact the admissions office and communicate continued interest in the college. Your child should update them on her spring semester grades and activities, and request next steps.
Learn More:
  • Decision-Making Guide
  • Rejected? Wait-Listed? Accepted?
May
  • If your child is taking AP Exams this month, make sure the AP Grade Report will be sent to the final-choice college.
  • Encourage your child to study hard for final exams. Most admissions offers are contingent on your child's final grades.
  • Your child should be sure to thank her counselor, teachers, coaches, and anyone else who wrote letters of recommendation or otherwise helped with college applications.
Learn More:
  • Next Steps
June
  • Your child's counselor should send a copy of the final transcript to your child's college choice.
  • If your child plans on competing in Division I or Division II college sports, her counselor must send a copy of the final transcript to the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse.
Summer
  • Make travel plans. Book early for the best prices.
  • Finalize your child's housing plans.
  • Shop together for items your child will need in college.
  • Make sure your child signs up for first-year orientation.

Top Paying Degrees

Whether you are in college or a prospective student, not all majors earn you the same salary. Of course, you should never choose a major just for the money. If you don’t enjoy the work, then all that money will never equal the dissatisfaction you have for your job.

Luckily, there are many majors in numerous fields of studies to choose from that will pay high starting salaries to recent graduates. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), here are the 10 top paying degrees and their starting salaries (as of 2008):

1. Chemical Engineering ($59,218)

2. Electrical Engineering ($55,333)

3. Mechanical Engineering ($54,057)

4. Computer Science ($53,051)

5. Civil Engineering ($48,998)

6. Economics ($47,782)

7. Management Information Systems ($47,407)

8. Finance ($46,442)

9. Accounting ($46,292)

10. Business Administration/Management ($43,256)


The College Connections newsletter and website

To download or view a newsletter devoted to New York's Private Institutions please visit http://www.nycolleges.org/resources.php.  this website also contains information pertaining to scholarships and financial aid.


The Importance of the High School Junior Year

Follow this link to read an article by by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. about the importance of Junior Year.  http://www.quintcareers.com/high-school_junior_year.html.

Junior Year College Admission Strategy

For a list of the 12 steps towards success in college admissions follow this link.  http://mycollegecalendar.org/explore/juniors/college-admission-strategy-juniors-a.aspx 


The Best Kept Financial Aid Secret

If you’re still looking for some cash for school, the financial aid office may have some extra lying around. Known as the “summer melt,” schools may have a surplus of financial aid dollars from students deciding not to attend at the last minute.


If you’re in need of some more cash, call the financial aid office and ask if there is money available and tell them about your new financial circumstances. You’ll never know if you can get more aid if you don’t try!

In fact, going to school and earning your degree right now can save you thousands of dollars every year! The federal government has recently lowered interest rates on student loans, which saves you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Plus, Pell Grant amounts have been increased for students who need the money most.

Did you also know that you can use your tuition to get money back on your taxes? With the Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits, you can receive up to a $2,000 tax credit from your tuition costs every year. By taking advantage of these hidden and little-known programs, you’ll be saving thousands of dollars each year!

Start your search now for schools and degree programs, knowing college is more affordable than ever!


Last-Minute SAT and ACT Prep

Test day is almost here, but there’s still time to study. Whether you’re well-prepared, semi-prepared or not at all prepared, we have several last-minute prep strategies that can help you boost your score.

Note: SAT deducts points for incorrect answers but there is no penalty for questions left blank. The ACT does not deduct points for incorrect answers. What this means for you: On the SAT, if you don’t know the answer to a question, just leave it blank. On the ACT, if you don’t know the answer to a question, you are better off guessing than leaving the question blank.

Your Preparedness Level: “SAT? What SAT?”

Obviously, there’s no time to take a prep course. But don’t give up – you can still maximize your chances of a decent score.

  • With limited time, the best way to prepare is to use an SAT or ACT review book (available at bookstores or your guidance counselor’s office). These books usually have at least one sample SAT/ACT, as well as actual test questions or realistic simulations. They also provide explanations for the correct answers.
  • Take a sample SAT or ACT test before you begin studying. This will give you a base score to measure your improvement against. It will also point out your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to focus your study efforts. Take notice of the concepts, format and directions required for each section.
  • Create a detailed study schedule that outlines the sections you will cover each day. Plan to review one to two sections each day. Allow at least one day prior to the test for focused review on your weakest areas (for example, sentence completion or geometry).
  • Take at least two more sample tests before the actual test day. Pay attention to the types of questions you’re spending the most time answering. On test day, you should consider answering those questions last. Tip: Don’t spend more than four minutes on any single question.

Your Preparedness Level: Studied a Bit, but Could Use More Help

  • Several days before the actual exam, take a sample SAT or ACT, and review the explanations for those questions you answered incorrectly.
  • Make flashcards for common SAT/ACT vocabulary words (lists are available online at a variety of Web sites) and basic math formulas and concepts. Keep the flashcards with you and study whenever you get the chance – waiting for a red light, standing in line at stores, lunch break.
  • Practice the “process of elimination.” Test questions always have one to two answers that are clearly wrong. A test prep book will explain how to spot the obviously incorrect answers. If you don’t know the right answer to a question, recognizing the wrong answers can improve your odds of guessing correctly.

Ace Your Exam

  • Beat the SAT Jitters
  • Standardized Test Checklist
  • Eat Your Way to a Higher Test Score
  • Rock Your SAT Essay Outline

Your Preparedness Level: Been Studying Hard

Here’s how to keep up your study momentum as the big day approaches:

  • Several days before the actual exam, take a sample SAT or ACT. Pay attention to the types of questions on which you spend the most time, and devise a strategy for tackling them on test day. Do you want to spend one minute solving it before moving on? Two minutes? Or do you want to skip it entirely and go back to it after you’ve completed the rest of the section? Figure out your strategy now – don’t wait until test day.
  • If you took a test prep course, review any notes you made that can help you on test day.

Before Test Day:

  • Confirm the test’s starting time and location. If you’re not 100 percent sure where the test center is located, call and ask for directions. (Do this during the week; on the weekend, there might not be anybody answering the phone.)

The Morning of the Test:

  • As a warm-up, answer about 10 questions on a practice test; it doesn’t matter which section. This will help you relax and get you into the test-taking mode. DON’T try to study or cram, however – that will only stress you out more.


How Much Income is Too Much When Applying for Need-Based Aid?

September 22, 2009

In general, with the student not working and in a home with mom and dad both working, what is the maximum income they can earn and still qualify for financial aid? — Tracee N.

Federal student aid is awarded based on the student and parent income and assets, household size, number of children in college and a variety of other factors. It does not, however, have any explicit cutoffs on need-based aid eligibility.

The number of children in college can have a big impact on aid eligibility. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), a somewhat harsh measure of the family’s ability to pay for college. The EFC is the sum of a student contribution and a parent contribution. The parent contribution is roughly divided by the number of children in college. So if the number of children in college increases, it can significantly cut the EFC and thereby allow a family to qualify for student aid despite having a higher income.

It is important to apply for financial aid every year even if you didn’t qualify for grants last year. Suppose you apply for financial aid for your freshman year in college and don’t qualify for any aid because you are the first in your family to enroll. If you give up and stop submitting the FAFSA, you might miss out on a lot of financial aid in a subsequent year when you and one or more siblings are enrolled in college at the same time.

For example, 95.9% of Pell Grant recipients in 2007-08 had an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $50,000 or less, 3.5% had an AGI of $50,000 to $75,000, 0.4% had an AGI of $75,000 to $100,000 and 0.2% had an AGI of $100,000 or more. But for families with two or more dependent children in college at the same time the percentages drop to 84.4%, 13.5%, 1.3% and 0.8%. With three or more children in college the percentages drop to 77.2%, 18.8%, 2.7% and 1.3%. With more children in college at the same time, your chances of qualifying for the Pell Grant increase.

But even if you don’t qualify for a Pell Grant it is still worthwhile to submit the FAFSA. The unsubsidized Stafford loan and the PLUS loan are available without regard to financial need. You can be extremely wealthy and still qualify for these loans. The Hope Scholarship tax credit is available to families with income up to $90,000 (single filers) and $180,000 (married filing joint).

Note that student employment can have a big impact on aid eligibility, especially for independent students. A portion of student income is sheltered from the financial aid formula, but as much as half of income above this income protection allowance will be counted as part of the EFC.

For additional information on this topic see Targeting of Student Aid Programs According to Financial Need.

My parents don’t have a Social Security Number. Is it possible for me to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and qualify for federal student aid? — Michelle G.

To be eligible for federal student aid, you must be a US citizen or permanent resident (green card holder). There are also a variety of types of noncitizens who are eligible for federal student aid, such as citizens of the Freely Associated States, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands. Individuals who have been granted asylum or refugee status and victims of human trafficking are eligible for federal student aid.

Your parents, however, do not need to be US citizens or permanent residents. They can be foreign nationals or even undocumented. If your parents do not have a Social Security Number, use 000-00-0000 on the FAFSA where it asks for the parent’s Social Security Number. Do not use a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

If your parents are not US citizens or permanent residents, they will be unable to borrow from the PLUS loan program. In that case you will be eligible for increased unsubsidized Stafford loan limits, the same limits that are available to independent students.

Ask Kantro is written by Mark Kantrowitz



Guide to Financing a College Education

Tuition is the cost to attend and receive credit for college courses. College and help websites offer resources to help compare and prepare for tuition costs. If there is a particular school of interest, it is best to visit their individual website for up to date information. Whether planning to attend a community, private, or state college or university, information is available to guide students through the tuition process. By seeking out information and opportunities, it is sometimes possible for students from low to middle income families to receive reduced or free tuition to attend college.


  • In-State or Out-of-State - Deciding whether to go to a college in state or out of state often affects the cost of tuition.
  • Maximum In-State Tuition & Fees - Chart showing the maximum in-state tuition prices that colleges in each state can charge students.
  • Student Finance - A guide to tuition fees for full time UK/EC students.


Room and Board

Many families choose to reduce room and board costs by having the student continue to live at home. This option is available for those who choose a college close to home. Students who plan to go away to school must consider living expenses in order to estimate the true cost of going to college. Living options for students usually include a dormitory, on campus apartment, or off campus renting. Meal plans are often a choice for students living on campus. Students without a full meal plan need to be prepared to buy their own groceries or pay to eat out.


  • Living On-Campus vs. Off-Campus - Explores the pros and cons of both on-campus and off-campus living.
  • 34 Ways to Reduce College Costs - Living at home in one of many ways to reduce college costs.
  • California Colleges How Much Does College Cost? Estimated costs for different types of California institutions.


Additional Expenses and Fees

On top of tuition and room and board, there are many additional college costs. Examples of additional fees include transportation and parking fees, the cost of textbooks, computer and paper supplies, and student health insurance. These items are often overlooked and written off as something that can be taken care of as needed. But these extra costs can add up quickly, so it's best to plan ahead and to include all expenses.


  • Planning Ahead for the Cost of College - Advice on how to pay for college, from planning to managing money.
  • Be Prepared for Extra College Expenses - Advice for teenagers about the additional fees involved in attending college.
  • College Health Insurance Needs - Planning for college should include health insurance considerations.
  • Comparing College Costs - Site including charts and quick links take into consideration all of the costs involved in a college education.


Saving for College

A general rule for saving is to set funds aside before you have spent them all. Every little bit saved ahead of time can add up to a tangible amount with enough time. College is more affordable when parents start saving when their child is still young. While that is not always possible, the sooner parents or students themselves start saving, the better.


  • College Savings Plan - Site includes a savings calculator, information on 529 plans, and answers to common questions.
  • Tax Benefits - Explanation of the Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA).
  • Mapping Your Future - Covers many aspects about saving for college, information on careers, managing your money, and more.
  • What Every Grandparent Needs To Know - Financial advice about tax-advantaged college savings programs.


Financial Aid

Financial aid is often offered by the government as an investment towards the future. Take advantage of what is available through financial aid by researching early to find out what works best for you and your situation. With financial assistance, many find their college savings are able to go much further.


  • Financial Aid for International Students - A guide to an education in the U.S., including calculating costs, a planning worksheet, sources to aid, and much more.
  • FinAid - Information about financial aid, including calculators, a Q&A, and information on loans and savings.
  • FAFSA - The official site where a student can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, includes step-by-step instructions..


Grants

College grants are offered by the government to help pay for tuition. Grants are not loans, because they never have to be paid back. There are more than a thousand grants available through twenty-six federal agencies, as well as some state-funded grants. The most popular federal grant is the Pell Grant, which is usually awarded to undergraduates enrolled into a degree program. Grants offer different amounts and have different eligibility requirements, and they are well worth looking into to see if you qualify.


  • Grants - Information about grants from the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Scholarships & Grants - Offers links to many varying sites that discuss opportunities for student aid, scholarships, and grants.


Loans

Student loans often come through financial institutions or the government. Sometimes they come through financial institutions to the student, but are provided by the government. For this reason, it is sometimes best to start with the government loans and consider options from there. Loans can be used to help fund either part or all of a student's education, including room and board and additional fees. Unlike grants, student loans must be repaid in full and usually with interest.


  • Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Loans - Description of the differences between these two types of loans.
  • Finding Funding for College - Information on how to find and apply for loans, grants, and scholarships.
  • College Scholarship, Grant and Loan Scams - Warning signs of scholarship, grant, and loan scams to watch out for, and advice for avoiding college financing fraud.


Scholarships

A scholarship is different than a loan in that it is given to a student based upon their merit. Scholarships are often provided for athletics, music, and academics. They are usually given by the college, companies, or groups as a gift that the student receives for achievement or good grades. Scholarships may also be awarded as a prize or based on ethnicity. Finding a scholarship can be a challenge, but there are many available. It takes some research to find one that a student can qualify and apply for.


  • Peace and Collaborative Development Network - Offers resources to find a scholarship in conflict resolution or a related field.
  • Native American Scholarship - A scholarship program for Native Americans, provides general advice on how to find and win scholarships.
  • Tips for Finding Scholarships - Tips and ideas to assist in a search for scholarship opportunities.


Work Study

The work-study program is a federal program that allows students to work part time in order to defray their educational costs. Students must meet eligibility requirements in order to qualify. Only a select number of students are chosen to receive work-study in any given school. A student must complete a federal financial aid application and any additional forms for each college applied for.


  • Federal Work Study - Utica College offers basic information on the Federal Work-Study program.
  • Financial Aid Resource Publications - Publications in both English and Spanish from the U.S. Department of Education about financial aid.


Campus/Off-Campus Jobs

With all of the costs associated with college, it is often necessary for a student to hold a part time job. Finding a job may be challenging, as many other student are also looking for employment. When searching for a job, keep in mind what you need to be paid and what hours you can reasonably work within your school schedule. Ask friends if there are openings where they work, search job boards, and read ads in the daily paper. Campus jobs and local businesses often post positions for college students on campus. It's always best to be prepared before an interview and keep a professional looking resume ready at all times. Those who stay on top of the job market and act quickly are the people who get the positions.


  • What Employers Look For - Advice for finding a job, what employer's want and don' want, and more.
  • Get Hired - How to identify your skills and experiences that will help you get a job.


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