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Selecting a College

One of the most daunting tasks any individual can have in their life is picking what college or university you’re going to attend. The biggest issue is a lot of us tend to think we should just go to whatever college/university our friends attend when there are tons of things you need to consider before you decide on where to go. Among the many things to consider are:

1. Are you interested in a college/university closer to your house or far away?
2. Are you looking for a college/university in a small town or a busy city?
3. Are you interested in a prestigious college/university?
4. Are you going to go to a community college & then transfer to another college?
5. What degree shall you be pursuing?
6. What potential jobs are you interested in?
7. What are your grades like?
8. What are your SAT scores like?
9. Have you explored the college/university requirements?
10. Have you explored the finances required?
11. Do you have any scholarships you can apply to tuition?

A lot of these things need to be considered before you decide on a college. For example, if you want a college close to home that isn’t in a big city you’re not going to consider a college in the capital of another state. Some may say it isn’t important to determine what you want your degree in until you are at a college/university, but I believe this to be false. For example, if you’re going to college/university to become a computer programmer the three top schools are usually Drexel, MIT & Carnegie Mellon. So knowing what you want to study can be a big selling point later on when you’re looking to pursue a career; as someone with a degree in communications from Drexel & computer science from Drexel are going to experience two completely different things, but in most cases the computer science degree from Drexel will hold more weight than the communications degree.

Finances are always important when considering college/university. If you’re a straight A student with outstanding SAT scores it is possible you could get a free ride, but most of us aren’t going to. If finances are an issue you will need to put together a game plan if you don’t have the funds for your dream school.

Simple Tuition

Simple Tuition is a website geared towards future college students who are looking to save money rather than breaking the bank to pursue their college experience. Simple Tuition offers the following:

• Test preparation opportunities: If you’re about to take the SAT or any number of other tests Simple Tuition offers you the option to find prep courses for these tests in your area. And then they allow you instant savings when you register for a course.
• College Cost Adjuster: Most of us don’t realize that even though you took out dollarsignr60,000 in loans to go to college doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to end up paying dollarsignr60,000. Most people end up paying more than they take out due to interest. This tool allows you to create a plan to pay back your loans & allows you to change your plan as needed (generally, as finances change).
• Student Loans: Most of us have to take out at least some student loans in order to help cover tuition. So why not be given the opportunity to sift through possibilities based on the parameters you set. Simple Tuition is looking to save you as much as they can & the results show.
• Textbooks: All of us realize after the first semester of college that college bookstores are looking to rip us off, but you don’t have to be ripped off at all if you listen to others. A college bookstore may charge dollarsignr200 for a book you can find online for dollarsignr20. Simple Tuition uses this knowledge to provide you with a search database to find the cheapest price for the textbooks you need.
• Student Deals: All college students are living on a budget; so why not use the same place that helps you get cheaper loan options to help you save on clothes & much more.

In addition to all of this there are tools that allow you to determine the best ways in order to pay back your loans & save in other areas that will allow you to pay your loans back quicker & in turn save more in the long run.

Start using your plastic cards smartly at a tender age

Day by day student loans for college graduates are increasing. According to the reports, student loans of $25250 in average have been granted in the year 2010 which is 5% more than the previous year. Therefore, average student loan debt has also risen by 9.1% due to the increase of unemployment. College students are often found to be spendthrift. They spend too much money to buy fashionable stuffs in order to keep up with the trend. At the end of the month they are unable to pay their bills as a result they fall into debts. In order to get out of this situation quickly they often make the mistake of taking out a payday loan and when they are unable to repay it back they enroll in a payday loan consolidation program to get out of such situation. Thus, being a student, if you’re able to use your credit cards smartly you can avoid such situations.

3 Tips to use your credit card

Read on to know how to use your credit cards smartly to avoid debt.

Pay down your bills on time:

Whenever you use your credit cards, you must make sure that you pay all your bills at the end of the month. You should never get into the habit of carrying credit balance. It’s because, as a student you have limited income and this credit balance can take a toll on your financial life if you’re ill equipped to handle it properly.

Stay within your limits:

Being a student it is quite essential for you to know your credit limits. It’s because, student credit cards have lower limits and low rate of interest. Try to use 25% of your credit limit so as to build up a good credit score. If you cross the limit, then your creditors will earn the interest amount that you have to pay along with your principal amount.

Use cash to make purchases:

You must get rid of the habit of using multiple credit cards instead use one credit card. This will help you repay your bills on time. Try to use cash to purchase necessary items. This will prevent you from falling into debts.

Lastly, if you find that you’re not responsible enough to repay your credit card bills on time or can’t spend within your means, you must quit using your credit cards. Try to use cash where ever it’s possible, curb your expenses so that, you’re able to save money to use it to repay your educational loans. This will also help you repay your loans soon when you’ll take help of a payday loan consolidation program.

Direct PLUS Loan

• Must be repaid

• For parents of dependent undergraduate students & for graduate & professional students; students must be enrolled at least half time; financial need not required

• Unsubsidized: Borrower responsible for all interest

• Annual Amount – Maximum amount is cost of attendance minus any other financial aid student receives; no minimum amount

Direct Stafford Loan

• Both Unsubsidized & Subsidized versions must be repaid

• Subsidized: US Dept. of Education pays interest while borrow is in school & during grace & deferment periods; student must be attending at least half time & have financial need; fixed rate (set annually) for new borrowers

• Annual Amount – dollarsignr3,500 to dollarsignr8,500 depending on grade level

• Unsubsidized: Borrower responsible for all interest; student must be at least half time; financial need not required; fixed rate (set annually) for new borrowers

• Annual Amount – dollarsignr5,500 – dollarsignr20,500 (less any subsidized amounts received for same period) depending on grade level & dependency status

Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grant

• Grant doesn’t have to be repaid

• For students who aren’t PELL-eligible; whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11/01; and who, at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death, were less than 24 years old or were enrolled at least part-time at an institution of higher education

• Annual Amount – Maximum is same as PELL maximum; payment adjusted for less than full time study

National SMART Grant

• Grant doesn’t have to be repaid

• For PELL-eligible students enrolled at least half-time in 3rd or 4th year (or 5th year of a 5 year program) majoring in certain subject areas with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA

• Annual Amount – up to dollarsignr4,000

Academic Competitiveness Grant

• Grant doesn’t have to be repaid

• For PELL-eligible students enrolled at least half-time in 1st or 2nd year of study or in certificate program of at least 1 year at degree granting school

• 1st year: must have completed rigorous secondary school program of study; graduated from high school after Jan. 1st, 2006; not have been enrolled in ACG-eligible program except as part of a dual enrollment program

• 2nd year: must have completed rigorous secondary school program of study; graduated from high school after Jan. 1st, 2005; have at least 3.0 cumulative GPA at end of 1st year postsecondary study

• Annual Amount – 1st year: up to dollarsignr750, 2nd year: up to dollarsignr1,300

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

• Grant doesn’t have to be repaid

• For undergraduates with exceptional financial need; Federal PELL Grant recipients take priority; funds depend on availability at school

• Annual Amount – dollarsignr100 to dollarsignr4,000

Federal PELL Grant

• Grant doesn’t have to be repaid

• Available almost exclusively to undergraduates; student may receive up to 2 consecutive maximum awards in a year if attending school year round

• Annual Amount – up to dollarsignr5,550