Are Student Loans Becoming Necessary Evils?

When it comes to getting a college education most people can agree that the costs can be staggering at best. Even the least expensive colleges in the nation can add up over a four or five year period of time creating crippling debt for those who do not qualify for some of the better grant programs of substantial scholarships.



The problem lies in the fact that the parents of most traditional college students make too much money to qualify for the free financial aid that is needs based and very few qualify for the limited number of scholarships that are available to students based on merit. Even among those that qualify competition and fierce and there are no guarantees. Enter the student loan. There are all kinds of student loans and unfortunately with rising costs associated with college attendence and the growing necessity of a college degree for success in this country it is becoming more and more difficult to pay the price that is associated with higher education.



There are three types of loans that are commonly found for college students. They include federal student loans, federal plus loans, and private student loans. Each type of loan has advantages and disadvantages that are unique to that particular loan. Below I will give a little information about each of the loan types and whom they may benefit.



Student loans. There are three different types of student loans: subsidized, unsubsidized, and Perkins loans.



Perkins loans are only available to students who display exceptional financial need. These loans are available at a 5% interest rate and are available to both graduate and undergraduate students. Perkins loans are extended through the university you attend and will be repaid to the university unlike the other types of student loans, which are repaid to the lending agency.



Subsidized student loans are loans in which the interest is deferred until graduation or you cease to be a qualifying student. What this means is that while you are responsible for repaying the loan upon graduation the interest on these loans does not begin to accrue until your begin repayment 6 months after graduation or your cease to be at least a half time student of the university. You must qualify based on your income in order to receive a subsidized student loan. While the needs requirements for these loans isn't as grave as those required in order to receive a Perkins loan you must still qualify.



Unsubsidized student loans do not require qualification on a needs basis. You must be a student and enrolled at least half time in order to receive an unsubsidized student loan. The good news however for those who do not qualify based on needs for other student loan options is that this type of loan is available to all qualifying students regardless of need. The interest on these loans however begins to accrue immediately, which means they can really add up over time.



PLUS loans are loans that are taken out by the parents of students who need the funds in order to cover educational expenses. The maximum amount that can be borrowed is the cost of attendence minus any financial aid awards the student has already received. The repayment on these loans begins 60 days after the loan is dispersed and the repayment period can be up to 10 years.



In order to cover the costs involved in education that go above and beyond what the government recognizes as acceptable college related expenses you can opt to go the route of private student loans rather then relying solely upon federal financial aid for your student loan source. These loans require that you qualify in order to receive them based on your credit rather than your need and must be used for educational purposes only. With these particular loans you really need to make sure you read all the fine print as different companies offer different conditions and different perks. You should really take the time and compare prices and options before taking out a private student loan and this should be done only as a last resort.



Student loans for many can be the difference in attending college and getting the education you are hoping for and not being able to pay the high costs that go along with higher education. For this reason you should treat them with respect and not take them lightly.


Great Reasons to Complete your Degree

A university education is one of the best possible ways to insure your earning power upon graduation. There are all kinds of fields and all kinds of majors, some paying higher than others but as a rule, college graduates will earn more money over the course of their lifetimes than those who do not have a college education or degree.

We live in a world that increasingly demands more of its citizens. We need to have the ability to hold academic conversations on the corporate level that go well beyond the score in last nights basketball games. Companies' want well-rounded employees that epitomize all the great things that a four-year degree has to offer. For this reason, even those who have labored in order to gain an associate's degree are getting left behind in favor of those who have a more 'complete' education.

If you have already entered the work force there is still the time to increase your earning potential by seeking higher education. Colleges and universities today are offering more options for students wishing to return to college than ever before. In fact we are seeing an increasing number of college students that are classified as non-traditional students. We are seeing many more adults returning for the education they didn't receive the first time around, which is good news. It also means that more and more options are becoming available at night and on the weekends for those adults.

Even better is the fact that more and more often we are seeing courses being offered online for those who are seeking to complete their education. This allows even more options for those students who are desperately trying to balance careers, family, and education. As more and more opportunities such as these arise we will also see a growing number of graduate studies opportunities being offered in a similar fashion.

If you are thinking of returning to school after years of absence or perhaps attending for the very first time while managing an existing career there is no time like the present in order to do so. Not only will a college education give you greater earning potential in your lifetime it can also qualify you for promotions within the company for which you currently are employed.

The truth of the matter is that you really can't go wrong when it comes to going back to college and getting or finishing your degree. You can increase your earning potential, your promotion potential, and most importantly your self-image. There is something about having a degree that makes you feel better about yourself and your ability to provide for your family. Even if you never actually use your degree for anything other than a plaque on the wall, you will have the knowledge that you accomplished something that only a small percentage of the population ever gets around to completing.

If nothing else, your college education is worth every penny you will pay in order to have it for the wonderful sense of accomplishment that goes along with getting it. Your college degree won't make you a better person; just give you a better opinion of yourself as a person in many instances. If you need a confidence booster in your professional and your personal life, getting your college degree is often just the bump of confidence you need in order to accomplish many great things.


Is an Online Education Right for You?

We live in the information age. We have grown so accustomed to information at the speed of light that the prospect of not having immediate access to countless numbers of facts and figures with the mere click of a few buttons for many of us is simply disconcerting. For this reason, it only makes sense that there are many people across the nation and around the world that are embracing the idea of online learning and educational opportunities with every ounce of enthusiasm they can muster.

At the same time there are equal numbers of people around the world who are trying desperately to hold on to traditional methods of dealing with certain things. In fact, some people actually still play solitaire with a deck of playing cards. For people who feel that the information age has left them behind to some degree the chances are quite good that online learning may not be the best available option for you.

Below you will find a few questions that can help you narrow down whether or not you would truly benefit by taking some of the many online courses that are being offered in today's information age of learning.

1) Are you disciplined? This may seem like such an innocuous question because we would all like to think that we are disciplined to some degree. The problem is that when you are in the driver's seat for your own education you need to have a little more than some small degree of discipline. You need to be able to meet deadlines, take the tests, and hold yourself responsible for actually learning the information that you need to learn in order to pass the course. There is no one to blame but yourself if you do not manage to do well in your online classes and some people simply do not like being in the drivers seat when it comes to motivating and pacing themselves and their learning practices.
2) How do you learn best? We all have different methods of learning for which we retain information better than others. Online courses are reading intensive. If you have difficulties retaining the information you read you may need to find an alternate learning method or seek solutions with the assistance of the course instructor before moving forward in an online learning environment.
3) Do you have a true desire to succeed? The answer to this question is quite important in determining whether or not online learning is in your best interest. There are many paths you can take in order to achieve the education and degree you desire. This is not the path of the masses, at least not yet. This type of learning, more than any other is easy to give up on through apathy. If you aren't determined to do the assignments, to study the notes, and to really learn the material that is presented to you then you really do not need to waste your time or the instructor's time by continually making up excuses. Online courses are largely self-paced but you do have a limited amount of time in which to learn the material before you need to move on. The teacher is responsible for providing you the information and material but you are responsible for everything that happens from that moment on. Are you ready for that responsibility?

Whether you are a first time college stu


University Disadvantages

We have discussed some of the wonderful advantages that university life and educations present. However, we must in turn discuss some of the other disadvantages that are associated with university learning as well. While we discuss these you should keep in mind that they do not by any means indicate that you should give up on your higher education goals, only that you should view your educational process with realistic expectations.



When compared with the community college system the very first and most distinctive disadvantage that comes to mind is the high cost of upper education on the university level. Community colleges are simply more cost effective all around than universities. The costs go well beyond that money that would be spent on room and board making the tuition alone cost prohibitive in many cases. While there are many types of financial aid available to students the vast majority of college students in this country make ends meet through the use of student loans, which must be repaid at quite a hefty interest rate, in order to cover the costs associated with university educations.



Beyond the one obvious disadvantage there are a few other disadvantages that bear mentioning in this particular circumstance. First of all, universities do not have the small intimate classroom settings that literally set community colleges apart. In fact, for lower level course, most universities offer large auditorium classes that are taught by graduate students rather than professors and more often than not the students never get to know those who are charged with their education on more than a nod and smile while passing in the halls basis. This method for learning is considered by many to be exceptionally inferior and the statistics prove that students who go straight into a four-year college environment rather than going through a community college first are far less likely to complete their degrees.



If that isn't enough of a disadvantage, many people find that the impersonal atmosphere of most universities is quite limiting when it comes to interaction with other students. The smaller classroom environments of community colleges invite interaction between the students in the class. An open line of communication within the classroom is greatly preferred to having so many students that no one gets a voice or the ability to voice their opinions or personal experiences when it comes to certain topics.



Another disadvantage to university life is the sheer size of university campuses. Community colleges tend to be much more compact. This means that students have a fairly decent chance of making it to all classes on time and without the worry of walking 2 miles in ten minutes. While this is great for physical fitness, missing the first ten minutes of class each week can limit the educational process that your university experience should be providing. It seems like such a small thing on one hand but when you are hauling around a day's worth of textbooks and a laptop--that hike can be the thing that marines seem dubious about accomplishing.



While there are a few distinctive disadvantages to university life, the fact remains that graduation from a university is the single biggest way to increase your earning potential over the course of your lifetime. The amounts are by no means insignificant. I highly recommend whenever possibly that you attend community college for the first two years of your college education. Beyond that, I strongly urge you to consider the value that completing your education and getting a four-year degree can provide.



If you wish to build self-confidence, earning potential, and job security, there is no way of doing so that is superior to getting a four-year degree. It doesn't matter where you are in life or your career; it is never too late to begin getting your education. There are so many things in the world that a good education will open your eyes to in addition to the doors of opportunity a four-year degree will open.


Which is Which? Student loans or Scholarship

The issue about the rising cost of education is not new for everyone, be it for rich people or for the those just barely earning a living.

However, this is not of so much of a threat for those who want to enter college but are not capable to meet its expenses. This is because of the two choices made available for them, first is the scholarship programs. And the second is the student loans. They may apply to either of the two.


Basically, the scholarship gives off monetary award which do not require the beneficiary to repay it. Unlike the student loan, the money that was lent to the students will be paid after some time with the corresponding amount plus interests.

Hence, it seems to be apparent that taking a scholarship program is more convenient than the student loan. Yet, you should know that both still consists of its advantages and disadvantages.

In scholarship, the students need not worry about finances throughout his college years. Almost thousands of scholarships are made available yearly. The systems of the programs depend on the financial needs of a certain student.

Although, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are not intelligent because you were not be able to acquire a scholarship. There are various types of scholarship, one is for the intellectuals who acquire and maintain high grades. The other is the specific scholarships designed for the ones who excel in definite fields, for instance, in the field of sports, math, science, music, stage performers and others.

Those who belong in average I.Q. may still win a scholarship. They may not possess the remarkable level of intelligence to win a scholarship, but their talents may secure them one.

Moreover, there are also scholarships designed for certain races, minorities, and other sectors of the society that needs monetary support. And scholarship is not just confined to college students, the students who would want to pursue further study may also benefit.

There are also several institutions that offer scholarship programs to their members, examples of this are the religious organization and union groups, etc.

Now, if you think you won’t be legible for any scholarship, there is still one option — student loans.

Student loans, as mentioned above is the financial aid given to the students to pay their tuition with the agreement to repay it with the corresponding interests in a given period.

Scholarships do not require for repayment, but student loans do.

The advantage of a student loan is that it will give you freedom to move as a regular student, without the pressure of maintaining high grades and you can do your other activities without thinking of the conflict in the training schedules.

The hassle is when you would consider it, student loans need to be repaid the moment you graduate; you have to pay to the very last cent plus the interests.

If you are the bread winner of your family, paying for it will be another burden though you already have secured a job.

Anyhow, it will depend on you, the important thing is you finish your college education and secure a diploma, be it from a scholarship or through student loans.

The achievement of earning your college education amidst the hindrance of money is the thing you will always be proud of.



Scholarship for Doctoral Degree (S3) Ford Foundation

THE INDONESIAN Scholar Dissertation Award
This scholarship is sponsored by the Ford Foundation and aims to support and give awards to doctoral students (S3) in Indonesia, which assessed research proposal will contribute to Indonesia's progress through innovative thinking, visionary, and a significant impact on the development and advancement of people of Indonesia and the Indonesia's future.


These scholarships are provided for future leaders who can accurately identify and formulate serious problems faced by this nation, and offers innovative and practical solutions through its S3 research. Value added will be given to research that can approach the multi-or interdisciplinary.

Scholarships will be awarded in the form of funds for research and writing of a dissertation as part of the requirement to complete the S3 (including collection and processing of data). This scholarship is open to doctoral candidates from any field of study with brilliant academic achievement research proposal was approved by the promoter and / or college parties.

Terms

Each scholarship applicants must meet the following requirements:

Nationals living in Indonesia and Indonesia
Actively enrolled in universities in Indonesia in the doctoral program (S3)
Have passed all required courses taken and has fulfilled all academic requirements to be able to start research on the S3 program
Are just starting to do research or doing research on the S3 program
It was her test of the research proposal and formally obtain approval to begin research from the universities and the Purchaser or Team Examiners

REGISTRATION FORM
Download the application form through this link:

Registration Form - The Indonesian Scholar Dissertation Award

Image registration is completed must be received by no later than the date of IIEF 31 JULI 2009 (important to note not postmarked) and must include the code: ISDA on the top left corner of the envelope.

Image registration can be sent or delivered to the address:

IIEF - The Indonesian International Education Foundation
Menara Imperium Lt. 28, Suite B
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav 1, Jakarta 12980

For more information, please contact IIEF in

Tel: 021-8317330, fax: 021-8317331, email: scholarship@iief.or.id.


via : infobeasiswa

Educational Savings Accounts

When it comes to getting a college education, financing is one of the most important considerations that you will need to make. Unfortunately for far too many it is one the last considerations that is made when it comes to the educations of our children. If you are a parent you owe it your child and yourself to plan ahead and plan carefully in order to cover the cost of your child's education. There are fortunately, a few great ways in which you can do this.

The most common is to begin by opening up an educational savings account for your child (under the age of 18). When you open up an educational savings account for your child, you can contribute up to $2,000 per year per child. This is a combined total contribution however and includes the contributions of grandparents, friends, and family in addition to your own personal contributions. The money from these funds can be withdrawn tax-free as long as they are used for educational purposes.

Educational expenses in this case include books, tuition, fees, supplies, and college room and board provided that your child is at least a part-time student. If you do not use all the funds for your child there are options as far as what to do with the remaining funds in the account. The first option would be to leave the funds in the account and allow the account beneficiary to withdraw them up until the age of 30. There is a penalty involved and the beneficiary will be required to pay income tax on those funds. You could also elect to roll those funds over to the next child under the age of 18 who will have educational expenses in the future.

The money you set aside in these accounts to cover the cost of the education of your child or children is not tax-deductible however, it is a great way to begin saving money and investing in the future of your child. If you begin investing the maximum amount $2,000 per year upon birth your child should have a nice nest egg to help cover educational expenses. If your child is fortunate enough to qualify for scholarships and other sources of financial aid you can turn the funds over as a graduation gift or save it for the next college student in your family that comes along. Either way you've saved yourself a good part of the worry that goes along with providing for your family by having this fund set up for your children.

You can sign up for programs like Upromise in order to subsidize your contributions with donations from corporate sponsors as their way of thanking you for buying their products or using their services on any credit cards that you, your friends, and your family members have registered to go into your child's account. Every edge you give yourself when it comes to investing in the education of your children is an edge worth having. College tuition rates are rising at an alarming rate while corporate expectations of college degrees are rising at the same near lightening speed. This means that a college degree is more critical for our children than in any past generations.

Take the time now to check into securing the future of your children by establishing an educational savings account. Let friends and family know that any gifts they are planning to give your children that involve money would be appreciated if they instead invested in the future of your children rather than the now. You can also ask your friends and family to sign up their credit cards with Upromise in order to provide a little bump in donations to your child's college savings account. These little steps add up to significant savings over the course of 18 years. You just might find that the investment you are making is adequate to cover the costs of your child's tuition in full.

Scholarship Program bid from Belgian Government

Belgian government offered scholarships to prospective - prospective students from developing countries, one of which is Indonesia. Instructions and information on scholarship programs 2010 - 2012 can be found and downloaded, start date of October 1, 2009, through networking sites below:

* www.scholarships.vliruos.be
* www.cud.be
* www.itg.be

Detailed information about this scholarship program can also be obtained through the Belgian Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday and Friday through:
Tel. (021) 3162030
E-mail: jakarta@diplobel.fed.be
E-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it. U.p. Mother Francisca Pranoto.

Further information can be found on the following link.


File: Click Here (563.3 KB)

Belgian government offered scholarships to prospective - prospective students from developing countries, one of which is Indonesia. Instructions and information on scholarship programs 2010 - 2012 can be found and downloaded, start date of October 1, 2009, through networking sites below:

* www.scholarships.vliruos.be
* www.cud.be
* www.itg.be

Detailed information about this scholarship program can also be obtained through the Belgian Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday and Friday through:
Tel. (021) 3162030
E-mail: jakarta@diplobel.fed.be
E-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it. U.p. Mother Francisca Pranoto.

Further information can be found on the following link.


File: Click Here (563.3 KB)