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American university students will be glad to hear that the ways to fund their education have grown. Three schools had renewed their pledge to guarantee an affordable education to low-income students. The saviors are Texas A&M, Boston University and Vanderbilt, who joined 50 other schools who made similar promises to the public.

The Major Problem
This is certainly good news when you take into account how poorly the nation’s economy is holding up. The financial crisis has affected everyone, including deserving students who are working two jobs to keep their life afloat.

Granted they are not full scholarships or study grants, but merely financial aids that could probably ease some of the burden from the students’ backs. There are terms and conditions that need to be adhered to and not everyone qualifies.

The Rich – Texas A&M Scholarships
For the freshmen at the College Station campus of Texas A&M, there is good news about to come their way. Starting from 2012, any student from a family who is earning less than $60,000 and manages to maintained a B minus average will be given financial aid, in the form of the Aggie Assurance Scholarship. There is an estimated $300,000 ready to be given out to deserving students for this year alone. And the amount is expected to grow as more students start joining Texas A&M.

In fact, many freshmen of Texas A&M has already been promised financial help, says the assistant provost. In the coming future, around 5,000 students will be given these financial packages that come to a cost of about $3 million a year. This is made possible by the fact that Texas isn’t hit with the financial storm as severely as other states due to having vast reserves of oil.

As said before, the money given away will not be used to cover everything. Students still need to pay for their living costs and it isn’t cheap. An average annual living cost estimate that includes food, lodging, study aids and travel amount to about $12,000.

The Bold – Vanderbilt Scholarships
Vanderbilt has taken a similar route in giving their students financial aid. All need-based loans will be replaced by study grants, a move which will cost it $15 million annually. The grants will also be given to seniors for their spring semester and this will deeply impact Vanderbilt, since it’s not having a very stable economy.

Although another $100 million is needed to keep the momentum going, Douglas Christiansen, associate provost for enrollment and dean of admissions is optimistic. He says they will have to work doubly hard to ensure they meet all demands. This statement is agreed upon by other school officials who believe the students are worth all the trouble, no matter where they’re from or what financial state they’re in.

The Famous – Boston University Scholarships
Boston University has also followed the footsteps of the two schools. Last September, they released a statement saying they would give full scholarship to needy and deserving students that will cover almost everything. No loans will be given and the total amount BU has to part with will be dependant on number of students applying.

To support this move, Boston University will cut down on its Boston Scholars program, in which 50 public high school graduates receive a full scholarship every year. Even then, there are skeptics. Colin Riley, a spokesman for the university, said a further $1 million is needed to get this program moving.

To safeguard their money chest, Boston University has stopped hiring new workers and has put construction on hold. Riley says that they are not in any difficulty, but just wanted to be cautious, adding that there is already enough money in the kitty.

But of course, these applications for financial aid will need an examination of the students’ and their families’ funds, or lack of it. And these checks will be thorough. On top of that, there is the problem of different families having different ideas on what they could afford. However, any financial aid given will be a pleasure for these low-income students.

Working on Campus
Working on campus is fast becoming a popular option among students. There are many perks that can help lighten the load for a struggling student. One of the main reasons work-study jobs are the best option is the fact that your salary will not be deducted from any scholarship or grant you may be receiving.

In fact, there is a federal law which states that 50 cents of every dollar you make will be added to the college’s estimate on your family’s finances. If your family can afford to pay, the college will cut down on the scholarship accordingly.

But, with work-study jobs, you won’t have to worry about that. Whatever you earn will be yours to keep, provided that you earned it on campus grounds. Off-campus job offers, rarely seen these days, due to the threat of global economic recession, should only be taken if the pay is lucrative and the job is convenient.

The Experience
The jobs that the university offers you are not just rewarding economically, but also give you the right sort of experience you need for your future. It’s a perfect symbiosis between the university and the student. The university gets help and the students get the proper know-how, and not to mention a little extra pocket money.

Several students, like Craig Faish of Indiana University in Pennsylvania, have taken this route. Faish moonlights as a dispatcher, helping the campus police. He runs car number plates, answers emergency calls and investigates break-ins. These aspects of the job will certainly assist him well in the future after he graduates with a degree in criminology. He says it also suits his nosey nature and he gets to know the officers of the local police department. He is only vexed at the long working hours given by the campus. This has caused him to miss some events, like homecoming.

The Pay
These work-study jobs, no matter what people say, pay you well. The universities are obliged to follow the minimum wage set by their respective states. These can range anywhere from $2.65 an hour to $10.50. It depends on the state and their individual sets of laws. Like any other jobs, there are bonuses and specific jobs that need particular skills pay better. Jobs like tutoring can rake in enough dough if you have many students.

The Satisfaction
Another excellent reason to opt for work-study jobs is the personal satisfaction you’ll get from working on something you enjoy. Donovan Daniel is a junior at IUP. He first worked as a dishwasher but quit on the same day he joined after finding out the pay. After a while, he took a job at the Office of Housing and Residence Life and fell in love with it almost immediately.

This job, according to Daniel, allows him to put his social and managerial skills to the test. Aside from doing paper work and other things at the office, he also gets to become a sounding board to the university’s troubled students. There is also an information technology student in the same university who works in the computer lab and fixes any problematic hardware.

The Fun
There are also quirky work-study jobs available. You just have to know where to look. The University of Pittsburgh boasts an exclusive ‘Telefact’ hotline which caters to students and is also manned by students. Callers can ask the operators any question, serious or just downright silly. There was even a question on how many blades of grass there are on the cathedral lawn, says Timothy Dempsey, a junior operator. The funny thing is; they actually gave the answer, 4,165,032,960. How they figured that is a mystery to everyone.

The Beauty of Work-Study Job for Students
Although some might think working while studying will bring down a student’s performance, it is not actually true. Studies indicate that students who have work-study jobs actually do better than their jobless counterparts. In fact, depending on the type of job, you might actually study more than the other students. Those working late shifts have always found some time to open their books and read.

However, as a precaution, universities impose a 20 hour maximum working limit per week. This has not deterred any new workers by the way. With all sorts of payments that most students have to pay on top of their rising living expenses, work-study jobs are going to become the norm.

Since not every college or graduate student can receive scholarships, many have to depend on study grants. Grants make up about two-fifths of study aids available. It is considered better than loans since you do not have to pay the full amount back in most cases. However, you will not get the full coverage of a scholarship either.

There four major types of study grants:

The Fab Four

The biggest and most common grant in the United States is the Federal Pell Grant. It is named after Senator Claiborne Pell and has been used since 1965. This grant allocates anywhere from $400 to $4500 for each student. It is paid to eligible colleges and students need to apply to their respective colleges for the grant.

There is also the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants. It’s similar to the Pell Grant, except that it’s for financially deprived students. They need to apply through the financial aid offices of their individual colleges. This grant allot about the same amount as the Pell Grant does, a maximum of $4000.

State grants have also been dishing out free money for needy students. Different states have different rules and amounts but most of them hand out almost the same amount and similar qualifications are needed of applicants. One of the major differences this grants have is that applicants are encouraged to join specialized courses, such as teaching or nursing. They also have to repay some of the money off by working at specific state-sponsored places. For example, in California, teachers have to work at a low-income area a year for every $2000 of grant money given.

Most colleges have their own study grants that are given to spectacular students. They are basically rewards for students who perform well or for those who applied early. Some add grants as a publicity gimmick in hope of attracting more students.

How to Get It?

The first step in getting a study grant is by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Forms are available at high schools and college financial aid offices nationwide. You can also print them from the Internet or you can call the U.S Department of Education.

Increase Your Chances

It is imperative that you submit as early as possible since you have to contend with other students that might be more eligible than you. There is also the risk of the grant money running out if you apply too late. The earliest you can submit your form for the next school year is Jan. 1. Many colleges’ student aid deadlines are in early to mid-February.

Personal Information Needed

The FAFSA requires copies of your previous year’s tax return (Your 2007 return if you’re applying for the 2008 school year). If you haven’t completed the returns when submitting, you just need to fill in estimated numbers and update the forms when you receive the actual figures.

Once you send your form to federal center, it will be processed. Numbers are crunched and you will know how much you’re supposed to contribute toward a college education. This figure will be used to evaluate how much from the study grant you actually need to pursue a viable education.

For institution grants, they may need other forms and information from their applicants. Contact your respective student aid offices for more information.

Other forms may also be required for state aids. It is best to meet with the counselors at state student aid offices for details.

Get your Study Grant today!

These study grants will help most students to follow their dreams. It is worth it to apply early and be patient, because a little money may help you go a long way. For more information, visit the Department of Education site.

Today times have changed and parents should stop worrying about the fees that they have to pay for there children’s education. Many colleges provide very many scholarships to the students every year. At times these scholarships may either be too hard to get or the money that is offered in these scholarships is so small that it can hardly cover the book expanses that the student incurs. So are scholarships really worth the effort or is it just a waste of time. So the question arises “Should you apply for scholarships or not?”. The answer the question is “YES” and here the reasons why:

5 Reasons to Apply for Scholarships
Your family may not be granted financial aid: So any money received is an added bonus because it reduces your college expanses.

Your college usually offers loans and not grants: In a situation were you only get loans and not grants from college it is advisable to get a scholarship because it will reduce your outstanding that you will have to pay college. Some colleges will have a loan to grants ratio which will decide the amount of loan you will get. It is in your interest to see that the amount received by you in form of scholarship is reduced from the amount of loan that you have taken.

Scholarships to fill your loan gaps: At times the college may not finance the entire amount required for your education. So when you received a scholarship, the money received may help you fill these loan gaps.

May require minimal effort: Sometimes getting a scholarship require minimum effort on your part. Some companies may give scholarships to students if they get the required score in their PSATs or some universities may give discounts to deserving students from their own funds.

Scholarship(s) won is a credit on your resume: The very fact that you have won scholarship(s) will only help in your future betterment.

Where to get Started:

It is always advisable to start looking for scholarships as early as in your junior year. Money paid to search for scholarships is not useful because people who you pay come up with endless list scholarships available were the aid that you will receive is very meager. Internet is a good way to search for scholarships.

You can also look into your own community. Here are some of the places you can search for scholarships

Clubs, teams and your guidance counselors: These people will prove to be a useful guide in your search for scholarship.

HRD: Many large companies give scholarships to children of there employees.

Unions: Some local or the national organization, or both, give scholarships.

Community’s service Organization: Organizations such has Rotary may give scholarships.

Professional Organizations: Certain professional organizations come out scholarships for members of there organizations.

Religious or Ethnic Organizations: Community specific organizations come out with scholarships for members of there community. Examples include Polish, Chinese and many others.

Government: The city, state or country may come out with scholarships. For example Georgia offers free tuition at there public college for students who maintain B average in school.

Welcome to Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)!

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the source for all federal financial assistance. FAFSA is, therefore, a key to varied federal student loans such as Federal Stafford and Federal Parent PLUS Loans, grants, work-study loans, etc.

The FAFSA scrutinizes the financial status of your family and weighs your credibility and worthiness for acquiring the financial aid given to the students under the U.S. Department of Education guidelines. There is a wide array of factors that they take into consideration while determining the eligibility of the candidate for the financial aid. These factors include number of family members, consolidated parent and student income, total assets and expenditures of the family.

There is a huge multitude of families, which are little aware about the financial assistance options available to them and think that their net income exceeds the limit set for the financial aid. But aids such as unsubsidized Stafford and PLUS loans are available to help them, irrespective of the requirements. However if the family is in need of financial aid, filling FAFSA is a prerequisite.

If you wish to acquire financial aid, submit FAFSA form after January 1 at the earliest. Date of submission is too significant as the funds are limited and the loans are granted on first-come, first-served basis. The date on which you submit the FAFSA form determines your chances of obtaining the financial aid. The sooner the submissions, brighter are the chances of gaining the financial aid!

It is to be clearly etched in mind that FAFSA form should be deposited each academic year to get access to financial help. All you need to do is log in to www.FAFSA.ed.gov and fill the form there or else you can submit it through the Financial Aid Office of your high school or college.

The application normally takes 14 to 42 days. You can make good use of this time period for inquiring about various scholarships via NextStudent Search Engine.

Competing With A Younger Workforce

With years of experience behind you and a wealth of work history, you would hope that being a 40-something in a job market filled with younger prospects should set you up in a favorable position. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

More than a few hiring managers prefer to seek out potential recruits among new blood – they are, after all, hungrier to prove themselves, willing to work for less perks and are more likely familiar with new technologies than someone from an older generation. Unless you’re bringing something unique and vital to the table, you might find your job search frustrating and a little less than ideal.

Being an older participant in the job market, you have a few things working against you. You’re older and people assume you’ll be harder to train. Your job history will be more extensive, potentially over-qualifying you from many available positions. Lastly, your salary history can prove daunting to many organizations looking to keep employee costs at bay.

You can’t compete with a younger workforce on their terms. Getting hired means using your age, experience and higher salary demands as a positive bargaining advantage. Find out how you can make it work you.

1. Keep your résumé brief and to the point.

Owning decades’ worth of work experience, you can probably fill 10 pages in your résumé with ease. However, with hundreds of job applicants vying for the same job, an excessively long application will only make it harder for hiring managers to scan through and find notable information that indicate your suitability for the position.

It is a good idea to keep your résumé to two pages, with key points like job title, main responsibilities and major accomplishments duly highlighted. Use bullets to make it easier to read while employing high-impact words and action phrases. The résumé is meant to gloss over your best points and leave enough room for the imagination – let it do its work and get eager hiring executives on the phone.

2. Understand the necessary skills for the job position and focus on how you can fulfill them.

Even though you’ve held multiple positions with varying requirements, listing them all in great detail is not going to help your cause. What should prove more beneficial is focusing on strengths that are directly relevant to the post you are applying for. While being well-rounded is a positive trait, the job market requires specialized skills and you can drive the point home by focusing on past experience that applies directly to what the work entails.

You can still list non-relevant job experiences but use them as an aside. Keep your application’s focus on necessary facts and make a stronger impact on anyone reviewing it.

3. Provide details.

Organizations thrive on the bottom line. If you can emphasize how your actions have helped improve previous employers’ margins either by directly affecting profit or helping reduce costs, make sure to list them as a major accomplishment. Past history is a good predictor of future performance and a single notable instance is all you need to create a convincing argument.

4. Highlight your ability to adapt.

As an older individual, many organizations will assume you are set in your ways. Prove them wrong by bringing to light instances that exhibit your ability to adapt and explore new avenues, whether by learning a new technology, taking on unusual projects or working with different teams. Let them know that you welcome change and can make the best of unexpected situations.

5. Embrace technology.

The internet is a great place to network and present yourself to potential employers. Make sure you develop a professional online presence by creating accounts with business-oriented social networking sites like LinkedIn and XING. Keep your résumés updated with major job search sites as well. Going the internet route exhibits both your web-savvy and an ability to use the most current technology to your advantage.

6. Emphasize your leadership skills.

As a seasoned applicant requiring better than an entry-level compensation package, you will need to demonstrate more than just basic competency. Bring your wealth of knowledge to the table and build a convincing argument for your leadership abilities – running teams, teaching less-experienced co-workers and interfacing with management are all vital skills that can set you apart from the majority of applicants for the same position.

I’m sure most would agree that free money is what everyone wants. To any college or university student, that would be most acceptable. Since not all of us are unique enough to be receiving scholarships, we’ll have to settle for second best. In this case, we have to depend on study grants.

Grants make up about two-fifths of study aids available. It is considered better than loans since you don’t have to pay the full amount back in most cases. However, you will not get the full coverage of a scholarship either.

It’s important to know that there are four major types of study grants out there.

The biggest and most common grant in the United States is the Federal Pell Grant. It is named after Senator Claiborne Pell and has been used since 1965. This grant allocates anywhere from $400 to $4500 for each student. It is paid to eligible colleges and students need to apply to their respective colleges for the grant.

There is also the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants. It’s similar to the Pell Grant, except that it’s for financially deprived students. They need to apply through the financial aid offices of their individual colleges. This grant allot about the same amount as the Pell Grant does, a maximum of $4000.

State grants have also been dishing out free money for needy students. Different states have different rules and amounts but most of them hand out almost the same amount and the same qualifications for applicants. One of the major differences this grants have is that applicants are encouraged to join specialized courses, such as teaching or nursing. They also have to repay some of the money off by working at specific state-sponsored places. For example, in California, teachers have to work at a low-income area a year for every $2000 of grant money given.

Most colleges have their own study grants that are given to spectacular students. They are basically rewards for students who perform well or for those who applied early. Some add grants as a publicity gimmick in hope of attracting more students.

The first step in getting a study grant is by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Forms are available at high schools and college financial aid offices nationwide. You can also print them from the Internet or you can call the U.S Department of Education.

It’s imperative that you submit as early as possible since you have to contend with other students that might be more eligible than you. There is also the risk of the grant money running out if you apply too late. The earliest you can submit your form for the next school year is Jan. 1. Many colleges’ student aid deadlines are in early to mid-February.

The FAFSA requires copies of your previous year’s tax return (Your 2007 return if you’re applying for the 2008 school year). If you haven’t completed the returns when submitting, you just need to fill in estimated numbers and update the forms when you receive the actual figures.

Once you send your form to federal center, it will be processed. Numbers are crunched and you will know how much you’re supposed to contribute toward a college education. This figure will be used to evaluate how much from the study grant you actually need to pursue a viable education.

For institution grants, they may need other forms and information from their applicants. Contact your respective student aid offices for more information.

Other forms may also be required for state aids. It is best to meet with the counselors at state student aid offices for details.

These study grants will help most students to follow their dreams. It is worth it to apply early and be patient, because a little money may help you go a long way. For more information, visit the Department of Education site.

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