This blog gives tips on college money. Get free information on saving money in college, making college more affordable, financial aid tips, and student loans and scholarships.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Career Jobs That do not Require a College Degree
The health care industry seems to just keep growing. People will always need healthcare, and as the baby boomers age, demand will only increase. Yes, doctors and nurses will be needed, but the top healthcare jobs that are growing do no require a degree. Or, in some cases, only require a two-year degree. If the healthcare field is something you would like to get into, but do not want to spend years in college, here are three such positions.
One of these is a health information technician and medical records. Many public community and career colleges offer these classes. You will probably need to earn a certificate, or go for a full two year degree in information technology in healthcare. If you would like a medical career, but do not necessarily like interacting with patients, this is the ideal job. You must be a person who is very organized and can keep track of details.
If you do like working with patients, consider becoming a medical assistant. Some of these jobs are like super secretaries. They can help run doctors offices from the front desk. You will be doing some paper work, like scheduling appointments. Getting the medical history of a patient is also withing your scope of practice. Some even do medical tasks, like vital signs and injections. Every medical office will have different requirements. A certificate in medical assisting from a career or community college is probably a must. You can earn a two year degree as well.
One of the biggest growing medical fields is in massage and physical therapy. More people are looking at alternative medical treatments and massage therapy is booming. Opportunities are opening up all over. You have to be good with your hands and work very well interacting with people. A massage therapists will probably need a certificate. Physical therapists, which are more involved in the medical field, will probably want to go for a bachelor's degree, but it is not required to be licensed. Check with your state on what it takes to become a licensed physical therapist.
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Degrees with guaranteed jobs
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Graduate college with little or no debt
Before you go to college and get loaded up with a mountain of student loan debt, think it over. Be smart about how you finance your education, and, choose your college and major wisely. Student loans can add up quickly. If you can't get a high paying job to make the payments, you will be in a bind. Even if you can make the payments, you will need years to pay off the student loans. Avoiding student loans may sound impossible, but it is doable. College should enhance you life, not ruin it with debt.
The first thing you can do to make college debt manageable, is to choose your major wisely. A major that will not get you a high paying job is not worth borrowing thousands of dollars to finance it. If you are stuck on your current low-paying major, you should finance college in a different way. Read on for more tips. If you have a major that can guarantee a high paying job, and is in demand, you can quickly pay off your student loans. Does your future job justify getting $100,000 in debt?
Choose your college wisely. The cost of attendance is different between schools, and can be quite staggering. Most often, a public college or university is much cheaper than a private one. Even with recent tuition increases. Some private colleges do give out more money, so be sure and do research. In the end, it does not really matter where you graduate if your degree is in demand. You don't have to start out at a four year college. Going to a local junior college will make the first two years of college much cheaper in relation to the years elsewhere. Remember, your four year degree will still say it came from the four year college. Many junior colleges near four year schools have agreements about guaranteed admission from one to the other. This can really make your first two years of school almost debt free to begin with.
Get a job and keep working. Yes, it's tough to go to college and work. But it will pay off in the end. Traditional colleges are very expensive to attend. Most colleges and universities are offering class that are non-traditional, or at later hours. You can take classes online, after work, and on weekends. Did you know that many freshmen do not finish in four years? There is no rule that says you have to. Colleges have programs and degrees geared for working people.
We all know the lure and excitement about attending college. The dorms, the fun, the friends. But we forget the debt. Don't get suckered into ruining your future. Graduate debt-free and you can party the rest of your life!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Student Loans and Bankruptcy
It may sound odd, but a private bank that loans you money with a credit card will have the credit card debt discharged at bankruptcy. But a private student loan from this same bank cannot be done away with. Beware of this fact if you get private student loans. These are the same rules as the Federal student loans.
Since all direct loans are handled by the federal government, when you borrow the money, you owe the taxpayers this money. It's essentially who you borrowed it from. Taxpayer debts are hardly ever discharged. Student loans are no exception. You cannot get a student loan discharged. You will owe the money basically forever, or until you pay it off.
Private student loans were not originally in this agreement passed by congress in 1976. Before this time, all student loans were eligible to be discharged at bankruptcy. In 1984, private student loans were also added.
Private student loans are really one of the most expensive loans you can get, as far as college debt goes. Avoid private student loans. Even though you cannot discharge a federal student loan, you have many more options as far as paying it back goes. You can get deferments, as well as get student loans forgiven for various public services.
The best thing is to really not get any loans for college. Borrow the least. And above all, only go for Federal student loans.
These rules were set up so that people could not just sign up for college, then declare bankruptcy to get out of paying the loan back. Also, it makes starting college a serious decision. Make it wisely.
>>Your Financial Aid Award Explained.
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>>Buy American Forum
Monday, March 12, 2012
Financial Aid Letters
Many times, the letter will not give the whole picture as to the cost of a college education at that school.
The biggest shock comes to students when they read their expected contribution. At first glance, it looks like an award. But in reality, it is the amount that is expected to come from you and your family. Many times this number will make it look like all your expenses are covered, when in reality you must make up quite a difference.
The best thing on this financial aid letter will be free money that does not have to be paid back. Like grants and scholarships. The more of these, the better.
Student loans can be a killer in the future. All loans need to be repaid. Federal student loans are cheaper than private ones. If you get private loans, beware of this fact. The less loans, the better. Many students do not think about payback. They only look at the upfront cash.
The bottom line is the cost of attendance at this college. Many colleges do not give this figure, leaving you what may be a huge out of pocket expense. This figure includes all fees that are normally paid by undergrads. From lab fees, to dorm and food, and all fees in between. You may need to rethink attending a college that is really more expensive than one you can afford. Sometimes it's the opposite. An expensive college can actually give more financial aid, making it cheaper.
Once you get your letter, you may contact the financial aid office for more explanations, and certainly ask for more aid if possible. If you are applying to more than one school, and are accepted to many, use the letters as leverage to get a better award. Many times colleges will "find" money for students they want.
>>Tips for More Financial Aid
>>Financial Aid Secrets
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Tuesday, January 3, 2012
What to do if you are short on financial aid
Well, you can ask the financial aid office for another look, maybe a better offer. Click here for tips on getting more financial aid.
After that, there are a few things the college student can do to make the bottom line look better.
First thing is to be first in line. Apply early. Colleges have a more limited supply of funds to give out and may run out if you delay.
Think about changing schools, if it's not too late. Many colleges are offering out of state students money as an incentive to come to their college. Some large private colleges actually have more money to give out. So even though the cost is higher, it will be cheaper for you in the long run.
Don't overlook the scholarship search. It may take some of your time, but working on finding scholarships in this economy is worth it. And there are many scholarships that go overlooked. You can do a free college scholarship search here, or learn ways of finding scholarships here.
Colleges have what they call merit scholarships to current students who have high GPAs. So, pump up your studying and get good grades.
And the easiest way to make up a shortage of college money. Spend less. This means everything from transportation, to books, and dorms to food. Read 30 ways to cut college costs.
The bottom line, is that your bottom line may look deep, but with a little extra work, you can make up for a college cash crunch.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
College Degrees that get jobs
With unemployment still high, many people are looking at all options for jobs. Going back to college can be a great idea, and a ticket to a high paying, in demand career. Here are a few college degrees that are sought after and can lead to a quick, decent paying job.The medical field is still growing, and growing rapidly. You don't need to be a nurse or doctor to get into this field. A quick two year degree in medical assisting can get you work in a doctors office or related business. Medical assistants perform various clinical tasks, and some clerical. These positions will continue to grow as the medical field expands and gets more technical.
A law degree takes years. But most law offices need legal groundwork. This is done mostly by paralegals. Becoming a paralegal is as short as a two year degree. Any law office utilizes these trained professionals, from public district attorneys, to private law firms. Law research is what they do, and your degree will make you an expert at it. Some firms have internships as well to gain experience.
The computer world is still perhaps the fastest growing segment. You will probably need a bachelor's degree in information technology, or computer science. If you already have a year or two of college under your belt, think about a computer science degree. Anything from information technology to information systems and security is in high demand. It is a tough degree to complete, but has some of the best starting salaries around.
Anything business related is always hot. And a bad economy fuels the need for more. An MBA is not required. A bachelors degree in business will suffice as a starting point. Starting pay and demand is quite high in relation to other degrees. Switching to business after starting college is not hard. Yes, it could even lead you to get an MBA and be well ahead of the pack of job seekers.
If college is an option, no reason to just pick any degree. The degrees above will almost lead to guaranteed jobs. And high paying ones at that!
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