Search Results matching tag 'Financial Aid'

Lets Talk about Student Loan Debt

Cajun — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:05:00 GMT

It seems almost as if it’s a rite of passage these days for graduates to incur debt. In fact of all the people I know who are college graduates, I think I’ve only met maybe 2 who haven’t taken out some kind of loan at some point in their student career. Hey, college is expensive and don’t let anyone tell you any different. Each year tens of thousands of newly minted graduates enter the job market, eager to flex their intellectual muscle, work hard and get ahead but almost all of them have this pressing burden weighing down on them in student loan debt.

Student loan debt is a unique animal in the credit markets in that whenever you enter into a federally backed loan to pay for school you will pay that loan back. Even if you decide to be cute and try and skip out on the loan, they can garnish your wages to get their money back. Aside from the IRS I cannot think of too many other circumstances that this can happen, at least at the Federal level. Some states allow this type of enforcement for other types of debt but it will vary from state to state. Anyhow the point is student loan debt is real debt and just because it’s easy to access does not mean that it should be entered into lightly.

Think of your debt as an investment, not an expense. If you are going to college and incurring debt you should treat this as a business decision, in other words you need to ask yourself “what’s in it for me?” If you are going to do all this work, for all these years and pay money both earned and borrowed you need to have a clear expectation as to why or what’s in it for you. It may be that this is just a personal goal that’s worth taking on the financial hardship to fulfill, well then more power to you just so long as you fully understand the gravity of your decision and are entering into the agreement with your facts straight. It may be that you want a higher paying job out of all of this (don’t we all) but you need to understand clearly where you’re going, what you’re going to do when you get there, how you’re going to get there and hopefully how much money roughly to expect once you arrive. Do some market research and keep your expectations realistic.

Remember student loans are a tool that should be leveraged wisely.

59 y.o. going back for bachelors...is $12,500 the max loan thru FAFSA?

Galen — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:20:04 GMT

I am returning to school at age 59...need 85 credits for a bachelors...and then hoping to get accepted to a Master's program

I have applied to PSU in Portland, OR for their online degree program and also filed an online FAFSA.

I am in some very challenging times financially, unemployed and not making much at self-employment. I will need financial aid to accomplish completing school.

I talked briefly with the PSU financial aid office. My understanding from them is I could be eligible for a PELL grant of about $5800...and a max of $12, 500 in student loans. Due to late filing, I understood there may not be any Pell money left for '09. and the $12, 500 in loans would not be enough for tuition and help with living expenses.

Are there any other realistic opportunities for loans? Is the cap using FAFSA a maximum of $12, 500. Is this the amount of both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Is there anyway I can increase this $12,500 amount higher?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

best regards,

Galen

Anyone know of Grants or Scholarships for Doctoral Studies?

mdbates42 — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:29:10 GMT

Hello,

I have searched and searched and searched, and I have yet to find any kind of financial aid for doctoral students. Anyone know of any?

Thanks!

mdbates42

Re: Financial Aid and switching schools

Texasholistic — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:20:57 GMT

I applied to one college and have received approval for the financial aid for their program, however, after reading the elearners forums I've decided to go with another school. I haven't started classes yet so what do I do? Help!

Re: News Flash!! Federal Financial Aid Increase Announcement!

teemoney92 — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:45:56 GMT

This is fantastic news!

COST FOR DISTANCE LEARNING

MAGOO — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:47:01 GMT

Hello Steve

Do we have lot of distant learning universities in africa like back in the western countries.

I have been looking for an online distant learning university in Africa for quite sometime now but i seem not to have any luck.

And if there is are they cheaper than most western countries.

The idea of paying $5000 or less for a whole program would be great.

For a computer science programme

Can you help with any distant learning institution across the globe that would cost $5000 or little more if not less for a whole programme, let say computer science.

Thank you.

Re: sclarship

harini — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:53:56 GMT

Hi,

I got financial aid from bharatstudent.com, Now I am doing MS in USA, I am really happy to found that good website. If you want to know about financial aid info, just login in bharatstudent.com then browse the study abroad category.

Re: Looking for "1 short class at a time" programs.

horsey45 — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:01:56 GMT

Aspen University is one 8 week class at a time. I am a current Aspen student. I am willing to talk to anyone about the program and I can even get you $250 off the price if youtr interested. Current students can do this for prospective students. Its a totally legit college and the better schools I have been to online or live. Larry

New eLearners Community blog: "Financial Aid Answers"

helenh — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:41:57 GMT

Just FYI - we are proud to have Ter, a part-time adult online student and a full-time financial aid administrator at a public university in the Midwest, blogging for us about all things related to financial aid.

You can find her blog, Financial Aid Answers, updated on Tuesdays and Fridays, at http://community.elearners.com/blogs/financial_aid_for_online_degrees/default.aspx. Enjoy!

Financial Aid Question

sapooler — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:03:06 GMT

So if one was to just take courses at a online college with no set degree plan, just to get hours built up, do you still qualify for aid?

Thanks