Tag: affording college


Mo’ debt, mo’ problems

Posted on June 26th, 2014

"The amount of student loans that graduates take out to pay for their undergraduate degree is related to their well-being in every element. The higher the loan amount, the worse the well-being." -- Gallup-Purdue University study

It’s an age-old question that’s been debated by philosophers from Socrates to The Notorious B.I.G.: Does mo’ money equal mo’ problems? It just might, if that money is being taken out to pay for college. Graduates with student debt are less happy Many students and families think that attending a prestigious, well-known college is the […]

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“Freakonomics” author talks higher education

Posted on June 24th, 2014

"The more knowledge you acquire, the better you will do. But it doesn’t mean the college track is right, especially when you’re overpaying." -- Stephen Dubner

Is a college degree worth the cost? Should everyone go to college? In the video below from CNN Money, “Freakomics” author and journalist Stephen Dubner answers these questions about higher education and offers his take on the rising cost of college. Dubner says that, overall, getting a college degree pays off over time. If, however, […]

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How to find a job during college: Part 2

Posted on June 16th, 2014

In Part 1 of our series on finding jobs during college, Jordan Goldman of Unigo.com explained how to choose a job during college and why on-campus jobs tend to be better than off-campus ones.

There are good jobs all over the place, he says, but they’re usually not advertised on job posting boards, so you have to be persistent in asking and finding out about them.

So now that you know to look on-campus first, where to start?

Check out this list of the top on-campus jobs and what they have to offer.

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How to find a job during college: Part 1

Posted on June 15th, 2014

Getting a job during college is a great way to reduce costs, reduce your student loans and make college more affordable.

In the video below from ABC News, Jordan Goldman of Unigo.com, a college review website, offers some of his tips on where to find on-campus and off-campus jobs, what type of jobs are best and how to make the most of your experience.

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How to avoid financial aid scams

Posted on June 6th, 2014

"You should never have to pay to apply for any scholarship or to submit any paperwork for scholarship. That’s a very important thing for everyone to know." -- Tess Clarke

Applying for scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid to help pay for college can be overwhelming for many students and families. And with the cost of college rising rapidly, there’s no shortage of students applying. The internet has made this a lot easier, but not all financial aid websites are created equal. Tess Clarke, a guidance […]

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Could free college tuition be on the way?

Posted on May 22nd, 2014

Tennessee may be known for its great weather, country music and being Elvis’s hometown, but that might soon change.

According to ThinkProgress, in April, Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill that will make tuition free for all high school graduates who go to a two-year college as long as they meet the requirements of the “Tennessee Promise” program.

As part of the program, after graduating from high school, students will have to maintain a 2.0 grade point average, attend mandatory meetings, work with a mentor, and do community service. As long as they fulfill these obligations, their college education is free.

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Young adults struggle to accumulate wealth due to student loans

Posted on May 21st, 2014

It’s well-documented that student debt has grown rapidly over the past decade. The class of 2014 graduated with an average $33,000 in student loans per student, and the numbers will likely be event greater for next year’s class.

Given that student loan debt is increasing while salaries are declining, it’s not surprising that many young adults are struggling to accumulate wealth.

According to a new report from the Pew Research Center, it’s become increasingly difficult for young adults with student debt to save up enough money to buy a house, get married or start building their ‘nest egg.’

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The best colleges for minority students

Posted on May 1st, 2014

Choosing the right college can be tough. With over 3500 colleges in the United States, finding that perfect match–let alone paying for it–is no easy task.

The folks at PayScale have put together an interesting interactive map that shows the top colleges for different ethnic groups, along with their graduation rates, locations and returns on investment after 20 years.

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If law schools can lower tuition, why not colleges?

Posted on April 22nd, 2014

"It’s abundantly clear that the rising costs of the past 20 years have collided with the economic realities. At the risk of indicting an entire industry, I think we’ve been kind of lazy in our thinking. We always just pass on the costs to students and their families." -- Donald Farish, President of Roger Williams University

College applications were down this year at many top colleges, including Harvard and Dartmouth. This has led some in higher education to worry whether we’ll start seeing fewer people completing college degrees. It’s even caused some colleges to be forced to close. Law schools cutting tuition to attract students Many law schools have seen similar declines […]

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The most popular safety school in every state

Posted on April 9th, 2014

‘Safety schools,’ or colleges considered back-ups to students’ top choices, get a bad rap.

But as many students have found, attending a college that isn’t your first choice can be a great way to save money and avoid student loan debt.

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