Merry Christmas 2013: We Return After A Month’s Absence

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials can help WOW committees and save time

Before we begin today’s post, we would like to apologize for not posting a blog since November 19. My life got very busy just before and immediately after Thanksgiving Day. The hectic nature of hiring someone (see my blog www.LarryonCareers.blogspot.com for more details) occupied my time and attention. I could not muster the intellect to write. I apologize for the lack of substance for the last month. I will try to compensate for the lost weeks with solid content in the future. But first…

Enjoy the Messages of A Christmas Carol

I read The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens each year at this time. I also watch several film versions of the book. I enjoy the comedy of Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol which was available on www.HuluPlus.com. I love to sing the songs from Albert Finney’s Scrooge “Thank you very much”. I think George C. Scott’s delivers a great performance as Ebenezer Scrooge delivering “Humbug, Bah” without sounding like a cliché.

Patrick Stewart’s rendition of A Christmas Carol, however, shares a segment of the book the other versions disregard. In this movie, the spirit of Christmas present takes Scrooge on a journey of through the mines of Wales, a lighthouse, ship in a storm, and people in a Church all to the tune of Silent Night. In addition, Scrooge attends a worship service before visiting his nephew’s party. 

Let Us Bring the Spirit of Christ Into Christmas

I also watched several videos on YouTube that emphasized the peace that surrounds a Christ-centered Christmas rather than a commercial, mall-centered season. Those videos calmed my soul and brought peace to our home. We avoided a lot of shopping this year.

Our family followed the encouragement offered by Thomas S. Monson in the meme at the beginning of this post. We focused our celebration on dropping the last syllable from “the spirit of Christmas” and focused on “the spirit of Christ”. We encourage you to do the same.

Saturday we share how involving friends enhances your success applying for scholarships

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 43: Government Finance Officers Association

Tuesdays we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Wendy needed more money to get through school. She singed a contract to attend a proprietary, for-profit school to study nursing. She needed $35,000 for her Associates Program. She used our program to find scholarships through search engines, financial aid counselors at the college, and scholarship books. Unfortunately, the more she looked, the more she discovered that students at proprietary, for-profit schools did not qualify for hardly any scholarship money. She also discovered that the contract indicated she had to pay for the schooling even if she did not attend.

Characteristics of Government Finance Officers Association

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) sponsors a couple of scholarships. They include

• Frank L. Greathouse Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to two undergraduate or graduate students who are enrolled in full-time study preparing for a career in state and local government finance. They award the scholarship at the annual conference
  • Qualifications: The web site says “Students must be currently a full-time student in an undergraduate or graduate accounting program that prepares students for careers in state and local government finance. Undergraduate students must be in the process of completing at least their junior year by the time the scholarship is awarded. Application must include a recommendation from student's academic advisor or chair of the accounting program. Student cannot be a past winner of a scholarship administered by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.”
• The Daniel B. Goldberg Scholarship is available for award to a full-time graduate student who is pursuing an advanced degree and is preparing for a career in state and local government finance.
  • Qualification: Criteria for Scholarship Award: Statement of proposed career plan in state and local government finance and proposed plan of graduate study. Plans to pursue a career in state or local government finance. Past academic record and work experience.- Strength of past coursework and present plan of study, as it relates to a career in the public sector

Thursday we answer questions about applying for scholarships with reusable applications

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 42: Answers to A Few New Reusable Materials

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials can WOW committees and save time

Alan worked for a high tech firm programming visual graphic displays for corporate security systems. He maintained his skills through regular seminars and workshops sponsored by the vendors of the programs he used. He also decided to earn a master’s degree. He petitioned his company for an educational reimbursement. They agreed to cover 80% of each class depending on his grades. He added two scholarships that covered his books and lab fees, plus gave him extra money for food.

Q: What are the reusable materials you suggest we prepare?

A: For 8 years, we’ve taught you to prepare the following reusable materials:

• Reusable application including answers to all application questions, lists of awards and transcripts, and themes with subcategories and home-run statements
• 6-8 reusable essays that you can modify and adapt within 10 minutes
• 5 reusable letters of recommendation from school, church, work, community and other leaders
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

In that time, we’ve added a few additional reusable materials you may consider preparing:

• Reusable and completely customizable resume
• Reusable and completely customizable cover letter
• Reusable phone scripts for setting appointments and reconnecting with local committees

Q: Why would we need reusable resumes and cover letters?

A: Many local companies and service organizations sponsor scholarships. The small amount of the awards prevent the committees from investing in building online applications or screening tools. Therefore, they may ask for a resume or cover letter instead.

In addition, you may use a reusable cover letter and resume for school or employment applications. Your reusable resume and cover letter use the same home-run statements as you prepared for your master application. You may copy and paste them into the body of the cover letter or summary of your resume.

Q: Why would I need a phone script for scholarships?

A: Local scholarship committees frequently talk to recipients as part of the award process. Scripts help you effectively communicate your value and why you deserve the scholarship.

Saturday we share several tips for enhancing your qualifications for scholarships

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 42: Association for American Indians Affairs & Others

Tuesdays we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Katy, a Navaho Indian, studied for a masters degree. She worked at a local hospital who helped pay for school with an educational reimbursement. She also received a scholarship each semester as a native American. The amount she received from the Navajo Nation paid for approximately half of her tuition. She worked hard to maintain grades required by her scholarship. She received an academic commendation as one of the 5 highest GPAs in the master’s program.

Characteristics of the Financial Aid for Native Americans

The Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) offers multiple scholarships from its web site (http://www.indian-affairs.org/scholarships/general_information.htm). The site explains

“All regular scholarships are for graduate and undergraduate students from federally recognized tribes except for the Allogan Slagle Memorial Scholarship and David Risling Emergency Aid Scholarship. Some of these scholarships are curriculum specific. Students from federally recognized tribes are not eligible for the Allogan Slagle Memorial Scholarship.

Applicants enrolled in non-recognized tribes are eligible for the Allogan Slagle Scholarship only. This scholarship is open to graduate and undergraduate students in any curriculum.”

The AAIA lists the following as eligibility requirements:

• “Applicants must be Native American from continental US tribes or Alaska Native
• All applicants must be enrolled in their tribe. A copy of tribal enrollment is required
• There is no minimum blood quantum requirement for eligibility
• Applicants must be enrolled as full time students for both fall and spring semester
• Students must have a minimum need of $750 both fall and spring semester to be eligible
• Students must be seeking an Associates Degree or higher. (Sorry, we do not fund certificate programs or seminary)
• Students must be attending an accredited school. ‘See FAQ's for more info’”

Disadvantages of Financial Aid for Native Americans

The obvious disadvantage is that their financial aid focuses exclusively on Native Americans or American Indians. The web site, like many others these days, ceases to provide detail information about the scholarships after the deadlines pass.

Thursday we answer questions about a few new reusable materials to use for scholarships

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware 26: Understatement & Generalities

Saturdays we share tips or cautions to facilitate getting scholarships or avoid problems

Lucinda tried to find scholarships through a variety of methods. The search engines indicated that she qualified for 157 scholarships. She eliminated the ones that she barely qualified to receive. Her list still included 83 scholarships. She applied for all 83 and did not receive any money. We reviewed her master application and found what we call galloping generalities and understatements.

You Hesitate Saying Good Things About Yourself

You must convince scholarship committees that you deserve the award. You convince them by the answers you include in your scholarship application. Your answers should be specific, detailed explanations of the facts.

Unfortunately, life programs you to understate your accomplishments. Saying nice things about yourself resulted in comments from parents, friends, and co-workers about you being

• Stuck up
• Conceited
• Prideful
• Full-of-yourself

Caution About Understating Your Accomplishments

As a result, you probably tend to understate your accomplishments. Telling scholarship committees the facts about your achievements may make you uncomfortable. Your defensive measures will lead you to resist saying good things about yourself. This personal defense may lead you to understate the facts about why you deserve scholarships. For example:

• One girl resisted adding numbers to her home run statements about how many hygiene kits she prepared for survivors of multiple disasters
• A boy felt uncomfortable giving details about the results of his presidency of a local service organization
• A single mother hesitated sharing the troubles she encountered in a bad marriage, and growing up with alcoholic parents

Problems with Galloping Generalities

Another defensive mechanism may lead you to resist giving specifics or details about your accomplishments. As a result, you may tend to create home-run or value statements filled with generalities. Generalities fail to communicate the impact of your work, service, or leadership.

Instead of giving general descriptions that sound like the scout law: I am trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, etc.;  describe very specific examples of a time your trustworthiness benefited—including numbers or dollars—a company or organization.

Tuesday we share several sources of money for American Indians or native Americans

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 41: Answers to Questions About Deadlines & More

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials can WOW committees and save time

Justin started college without applying for any financial aid. He didn’t think he qualified for scholarships as a high school student, so he never applied for them. His first semester of college opened his eyes to how much it cost to get an education. He came to us seeking help. We helped him prepare a reusable master application with great home-run or value statements. He used the search engines to find 150 sources of financial aid. He did not qualify fully for many of them, but qualified enough to get $37,000 of scholarships within 12 months.

Q: Some web sites won’t let me submit my application, why?

A: We’ve seen this happen a lot in the last two years. Scholarship web sites cease to accept applications once the deadline has passed. Usually you will find an advisory on the web site stating that the deadline has passed and that they will not accept applications until a certain date. We recommend that you flag your calendar to submit the application for the next rotation of the scholarship cycle.

We also want to remind you that many scholarship committees award money several times a year, so you also want to flag those deadlines.

Q: How long does it take to earn scholarships?

A: Each scholarship differs on how long they deliberate before selecting recipients. We’ve had some people who received awards within months of submitting the application. One father told our staff in September that his son, who attended our workshop in May, already had been awarded $60,000. Other clients told us that they heard they received a scholarship 12 months after they submitted the application.

Most will tell you how long you have to wait before they send you the money. Some scholarship sponsors list the names of recipients on their web sites. You can find out how long it took them to receive the award. Some committees state in the application how long they deliberate.

Saturday we share several cautions about applying for scholarships and the search engines

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 41: The Garden Club of America for Science Majors

Tuesdays we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Kenny graduated from college in chemical engineering with an emphasis in Bio-Technology. He volunteered in a lab experimenting in tissue engineering. He received several scholarships to help him through school.

Characteristics of The Garden Club of America Scholarships

The Garden Club of America sponsors 27 financial aid programs. They list scholarships on the web site. They describe their program as follows:

“Since 1928 when the Rome Prize Fellowship in Landscape Architecture was established, GCA has funded more than 1,100 scholars. Today we offer 27 merit-based scholarships.

Twelve of these are managed by GCA staff and volunteers. We contact universities, arboreta and botanic gardens to encourage them to advertise these scholarships to their students and interns. Selection committees comprised of GCA and community volunteers read applications and propose outstanding scholars to be voted on in March each year. For fifteen of our scholarships, the specialized level of knowledge necessary to choose the most compelling research projects requires that we partner with…outside organizations.”

They list of topics for financial aid. Each topic offers multiple scholarships or grant programs. Topics include

• Botany
• Coastal Wetlands Studies
• Conservation & Ecological Restoration
• Desert Studies
• Garden History & Design
• Horticultural & Related Fields
• International Work & Study
• Landscape Architecture
• Native Bird Habitat
• Pollinator Research
• Summer Environmental Study
• Urban Forestry

Their efforts helped some great talents get started:

“Recently, a selection panel member reviewed a list of past recipients of the GCA awards in Tropical Botany, which were first awarded in the 1980s. These scholars are now well established in their careers. The selection panel member commented that the names appearing on the list are a “veritable who’s who” of the Systematics and Forest Ecology fields today. The Garden Club of America is deservedly proud of its scholarship program.”

 

Disadvantages of The Garden Club of America Scholarships

• Limited to very scientific students in a variety of botanical studies
• Web site does not offer a screening or search feature to save you time finding them

Thursday we update with new topics for reusable scholarship essays

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Tips to Get Money for College 16: How to Find Even More Scholarships

Saturdays we share tips or cautions to facilitate getting scholarships or avoid problems

Janine became very creative at finding scholarships and other financial aid. She talked to relatives, friends, and others about earning scholarships. She became very adept at gathering information through casual discussions with people. People shared tips, reviewed her reusable materials, and referred to others who had information.

Talk to People Who Already Earned Scholarships

You can gather great information about earning scholarships from people who already earned them. This may include:

• Students who already graduated from your high school
• Students who already graduated from another high school in the same school district
• Students who graduated or still attend high school in different states
• Friends of yours, or your parents, who earned scholarships in the past
• Family members and relatives who earned scholarships in the recent or long-past
• Friends and family who belong to fraternities, sororities, and service organizations
• Family, friends, and others employed by companies or organizations that give money
• Alumni from the college or university you wish to attend

Questions to Ask About Earning Scholarships

While processes and techniques have changed significantly in the last 15 years, the principles involved in impressing scholarship committees have not changed. The people mentioned above may possess information and tips to help you successfully earn scholarships. Asking questions helps you find out those tips and information:

• How did you impress the scholarship committees?
• What did you say or do in your scholarship applications that earned you the money?
• What tips would you give me to earn more scholarships, grants, and financial aid?
• Would you please review my master application and essays for improvements?
• Who gave you the most help when you were applying for scholarships?
• What was the best source you used to find scholarships?
• What mistakes did you make, that I should avoid or learn from, to get financial aid?
• Any other suggestions, tips, or ideas you can share with me?
• Who else would you suggest I talk to that also earned scholarships"?

Tuesday we share The Garden Club of America as a source of finding money for college

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 40: More Answers to Questions About Reusable Materials

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials can WOW committees and save time

Wendy struggled with using computers. She wanted to go to college in her 50’s. Her lack of education and high paying skills kept her in poverty. She did not own a computer. She used computers at community organizations and programs. As a result, the concept of a reusable master application confused her. She could not comprehend using Google Drive or other cloud-based documents. Our staff taught her how to email her master application to herself to keep it on the cloud.

Q: How safe is it to keep my master application on the cloud?

A: Good question. Any system remains vulnerable to hacking or cyber attacks. Identify theft thrives because most people list personal information on Internet sites and online applications. Determined hackers can access your personal information everywhere. You should worry more about your Facebook and other social media accounts for safety. We encourage you to carefully study the terms of agreement outlined on your email, social media, online banking, and other Internet accounts.

Having said that, Google drive and most email accounts will give adequate protection to your reusable master application, essays, FAFSA, and letters of recommendation.

Q: Can I defer my scholarships if I stop attending school?

Most scholarship committees, but not all of them, will defer your payments depending on the reason for the deferment. For example, many committees will defer your payments if you take time off from school to:

• Donate time for local, domestic, or international humanitarian service
• Handle a family illness, crisis, or death
• Serve an apprenticeship, internship, or service learning opportunity

Scholarship sponsors typically will only defer scholarships for short-term for the following reasons:

• Go on a vacation, travel, rock climbing, or other high-adventure activities
• Just drop out with no plans for returning
• Leaving school because your grades do not meet the standard requirements
• Serving time in a correctional facility

Your description of the reason for the deferment affects how they respond to your request for deferment.

Saturday we share a tip about enhancing the number of scholarships you find

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 40: Search Google & Other Engines to Find Scholarships

Tuesdays we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Beatriz immigrated from Brazil to study in the United States. She used several scholarship search engines to find scholarships. She also worked with financial aid counselors at the university that admitted her. The results of her efforts disappointed her, nor did they raise the funds she needed. One of our staff showed her how to use Google, Chrome, and other general search engines to find scholarship from Brazil for students studying in the US, as well as scholarships from the US for students studying from Brazil.

Characteristics of Using General Search Engines

We do not need to teach you how to use search engines. You use them everyday. We can, however, suggest phrases and techniques that may generate lists that will help.

• “Scholarships for students studying…”
  • …in your state
  • …your major
  • …at your university
  • …in another country
• “Scholarships for students that are…”
  • …your nationality
  • …your ethnic group
  • …your gender
  • …your marital status
  • …members of a certain club, community, or service organization
  • …members of a certain faith, congregation, or religion
• “Scholarships for students that graduated…”
  • …from your high school
  • …from your city
  • …with your grade point average
• “Scholarships for students involved in…”
  • …football, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, basketball, track, or other athletics
  • …drama, dance, choirs, cheer, band, orchestra, or video production
  • …poetry, photography, painting, journalism, composition, or writing
  • …community activism, service, environmentalism, or humanitarian causes
  • …leadership at church, in your school, at work, or in your community

Disadvantages of Using General Search Engines

You will encounter several disadvantages using general search engines. They include:

• No system to verify valid scholarships from scams, contests, or surveys
• No profile to verify that you qualify for the listed scholarships
• Algorithms creating the list of scholarships rank them differently than you want
• No method for saving or storing possible scholarships for later applications  
• Creating a manual system for monitoring which scholarship applications you submit
• Listing millions of scholarships most of which will waste your time
• Competing with a lot of people

Thursday we answer questions about various reusable materials to find scholarships

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Tips to Get Money for College 15: How to Find More Scholarships

Saturday’s we share tips or cautions to facilitate getting scholarships or avoid problems

Pamela was returning to college after her divorce. She worked with several community programs to identify sources of financial aid. She received a Pell Grant. She received a scholarship from an organization working with single mothers. We worked with her to identify 76 other possible scholarships from one search engine. She also used five other search engines. While most of the search engines duplicated some of the scholarships, they each located some that were unique. Her lists of scholarships totaled more than 179 scholarships.

Click It If You Did It

Many scholarship search engines require you to complete a personal profile to match you to scholarships listed within their database. As a result, they include questions in the profile that link to specific scholarships. When you click an option it adds a scholarship to your list. The more things you click, the more scholarships appear on your list.

The profile will ask for information about certain categories. Each category will have 40-50 different activities listed. You click on the ones that apply to you. The search engines do not ask that you have professional or extensive experience. They merely ask if had any involvement.

Some of the general categories listed in the profile will include:

• Athletic involvement
• Performing or creative achievements
• Membership in Clubs or Organizations
• Parents Membership and Activities
• Ethnic background

I suggest that you click it if you did it. Click on basketball if you played basketball in a county or church league. I’m not saying that you should click on things that have no relation or bearing on what you have done. That would fill your list with scholarships that would waste your time. However, if you did the activities, then click them.

Click It and Then Do It

You may also click something in the profile, and then do it. For example,

• Click a club and join it
• Click an activity and do it
• Click a creative endeavor then do it

Monday we share using Google searches as a source to find scholarships

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 39: Questions About Various Reusable Materials

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials can WOW committees and save time

Michael, age 52, came to us seeking help with getting scholarships. He wanted to earn an associates degree because he could no longer hang dry wall. He worried that he would not qualify for any scholarships. He did not feel that he had done anything in his life that was worthy of receiving scholarship awards. We helped him identify 4 themes with 3 categories for each theme. We also assisted him to identify 3 home run or value statements for each category. He left feeling much more confident and hopeful.

Q: Do letters of recommendation expire, or become too old?

A: You can use letters of recommendation that have older dates on them, if you also can supply letters with new dates. In fact, we find that letters with dates spread over several years can imply a true trend of the theme. For example, letters from 3 different

• Community organizations over a four year period strengthen your claim of service
• Dance teachers mentioning recital performance over 12 years highlight dancing talent
• Coaches describing your athletic prowess in junior high, high school, and college validate your athletic ability

However, you should gather new letters each year as you act on your themes. Your age should not reduce your ability to gather new letters of recommendation. You may still gather letters from one of five sources: supervisors at work, community leaders, church leaders, school leaders or coaches, and influential people you know.

Q: How often should I update my master application?

A: We recommend you add new events, addresses, schools, jobs, championships, and recitals as you do them. You should also update your master application at least once every six months with additional value statements from your life.

Q: How much time does it take to complete a real application?

A: Copying and pasting answers from your master application into a real scholarship application typically requires 30-60 minutes including uploading or pasting essays and letters of recommendation.

Saturday we share a tip about enhancing the number of scholarships you find

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 39: StudentAwards Your Student Platform for Canadians

Tuesdays we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Alyson came to the United States from her home in Calgary, Canada. She introduced our staff to StudentAwards. She earned more than $39,000 in scholarships and other awards from the site. The site only provides money to Canadian students, which we will deal with later in this post. She was able to use much of the money from Canada for her education in the United States.

Characteristics of StudentAwards

The web site for StudentAwards explains

“StudentAwards helps Canadian high school, college and university students get ahead. We offer Canada’s leading student platform, providing the money, support and connections they need to better manage student life. StudentAwards partners with top organizations who share our passion of helping make the lives of students better.

With $78 million in financial awards available to StudentAwards members, students from across Canada come to us to find money for school. We have scholarships, bursaries, contests, specialized student offers, giveaways and other financial assistance to help students win, earn and save the money they need for their education.”

The site offers

• A search engine for scholarships, grants, and other sources of financial aid
• Articles with some of the following titles
  • 5 Tips for Students Living Away From Home
  • Beating the February Blahs on A Budget
  • 10 Ways to Get “Geared Up” for School
  • Questions to Ask College/University Reps
  • How Do I Pay for University/College?
  • Tips for Negotiating Bank Loans
  • How Do I Estimate My University/College Costs?
• Newsfeeds containing announcements about new offerings, deadlines, and more
• A blog or chat site called Conversations
• An online store selling textbooks, and funny shirts (yes, funny shirts!?)

 

Disadvantages of StudentAwards

The most obvious disadvantage remains the restriction to only Canadians. Others include:

• The site encourages students to participate in contests, surveys, and other
• It also sells email addresses and other information
• You cannot access very many of the resources without registering and creating a free account
• Read the privacy contract carefully especially their ability to share your information

Thursday we answer general questions about several reusable materials

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware 25: Avoid Overspending Financial Aid

Saturdays we share tips or cautions to facilitate getting scholarships or avoid problems

Laurel went to college on a combination of financial aid. She received a partial tuition scholarship, worked a summer job, and took out federal loans. Her middle-class parents also helped support her with money for school. Unfortunately, Laurel (like many college students) let the surplus of money confuse necessities and luxuries while in school. She insisted on living in a very upscale apartment with only one roommate. She also bought a new car. She, her roommate, and friends would eat at restaurants and take out rather than cook their own meals. She bought new clothes each month. As a result, she increased her student debt by $40,000 more than she needed to spend.

Basic Costs of Education Rise

Media stories frequently highlight the increase in the cost of higher education. Essential costs have risen in the past few years, and will continue to rise in the future. On August 26, 2013 Michelle Jamrisko and Ilan Kolet of Bloomberg reported:

“The cost of higher education has surged more than 500 percent since 1985…tuition expenses have increased 538 percent in the 28-year period, compared with a 286 percent jump in medical costs and a 121 percent gain in the consumer price index. The ballooning charges have generated swelling demand for educational loans while threatening to make college unaffordable for domestic and international students.”

Too Much Money May Lead to Overspending

Just because you, or your children, get all the extra financial aid for college does not mean that you have to spend it on extravagancies. You may reduce the amount of student debt in several ways:

• Live with parents or less expensive student housing rather than units with tanning salons, spas, sprawling pools, and more
• Cook your own food rather than eating out everyday
• Reduce consumption of alcohol, drugs, and other recreational wants
• Travel to domestic rather than exotic or international vacation locations
• Use public transportation or buy a used car rather than a new one

Tuesday we share Student Awards as a source of financial aid for college

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 38: Questions About Reusable Scholarship Essays

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials can WOW committees and save time

Jasmine decided to go to college, at the age of 43. She could not use essays she wrote in high school or the first two years of college. She had to prepare 5-6 essays from scratch. We helped her identify essay topics and outlines. The staff also reviewed and edited her compositions.

Q: How do I outline reusable essays for scholarships?

A: We recommend a simple outline for your essays. We show heading titles for the outline in this example:

• Introductory Paragraph
  • Opening story highlighting the theme of your essay
  • Thesis sentence that outlines the three key points of your essay
• Key point 1 using an anecdote, quote, or statistic to emphasize the point
• Key point 2 using an anecdote, quote, or statistic to emphasize the point
• Key point 3 using an anecdote, quote, or statistic to emphasize the point
• Closing Paragraph
  • Summary of the three key points
  • Statement relating back to the story used in the introductory paragraph

You may find stories, quotes, and statistics on the Internet, books, and scholarly articles. However, you should avoid shallow, cliché, or overused sources. Your essay must exhibit the following characteristics:

• Interesting reading that presents a clear case or theme
• Quotes from reputable authors or articles, not Facebook posts or signs
• Verifiable statistics from scholarly sources and research
• Applicable graphics, charts, and use of color
• Clear, neat, good grammar, accurate spelling, and good use of headings and color

Q: How do I modify or adapt an essay for different scholarships?

You can customize reusable essays using a variety of techniques:

• Leave places in the essay to add words that cater your message to the sponsoring organization.
  • For example, you can leave a place to insert
    • The name of the sponsoring organization
    • The mission or purpose of the sponsoring organization
    • A catch phrase, value, or tag line associated with the sponsor
  • Build special letter combinations (like XX, YY, ZZ) and use the find and replace feature of your word processor

Saturday we share cautions about overspending because of student financial aid

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 38: ShopSlueth Ultimate Scholarship Resource Guide

Tuesdays we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Inez, an immigrant to the United States, graduated from a US high school after attending American schools for 5 years. Her parents, undocumented aliens, owned a small landscaping business. They paid income, business, and property taxes for the entire time they lived in the US. The state legislature passed a law determining that all children of undocumented aliens had to pay tuition as if they were international students. The cost of her tuition increased from $1,300 a semester to $6,000 a semester.

Characteristics of the Ultimate Scholarship Resource Guide

ShopSlueth is a web site that specializes in tips for shopping. They provide information about malls and outlets around the country. The site’s structure is very simple and basic. 

ShopSlueth also publishes the Ultimate Scholarship Resource Guide in the Resources section of their web site. They begin their guide with the following paragraph:

“College today costs a lot more than it did even a generation ago. Unless you happen to be financially well off or fortunate enough to have an ample college fund at your disposal, paying for school can be a real challenge. It’s important to know that scholarships are not as few and far between as it may seem – and they are not just available for the straight-A student or star athlete. In fact, there are a great many opportunities out there for students of all kinds if you know where to look. Use the links below to find trustworthy information and real opportunities to help you achieve your educational goals.”

The sites groups their financial aid sources and provides an explanations for each source:

• General Scholarship Search Resources
• Special Circumstances Scholarships
• Scholarships Based on a Field of Study
• Other Specialized Scholarships

Disadvantages of the Ultimate Scholarship Resource Guide

• Many of the scholarship resources listed duplicate those listed on other sites
• The site only provides lists of resources but does not offer it’s own search profiler
• You must evaluate each resource individually using the explanations provided

Thursday we answer questions about reusable scholarship essays

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware 24: More Hurdles to Getting Financial Aid

Saturdays we share tips or cautions to facilitate getting scholarships or avoid problems

Hattie wanted to earn enough scholarships to completely pay for her nursing degree through a private proprietary college. She met with the school’s financial aid counselor multiple times. The counselor helped her apply for a Pell Grant and Stafford Loan. The counselor evaded commitments about Hattie earning scholarships, but continued to push the benefits of going in to debt for an education. Unfortunately, the counselor convinced Hattie to borrow enough money to pay for the entire education totaling $98,000. After signing the contract, Hattie discovered that no one would give scholarships for a private, for-profit, proprietary school.

Impact of Government Shutdown and Financial Aid

Existing Pell Grants, Student Loans, and other financial reimbursement—except educational assistance to veterans—is authorized as 2012 budget money. As a result, you should not have any delays or problems related to existing loans or grants.

In addition, you should repay loans on schedule or face penalties or additional interest. The myth that the government shutdown cannot process payments is false. Automated, electronic student repayment programs do not require workers to process.

Students needing help or guidance from Department of Education counselors or specialists cannot provide services during the shutdown. We invite you to read the White House’s contingency plan on student aid.

US System of Student Aid Flawed

The Brookings Institute released a study on October 3, 2013 beginning with:

“The U.S. system of federal student aid is badly in need of reform.  Students are borrowing more than ever before to pay the rapidly rising costs of higher education, while at the same time questioning the value of the degrees they are earning.  There are real problems to be solved in our nation’s system of higher education, including: limited access for students from low income households; disappointing graduation rates; students defaulting on loans; and rapid tuition inflation across the industry.  The first step in creating solutions to these problems is to reform the system of financial aid.”

Please, read the report.

Tuesday we share ShopSleuth Ultimate Scholarship Resource Guide of student financial aid

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 37: Questions About Reusable Applications

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials can WOW committees and save time

Janie applied for scholarships using a master application in her Google drive. She loved the ability to access her master application everywhere she accessed the Internet. It helped that all of the scholarship applications were also online on the Internet. She continually updated her master application as she found new questions on applications. She also added new home run or value statements as she expanded her service, leadership, academics, and creative talents. She saved lots of time applying because of her master application and earned $123,000 in scholarships.

Q: Why create so many answers when applications use pop-ups?

A: Good question! We agree that you will encounter more pop-up answers than in the past. We also perceive the trend will increase as web technology evolves. Typically, pop-ups simplify processing applications for the scholarship committees. They allow committees to sort and use more information than a simple text field.

You will find pop-ups in the questions involving

• Dates: birthday, school dates, employment dates, and other dates
• Institutions are increasingly used in a pop-up for high schools and colleges, even elementary schools
• Majors and minors in school
• States and countries also appear in pop-ups

Q: Am I giving personal information to someone who will sell it?

A: Legitimate scholarship applications will protect your information with all their security.

• Most online applications will use solid encryption software to protect your information
• Information given directly to schools are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Schools may not divulge or share the information.
• Unfortunately, many scholarship scams will embed a privacy release in the terms of use. You may give away some of your protections if you do not read the releases carefully.
• We still recommend clicking “No Thanks” every time you see it on an application or they will sell your information
• Consult with your high school or college financial aid counselor, or previous scholarship winners, if you have doubts

Saturday we share a warning about changes we see coming in financial aid for college

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 37: Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Assoc.

Tuesdays we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Travis, a military officer with 15 years in the US Army Signal Corps, decided to enroll in a computer science graduate program to work on cyber security. The financial obligations would have seriously affected his family of six. Travis applied for several financial aid programs. Among them, he received a $5,000 award from the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association Cyber Security Scholarship.

Characteristics of AFCEA Financial Aid

The Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA) sponsors an educational foundations whose web site proclaims:

“The AFCEA Educational Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational incentives, opportunities and assistance for people engaged in information management, communications and intelligence efforts and fostering excellence in education particularly in the "hard science" disciplines related to C4ISR.

The mission of the Foundation is to support development of engineers and technical personnel through selective training, scholarships, awards, prizes and grants for educational activities of unique and high value and professional educational programs.

The Foundation actively promotes opportunities for persons from groups under-represented in the fields of its interests.”

The AFCEA offers a variety of scholarships, grants, and tuition assistance in communications, electronics, intelligence, and information technology. They provide help for aspiring

• Engineers
• Programmers
• Technicians
• Military personnel
• Government officials

They also reward people who contributed outstanding support to the Association. They provide an easy link to identify if you live, or will study, in one of their chapter locations.

 

Disadvantages of AFCEA Financial Aid

Once again we share general requirements from their web site:

• “Applicants must be college sophomores or juniors at the time of application -- minimum second-year college students ONLY please.”
• “Please apply for one scholarship only.”
• “Graduate students must be currently enrolled in at least two semester-equivalent classes at an accredited U.S. college or university.”
• “A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is required.”
• Chapters do not cover all states in the US: seems to exclude much of the intermountain and Midwestern states

Thursday we answer additional questions about reusable and scholarship applications

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 36: Questions About Interviews & Good Recordings

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials you WOW committees and save time

Bart works for a nonprofit community organization that helps low income students find and apply for scholarships. He specializes in helping students complete their master applications. He donates hours each week working with students to gather, edit, and perfect their information. He meets with students 4-6 times. Many students recognize his contribution to them receiving thousands of dollars in scholarship funds. He saves them hours in applying for financial aid and admission to school.

Q: Do scholarships still require interviews to get scholarships?

A: Many scholarship committees require interviews as part of the application process. While the committee may conduct the interview themselves, many committees use high school guidance counselors, teachers, or others to conduct the interviews. Local scholarships frequently ask for an interview. For example, many times Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs require an interview for local students. In addition, some scholarships given by a specific college may ask for an interview.

In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in interviews using Skype or another online meeting software. We anticipate this trend will increase over the next few years.

Q: What do you think about contests that require video clips?

A: Generally, we advise students and their parents to avoid contests. They typically reflect scams to gather email addresses which they sell to others. However, there are several types of contests that we recommend. They include:

• Musical performance contests such as music recitals or concerts
• Drama performances, sketches, and skits
• Photo, sculpture, and art contests
• Poetry and writing contests

Many of these contests require you send a video clip as part of the application. Too many students send in poorly produced video clips. You may wish to consider the following tips as you produce your video clip for the scholarship committees:

• Use a good quality digital camera—not the camera on your phone or tablet
• Set up lighting using backlights, key lights, and fill lights (see diagram)
• Record with an external microphone for good sound

Saturday we share a tip about using YouTube to earn scholarships and financial aid

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 36: SRN Express Powered by Edvisors (Go Higher)

Tuesdays we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Rueben attended one of our workshops with his sister when he was in the 8th grade. He began recording his accomplishments immediately. He looked for opportunities for leadership, service, athletics, and academics. He joined as many clubs as he could possibly manage when he started high school. He started applying for scholarships in the 10th grade and earned his first scholarship (of $500) in 10th grade. He maintained a 4.0 GPA and served as class officer all through high school. He worked hard and graduated valedictorian of his high school. He had earned $310,000 in scholarships.

Characteristics of SRN Express

SRN Express describes itself as “Search for College and University Student Scholarships. SRN Express' database of awards for college students. A free database, with search capabilities, that lists scholarships and awards for college students. SRN Express.”

The site advertises “With the largest database of scholarships online and a speedy scholarship matching tool, StudentScholarshipSearch helps students find scholarships that are most relevant to their background, field of study, sport, skill, interest, achievement, or other attribute. Whether you're in grad school or were just accepted into college, we'll have a match for you.

College scholarships and grants are the best place to start financing your education. Our goal is that students use this database to invest more wisely in school, prior to relying on alternative resources and loans…(See more at: http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/#sthash.g8tpJCz1.dpuf)”

 

Disadvantages of SRN

The web site suffers from several disadvantages. The site:

• Contracts its scholarship searches to www.StudentScholarshipSearch.com
• Offers minimal scholarship matching based on grade level, GPA, state of residency, gender, or ethnic heritage
• Only allows students to list high school grade levels on the “Grade” matcher
• The site provides very little help for students already in college or graduate school
• It provides about 40 scholarships for all the states we tested, and most of those were duplicates of the Elks National Foundation, Coca-Cola, etc.
• Featured scholarships only listed 5 links to other sites

Wednesday we will answer questions about interviews and other uncommon requirements

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware 23: Today’s Challenges to College Funds

Saturdays we share tips or cautions to facilitate getting scholarships or avoid problems

Jessica planned on going to college since she was a little girl. Her parents started saving money in a high yield mutual fund. She half-heartedly applied for a few scholarships, but only received a couple thousand dollars. She applied for a Pell Grant, but her parents earned too much money. Luckily, she had the mutual fund savings to help her get through college. Unfortunately, Jessica graduated from high school in 2010, just two years after the recession eliminated 75% of the investment. Jessica’s dream of going to the university of her choice evaporated with the savings. Instead, she started at the local community college and living at home.

Challenges Related to Rising Education Costs

You may encounter several challenges when you enroll in college. Many of these challenges will relate paying for college and its related costs. The rising costs related to getting an education include:

• Rising tuition costs in most private and public colleges
• Increasing costs for textbooks, online subscriptions, and research materials
• Higher housing costs especially as college students demand more amenities
• More expensive transportation costs cause many students to study close to home
• Fewer students cook from scratch, they prefer restaurant and premade meals

All of these reasons and more make going to school more expensive than ever.

Challenges Related to Less Money Available

In addition, you find less financial aid to pay for college.

• Fewer students qualify for Pell Grants because of changes in income requirements and number of semesters you may receive a grant
• Congress increased interest rates on student loans and started the interest clock on graduate loans from the date you receive the loan, not after graduation
• Less scholarship money is available through donors and other sources
• Reduced return on educational savings plans create less money available
• Lower home values eliminated the ability to refinance or pull equity out of the home

Rising costs and less money turn the dream of education into a nightmare.

Tuesday we share SRN Express from Edvisors as a source of financial aid for college

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 35: Questions About Quantifying Value Statements

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials help you WOW committees and save time

Ricardo sought financial aid to attend a community college. He came to the United States with his parents when he was two years old. They did not possess legal visas or passports when they crossed the border. Ricardo attended elementary, junior high, and high schools in the United States. He also took concurrent enrollment classes while in high school. A year before he graduated, the state legislature passed a bill denying undocumented students who graduated from state schools resident tuition. The bill forced students like Ricardo to pay international student tuition. Ricardo’s tuition costs jumped $18,000 for the community college.

Q: How can I identify numbers for my value statements?

A: Each type of theme will require a different type of number. Some of the number may be in public records. Others will not. For example, each of the following themes would be represented by the following numbers:

• Academics: grade point averages, hours credit, test scores, and more
• Athletics: win/loss records, competitive standings, championships, or improved performance
• Leadership: increased participation averages, number of participants, increased donations or revenues, or size of the organization you led
• Creative talents: number of recitals or attendees at performances, awards received for creative talents, or scores in competitions

You can translate implied numbers into specific numbers using some of the following formulas:

• Identify the beginning statistic, identify the ending statistic, then…
  • Divide the difference by the beginning number for a percentage
    • 120 participants –100 participants =20/100=20% increase in participation
  • Use the difference to show the actual increase
    • $130,000-$90,000=$40,000 increase

Q: What if my numbers are not completely accurate?

Creating your value statements as you do them allows you to use real-time data. However, you may not have created the statements when the information was current. In that case, modify your numbers with the words: approximately, estimated, or about. They will allow you to state the approximation.

We restate—NEVER EXAGERRATE, LIE ABOUT, or MISLEAD people about your numbers in value statements.

 

Saturday we share a caution about challenges in funding today’s educational pursuits

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 35: American Heart Association Undergrad Research

Tuesday’s we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Susan planned a career working as a chemist or chemical engineer. She completed her sophomore year of college in her mid-30’s. She still needed to find money to help pay for her junior and senior year of college. She worked with a couple of mentors in her church after attending one of our workshops. She earned enough scholarships to pay for the tuition, books and housing for the rest of her undergraduate program.

Characteristics of the American Heart Association’s Program

The American Heart Association sponsors an Undergraduate Student Research Program:

“The purpose of this undergraduate research training program is to encourage promising students from all disciplines, including women and members of minority groups underrepresented in the sciences, to consider research careers while supporting the highest quality scientific investigation broadly related to cardiovascular disease and stroke.”

Requirements for the Program

“At the time of application, undergraduate student with legal ability to study in the United States and:

• Enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program in either a four-year college or university, or a two-year institution with plans to transfer to a four-year college or university by the fall semester immediately following the summer program.
• Junior or senior academic status in the fall of given year.  Students who will graduate in September or before are not eligible.
• Completed at least four semesters or six quarters of any combination of the following courses by May preceding the summer fellowship; biological sciences (biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology or lab) and/or physics and/or chemistry (inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry or lab).
• Completed at least one quarter of college level or AP credit calculus, statistics, computational methods or computer science
• Attending an institution in, or be a resident of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah or Washington.”

Disadvantages of the Program

• Limited to one $6,500 award
• Limited to certain western states
• Direct use of award funds to pay tuition is prohibited
• AHA will not pay dependent allowances.

Thursday we answer questions about reusable quantifying your value statements

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware 22: Scholarship Books in a Digital World

Saturdays we share tips or cautions to facilitate getting scholarships or avoid problems

Brooke worked every method she knew to get money for college—except taking out a loan. She studiously avoided going into debt. In fact, she did not go to school one semester because of a lack of funds, rather than take out a loan. She worked a part-time job. She applied for a Pell Grant. She applied for scholarships. She got involved in a student work-study programs. She found a paid internship during both summers between her sophomore/junior and junior/senior years of school. She spent only $4,500 of her own money during the entire course of her Bachelor of Arts program.

Are Scholarship Books Effective in Today’s Digital World

Many people wonder if hardcopy books of information remain relevant in a digital world. They list several reasons, some valid and some invalid:

• Printed books become obsolete before they even get published
• Publishers do not update books as frequently because they lose money on them
• Most of what you find in scholarship books are already listed on the Internet
• Internet sources remain more current, cost less, and are easier to access
• Search engines and search fields are easier to use than looking through a book
• Very few scholarship books are available as e-books or Kindle versions

Nevertheless, we encourage you to use all sources to find financial aid—including scholarship books. You will waste time, however, using scholarship books that were published more than three years ago.

Recommended Books

College Scholarships.org and SavingforCollege.com provide an excellent list of books with summaries about each one. We’ve used many of the books on their list, but especially recommend the following:

• How to Go to College Almost for Free outlines great methods for applying for scholarships. We used this book to research our methods when we began offering scholarship coaching years ago.
• The Scholarship Book by Daniel J. Cassidy
• Scholarship Handbook by College Board
• Peterson’s Scholarships, Grants and Prizes by Thompson Peterson’s (We don’t recommend this book anymore. They stopped updating it)

Tuesday we share the American Heart Association Undergraduate Student Research Program

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 34: Questions About Changes in Student Loans

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials help you WOW committees and save time

Becky enrolled in a private for-profit college in her community. She wanted to get a certificate as a medical assistant. The school would not tell her the total cost of the program. They only listed how much she would pay per credit hour. They claimed that you could total the amount of money you would have to pay, by multiplying the hours required per program by the cost per hour. They offered a free computer if she signed the contract. They also offered to help her get financial aid to attend. They helped Becky get a Pell grant and take out $9,000 in student loans.

Q: What is the current status on interest for student loans?

A: On August 8, 2013 President Obama signed a bill setting interest rates for federal student loans. Prior to this bill, Congress set the interest rates for student loans. The Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013 changed how rates will be determined.  The new bill is tied to market-based rates and changes each year.

The confusion arises from back-and-forth changes in student loan rates during the months of June through August. One year ago, Congress set a deadline for student loans rates to double for undergraduates on July 1, 2013. During the last week of June 2013, Congress delayed a vote on a proposal to delay the interest hike. As a result, the rates doubled on July 1. Public uproar drove the House of Representatives to pass lowering the rates.

Q: Will interest rates on loans increase after I get the loan?

A: The rate remains fixed once the loan is issued. It will not increase after you receive the loan. Of course, if your student takes out a new loan each year, the rates on each loan will differ.

We encourage you to manage how your loan funds carefully to borrow the least amount of money possible. Avoid extravagances!

Saturday we share a tip about using scholarship books in a digital world

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 34: Chegg Sources of Money, Textbooks, & More

Tuesday’s we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Erika helped her son apply for scholarships. She used search engines, scholarship books, high school guidance counselors. She discovered that Chegg, like Zinch for high school students, provides information about organizations that will match, dollar-for-dollar, money you earned from other scholarships.

Characteristics of the Chegg Scholarship Section

Chegg (www.Chegg.com) advertises itself 

“Chegg, the student hub, is transforming the way millions of students learn by connecting them to the people and tools needed to succeed throughout their high school and college career.”

In addition, Chegg encourages philanthropic efforts. They state “As a part of the company's philanthropic efforts, Chegg is dedicated to its Chegg for Good program, which empowers students to be catalysts for change while on campus, in their communities and around the world.” You may access several channels from the Chegg for Good:

• For Good Blog
• Spotlights around town
• “Are you the ONE?” Interns
• It all started with trees
• Our for good partners

Access the scholarships section of the web site by clicking on scholarships at bottom of each page or clicking on Personalized Scholarships icon at the top of the home page. Using the link at the bottom of the page provides many more options than clicking on the icon.

The Scholarships on Chegg offer several advantages:

• Links to upcoming scholarships with amounts and deadlines
• Matching scholarship funds based on money you win through other sources
• Free Sign-up which leads you to a very simple profile

The web site listed 50 matches worth over $187,000 based on the simple profiler. We found no gimmicks, email spam, contests, or surveys.

Disadvantages of the Chegg Web Page

We did not find too many disadvantages:

• You must list a school—and they mean college—to use Chegg
• The profile uses a lot of pop-up fields that do not respond to typed prompts
• You must provide titles of at least 3 courses you are taking
• Chegg offers a lot of their own scholarships like “CheggMeOut”, “Chegg Lesson Learned Scholarship”

Thursday we answer questions about recent changes with student loan programs

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.