Quality Students

Sep

Top 4 Reasons to Get a Bachelors Degree Online

It can be really difficult to get the career that is perfect for you without having a Bachelors Degree but what you may not know is that it is now easier than ever to obtain your degree online. It is now becoming more common for students to return to school online rather than by traditional means. Online Colleges and Universities have sprung up all over the World Wide Web offering degrees in a variety of fields.

One of the best reasons to get a Bachelors Degree online is because you can do it from the comfort of your own home. The only thing that you need is a computer and Internet access. This is a great option for many people because it allows freedom for you to get your degree from any location. This makes it easy for mothers who cannot find a babysitter or for students without reliable transportation to learn new skills from home.

The second reason why earning your degree from an online college is a great is because it allows you the freedom to do your work when it is convenient for you. Everybody knows how hard it can be to balance a full time job with your responsibilities at home let alone throwing school into the mix. Online colleges are so great because you don’t have to show up at a particular time and place to get your lessons, you can do it when you’re ready to without disrupting your other obligations.

Online universities are so popular because of the wide variety of curriculum that is available for study. Degrees are offered for almost anything from fashion design to law and everything in between. It really allows you to learn what you are interested in learning, keeping you more engaged and eager to obtain your degree. Once you are finished earning your online degree, you can apply what you have learned while you work in your new profession.

Online Bachelors Degrees can be obtained much faster than traditional on campus degrees can be completed. This is because online degrees are often accelerated and the courses curriculum is outlined ahead of time. You can choose the speed that is best for you rather than being slowed down by a classroom full of students. If you are returning to school with credits earned from another institution, you may be eligible to apply those credits towards your online degree.

For these reasons and so many more, online colleges and universities have become so popular. Don’t let your dream job and salary be out of reach for you any longer, a simple commitment to an online degree program can help you change your life forever.

Tags: babysitter, bachelors degree online, bachelors degrees, colleges and universities, earning your degree, fashion design, freedom, full time job, internet access, profession, time and place, world wide web

posted by EDUwithPassion in 10/5 Top Tips!,Finding Your School,Online College and have Comment (1)

Aug

Organizations for Graduate Student – 5 That Should Be Considered

Graduate students are busy people. They are busy with their coursework. They are busy with their research. They are busy with their thesis. And in some cases they are busy with their family and work life.

It is important though that graduate students take time out of their busy schedules to become involved in organizations that will help them while they are graduate students and beyond. Colleges and universities have so many student organizations to choose from that it can be difficult to even narrow down organizations that may be most beneficial to a graduate student and their goals.

While this is definitely not an all inclusive list, here are 5 graduate organizations that students should consider becoming a part of to add to their graduate student experience to help shape and refine them as professionals. This list is no particular order.

#1 Part-Time MBA Association

This organization is dedicated to representing MBA students that go to school on a part-time basis. Students who are earning their MBA on a part-time basis have different concerns than those who are attending a full-time program. This organization acts as the liaison between the students and the college or university. As a member of this organization students are able to take part-time MBA student issues to the school of business administration and its faculty. This organization works for the good of the part-time student body to help improve the quality of the education that they receive, the amount and quality of academic support, and the professional services and advice that students can receive. By joining this group MBA students will find a sense of community among their peers, while continuously trying to improve student relations.

#2 MBA Association

The MBA Association's goal is to provide a community where graduate students can interact through activities and services that allow their members to grow as students and as professionals in the business world. This group acts as a liaison between current students, Alumni and faculty to help students define their career goals, strengthen their skills, and develop a strong network of professional peers.

#3 Graduates As Parents

According to the Census Bureau the amount of graduate students attending college that are also parents increases by 60 percent each year. By becoming a member of this organization, graduate students will find a community of their peers that are balancing their family life with their school life. Through their peers members can pick up pertinent information regarding daycare, how to balance their lives, tips and trick for the juggling act, etc. With all of the stress that being a parent brings combined with all of the stress that being a graduate students brings, this group will allow students to de-stress their lives by surrounding themselves with like-minded people who are going through the same challenges that they are.

#4 Graduate Student Government

Graduate Student Government works on graduate student's behalves in the area of student affairs and financial affairs that affect graduate students. This organization is the liaison between graduate students and the university on matters with housing, parking, fees, and transportation. This organization also helps students to learn the ins and outs of running an organization, including problem-solving resolution skills. It also provides a place for students to interact with leaders in the organization and in the school to acquire and foster their leadership skills.

#5 Graduate Students in _____________ (insert specialization here)

Whatever the graduate student's specialization is, they should also consider joining the graduate student association for their specialization. The goal of these organizations is to provide a community where graduate students specializing in a particular field can interact through activities and services that allow their members to grow as students and as professionals in their field. These groups also act as liaisons between current students, Alumni and faculty to help students define their career goals, strengthen their skills, and develop a strong network of professional peers.

Tags: academic support, business world, colleges and universities, coursework, graduate organizations, graduate student experience, graduate students, liaison, MBA, part time, peers, professional services, school of business, student organizations, time basis, time program, time student

posted by EDUwithPassion in 10/5 Top Tips!,Developing your Strengths,Graduate,Strategies for Success,Working & Going to School and have Comment (1)

Aug

Create Your List Of Schools

Creating a list of potential schools should be done in the loosest, shallowest, and most capricious way possible. There are thousands of colleges and universities to choose, and they all offer their own specialties and points of interest, but you might never find them thinking practically. Ever want to live in the Pacific Northwest? Put it down as something to look for when searching. Ever thought about taking a glass blowing class? Jot it down. Because of the miracle that is the Internet, the most random and impulsive desires can be entered into college search engines that will spit back hundreds of schools to pick from around the country.

Any student's list of possible schools should include a handful of reach schools, schools that are very academically tough that they might have a shot of getting into. The list should also contain state schools as defaults, and in the middle should be a list of schools that are found by searching for random criteria. Why in this fashion? A good majority of students can get into state schools which are undervalued in terms of tuition, so they need to definitely be on the list. Many students receive fantastic educations and enjoy themselves at state schools, and leave college owing next to nothing when compared to the cost of a private university.

But most secretly want to attend a big time Ivy League school, or comparably ranked non-Ivy, and looking into those possibilities won't hurt. Harvard recently announced plans to forgo tuition costs for students whose families make less than fifty grand a year; an Ivy League education is possible. Also with these reach schools should be schools that are the best, or have the best reputation, in the student's desired field. Film majors should put USC, and Northwestern and NYU on their list. Journalists should have Ball State. Engineers should have MIT.

But that middle group of schools should be where the fun occurs, where students dream up the wildest scenarios and investigate the possibilities. New College in Sarasota doesn't have grades, and lets students design their own curriculum. Lewis and Clark College in an Oregon forest has classrooms and buildings that are only accessible by hiking trails. Ripon College offers a great liberal arts education and convenient access to the Great Lakes and nature. Some of these colleges might be too expensive, or impractical in terms of travel, but they should be on the list. They truly represent the possibilities of a college education.

posted by EDUwithPassion in Campus College,Finding Your School,Getting Accepted,Making the Decision and have No Comments

Jun

Use Your Resources To Plan For College

Planning to go away or to start college is a fun and exciting time for those students who are planning on attending. The stressful part usually comes from finding the resources to pay for your college education. It is important that you and your parents plan out together how much money you are going to need for college and where the money will come from to cover your college expenses. You will need to sit down with a pad of paper and a pen in order to write everything out. The earlier you start planning, the better. This way if you or your parents need to make adjustments, you can do so before it is time for you to head off your freshmen year.

Figure out your costs:

1.Tuition & Books: Contact the colleges and/or universities that you are interested in attending. Ask specifically about the estimated costs for tuition and books. Usually the estimate of these costs is provided in the college brochure.

2.Housing: If you are planning on living on-campus, you will also need to obtain housing information. Housing information should include the cost and what the cost includes. Some colleges and universities offer meal plans to students who live on-campus, which provides you with a certain amount of money to eat at the campus restaurants, cafeteria and cafes. If you are planning on living off-campus, you will need to do a little research on the average cost of rent for the area. Also be sure to include extra costs such as electric, phone, water, etc.

3.Food: You have to eat, so be sure to include spending money for food in your calculations.

4.Spending money: College is more than just academics. There are student activities that you are going to want to participate in throughout the semester. Be sure to allocate a certain amount of money to spend on going out with friends, going to the movies, participating in a sorority or fraternity, etc.

5.Tally up your costs on an annual basis and then be sure to multiply the annual cost by how many years it is going to take you to complete your particular major. Usually, 4 years is the number you will need to multiply by, unless you already know that you will be going to on to graduate school, law school, medical school, etc. If that is the case, you will need to go through the same 5 steps for the costs involved with these types of schools (adding it to your undergraduate college costs).

Tapping Into Your Resources:

Once you have an idea of what the cost of your college education is going to be now it is time to list out all of the possible resources that you can tap into to pay for everything. You will need to sit down with your parents and go over all of these costs that you have tallied. Find out from them what source of funds they have and are willing to contribute. You may also have some resources of your own that you can contribute.

Here is a list of possible resources to consider:

1. Savings or Investment Accounts
2. Pre-paid College Tuition Program
3. Education IRA, ROTH IRA, or Retirement IRA
4. Savings Bonds
5. Contributions from Grandparents or other family members
6. Scholarships*
7. Grants*
8. Student Loans*

*You may not know the contribution amount of these resources yet.

After you have a list of your possible fund sources and the total amount that each resource can provide, total everything up. Where does this leave you? Do you have enough to cover your college education or are in the hole? If you are in the hole, then you should come up with a plan on how you and your parents can make up for the difference. Research scholarship and grant opportunities that you may be able to qualify for or pick-up a part-time job after school to help contribute to your college savings. Your guidance counselor at school and the Internet should be able to help you find scholarships and grants that you may be eligible for. Especially, if it is your senior year of high school, contact the financial aid department of the college you will be attending. Find out when they deadline is and what forms you have to complete to apply for financial aid.

There are resources available to you for paying for your college education. Just be organized and diligent about finding out what the costs are, what resources you have available to you, and whether or not you to find additional resources to cover your college expense.

posted by EDUwithPassion in Campus College,Finding Your School,Paying for School,Reducing Cost/Tuition and have No Comments

Apr

Common Admissions Essay Questions

So you have narrowed down your college choices and now it is time to fill out those admission applications. As you are going through the applications, you start to notice a recurring theme. They all seem to have essay questions that you are responsible for answering. Don’t panic. Take a deep breath and let it out. Step by step we are going to get you through this.

Essays are one tool that colleges and universities use to learn more about you and your reasons for applying to attend their university or college. It is an opportunity for you to fully explain your reasons on how you feel about a particular situation. Your answers to an essay question will also reveal to the admissions officer more about who you really are. It’s just one more step to get to know you as a person or a student that isn’t revealed from the form questions that are asked on the admissions applications. The essay also provides you an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills and your ability to organize your thoughts clearly and effectively.

So take out a pen and a piece of paper so you can take notes. We are now about to embark on 3 popular essay questions and how you can tackle them. You know how David Letterman has a "top 10 List" every night on his show that answers some burning question? That’s what you need to do. You need to make top ten lists of your own, based on the question, and then choose a few points from your list to elaborate on those particular points.

1. What events, activities, or achievements have contributed to your self-development?

List all of the activities that you have participated in during high school or over the past 3 years

Be sure to include school activities, jobs, volunteer opportunities, community service, sports, or anything else you participated in.
Next to each activity, list all of the achievements that you made in these activities. Maybe you were president of the National Honor Society at your school or maybe you started a community service organization that provided meals to the homeless on weekends, which won you a volunteer of the year award.
Review your list and see which activities or achievements really stand out in your mind.
Thinking about the one activity or achievement that really stands out in your mind, think about why it is that it stands out. Think about how it made you feel to achieve what you did. Think about what you did or achieved, when you made this achievement, why you did what you did and how this particular achievement or activity has affected your life (or shaped you into the person that you are today).
Write the answer to these questions out in paragraph form and you have yourself an essay!

2. Role Model – If you could meet, be, or have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and why?

Make a list of your favorite books, movies, TV shows, plays, sports, and famous people.
Make a list of some of your favorite people, whether they are famous or people you know personally.
Next to each item or person, list the reasons why these are your favorites and what contributions they have made to your life.
Who intrigues you the most? This is the person you should base your essay on.
With the person (whether it be actor, sports player, author, president, grandfather, etc.) chosen, a list of all of the reasons why they are your favorite person, and how they have changed you or affected you as a person, you now have an essay!

3. Why do you want to study at this university?

Close your eyes and literally imagine yourself on the campus of the college or university.
Why are you interested in attending?
What does the college or university have to offer you as a person and as a student?
What do you have to offer the university or the college?
Be specific in your responses.
What makes this college or university different from the hundreds of other ones that you could apply to?
Turn your list into paragraphs and you have yourself an essay.

No matter what the essay question is, break it down. Make your list, being sure to answer all of the parts that the question may have. Then turn your lists into sentences and your sentences into paragraphs, and by George we have ourselves an essay!

Tags: 3 years, admission applications, Admissions, admissions applications, burning question, college choices, colleges and universities, david letterman, deep breath, essay, essay questions, jobs, national honor society, piece of paper, self development, service sports, top ten lists, volunteer opportunities, writing skills

posted by EDUwithPassion in Education and have Comment (1)

Mar

Are YOU Applying For Student Loans? Read This!

As the costs of higher education continue to rise, increasing numbers of students and parents are relying on loans to help pay for college. In order to successfully manage this debt, it is important to understand the loan process, including how student loans work, the types of loans available, and applying for loans. If you need additional money beyond savings, grants, and scholarships, consider accepting a student loan to pay the expenses associated with your education.

How do student loans work?

Loans allow students to borrow money to help pay for the costs associated with higher education. Payment of such loans can typically be deferred until the student has graduated from school. The U.S. Department of Education administers loans funded through the federal government. Federal loans are made available either by providing money directly to colleges and universities or by connecting students with private loans.

Types of Loans

1. Federal Stafford Loans: Federal Stafford Loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students and must be repaid. First-year undergraduate students are eligible for up to a $2,625 loan. Second-year students can borrow up to $3,500 and up to $5,500 each following year. The total amount borrowed by dependent students can exceed no more than $23,000.

Graduate students can borrow more through Federal Stafford Loans, but the government can subsidize only $8,500 of this debt. Eligible graduate students can borrow up to $18,500 each year, but can borrow no more than a total of $138,500 during both undergraduate and graduate study.

The interest rate on Federal Stafford Loans varies, but will not exceed 8.25-percent. For qualifying students, the government will pay the interest while the student is in school. These subsidized loans are offered based on financial need and can save a considerable amount of money in interest. Students who do not qualify for subsidized loans will be expected to pay back the full amount of their loans plus accrued interest.

2. Federal PLUS Loans: Federal PLUS loans are loans made to the parents of students. To be eligible for a Federal PLUS Loan, students must be enrolled at least part-time at a participating college or university. Federal PLUS loans are very similar to Stafford loans, except they are made directly to the parent instead of the student. Parents may borrow up to the full amount of the student’s total tuition. Unlike Stafford loans, parents must begin to repay PLUS loans immediately.

3. Perkins Loans: Federal Perkins Loans are funded by the government and made available through individual colleges and universities. These loans are available to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled full-time and meet all the requirements established by the individual college or university. Consult a financial aid or admissions counselor at your university of choice to learn more about the institution’s specific requirements. Perkins loans are offered at a low interest rate of 5-percent. Undergraduates can borrow a maximum amount of $4,000 per year, while graduate students can borrow up to $6,000 per year. Repayment of Federal Perkins Loans begins nine months after graduation and students have up to 10 years to repay the amount borrowed.

How do you apply for a loan?

Applying for loans through the United States government is accomplished by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Paper applications can be found at the counselor’s office of your local school, but you can also fill out an online application at the FAFSA website. Students will need to request a PIN number before filling out the application online. For maximum financial aid benefits, complete an application sometime between January and March for the next school year. Some financial aid programs require an early application in order to qualify.

posted by EDUwithPassion in Education and have No Comments

Mar

Booming Industry: Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists play an important role in dental health. As a dental hygienist, you will work under the supervision of dentists and perform a variety of tasks. Qualified dental hygienists enjoy a great salary, job satisfaction, and flexible work hours. With the right training and education, you can become a dental hygienist in as little as two years. Youll be part of a rapidly growing industry of professionals, as the need for dental hygienist continues to rise.

Job Duties of a Dental Hygienist:

As a dental hygienist, you’ll be involved in cleaning and maintenance, teeth and gum health, routine examinations, and the promoting of proper oral hygiene. You will also prepare lab test samples, take x-rays, and plan root and filling placement. Dental hygienists act as a consultant for patients and will frequently communicate with them to find solutions for current dental problems, plan a course of action for maintaining a great smile, and translate the dentists order and diagnosis into terms that everyone can understand.

Because the need for dental hygienist varies from office to office, some dental hygienists work part-time in several different offices. This provides great flexibility and convenient work schedules. On the other hand, some dental hygienists prefer to work full-time for one office.

Education and Training:

Dental hygienist programs are available throughout the country. Although certificates and shorter programs exist, you should at least hold an associate degree from an accredited school. Some colleges and universities offer bachelor and master degree programs, which is required to advance in your career and receive higher pay. In addition to classroom and practical learning, most states require you to take written and clinical examinations for licensure.

You can start off with a one year certificate course and work on your associate or bachelor degree around your new job. Dental hygienists who are already employed and have previous training can usually apply to online and distance learning programs to continue your education. This is one of those few careers where you can work while learning and advancing.

The Job Market for Dental Hygienists:

In the United States, dental hygienists are in demand. It is a growing career field that is expected to increase at a faster rate than most other professions. The reason for this exponential growth lies in the fact that older dentists are leaving the field and newer dentists are entering the market. Recently educated dentists tend to hire more dental hygienists since it was highly emphasized during their training.

In addition, dental hygienists are more cost-effective than dentists. Many of them are able to perform a variety of tasks, but dont require a dentists salary. Even so, dental hygienists still enjoy a high rate of pay for their hard work. Dental hygienists with more experience and advanced education earn a much higher salary. All in all, it is a prosperous and rewarding career with potential for growth. If you desire a long-lasting career in a rapidly growing field, dental hygiene may be perfect for you.

posted by EDUwithPassion in Uncategorized and have Comment (1)

Feb

The Cost of a College Education – Beyond the Tuition

When figuring the cost of a college education several factors come into play. Tuition is just one of the many costs that a student is responsible for while earning their college education. Some costs may apply to certain situations that do not apply to other situations, so it is very important to assess the individual situation when figuring out the total costs.

Here is a breakdown of some of the costs of college that need to be considered when trying to come up with the total figure.

1. Tuition: Contact the colleges and/or universities that you are interested in attending. Ask specifically about the estimated costs for tuition. Tuition is the fee that schools charge for students to enroll and attend classes. This is not an all inclusive cost. Usually the estimate of these costs is provided in the college brochure.

2. Books and Materials: Contact the colleges and/or universities that you are interested in attending. Ask specifically about the estimated costs for books and supplemental learning materials. Student materials include notebooks, paper, pens and pencils and any other materials that students will need to complete their classes. Usually the estimate of these costs is provided in the college brochure.

3. Housing: If students are planning on living on-campus, they will also need to obtain housing information. Housing information should include the cost and what the cost includes. Some colleges and universities offer meal plans to students who live on-campus, which provides them with a certain amount of money to eat at the campus restaurants, cafeteria and cafes. If students are planning on living off-campus, they will need to do a little research on the average cost of rent for the area. Also be sure to include extra costs such as electric, phone, water, etc.

4. Food: Everyone has to eat, so be sure to include spending money for food in the calculations.

5. Spending money: College is more than just academics. There are student activities that students are going to want to participate in throughout the semester. Be sure to allocate a certain amount of money to spend on going out with friends, football games, going to the movies, and participating in a sorority or fraternity, etc.

6. Other fees: Some distance learning programs or online programs charge additional fees on top of tuition. They charge for items such as technology usage and distance learning fees.

So there are other costs and fees associated with earning a college education. The cost of a college degree goes beyond the tuition itself. It is important that students are careful to obtain all of the fees and costs associated with obtaining their degree before making a final decision.

posted by EDUwithPassion in Education and have No Comments

Feb

Accredited Online Bachelor Degree

If you are in need of a better education to help you compete in the present job market, you should know that it is literally at your fingertips! Thanks to the wonderful advances in Internet technology, you can presently earn an accredited bachelor degree online! Quite simply it means you can go to class when you want and where you want, and in some cases, finish at an accelerated pace. Before you know it you have completed your B.A. in business economics and are ready to join the work force.

The most important thing to consider when entertaining the idea of an online bachelor’s degree is a single word: accredited. Without that word, a bachelor’s degree will mean next to nothing. Obviously, you have a clue to its importance and regardless of the degree you want to receive, the accreditation is your stamp of validity. The most popular and reputable online colleges and universities will only offer accredited online bachelor’s degrees, so be sure to consider these schools first.

Now that you know what’s most important to a prospective employer, let’s consider what’s most important to you; the thought of earning an accredited bachelor’s degree online! Yes, it does mean you can go to class in your pajamas, and there are several fields of study to choose from. For example: business, education, philosophy, art education, economics, accounting and the list continues!

With regards to your accredited online bachelor degree, you will want to find an area of study that interests you, and that you may be able to translate to employment, however, if you wish you specialize even more, know that you can continue your education online or perhaps at a local university that offers a graduate degree. The opportunities are endless with an education.

posted by EDUwithPassion in Uncategorized and have No Comments

Feb

Your Scholarship Search: Finding State Aid

As you search for scholarships it’s important to consider all of your options—from private scholarships perfectly suited to your area of study, to government grants. No scholarship search would be complete without a thorough look at various government programs.

Most people are familiar with federal programs that help students pay for their college education. In fact, Federal Student Aid programs through the U.S. Department of Education are the largest source of financial help for students in the United States, providing more than $60 billion a year in grants, loans and work-study assistance.

However, many students are not eligible for these federal programs, particularly as budget cuts take hold. If you find you fall into this category, don’t give up! Just look closer to home. You might be able to get financial assistance through your state government.

State Financial Aid

Your state offers some sort of financial aid for qualified students. Some states’ programs are more progressive than others, providing free scholarship for in-state public and private colleges and universities. Others simply offer assistance that gets your partway to paying your tuition. No matter where you live, you can likely find some sort of assistance available.

How can you find out about your state? You need to find your state’s higher education agency and search there.

State Aid Programs: Free Money!

Despite many states’ budgetary struggles, most continue to offer some sort of financial aid through grants and scholarships to students who are residents. One key requirement is that you have to be planning to attend a school within your state. The good news is that many of these programs cover private schools as well as public universities and colleges.

Exchange Programs

Some states make arrangements with others states to allow non-resident students to pay in-state fees to attend their schools. For example, the Midwest Student Exchange Program includes more than 100 participating schools in Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin to offer in-state or reduced tuition to residents in partner states. In another example, South Dakota reduced its out-of-state tuition costs by more than half starting in Fall 2006.

Find Available State Aid in Your Area

If you’ve already chosen your school, your best bet is to make use of its financial aid offices to locate available funding in your state. Most schools also provide areas on their Web sites that explain the aid and scholarships that are available.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Education offers a search-able database at www.studentaid.ed.gov that can help you find the information and Web site address for your state agency.

If you are persistent in your search, you can surely get a little help on the way to a higher education.

posted by EDUwithPassion in Education and have No Comments

Quality Students

Top 4 Reasons to Get a Bachelors Degree Online

Organizations for Graduate Student – 5 That Should Be Considered

Create Your List Of Schools

Use Your Resources To Plan For College

Common Admissions Essay Questions

Are YOU Applying For Student Loans? Read This!

Booming Industry: Dental Hygienists

The Cost of a College Education – Beyond the Tuition

Accredited Online Bachelor Degree

Your Scholarship Search: Finding State Aid

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