Car companies slash prices. Clothing designers offer discounts. Restaurants offer two-for-one deals. It seems that when it comes to spending your hard-earned money, there are a lot of deals out there to help you save more.
Except, of course, when it comes to college.
Here’s something you’ll never see: Bachelor’s Degree ½ off! Or: Buy A Degree and Get a Master’s for Free! In fact, colleges are doing the exact opposite of slashing prices—they keep on raising them. And because students recognize the value of a college education, they’ll pay the price—however high it might go.
The Washington Post reported today that public universities raised their fees by 6.5 percent and private schools upped theirs by 4.4 percent. Granted, colleges are allowed to accommodate for inflation, and a degree from a public college is still a great bargain at twice the price, but that doesn’t do anything to eliminate the sting of these increases.
Unless you’ve got the cash in the bank to cover your whole college bill in the first place, students rarely pay tuition in its entirety. Scholarships, grants, and other financial awards do their part to chip away at the monstrous debt, but most students have resigned themselves to the fact that they will have monthly loan payments for years after graduation.
Aside from winning the lottery or being adopted by Madonna, there’s not much else you can do to avoid the cost of higher ed. Some schools are taking pity on their students and are introducing three-year degree options, but others, like Harvard, will always have a mile-long wait list no matter how high the price goes—and it will continue to go higher.
Has the rising price of college made you rethink your academic goals? Let us know.
–Barbara Bellesi
October 20th, 2009
Good news for those of you looking to become a teacher in the next few years: the Department of Education will be looking to hire an estimated 1.7 million new educators by the year 2017.
It’s nice to see encouraging employment numbers in the midst of a recession, isn’t it?
What is less encouraging is the reason for the teacher shortage. Not only are baby boomers retiring from the classroom in droves, but new teachers are also being driven away from the profession by low salaries. There’s no doubt that when it come to professional careers, teachers are at the lower end of the payscale, but ask any veteran teacher why they continue, and they’ll tell you that their interaction with the students is what keeps them coming back year after year despite a paltry paycheck.
A new website, MyTeacherMyHero, has been launched to honor teachers for a job tremendously well done and to educate those who are thinking of becoming teachers. The site features videos of individuals expressing their thanks for a special teacher who has been an inspiration in their lives. MyTeacherMyHero is sponsored by MAT@USC, the very first Master of Arts in Teaching program that is solely online and is offered through the prestigious University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education.
Anyone can upload a video, but the first round of videos features some pretty big names from various industries. Craig Newmark, the brains behind Craigslist, is one video to check out, as well as the ones starring musician Sean Paul, HBO President Sue Naegle, and Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford.
I’m thinking of posting a video message for my all-time favorite English teacher, Eileen Finn. While she couldn’t possibly predict when she taught me in 7th grade that I’d be a blogger, she did encourage my writing, and for that, I’m very thankful.
–Barbara Bellesi
October 19th, 2009
Students could be getting the shaft in health care reform.
The bill approved earlier this week by the Senate Finance Committee has some people, including the American College Health Association, worried that it leaves out college-sponsored student health insurance plans. The ACHA says the bill’s language is unclear and ambiguous about how the college-sponsored plans should be treated.
The group has asked Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), the committee’s chairman, to make clear that nothing in the proposed legislation is intended to preclude or inhibit the continuance of those student health insurance plans and that colleges will retain the ability to mandate comprehensive coverage levels for their students.
If not, it says 9 million college students could be impacted.
Some college students I know are dealing with the swine flu, seasonal flu, or other illnesses that threaten to keep them away from classes or add to the stress of writing papers and studying for exams. Some experiencing sickness at school for the first time have the extra frustration of figuring out if they have insurance, what it covers, and where they can seek treatment.
While we wait to see what happens with health care reform and the impact on students, go ahead and investigate what your insurance situation is like now, or what you may need to do if entering college next year.
• Check if your school offers insurance plans for students at subsidized rates. Data shows that 71 percent of four-year private schools and 82 percent of four-year public institutions offer student insurance plans, according to a March 2008 Government Accountability Office report. You may already be paying for insurance, but take a look at the plan before you seek treatment from a doctor that may not be covered and incur a big expense. Those plans typically cover treatment at a university health center.
• Ask if you are covered as a dependent under your parents’ health plan.
You may have certain requirements to fulfill, in terms of credit hours. And the plan may not cover certain physicians in the town in which you are attending school.
• See if your employer offers health insurance. This could depend on the number of hours you work or your time on the job, but it could be a smart option to get affordable coverage.
College and university students comprise about 10-12 percent of the nation’s 45.7 million uninsured U.S. residents, according to a report by Aetna Student Health using GAO data. About 37 percent of uninsured young adults were carrying medical debt, as of 2007 data.
There’s enough financial pressure during college to have to worry about mammoth doctor’s and hospital bills as well. We’ll have to see what changes health care reform brings about, but there are ways to pursue getting coverage until then.
–Lori Johnston
October 15th, 2009
There are some pretty unusual college clubs and organizations out there, but this one happens to be deserving of its own blog post.
Drum roll, please.
The Nap Club at Indiana University was started in 2007 by Michael Duttlinger and Joe Spencer, and frankly, I’m not sure why every college and university in America hasn’t started their own chapter. (A quick Google search tells me that Indiana U. is the only school to have a nap club, or at least an official one.)
The Nap Club is held daily in a darkened room equipped with desks, chairs, and even a few air mattresses. You have to bring your own pillow and blankie, but there is a moderator to wake you up after a while, as well as make sure no one draws on your face with a marker while you snooze
.
Studies have shown that naps increase alertness and productivity, which is good news for sleepy college students. It would be interesting to see how the Nap Club members fare after graduation. If Indiana University starts to produce an unusual number of Nobel Prize winners by way of the Nap Club, then perhaps it should think about making napping a required course.
–Barbara Bellesi
October 14th, 2009
The traditional college freshman is 18 years old. But here at The CollegeBound Network, we are declaring shenanigans on the idea of what is “traditional.” In fact, I am going to pretend this blog is a mountaintop, and I’m going to shout out this message:
YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO GO TO COLLEGE.
Maybe you decided to work a few years before heading off to college. Perhaps you have a child who is in college. You might even have a grandchild who is in college. Age is a state of mind, 
and when it comes to enriching your mind, you are simply never too old to study for your college degree.
Colleges have enough tradition as it is. From fight songs to crazy mascots to secret fraternity and sorority handshakes, rest assured that a college’s long and illustrious history will not be tarnished when a non-traditional student arrives on campus. Many of the oldest colleges and universities pride themselves on having vibrant and diverse campus populations, which means that they will be more than happy to welcome older students. (And by older I mean wiser, more mature individuals who are focused on college and are eager to grow personally and professionally).
While it may seem hard to return to school after an absence from the classroom, non-traditional students actually have the upper hand on campus. Whether you’ve been away from school for two years or 22, the hiatus has allowed you to reflect on what you want out of life and how college can get you there. And since you are most likely financing your own education, chances are you’ll want to benefit from every dollar you spend by showing up at every class, ready to squeeze every drop of wisdom possible from your professors and fellow classmates.
Consider Nola Ochs, the 90-something woman who earned her degree after taking one class at a time for years. Or Ken Mink, the 73-year-old who not only returned to college, but also to the college basketball court. These students made headlines, but there are many more non-traditional students who are forging a new tradition of their own by breaking down the age barriers in the classroom.
Think you might be ready to stage your own comeback? In the upcoming weeks, check out our sister blog, CollegeSurfing, for some inspiring stories of adults returning to college.
–Barbara Bellesi
October 13th, 2009
If you are like most students, figuring out how you’re going to foot the bill has become even more important than deciding which college you will attend. But should your impending tuition bill be the ultimate factor in your big decision?
It is true that college is one of the best investments you’ll ever make—if not THE best. But that doesn’t mean that you have to wind up in the poor house while you wait for that investment to mature. Here are a few important questions to consider as you make your decision:
What is your major? Don’t panic. It’s OK if you have no idea what you want to study. But for those of you who do, make sure you take your future career aspirations into consideration. Want to be a business major? Well, once this economy behaves itself again, you’ll be able to score a good salary coming out of school. Want to become a teacher? It’s an awesome career choice, but know that you’ll never command a Wall Street salary. Plus, most states, if not all, require a master’s degree to remain certified, so grad school is not exactly a choice anymore—and that means loans, loans, and more loans for you.
A paycheck should not sway your passion, but it should give you a reality check. Yes, you might very well have the talent to be the next big thing, but as any E! True Hollywood Story will tell you, even the A-listers had some lean years before they made it big. Check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics—it’s a great source for employment and salary information.
Do you want to attend graduate school? I know, it’s frustrating to think of a second degree when you haven’t even earned your first one. But if grad school is indeed a blip on your radar at this point, then you need to weigh it as an additional cost.
In fact, that’s exactly the predicament I found myself in when I was applying to college. I was accepted to what I believed was my dream school, which just so happened at the time to not award ANY merit scholarships. So I was looking at financing all four years of college. (Note to younger self—what were you thinking?) I knew that grad school was a possibility for me, so I ultimately passed on my first choice and accepted a scholarship offer at another college on my list. To my happy surprise, that college turned out to be my dream school. Sure enough, four years later, I enrolled in grad school, and I was very glad to have fewer undergrad loans to repay.
Are you loving life in your home state? You already know that state schools offer the best bang for your buck—an excellent education with major tuition perks for state residents. But did you also know that some state schools offer even more benefits to those students who remain in the state after graduation? A number of states have noticed a massive exodus of students after graduation, and in order to keep more of those well-educated residents, state universities–and even the states themselves--are offering additional scholarships to sweeten the deal. Some states even have the endorsement of their celebrity residents. Longtime Maine resident Stephen King used his speech to the graduates of the University of Maine to encourage them to make the state their permanent home. So if you enjoy living in your home state and plan on spending some quality time there after graduation, then do yourself a huge favor and check in with the state schools to see if you can cash in on some of that loyalty.
These questions are a good start, but don’t stop there. When it comes to your (and your parents’) hard-earned money, you should have lots of questions about how best to spend it. Got any you can’t answer? Post them in the comment section below.
–Barbara Bellesi
October 8th, 2009
If you’re feeling haunted by the college application process, you’re not alone.
These are the top 10 things that frighten college-bound high school seniors, according to Cappex.com’s survey of more than 600 students.
1. Getting rejected (77%)
2. Writing the application essay (50%)
3. Keeping up with deadlines (31%)
4. Finding scholarships (31%)
5. Applying for financial aid (29%)
6. Meeting a college’s GPA and test score requirements (26%)
7. Filling out applications (22%)
8. Narrowing a list of college picks (18%)
9. Reading all the mail from colleges (12%)
10. Starting a list of college picks to explore (9%)
Those are all scary propositions, but there are ways to face those fears.
The application essay may be a huge worry, but here are some tricks for making it through the fall without looking like the “Scream” stalker all the time. Think of that essay as letting college admissions folks see the real you behind the Halloween costume, as well as to learn more about your personality and dreams – things that aren’t on the basic application. Revealing an interesting side to yourself could be one way to do just that in an engaging essay that people won’t want to put down.
Getting rejected is something we all want to avoid, but it’s nothing to be frightened about.
Instead of waiting and worrying, focus on finding scholarships and applying for financial aid, which can help keep those checklist items from driving you batty. Researching options online and connecting with people in the community with funds available for your education can keep you busy this fall – and getting a head start will allow you to hit those haunted houses with a clear mind.
The ultimate treat? Not a bag of candy, but knowing where you are headed to college.
–Lori Johnston
October 7th, 2009
Whether or not you are a fan of Lady Gaga and her music, you’ve got to admit that the woman is a pop culture phenomenon. From her garish performance at the MTV Music Awards to her catchy dance tunes (I admit getting the lyrics to “Love Game” stuck in my head at the most inopportune times), Lady Gaga is kind of a big deal these days.
And to think it all started at New York University.
That’s right. Leotard- and thigh-high-boot-clad Lady Gaga was once a student at NYU. As a precocious 17-year-old, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta wowed the admission counselors at the CAP21 musical theatre program at NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts and was awarded early entry. The word on the street is that back then, Stefani was too pop music-y for Broadway and too theatrical for the record labels, so you’ve gotta give her props for finding a happy medium.
Lady Gaga’s musical theatre background is clearly evident in her onstage antics, and NYU would be proud to claim her as an alumna, but alas, Germanotta withdrew from college to follow her dreams of stardom, and the rest is history.
I wonder what Lady Gaga looked like as she headed to class in Greenwich Village back in the day. Something tells me that she wasn’t the college sweatshirt kind of gal, but I like to think of her as having at least an NYU tee shirt stashed somewhere in her closet. Did she live in the dorms? Did she order food with friends? Did she grab a venti at Starbucks before heading off to class? I know I’m having trouble separating Lady Gaga from Stefani Germanotta, but for some reason, I can only picture her in a concert hall, not a lecture hall.
It’s not surprising to hear that megastars dropped out of college to pursue their art, though equally surprising are the A-listers who do matriculate and even go back for grad school. And while I’m sure that Lady Gaga doesn’t regret her decision as she prepares to launch her concert tour next year, I can’t help feel bummed that she didn’t finish what she started.
–Barbara Bellesi
October 5th, 2009
Are you tired of hearing about “Cash for Clunkers”? So are we. Especially since ‘tis the season to be talking about “Cash for Collegebounders” instead. That’s right—now that you’ve gotten past your initial back-to-school jitters and have gotten into the groove of another school year, it’s time to set your sights on the cold hard cash you can score for college.
Maybe you’ve heard those urban legends about students who have earned so much in scholarship money that they even have enough left over to pay for part of grad school. News flash—those stories are true. There are a growing number of students who apply for college scholarships like it’s their job and they are rewarded handsomely. Do they all have 4.0 GPAs? Sure, a bunch of them do, but what all of them definitely have in common is a drive to sock away as much money as they can to help lower—or eliminate—their college bills.
So where do you start? Well, you can always put your Internet research skills to good use, but be prepared to be quite overwhelmed by search results when you Google the phrase “college scholarships.” There’s tons of money out there waiting for you, so here are a few options that we’ve narrowed down to help you get started.
Cash in, bookworms! Reading Area Community College in Reading, PA sponsors a–ha!–reading contest that offers students cash for reading books. Not in the Reading, PA area? Then try the national Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contest, which offers more than $80,000 in scholarships. The contest involves writing an essay about one of Rand’s three most popular novels: Anthem, The Fountainhead, or Atlas Shrugged (title depends on age and grade levell). All three novels are acclaimed for their engaging prose, but The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged are also known for being heavy enough to double as doorstops. That means that many would-be applicants will be turned away by such a hefty contest requirement, leaving a smaller pool of competitors for you to dive into.
Hey Mom and Dad, will your boss send me to college? If one of your parents or guardians works for a large corporation like Verizon, there is a very good chance that there is some kind of scholarship program for which you are eligible. CVS, Intel, and Lockheed Martin are just a few of the other major corporations that offer scholarship programs. Search the website of your parents’ companies—the info you are looking for is usually in the foundation or corporate responsibility section—and see how to apply for an award.
Don’t sweat the small stuff (or small scholarships). Just because a scholarship doesn’t have as many zeros at the end as you’d like doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply for it. Remember, a thousand dollars might seem small when compared to a $40,000 a year tuition bill, but it is just enough to cover your book bill for both semesters without having to bust out the credit or debit card. BookScholarship.com gives away a number of $1000 book awards with no purchase necessary. Chances are also good that the college you choose will also award small grants for books. In fact, many alumni are realizing that they do not have to break the bank in order to give back to their colleges, and book scholarships are becoming a popular way to show support for their alma maters.
Remember, the more scholarship applications you submit increases your chances of winning something—and lots of somethings just might add up to a whole lot. Just like college applications, these scholarship contests have deadlines, so mark them down on your calendar and get going!
-Barbara Bellesi
October 1st, 2009
Like the millions of other show biz news junkies out there, I look forward to regular updates of celebrities’ shocking behavior in Hollywood. So imagine my surprise when a recent juicy tidbit had nothing to do with wardrobe malfunctions or scandalous love affairs, but with a certain star’s decision to go back to school. And to think it’s all happening on Wisteria Lane: not only did I discover that “Desperate Housewives’” temptress Eva Longoria already has a college degree, but she’s also heading back to campus for her master’s.
Now, I am not suggesting that you can’t be both beautiful and brainy. In fact, there are lots of good-looking college students (and alumni) already. And Longoria is certainly not the only movie or television star to have enjoyed a stint in academia. But when you have established a career based on the fact that you look pretty darn good on camera, it’s an easy choice to put down the books and pick up a movie or television script instead. Not so with Longoria, who (according to IMDB.com) earned her B.S. in kinesiology from Texas A&M University, Kingsville. The blogosphere is now abuzz with the news that Longoria will soon be honoring her Mexican heritage by pursuing a graduate degree in Chicano studies and political science.
Longoria’s career is still pretty red-hot right now, so it’s even more refreshing to hear of her plan to return to school. There are about a million different reasons people go back to school, but learning for the sake of learning has always been one of my favorites. Mum’s the word so far on which lucky student body she’ll be joining, but you can bet it’s a campus that will keep her close to both her agent and her NBA hubby, Tony Parker.
Time will tell how well she’ll be able to balance her A-list lifestyle with reading lists and research papers, and I’ll be patiently waiting for the paparazzi photos that capture Longoria on campus. Hopefully she’ll ditch the gowns and stilettos for something more grad student-chic, but then again, it is Hollywood.
Other Celebrity College Grads:
Glenn Close, College of William and Mary
Jay Leno, Emerson College
Natalie Portman, Harvard University
Howard Stern, Boston University
Denzel Washington, Fordham University
Renee Zellweger, University of Texas
-Barbara Bellesi
September 29th, 2009
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