Scholarships for Non Traditional Students

 

California Certified College Planning Specialists

 

By Ben Liles

In times of economic hardship scholarships for non traditional students are more important than ever as conventional financing options for college become increasingly scarce.

Logically, when economic prosperity is abundant there is a surplus of cash into general scholarship funds as well as a greater likelihood that parents of college aged children will be able to comfortably afford to send their kids to institutions of higher education. Non traditional students are generally defined as adults (22+ years old) entering college for the first time. Needless to say an overwhelming majority of scholarships are geared towards recent high school graduates with far less money being earmarked for the slightly older students. This article will outline some of the options available for non traditional students seeking scholarships.

Undergraduate transfer programs

While the vast majority of scholarship money is funneled directly to students attending four year colleges directly out of high school there is still a significant amount of money being awarded for students of all ages that are transferring from two year community college to four year universities. As more universities have grown to directly align themselves with local community colleges the funds for these scholarships have become increasingly accessible. Although in many cases initially intended for students only a couple of years removed from high
school these scholarship opportunities are almost always open to anyone showing merit worthy of the financial incentive to continue their education.

One popular source (among many) for these transfer program scholarships can be found through the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. While complete information is available at the website of the foundation (jkcf.org) the basic parameters are that students progressing from a two year college program (junior college) to a four year college or university can be awarded as much as $30,000 for their continued educational pursuits. The complete process involved with applying for this financial aid can be found at the aforementioned website that is overseen by the foundation.

Continuing education for adults scholarships

Most people are not aware that while a small minority of total scholarship money goes towards continuing education for adults there is a still a significant amount available that is readily accessible when searched for in the right places. Far too many adults considering beginning their college careers are quick to use the excuse that “there is not any scholarship money for someone my age” when in fact that simply is not true. It would behoove those adults considering going to college to contact the local schools that they are considering attending and inquiring about the scholarship opportunities. Many schools around the country are embracing the positive impact they can have on their communities by instituting money specifically set aside for non traditional students. A short list of the many schools on this list includes Providence College, North Iowa Community College, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Consider sports scholarships

For many adults reading this article the very idea of being awarded sports scholarship money may initially sound completely ridiculous. The truth of the matter though is that the majority of sports scholarships are far less competitive and require less athletic prowess than the young athletes playing football on Saturdays that most people associate with full ride scholarships. Collegian athletes encompass a very wide range of sports that range from swimming, to tennis, to fencing, and golf. A little known fact is that every year hundreds of girls golf college scholarships go unused because primarily second tier universities can not find enough women interested in the sport to fill the available scholarships. Whether a non traditional student is shooting for an archery, handball, or bowling scholarship there is a realistic chance any student can find a sports scholarship in their area that they have a realistic chance of earning.

Conclusion

Someone that is proactive in their search for scholarship money will undoubtedly be pleasantly surprised with the opportunities they find. Active research, continued persistence, and thinking outside the box are the keys for non traditional students to find scholarships.

About the author:
Ben and his wife are the happy end products of finding scholarships for non
traditional students. Now a golf coach and father of two beautiful daughters Ben shares his knowledge on his blog: www.GirlsGolfCollegeScholaships.blogspot.com.

Filed under: Admissions, California Colleges, Campus Lifestyle, College Financing, College Planning, High School, Scholarship, Students, Universities, athletics, ncaa , academic quality, Admissions, Choosing Universities, College Financing, college funding, college planning tips, Grants, money, Scholarships, student financial aid, Universities

Simple Guide For College Students

By Tom Tessin

College is one of the best actions that people can take in order improve the quality of their lives. By going to college people not only increase their earning potential and employment opportunities; they also learn how to become more productive members of our society. The process for turning college students into high quality citizens begins in school. Here is a simple guide for students so that they can get the most out of their experience.

Go to Your Classes

Students pay money to attend a university and this means that they should go to their classes. The college experience is ultimately about the education process over anything else. It’s through this education process that a student is being prepared for the profession that they want to be involved in. So the best thing that any student can do is to show up for their class, be on time, and make sure they absolutely learn something.

Pay your Tuition

You can’t go to school without paying your tuition, well if we don’t take scholarships and grants into consideration. Students who have to work to attend school should make it a point to pay for their expenses while attending. Again, this is because the education for your profession is the most important reason why you’re there.

Have a Social Life

Being social in college is okay as long as it doesn’t interfere with your education. Many people get sidetracked in college because they allow the other aspects of the college life to get in the way of their main purpose for being there. Have a social life in college because it’s a part of the process for you becoming a productive member of our society but don’t allow this social life to get out of control.

Stay out of Debt

Many college students have charge cards and loans that they blow on things they more than likely didn’t need. Spending extra tuition money on foolish pleasures or things is not the best thing to do. Don’t get it wrong, it’s okay to spend some of the money on getting some of the things you want, but remember that you’re going to have to pay that money back one day. Also, charge cards are a college student’s enemy. The laws are
changing because credit card debt is out of control in this country and one part of these changes has to do with college students and credit. The bottom line is students under the age of 21 won’t be able to get a credit card unless they can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they can pay it off or if they have parents who can.

There are plenty more areas that can be covered for this simple college guide for students but the main thing to remember is that college is about your education and that education is what you will need in order to help you make a better life for your family and yourself.

About the author:
Find great student articles like this, and more of Tom’s work all on his student blog.

Filed under: Bay Area, California Colleges, Campus Lifestyle, Career Path, Classes, College Debt, College Planning, High School, Junior College, Public Service, Social Networking, Students, athletics , academic quality, Career Path, Classes, college expenses, college planning tips, college students, Freshman, self help, self improvement, Social Networks, Students

College Admission Essay Tips

By Francis Murphy

This article contains some easy college admission essay tips for you to follow. The first tip is to explain why you are suitable for education in that particular institution. This is because different colleges have different areas of concentrations or different programs that are offered. For instance, a college may have a program in Business but not necessarily one in the field of Communication. Therefore, the student should take this into consideration when writing the college admission essay.

Then, two other college admission essay tips are; the student must be able to explain the fact that he or she is ready for college in the first place and explain why he or she is wants to go to college. The reasons that students give may vary. For example, they may say that they have successfully finished secondary school and wish to pursue higher education to better their chances of getting a job.

Another tip is to make sure that the college admission essay contains information on what program you wish to enroll in, why you have chosen that program, details about the your background, previous education and work experience as well as achievements
in any particular area of life. Other than that, some other college essay admission tips are that the essay should also include interests and hobbies as this will show the admissions committee that the student is active in extra-curricular activities and the student is brilliant in all aspects of life, other than studies.

Finally, it is a blue print of success for the student. Therefore another tip is to show that you are diligent, intelligent, mature, focused and disciplined. The college admission essay goes beyond simply knowing that you are bright. It can encapsulate your character, personality and demeanor in just a few words. It can also be a way of knowing how you will do in college.

About the author:
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Filed under: Admissions, Applications, Bay Area, California Colleges, College Planning, Essays, Students, Universities , Students, College Applications, Choosing Universities, college students, Admissions, college planning tips

College Planning Specialists TV Interview with Dan Evertsz

Dan Evertsz owner of BayCollegePlanners.com has the answers to the difficult questions parents and students face when considering the choices and expenses of a college education: “How do we find the money for college?” The following is an introduction to Dan and his Bay Area College Specialists consulting business in the form of a television interview on the Northern California Comcast show “Reference Point” with host Dave Korcharhook.

If you are having trouble qualifying for student aid, finding funding for an education, or if you are in need of consultation about these expenses please consider Dan Evertsz your go-to source for action:

Filed under: AP Courses, Admissions, Applications, Bay Area, California Colleges, Campus Lifestyle, Career Search, Classes, College Financing, College Planning, College Workshops, Consultants, Graduate School, Graduation, Hiring, Internships, Junior College, Major, Out of State Tuition, Parental Guidance, Public Service, Recruitment, Scholarship, Students, Tuition, Universities , College, Students, College Applications, Choosing Universities, College Financing, Scholarships, Tuition, college expenses, student financial aid, Universities, parents, money, economic forecast, college students, financial aid, college funding, College Planning, Admissions, Television Interviews

Preventing College Debt From Accumulating

By Devora Witts

One of the biggest problems of college students and newly graduates is student debt. Since the aid that the government provides to help those in need go through college studies is not enough to cope with all the expenses, students resort to all kind of financial sources in order to raise the money that they need. Student debt accumulates rapidly and eventually, when the main part of the debt becomes due, the repayment installments are too onerous and sometimes absolutely unaffordable. That is why we suggest some measures to reduce if not avoid these results.

It is not possible in most cases not to resort to private institutions when you need financing for coping with college expenses. The government does not provide all the money needed and there are always additional expenses not contemplated in the federal student loan programs. However, it is possible to borrow smartly and to keep to a minimum the amount of money you need to borrow for getting by extra college expenses.

Loans Instead Of Credit Cards

A way to avoid additional debt during college periods is to avoid using credit cards for coping with additional expenses. It is sometimes better to budget what you will need and request a personal loan. That way a higher control over your expenses will assure that debt will not accumulate and you will get used to putting aside the money needed to pay for the loan’s installments every month.

Credit cards and the famous minimum payments can ruin people’s finances due to the lack of discipline. This is a considerable problem especially for college students which are not used to being careful with their spending habits. Minimum payments contribute to debt generation and accumulation due to interests. Personal loans on the other hand, have fixed payments (or with little variations) and fixed amounts. Thus, budgeting with these financial tools is significantly easier than with credit cards.

Shopping For Lenders, Taking Advantage Of Offers

From time to time there are wonderful offers from lending institutions that want to obtain customer fidelity offering 0% APR products or subsidized rates. It is a good idea to subscribe to as many newsletters as possible from different financial institutions so you can receive in your mail or email the current promotions. Remember though to examine the offers closely for any hidden fees or costs that some lenders like to conceal on the fine print.

Shopping for lenders is essential. You have to request quotes from as many lenders as possible before deciding for a specific one. Remember that financial products are just that, products. Thus, you can bargain with lenders as you can do so with a trader, merchant or retailer. It is a good idea to show them what other lenders are offering you and ask them if they can improve their offer. Rest assured that they will happily reduce the rate or exempt you from fees or costs in order to keep you as a client. Do not hesitate to negotiate with lenders; after all, you have nothing to lose.

About the author:
Devora Witts is a certified loan consultant who instructs people regarding Consolidation Bill and Bad Credit Fast Loans. To get aid with your financial
situation you can visit her at http://www.badcreditloanservices.com

Filed under: California Colleges, Campus Lifestyle, College Debt, College Planning, Refinance, Students , academic quality, Awareness, College, College Debt, college expenses, college planning tips, money, self help, self improvement, student loans, Students, Universities

BAY AREA COUNSELOR SUMMER PROGRAMS & COLLEGE TOUR

These one week programs provide tours and information sessions on 13 unique California college campuses each. In addition, presentations about the college process are designed to meet the needs of high school, independent and college-access-program counselors. Due to space availability, these programs are limited to 40 registrants each.

2009 WACAC Northern and Southern California 
Counselors’ Programs and College Tours

2009 Northern California Summer Counselor College Tour
Sunday, August 2nd – Friday, August 7th

Hosted by Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga, California
- Visit 14 colleges & universities throughout Northern California 
- Case Studies led by college admission professionals 
- Two additional professional development sessions 

Confirmed colleges and universities include: 

California Maritime Academy
Dominican University of California
Holy Names University
Mills College
Notre Dame de Namur University
Saint Mary’s College of California
San Francisco Art Institute
San Francisco State University
Santa Clara University
Stanford University
University of California, Berkeley
University of California at Davis
University of the Pacific
University of San Francisco 

Registration cost includes accommodation on campus for five nights, shuttle to and from Oakland Airport (see below), bus transportation to 13 different colleges and universities, Welcome Reception, all meals between Sunday and Friday with the exception of dinner on Tuesday (free time in San Francisco), refreshments during the week, professional development sessions and materials.

Airport shuttle pick up will be provided only at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 2 at Oakland Airport. Return shuttle will depart from Saint Mary’s College of California campus at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7. Guests will be responsible for their own shuttle cost and arrangements if they choose a different airport location and time.

$600 – Members; $645 – Non-members

To register, please CLICK HERE

Filed under: Bay Area, California Colleges, Career Path, Classes, College Counselors, College Workshops , California College Conselors, Career, Career Path, Parental Guidance

Free San Francisco Bay Area College Planning Workshops

Bay Area College Planning Workshops will help you to learn about the many issues College financial aid funding can typically present to a family. We will present useful information which can assist in safeguarding your families future. Our San Francisco Bay Area College Planning  Workshops will teach your family about:

CLICK HERE FOR FREE COLLEGE PLANNING WORKSHOPS

•  Tax Scholarships: What are they?

•  Ways to get Thousands of Free dollars from the Colleges of your choice.

•  How to keep on top of college admissions, FAFSA and scholarships.

•  How some families have reduced their out of pocket college expenses by thousands.

•  How some middle and or upper-middle class families send their kids to college for free.

•  How to double or even triple your eligibility for Financial Aid.

•  How to pick colleges that give the best Financial Aid packages. 

•  Unlocking the unknown – How to win at the College funding game.

•  The 5 myths concerning College funding.

•  How to help your student find direction in the College search process.

CLICK HERE FOR FREE COLLEGE PLANNING WORKSHOPS

December 2009 Workshops
 
Alameda Free Library Workshop
1550 Oak Street,
Alameda, CA 94501
Date: Tues Dec 8th
Time: 6:30pm-8pm
 
Redwood Christian High School Workshop
1000 Paseo Grande, 
San Lorenzo, CA 94580
Date: Tues Dec 8th
Time: 7pm-8:15pm
 
Webinar: “Learn the Insider Secrets to Get Free Financial Aid for College!”
Click on the link to register: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/734644299
Date: Wed Dec 9th
Time: 6:30pm-8pm PST
 
Moraga Library Workshop
1500 St. Mary’s Road,
Moraga, CA 94556
Date: Sat Dec 12th
Time: 11am-12pm

Find out about the many more College funding secrets many Colleges hope you will never discover.  

 - Prior registration required for all workshops and teleseminars -

CLICK HERE FOR FREE COLLEGE PLANNING WORKSHOPS

 

Filed under: AP Courses, Admissions, Applications, Banks, Bay Area, California Colleges, Campus Lifestyle, Career Path, Career Search, Classes, College Financing, College Planning, College Workshops, Consultants, Graduate School, Graduation, High School, Home Schooling, Internships, Junior College, Law Schools, Major, Med School, Nursing, Out of State Tuition, Parental Guidance, Public Service, Recruitment, Refinance, Scholarship, Students, Tax Credits, Tuition, Universities, athletics, ncaa, single parent families , College, College Applications, Choosing Universities, college expenses, planning, parents, Classes, money, financial aid, college funding, College Planning, Workshops, Admissions, College Workshops

Northern California East Bay College Connection Fair

The East Bay College Connection is a regional college fair for San Francisco Bay Area high school students, their parents, teachers, and counselors.

The East Bay College Connection Fair is a great chance to connect with institutions from all across the country. Bring the family to this free event to learn more about your college bound students options.

Saturday, Apr 25 1:00p to 4:30p

at Saint Mary’s College of California, Moraga, CA

Sponsored by the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC)
and Saint Mary’s College of California
(800) 800-4SMC

PARTICIPATING COLLEGES AND RESOURCES 

Filed under: Admissions, Applications, Bay Area, California Colleges, College Financing, College Planning, College Workshops, Grants, High School, Home Schooling, Parental Guidance, Public Service, Students, Universities, single parent families , Students, College Applications, Choosing Universities, College Financing, Scholarships, student financial aid, Universities, planning, parents, student loans, financial aid, college funding, College Planning, Admissions, College Fairs