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

Attending a Language School Abroad

Become Fluent in a New Language and Make New Friends by Attending a Language School Abroad By Maxime Braire

If you’re interested in learning a new language, the best way to immerse yourself in it is by studying at a language school abroad. Language schools around the world cater to students of just about every language you could imagine, making it possible for you to travel, make new friends, and discover a new culture, all the while becoming fluent in a foreign language of your choice. Attending language school is the one of the most effective and accelerated ways to learn a language because you get to live in a country where people speak the language you’re trying to learn, and you can dedicate hours every day to language study.

If you’ve ever taken language courses in high school or college, you’ve surely been frustrated by the fact that you couldn’t utter a single sentence in the language, even after years of study. There is something inherently wrong with the way language is taught in traditional settings. Your friend who spent one month studying at a language school in Spain probably learned far more than you ever did after four years of university-level Spanish study. Studying at a language school in a country where the target language is spoken is highly effective because it immerses students in the language learning process. Inside of the classroom, teachers typically speak in the language that is being taught, so students are exposed to the language as much as possible. Taking a language course in a language you do not understand can be difficult at first, but you come to understand a lot more than you would otherwise because the teacher speaks slowly and clearly while using lots of gestures. On the other hand, if the teacher continues speaking in your native language, you’ll never get past the stage of translating every word you learn into your native language. When a teacher only speaks in the language your learning, you’re forced to think in the new language.

At language schools, you can study one-on-one or as a group. Typically, one-on-one courses are more costly than group classes. However, one-on-one classes offer the ideal set up since they are taught at your pace and you get to decide what you would like to study and which course materials you will use. Group classes are usually best for beginners since most people starting from scratch are at around the same level. Furthermore, group classes are fun and give you the opportunity to meet and interact with new people. If you study a new language on a budget, one-on-one classes will be a lot more affordable for you in a developing country. On the other hand, if you study in a country with a high cost of living and you’re on a tight budget, the costs of one-on-one language training may be out of reach. The cost of tuition is certainly something important to consider when selecting a language school. For example, studying Spanish in Latin America is far less expensive than studying Spanish in Spain. However, the accent and words you learn in Latin America will be very different from what you would learn in Spain. Accommodations are another factor to consider when selecting a language school. Does the language school offer to let you stay in the home of a local host family? Will you receive help finding a hotel or other accommodations? Your best bet is probably to stay with a local host family because you will be immersed in the language 24/7 while getting a glimpse into local customs and culture. However, you may feel uncomfortable staying with a family and prefer the freedom of staying in your own hotel room or apartment instead. No single accommodation choice is the best for everyone, although the majority of language school students find that staying with a host family is the ideal way to learn a new language and interact with a new culture. If you stay at a hotel or apartment with other students, you will probably end up speaking your native tongue most of the time and the exposure you get to the language you’re learning will be minimal. While staying with other students and going out with them every night might make for a fun vacation and great memories, you won’t learn as much about the culture of the host country.

Another factor to consider when selecting a language school is whether you want to be in the city or the country. Both locations have their advantages and disadvantages. Cities are cultural centers that are full of attractions and activities. However, the countryside will put you in touch with the less seen side of a culture. Furthermore, some language students prefer to be in the country because there are fewer foreigners
around and it is easier to be immersed in the language. Ultimately, no route is the best route for every language student. You have to make decisions based on your personal tastes and requirements. Whatever your learning style may be, find a language school that can accommodate it in order to enhance your overall language learning experience.

About the author:
Maxime Braire is passionate about education, and is totally absorbed by language travel, and language schools abroad for students from all over the world. The immersion programs offered by MyLanguageTravel are some of the best in the world, and are much sought after. Log into www.mylanguagetravel.com to learn more.

Filed under: Admissions, Applications, Campus Lifestyle, Career Path, Career Search, College Planning, Language Schools, college Tours , academic quality, Career, Career Path, Career Search, Choosing Universities, College Planning, Languages, self improvement

Home for the Holidays…..

Filed under: Campus Lifestyle, College Planning, Holidays, Students, college Tours, videos , academic quality, College, college humor, college planning tips, college students, Freshman

College Tours – Thinking About it Yet…..

Student Tours Offer Memories Too Be Made

By Tegan Dawn

One of the most memorable times in a child’s life is going on adventures to different locations to learn and experience a new environment with their friends and classmates. If your school is planning for student tours throughout the year or a senior trip, professional assistance is probably not only necessary, but will be much appreciated by the students and the volunteers. If you know your budget and have a destination in mind but don’t know how to execute if from there, Peak Performance can take it from conception to completion.

Peak Performance has been providing professional assistance to schools, corporations and adults for tours since 1994 and has built a solid reputation on their quality of service and thoroughness. Knowing where to go for your student tour is only the beginning, planning what to do while you are there and where you are going to stay once you are there, as well as figuring out how you are going to get back and forth with your students and where everyone is going to eat their meals is overwhelming at best.

There are music and dance tours to major symphony halls and performance stages or even to nationally recognized Jazz clubs featuring Jazz bands, you can choose to see shows in concert halls, or visit museums and libraries, as well as tours that allow students to take part in clinics with professional musicians and college professors and participate in music and dance festivals worldwide.

Class tours can be taken all over America and even internationally, and you
will be provided with a tour coordinator that will make sure that your student tours are educational as well as fun and full of activities.. Your tour coordinator is there to act as your contact from beginning to end, and in some cases, if timing is right, your tour coordinator will also join the tour along with your class. Each tour has escorts to assist with all aspects of student travel, lodging, and transportation to help make the trip as stress free as possible. The professionals at Peak Performance know great planning is all in the details.

Student travel can be hard for their parents as well. That is why all  transportation that is required is done through reputable businesses for travel by air, land, or water. If travel is done by bus all motor coach operators must carry $5,000,000.00 in insurance, the driver has to have a CDL and medical certificates, and the company must have a program in place for driver drug and alcohol testing. Security at night is also supplied each and every night to make sure that the students on tour are safe in their rooms, allowing the chaperones a night of rest to be ready and alert for the following days activities. If you would like to find out more about Peak Performance and their tours, what they offer, and pricing, please call 800-220-0165 or visit PeakPerformanceTours.com to request more information.

About the author:
Hi I am Tegan Dawn and growing up I didn’t have the opportunity to travel like kids do today. If you are a teacher or administrator and you are planning this year’s upcoming student tours or student travel you should have a professional company handle all the details.

Filed under: Admissions, Applications, Campus Lifestyle, College Planning, High School, Parental Guidance, Students, Universities, college Tours , Choosing Universities, College Planning, college Tours, Parental Guidance, parents, self improvement, Students, Universities

Photography Schools – Which One To Choose?

By James Hunaban

There is a lot of choice when it comes to places where you can learn photography, but which would be the best for you? For sure there are plenty of online learning resources, but you will not get that practical experience you need. You will learn a lot more being with other students and a good teacher. Having said that, online information is good at getting the basics down, and is a good place to start.

What exactly you require from a photography class will help you decide which one to go for. For example, a college which is not just for photography will only offer basic levels. If you only intend taking up photography as a hobby then the basic levels of instruction will probably suffice.

If you really want to take your photography seriously you should go for a school or college which specializes in it. These specialized schools will probably employ a professional which should really help you learn the specifics and expand your know-how.

You must decide what it is you exactly want from your photography, once you have decided that you can choose your school or college and set about applying for a course. Do your online research and try to find any local courses or even courses further afield.

You may need to take specialized classes in basic disciplines such as lighting, composition and various other basic routines. Portrait photography, for example requires an understanding of light, angles, balances, and will teach you how to get the reactions you want from your subject. The digital photography world requires the understanding of several different techniques that were not required when using the older type of film camera.

As you get into it and really start learning all the ins and outs you may decide that you would like a career in photography. There is a lot of help both online and off-line if this is the path you choose.

One specialized area of photography is taking photographs under water. Most normal schools and colleges do not cater for this and you may have to do a bit of searching to find one which specializes in it. Underwater photography would make for a fascinating hobby or even better, a profession. To me, the underwater world is more interesting than the world above it.

About the author:
For an abundance of Digital SLR Camera user reviews please visit - http://dslrreviews.net/

Filed under: Campus Lifestyle, Career Path, Career Search, Classes, Major, Photography Schools, Students , academic quality, Career, Career Path, Choosing Universities, Classes, college planning tips, job search, Photography, self improvement

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

Tips for Saving On College Expenses

By: Christy Belden

Whether you’re a traditional, first-time college student or a returning student with other financial obligations, college is expensive. In fact, it can be one of the most expensive-and stressful-times in a person’s educational career, and one where
money can be the scarcest. Tuition is only the tip of a steep financial iceberg, one that can be difficult to navigate effectively. Sometimes, the number of purchases a student has to make can be so overwhelming that they overspend just to relieve
the stress.

But while tuition is rarely negotiable, it is possible to strategically cut spending on other college expenses while still obtaining the tools you need too make the most of
your college experience. By being open to alternative means of obtaining books, supplies and transportation, you can possibly save thousands every semester. Here, we discuss five tips for cutting costs on non-tuition college expenses.

Rent or Buy Used Textbooks Textbooks are notoriously costly. New hardcover textbooks can cost hundreds of dollars, and multiple editions are often used for standard college courses. Students with heavier course loads or more complex
subject matters might have to shoulder expenses in the thousands for books alone. However, there are alternatives to the standard campus bookshop. Online services now offer both rented and used textbooks at dramatically discounted prices. While it takes a few extra days to receive your materials, you’ll ultimately spend hundreds less, even with next-day shipping.

Consider Software Alternatives Nearly every student now carries his or her own personal computer, and professors expect that students have the ability to purchase and use standardized office software. Campus supply stores often sell copies of major-name office software, but these can be hundreds of extra dollars. Alternative programs available online can often be downloaded for free, most with close enough emulation of the standard software format that they can be accepted just the same by professors. Try OpenOffice or GoogleDocs to get started, or invest sometime searching for your own.

Push Your Dollar Farther Even with college classes being moved more and more online, there are still cases in which traditional materials, such as book bags, pens, pencils, notebooks and binders, are going to be necessary. These materials may only be a few dollars at your local chain office supply store. Over time, these expenses add up. Consider making a trip to your local dollar store if you need traditional materials. In general, dollar stores will have back-to-school sales just the same as department stores, but with the lower cost.

Ride the Bus Especially true for universities in large cities, parking passes are also a hefty expense for any college-bound student. Even if you only use your vehicle to make it to class quickly or travel on the weekend, you could pay hundreds each year to allow for parking on campus. A bus pass is considerably less expensive, and while it requires a bit of lifestyle adjustment, it is ultimately easier on your wallet.
You’ll save on gas expenses, parking expenses, and you’ll also be doing your part for cleaner air.

Open a Checking Account Foreign ATM fees are a common occurrence on college campuses. If you’re going to a school away from home, your home bank might not be represented, meaning you’ll be paying foreign ATM fees every time you need cash. And while making ATM withdrawal doesn’t seem like a large expense,
over time fees can slowly add up. Open an account with the local bank or credit union most widely represented by convenient on-campus ATMs. By avoiding ATM fees, you’ll gradually save yourself a respectable amount of extra cash.

Want more tips and suggestions on how to save? Check ‘n Go, a leader in the paydayloan industry, offers many helpful articles on smart savings in their new Financial Planning section.

About the author:
Christy Belden works in interactive marketing for Leapfrog Interactive. Visit LeapfrogInteractive for more information.

Filed under: Accounting, Campus Lifestyle, College Debt, College Financing, College Planning, Grants, Scholarship, Students, Tuition , academic quality, college expenses, College Financing, college funding, college planning tips, financial aid, Scholarships, student financial aid, student loans, Students, Tuition

Loans Are Nice, Scholarships Are Better

By Kristin Morris

 

We all know that college is undoubtedly expensive. It is one of the biggest financial investments a person makes in his or her lifetime. I’ve been out of for a little over a year now and know that paying for college will be on my mind every month until my student loans are paid off sometime over the next ten years. Loans are great because they allow you to pay off your education over a period of time after you graduate, but you do end up paying back more than you borrow due to the interest you pay. The federal Perkins and Stafford loans, which I took out, have

interest rates ranging from 5 to 6.8 percent. Scholarships on the other hand are essentially free money, and there is so much free money out there just waiting to be snatched up for those willing to look.

 

In college, between classes, co-curricular activities, a social life, and my beauty sleep, every minute of my day was accounted for. Scholarships were the absolute last thing on my mind. Nonetheless, my mom would occasionally send me a new scholarship that she had found online and encourage me to apply. I certainly do not blame her for trying since I was going to college partially on her dime, but I kept telling her that I was too

busy and that I would worry about scholarships later. I now realize that applying for scholarships doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming as I had previously thought.

 

ScholarshipPoints.com, an Edvisors company, gives away over $100,000 dollars annually in scholarship money. By signing up, which takes less than a minute, and participating in different activities you can earn points. Each point you earn is worth one entry into the free scholarship of your choice. There are monthly $500 and $1,000 scholarship drawings and a quarterly $10,000 drawing. In addition other scholarship opportunities arise throughout the year for members. The next $10,000

scholarship winner will be drawn on October 31, and it’s not too late to sign up, and this is just one opportunity.

 

There are literally thousands and thousands of scholarships out there. Some scholarships are so unique that very few people even apply making them very noncompetitive. Do you excel in leadership and community service? There are scholarships for you! Are you left-handed? There are special scholarships for you! Do you play the bagpipes? Well, there are scholarships for you too! The point is the money is there, you just need to take the time to find the opportunities that are right for you.

 

StudentScholarshipSearch.com can help connect you with hundreds of great opportunities with 873 links worth a jaw dropping $9,761,962,903 in scholarships and awards. If you are crunched for time you can parse through the Featured Scholarships section which funnels out large monetary awards and scholarships that are fast and easy to apply for. You can also search for local scholarships that are specific to your state or country of residence. These scholarships sometimes have a smaller pool of applicants so your chances of winning are a lot better.

 

If you devote just an hour a week to researching and applying for scholarships I think you’d be surprised just how many you qualify for. Today I look back on my college experience with only two regrets; I wish I had taken the time to apply for more scholarships and wish I’d discovered the pastabilities meal in the café during my freshman year, yum! Had I taken that hour week to search for scholarships I might have come out of college with a much smaller loan obligation. Though had I discovered the past abilities plan during my first year in school my waistline may have been a bit thicker come graduation. I guess I really

only have one regret after all.

 

About the author:

Kristin Morris works for the Student Loan Network creating content focused on financial aid, student scholarships and student credit.

Filed under: Campus Lifestyle, College Debt, College Financing, College Planning, Grants, Scholarship, Students, Tuition , academic quality, college expenses, College Financing, college funding, financial aid, Scholarships, student financial aid, student loans, Tuition