Posts Tagged ‘college tuition’

What to Know About the Occupy Student Debt Campaign

Categories: Student News

It was bound to happen.

The price of college tuition matched with a not-so-great outlook for jobs with the salaries to pay off big student loans is making students mad. The system is broken. And just like the thousands of Occupy Wall Street protesters, students want to be heard.

The Occupy Student Debt Campaign is founded on 4 principals:

1. The single, largest step we could take to alleviate future student loan debt would be to guarantee tuition-free education for students enrolled at public colleagues and universities.

2. Student loans are not consumer loans, and they should not be packaged as if they were consumer credit debt.

3. Students at private and for-profit universities and colleges have a fundamental right to know how their tuition dollars are being allocated and spent.

4. The student loan industry has profited from borrower vulnerability through predatory lending practices such as compounding interest rates, high collection fees, and few consumer protections.

The campaign is asking borrowers to default on their student loan payments after one million individuals have similarly signed the debtor’s pledge. But before you decide to sign anything and default on your own debt, think about it. Perhaps the ideas of the pledge hit at your heart strings, but the reality of defaulting on your loans will have long-term effects including the garnishing of future wages and tax refunds and other penalizing tactics that could be huge roadblocks for building your life. It’s basically like a black mark.

The realistic lesson we can take from this? Do your homework before you sign for a student loan. Really understand what you are getting into before you sign your life away. The more informed you are about your finances, the more in control you can be.

Do you feel like your in control of your college tuition?

Comments: 1 Comment »

11 Most Economically Diverse Colleges

Categories: Student News

As college tuition becomes a steeper mountain to climb every year, it’s nice to see that some schools value economic diversity. After all, there has to be some place the rest of the 99% can enroll in a higher education.

The US News and World Report created this list of the most economically diverse student bodies by researching the percentage of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants for low-income students. Pell Grants are generally given to undergrads who come from families with incomes under $20,000.

So, it’s not the perfect measure, because, who knows, there may be some schools out there admitting thousands of kids just above the Pell Grant line, but it’s still a pretty good barometer to see how many low-income students are on a given campus.

So here are 11 universities who have made a big commitment to economic diversity:

1. New Mexico State University
Percent of undergraduates receiving Pell grants: 87%
Quick fact: NMSU is the only research-extensive, land-grant, USA-Mexico border institution classified as Hispanic serving by the federal government.

2. Jackson State University
Percent of undergraduates receiving Pell grants: 
81%
Quick fact: A member of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, JSU holds an important place in the history of US civil rights.

3. South Carolina State University
Percent of undergraduates receiving Pell grants:
 80%
Quick fact: Quick fact: It is the only state funded, historically black land-grant institution in South Carolina and is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.

4. Texas Southern University
Percent of undergraduates receiving Pell grants:
78%
Quick fact: As a result,  of Heman Marion Sweatt, an African American man, who applied to the University of Texas School of Law but was denied admission because of race,the state founded Texas Southern University under Senate Bill 140 by the Fiftieth Texas Legislature on March 3, 1947 as a state university to be located in Houston and to serve African Americans in Texas.

5. Kent State University 
Percent of undergraduates receiving Pell grants: 77%
Quick fact: During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the university was known internationally for its student activism in opposition to US involvement in the Vietnam war, due mainly to the events of May 4, 1970 where Ohio Army National Guard unit fired at students during an anti-war protest on campus, killing four and wounding nine.

6. Texas A&M University
Percent of undergraduates receiving Pell grants: 73%
Quick fact: The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M’s enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school history.

7. Florida Institute of Technology
Percent of undergraduates receiving Pell grants:
69%
Quick fact: Florida Tech’s curriculum is largely focused on engineering and science fields.

8. Tennessee State University
Percent of undergraduates receiving Pell grants:
66%
Quick fact: TSU is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee.

9. Our Lady of the Lake University
Percent of undergraduates receiving Pell grants:
61%
Quick fact:
OLLU was founded in 1895 by the Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence, a religious order originating in Lorraine, France, during the 18th century.

10. University of Texas – El Paso
Percent of undergraduates receiving Pell grants:
60%
Quick fact: 
UTEP is the largest university in the U.S. with a majority Mexican-American student population (about 75%).

11. North Carolina A&T State University
Percent of undergraduates receiving Pell grants:
56%
Quick fact:
North Carolina A&T athletic teams are referred to as the “Aggies,” which is a diminutive name for “Agriculture” which is the “A” in A&T.

How are you paying for school? Leave a comment or question below.

 

15 Colleges and Universities with Best Return on Investment

Categories: Student News

In light of the current financial atmosphere and increasing cost of college tuition, a lot of people are wondering if it’s even worth it to go into debt for a college education. Well, fortunately for those who do wind up paying mind-blowingly large heaps of money to pay for their higher education costs, research generally shows that they will earn millions more than peers with no college education over the course of a lifetime. So–good news–there’s definitely a return of investment for most college degrees.

According the Daily Beast‘s college rankings, degrees from certain colleges are worth even more in terms of return on investment (ROI). But, this ROI ranking doesn’t just take into account money, although it’s a big part of it. This ranking takes into account nostalgia and good memories from college, aka: happiness.

So,the Daily Beast’s list of schools with “Best Return on Investment” is based on satisfaction of alumni with college experience along with donations to school and Payscale.com’s ranking the colleges worth the investment.

Here are the top 15 schools:

1. Princeton University

2. Amherst College

3. Dartmouth College 

4. Williams College

5. College of Holy Cross

6. University of Notre Dame

7. Georgia Institute of Technology

8. Middlebury College 

9. Harvey Mudd College

10. California Institute of Technology

11. Carleton College

12. Colgate University

13. Davidson College

14. University of Virginia

15. Union College

5 Unforeseen Expenses Not Included in Your College Tuition

scholarshipsIllustrationIconCollege tuition is crazy expensive. The solution?  Scholarships. There are tons of scholarships you can apply for even today, this minute, now!, you could’ve already done it–and, if you want, here are some easy-to-apply-to scholarships with deadlines approaching.

So yes, tuition can be pretty steep, but there are ways around it if you stay ahead of the game and keep your eyes peeled for scholarship opportunities.

On the other hand, there are some costs to college that are a bit unexpected, and we don’t want them to catch you off guard. So here are five unforeseen expenses that you might have to dole out  some cash for that are not included in your college tuition:

1. Tutoring
You are a very intelligent person, but your physics class is much more difficult than you could have imagined. You totally thought you owned that exam, but when you got your grade back, you realized you need to work a little harder. So you visited the physics resource center, you went to your professor’s office hours, you met up with friends in the class, and the concepts were just not hitting home. Sometimes, the many resources your school provides for you won’t cut it–you need a couple one-on-one sessions with an expert who can give you all their attention and focus on what you’re missing.

Yes, tutoring can be a bit pricey, but failing a class can cost you much more.

2. Labs and materials
This mostly goes for art and design students who can’t simply use a pen and paper to do their work. If you’re an art and design student, you might have to pay lab fees (that goes for science students as well), and you’ll probably have to purchase your materials for your art, which can add up. Try to budget in your lab and materials costs before the semester starts so you don’t overdraw your bank account on canvases and oil paints.

3. Printing
It depends on your school, but usually your college or university will give you an allotted number of pages you can print for free (or that’s already included in your tuition), and then it will start charging you. Be careful for this because many professors will have you print off your own course packs which may be hundreds of pages.

4. Healthcare
Being a student is hard. You’ll study hard. Work hard. And probably party hard. With that entire combination, there’s no doubt you’ll ultimately wind up with some sort of illness. Just be weary; a trip to your university care center isn’t free of charge. Don’t be surprised when you get a bill for the tests you took. Also, don’t be taking CAT scans just for fun. Well, you probably knew that.

5. Computers and computer emergencies
Most college students have their own computers. It’s an expensive tool, but it’s also incredibly helpful–you can do you work on your own schedule, not the computer lab’s.

So there’s the cost of the actual computer, but there’s also the chance that your computer might need to be fixed. Too often it all begins with an ill-positioned cup of coffee, a clumsy roommate, a banana slip on the floor, and boom! Your keyboard is drenched in hot coffee and making weird noises. Or, maybe you downloaded a shady file. There are so many reasons your computer can go rogue–like, maybe it’s one of those computers from the future that was sent back in time to take over the human race–but it’s one of the most important tools you have with you at college, so you’re probably going to put the money down to fix it.

What are some unforeseen costs you experience during college? Leave a comment!

Cappex.com Announces Rock Star and College Pro Scholarship Winners

Two  high school seniors, Maria Zilberman and Walter Chang, have been awarded Cappex’s newest scholarships, the Rock Star and the College Pro, worth a combined $7,500.

Maria Zilberman Rock Star Rock Star Scholarship Winner:
Maria Zilberman, from North Miami Beach, Fla., plans on attending college this fall to study pre-medicine.

Cappex College Pro Scholarship College Pro Scholarship Winner:
Walter Chang, from Houston, Texas, will attend college in the fall to study engineering and musical performance.

Zilberman and Chang qualified for the scholarships by playing the “Cappex Cap Challenge,” where students collect virtual “cap” badges for completing key activities in their college searches. After earning at least 10 badges in the Cap Challenge, students become eligible to apply for special Cappex-sponsored scholarships. Examples of virtual badges include:

  • Leader (Abe Lincoln hat) : For sharing leadership examples
  • Artsy (beret): For providing accomplishments in the arts
  • Volunteer (halo): For detailing how you’ve helped your community
  • Yeeehaw!!! (cowboy hat): For representing a western state
  • Road Warrior (roadster): For using the “Cappex Campus Visit Planner” to plan a college road trip
  • College Reviewer (fedora with press pass): For providing a college review

Zilberman, of North Miami Beach, Fla., qualified for the $5,000 Rock Star Scholarship by collecting 25 badges, but it was her outstanding leadership in founding her high school’s international humanitarian club that won her the scholarship.

“The Cap Challenge guided me to explore colleges, which allowed me to learn more about them through student reviews, seeing my chances and organizing my application,” Zilberman said.

Chang qualified for the College Pro Scholarship by earning 10 virtual cap badges.

Cappex.com improved my college search process tremendously, with all the key facts of each college compiled into one page and several student reviews to provide further perspective,” Chang said. He was awarded the $2,500 scholarship for his dedication as the school orchestra president who helped fundraise over $30,000 to help the school purchase a new grand piano.

“We started the Cappex Cap Challenge to give students a fun and new way to discover colleges and find matching scholarships,” said Chris Long, Cappex president.  “Maria and Walter took on the challenge and also clearly demonstrated their accomplishments improving their respective communities. We were thrilled to award our Cap Challenge scholarships to these deserving students.”

Interested in the Cappex Cap Challenge? Make your own Cappex profile now.

Looking for scholarships? Find more here!

The Most Expensive Public Colleges for Out-of-State Students

scholarshipsIllustrationIconDoes going to a public school mean you’ll be saving money on tuition? Well, it really depends. If you’re going to a public college or university as an out-of-state student, tuition can still be pretty steep. According to US News, the average out-of-state student at a public school paid $16,678 in 2010-2011 for fees and tuition.

Why are they so expensive? One reason could be that some of the schools on this list are not the most expensive schools for in-state students, meaning that out-of-staters are making up the difference.

If you’re set on an out-of-state school-especially a California state school– you might want to think about scholarships to off-set the cost.

In the meantime, here’s the list of the most expensive public colleges for out-of-state students:

1. University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$36,163
Cool fact: Michigan Stadium, or the Big House, is the largest college football stadium in the nation and one of the largest football-only stadiums in the world, with an official capacity of more than 109,901.

2. University of California-Davis
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$34,863
Cool fact- UC Davis campus is the largest campus in the UC system, spanning over 5,500 acres and across two counties: Yolo and Solano.

3. University of California-Irvine
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-
$34,792
Cool fact- UC Irvine has an underground network of tunnels connecting different buildings and have been the subject of much campus lore.

4. University of California-Santa Barbara
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-
$34,509
Cool fact- In the late 1960s and early 1970s UCSB became nationally known as a hotbed of anti-Vietnam War activity. Other than UC Berkeley, no other California college received as much attention from the national media for its antiwar activities

5. University of California-San Diego
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-
$34,185
Cool fact- The UC San Diego Sun God Festival, which is in its 28th year, has grown into a 20,000 person event with student org booths and performers, as well as an eclectic mix of musical acts across 3 stages.

6. University of California-Riverside
Tuition and Fees 2010-2011-
$33,901
Cool fact-
UCR is currently ranked as one of the most ethnically and economically diverse universities in the United States.

7. University of California-Berkeley
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-
$33,747
Cool fact- Berkeley student-athletes have won over 100 Olympic  medals.

8. University of California-Los Angeles
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-
$33,660
Cool fact- Not to rain on Berkeley’s parade, but the student athletes at UCLA have won 214 Olympic medals – 106 gold, 54 silver and 54 bronze. But, hey! Anyone embarking on higher ed is a winner.

Mind that gap: the next school is not from California.

9. University of Virginia
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-
$33,574
Cool fact-Since 1842, UVA has an established Code of Honor where students at the University have pledged not to lie, cheat, or steal.  The honor system, for instance, would allow the freedom for students to take exams outside trusting that students would not cheat. Offenses of the UVA honor system are presented to the Honor Committee, a student judiciary body.

Don’t get too comfortable out of California state lines, because we’re heading back in:

10. University of California-Santa Cruz
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-
$33,505
Cool fact-Imagine the Lord of the Ring’s Shire and now plop that into UC Santa Cruz’s northern campus where shrines, dens and other student-built curiosities are scattered around in the undeveloped forested area. These structures, mostly assembled from branches and other forest detritus, were formerly concentrated in the area known as Elfland,but relocated after new building in the 90′s.

10 Least Expensive Public Colleges for In-State Students

scholarshipsIllustrationIconWe’ve given you the list of the most expensive and least expensive private colleges and universities.  But, a lot of you are planning on going to your state schools.

So, since you’ve been requesting it, and US News has the stats, here it is: the ten least expensive public colleges for in-state students.

1. New Mexico Highlands University
Tuition and fees 2010-2011: $2,952
Cool fact: The university’s first president was famous archaeologist Edgar Lee Hewett, known largely for bringing about the Antiquities Act, a piece of legislation important for the conservation movement.

2. Macon State College (GA)
Tuition and fees 2010-2011: $3,082
Cool fact: The school recently approved name and design for a new mascot, The Blue Storm, in January 2011.

3. Fayetteville State University (NC)
Tuition and fees 2010-2011: $3,637
Cool fact: Alumni Darrell Armstrong is the assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks, winners the 2011 NBA Championship!

4. California State University – Northridge
Tuition and fees:
$3,702
Cool fact: Northridge is home to the National Center on Deafness and hosts the annual International Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities.

5. Elizabeth City State University (NC)
Tuition and fees:
$3,707
Cool fact:Founded in 1891 as a two-year school, it became a 4-year teachers college in 1937.

6. University of Wyoming
Tuition and fees:
$3,726
Cool fact: A ring of university buildings surround Prexy’s Pasture, a large grassy area whose name is attributed to the unique rule that the university president, or “prexy”, is given exclusive use of the area for livestock grazing. So don’t mess with the President’s cows.

7. University of North Carolina – Pembroke
Tuition and fees: $3,890
Cool fact: The university was originally established in 1887 as an historically American Indian liberal arts school.

8. North Carolina A&T State University
Tuition and fees: $3,899
Cool fact: NASA is one of A&T’s School of Engineering major partners. How much more legit can you get?

9. Eastern New Mexico University
Tuition and fees:
$3,900
Cool fact: The university’s original construction was hindered for five years by the 1929 stock market crash and proceeding Great Depression.

10. Fort Hays State University (KS)
Tuition and fees:
$3,942
Cool fact:Fort Hays annually celebrates Oktoberfest to acknowledge the Volga German heritage of Ellis County, Kansas.

Do these tuition and fees surprise you? Leave a comment!

The 10 Most Expensive Private Colleges

scholarshipsIllustrationIconLast week we gave you the list of the ten least expensive private schools. Today, from US News, we bring you the 10 most expensive private colleges.

Before you take a looksy and get all choked up because your dream school costs $40,000 a year, remember that doesn’t mean you can’t apply for merit aid and scholarships to lower that price by whole lot.

Without any further delay, here are the top 10 most expensive private colleges:

1. Connecticut College
Tuition and fees 2010-2011: $43,990
Cool fact: Chartered in 1911, the founding of the college was a response to Wesleyan University’s decision to stop admitting women.

2. Columbia University
Tuition and fees 2010-2011: $43,304
Cool fact: Columbia is the oldest university of higher learning in the state of New York.

3. Vassar College
Tuition and fees: $43,190
Cool fact: Vassar has a student organization called The Barefoot Monkeys, which is aCircus Arts, Firespinning, and Juggling Club. You will not only be paying for a multidisciplinary education, but also some old school entertainment.

4. St. John’s College (MD)
Tuition and fees:
$42,592
Cool fact: Founded originally in 1696 as a preparatory school, it received a collegiate charter in 1784, making it one of the oldest colleges in the United States.

5. Trinity College
Tuition and fees: $42,420
Cool fact: Trinity has a student to faculty ratio of 10:1.

6. Bucknell University
Tuition and fees: $42,342
Cool fact: The sixth president of the university, David Jayne Hill, had an epic mustache.

7. St. John’s College (NM)
Tuition and fees:
$42,192
Cool fact: Both St. John’s College campuses are known for their Great Books Program where student-led discussion is the basis for most classes and teachers take a non-directive role.

8. Wesleyan University
Tuition and fees:
$42,084
Cool fact: Wesleyan offers a BA/MA Program in the sciences leading to a Bachelor’s degree in the fourth year and a Master’s degree in the fifth year. Tuition for the fifth year of the Master’s degree is waived.

9. Bard College at Simon’s Rock
Tuition and fees:
$41,990
Cool fact: Simon’s Rock is an “early college”, designed for students to enroll immediately after completing the tenth or eleventh grade, rather than after graduating from high school.

10. Carnegie Mellon University
Tuition and fees:
$41,940
Cool fact: John Forbes Nash, the subject of A Beautiful Mind and winner of the 1994 Noble Prize in Economics, was a 1948 graduate.

How much does tuition price affect your college decision? Leave a comment!

10 Cheapest Private Colleges and Universities

diplomabiggerOften times, students nix the private colleges on their college search lists because they figure they’re going to be more expensive than public schools.  But, that’s not always the case! A lot of times private colleges and universities have huge endowments and can offer many more, and often larger, grants to admitted students.

US News recently published a list of the 10 least expensive private colleges and universities for 2010-2011. As you go through the list, compare the numbers with the average cost of tuition and required fees for the 2010-11 school year which was $26,079.

Here are the 10 least expensive private schools:

1. Berea College
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$910
Cool fact: Berea College charges no tuition; every student is provided the equivalent of four-year, full-tuition scholarships and has to take part in a work-study.

2. Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$4,330
Cool fact: The university owns the Polynesian Cultural Center, the largest living museum in the state of Hawaii, which employs roughly one third of the student body.

3. Brigham Young University-Provo
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$4,420
Cool fact: Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight series, is an alum.

4. Lane College
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$8,000
Cool fact: Planning for the school had begun in 1878, but the school’s establishment was delayed by a yellow fever epidemic in the region in 1878.

5. Life University
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$8,622
Cool fact: Life University remains the largest school in the chiropractic profession.

6. Blue Mountain College
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$8,870
Cool fact: The college officially became co-educational in 2005.

7. Park University
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$8,898
Cool fact: The original concept called for students to get free tuition and board in exchange for working up to half day in the college’s farm, electrical shop or printing plant.

8. Mountain State University
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$9,000
Cool fact: The university has gone through 3 name changes: Beckley College, The College of West Virginia and now, Mountain State University.

9. Philander Smith College
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$9,450
Cool fact: Philander Smith College was a pioneer during the civil rights movement as many of its students engaged in nonviolent resistance against segregation laws

10. Alice Lloyd College
Tuition and fees 2010-2011-$9,500
Cool fact: The college is one of two colleges in Kentucky–the other is Berea!–and one of eight in the nation–that have mandatory work-study programs.

Want to share your thoughts on this? Leave a comment!

5 Easy Summer College Scholarships!

scholarshipsIllustrationIconSummer is great time to get big parts of your college search done, including finding scholarships to help pay for your college tuition.

We’ve put together a list of 5 broad and easy-to-apply-to scholarships with deadlines approaching at the end of May and early June.

See if you’re a match and apply today!

1. CarDonors.com Scholarship
Deadline-May 31 Amount-$500

2. C.I.P. Scholarship
Deadline-May 31 Amount-$1,500

3. Proof-Reading.com Scholarship
Deadline-June 1 Amount-$1,500

4. The Big Dig Scholarship
Deadline-June 1 Amount- $3,000

5. Akash Kuruvilla Memorial Scholarship
Deadline-June 1 Amount-$1,000

Want more scholarships? Make a profile on Cappex.com to get your scholarship matches.