But what about when your parents have the money to pay for college but aren’t willing to, or can’t? There are many college students who find themselves in a very difficult position when it comes to paying for their college education: they’re not getting any help from financial aid and they’re not getting any help from their families. Not knowing where they’ll get the money to pay for school, or if they even can, is a tremendously stressful feeling.

A non-need scholarship may be an answer to those of us who find themselves stuck in the middle. A non-need scholarship is money given to students for reasons that have nothing to do with their financial situation. Instead, they require that you submit an application, provide details about who you are and what you plan to do, and sometimes write an essay.

The following is a list of places to look and people to talk to regarding non-need based scholarships.

Where to look:

Cappex: By signing up with Cappex and creating a detailed profile for yourself, you can search for, as well as be matched with, scholarships where you’ll benefit the most from applying. Visit www.cappex.com/scholarships to find out more information on the many scholarships Cappex can put you in touch with.

Media: Check your newspapers and watch for commercials. Look for advertisements, flyers, and billboards. Information on scholarships is everywhere.

Online: Do a simple web search for non-need based scholarships.

Bookstores: There are books you can buy that list the different scholarships you can apply for and how to do so.

Who to talk to:

Teachers and Councilors: Educators receive lots of information on scholarships and would likely assist you in the application process as well.

Organization Leaders: If you’re a member of a church or club such as scouts, your organization leader may have information on scholarships available for those groups.

Parents and Relatives: Ask everyone you know to keep an eye out for scholarships you could apply to. The more eyes involved in looking, the better your chances are of coming up with a few places to submit an application.

Best of all, find your matches on Cappex.com! 

It’s a fairly specific new plan for people who hold the two types of loans, but according to the Wall Street Journal, this means that 5.8 million Americans with both direct government student loans and government-backed private loans can now consolidate their debts into one government loan. Woo!!!! Wait. What does that mean?

Well, for the 5.8 million who this applies to, the new plan makes it so borrowers will wind up receiving a reduction of up to 0.5% in their interest rates since the private loan would be refinanced at the lower government rate.

Still, some question, as with any political move, is it just another step to secure young voters for the 2012 election? Maybe it is. But isn’t everything done for that reason? Or maybe it’s not. Either way, student loan debt is foreseen to be the next “bubble” to burst and a common concern among Occupy Wall Street protesters. At least someone is addressing this ginormous mutated pink elephant in the room.

With the nature of the current economy, many college-bound students are wondering if going into debt for a college education is even worth it with prices skyrocketing. Nobody, not even someone with a college degree can be assured a job. And with student loan debt second behind mortgages and actually ahead of credit card debt, students are fearful of taking on such debt without being certain they can repay it. It’s a huge, looming problem.

Along with the loan consolidation plans, Obama plans to accelerate a program to cap repayments. Currently, the rule on payment limits is that graduates can pay only up to 15% of their income with all debt forgiven after 25 years of payments. The rule Obama wants to put into place would lower the cap to 10% of a graduate’s income and loans would be forgiven after 20 years. Not too shabby…but, still, student debt is way too high for a nation with this much unemployment.

What can you do to lower your student debt before you’re already 15 feet in it? Scholarships. Apply for some.

Does student debt concern you? Does Obama’s plan sound good to you?  Leave a comment about it below.

Maybe over the last couple of months you’ve heard your teachers, guidance counselors, and parents tell you to apply apply apply, but you’ve just never quite gotten your act together.  Well–now’s the time. And that includes students in any grade in high school and even college students. We’ve included 10 big scholarships that have a range of eligibility.

And for you high school seniors…Even while you’re hustling to get your college applications done and submitted on time, you can/should still be applying for scholarships instead of waiting until spring. They’re a great way to save money on college, and some are fairly easy to apply to. Just schedule some time in your calendar over the weekend (between practice and homework and applications and friends), and apply to a few scholarships. If you take time in the application, you may be pleasantly surprised in the future when you’re awarded a big hunk of cash to help pay for college!

1. Horatio Alger National Scholarships
Deadline: October 30
Average Amount: $20,000
Awards Granted: 104

2. Coca-Cola Scholars
Deadline: October 31
Average Amount: $10,000
Awards Granted: 50

3. Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program
Deadline: November 1
Average Amount: $10,000
Award Range: $1,000-$30,000

4. Intel Science Talent Search
Deadline: November 2
Award Range: $1,000-$100,000
Awards Granted: 300

5. FIRE’s “Freedom in Academia” Essay Contest Scholarships
Deadline: November 5
Award Range: $1,000-$5,000
Awards Granted: 7

6. PBA/NCA Sally Beauty Scholarship
(for cosmetology students)
Deadline: November 15
Average Award: $1,000
Awards Granted: 7

7. Susan G. Komen for the Cure Scholarship Program
(for breast cancer survivors and those who have lost a parent/guardian to breast cancer)
Deadline: November 15
Average Award: $10,000
Renewable

8. Ashley Soule Conroy Foundation Scholarship
(for students planning to study abroad)
Deadline: December 1
Average Award: $2,500

9. Most Valuable Student Award
Deadline: December 2
Award Range: $1,000-$15,000
Awards Granted: 500

10. Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarships
Deadline: December 5
Average Award: $5,000
Awards Granted: 5

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!

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

]]> http://www.cappex.com/blog/news-announcements/cappex-com-announces-rock-star-and-college-pro-scholarship-winners/feed/ 1 http://www.cappex.com/blog/college-admissions/the-most-expensive-public-colleges-for-out-of-state-students/ http://www.cappex.com/blog/college-admissions/the-most-expensive-public-colleges-for-out-of-state-students/#comments Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:28:07 +0000 editor http://cappex.com/blog/?p=2806 Does 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.

You can be a scholarship winner too by making a Cappex profile! Your profile will then be used as your “application” for the Cappex scholarships, like, say, these two coming up:

A GPA Isn’t Everything and I Don’t Want to Pay for College.

That’s exactly what these two superstars did to win their scholarships:

“A GPA Isn’t Everything” Scholarship – Winter II Scholarship Winner: Rebecca D. from Mt. Prospect, Ill., will be attending college next fall.  During her high school career, she served as a member of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and eventually its President for two school years.  The program was recognized as one of the best programs in the state and won grants from the Operation Teen Safe Driver for its success. Rebecca was also a peer tutor and a member of her school’s service organization which works to better the community and help with special needs schools as well as the elderly.

“I Don’t Want to Pay for College” – Spring Scholarship Winner: Matthew J., from Murfreesboro, Tenn., is currently a college student with a broad background in volunteer and service with his church and Boy Scouts including canned food drives, making care packages for the 101st Airborne and community clean up.  Matthew’s a talented student who channeled his passion for music and science into an awesome project where he designed, produced and then performed with two homemade instruments.

Want to see past scholarship winners? Check them out on our Facebook page!

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!

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!

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!