Need money for college? Follow these tips

(ARA) - Even though the economy has slowed down, college applications are up. Many people are enrolling in undergraduate programs or going back to school for an advanced degree.

But, unfortunately, some people don't consider pursuing a degree because they lack the finances. The costs can be steep. During the 2009-2010 academic year, the average annual cost of a public four-year degree was $7,020 and for a private four-year degree, $26,273, according to The College Board.

The good news is there is money out there to help you pay for tuition and room and board -- you just have to find it. Here are some tips:

* Apply for every scholarship or grant you can find.
It may seem like a full-time job searching for and applying for scholarships, but the dollars do add up. And they're free. Start your search early -- many scholarships have deadlines. If you're a high school student, begin with your high school guidance counselor for a list of local resources, and then move on to the college you plan to attend. Educational websites are also good sources for scholarship information -- but remember, the information should always be free. Don't expect large amounts and the competition will be fierce for these scholarships. But smaller awards of $1,000 or less typically have fewer applicants and are easier to obtain.

* Plan to earn some extra cash.
Working and going to school at the same time is very common for today's students. Some are earning money for tuition, others for living expenses. You can apply for the Federal Work Study program, find a job on campus or look for something off campus. Graduate students can look for teaching assistant or research positions, which sometimes offer tuition discounts in addition to a salary.

* Apply for federal aid
Student loans are some of the most commonly used financial tools. Use the following steps to apply for financial aid:

1. If you filed an extension for your 2009 taxes, get them finished immediately.

2. Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA form) and submit it as soon as possible.

3. When you receive the Student Aid Report, double check the information, and make corrections if needed. Return the report.

4. You will receive an award letter containing all the details about the financial aid you can receive. Consider your options carefully -- look into your anticipated tuition costs, living expenses, and the cost of books and supplies. Reply with your acceptance before the deadline. If you have questions, contact your school's financial aid office.

* Get a private student loan for the rest of your expenses.
Private loans are often used in addition to federal student loans when you find you still need more financing to cover the cost of your education. U.S. Bank offers a No Fee Education Loan for students enrolled part-time or more and making satisfactory academic progress in a bachelor's degree or post baccalaureate program at an eligible college or university. Students receive the full approved loan amount, and let's face it, every penny counts, considering the expense of books, laundry and food. Visit usbank.com/studentloans or call (800) 242-1200 to learn more.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Robinson to launch Executive Master’s in Finance

Beginning in January 2010, Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business will offer an Executive Master of Science in Finance with a specialization in corporate finance. It will be the first such program offered in Atlanta.

Designed for rising as well as mid-career finance professionals who seek to expand or update their functional knowledge, Robinson’s Executive MS-Finance is a one-year, three-semester program. Class size will be limited and students will proceed as a cohort-a structure that fosters peer learning and collaboration.

“We developed the Executive Master of Science in Finance in response to market demand for an accelerated degree program in finance,” said Jane. F. Mutchler, Robinson associate dean for academic planning and programs.

“A traditional master’s program takes, at minimum, two years to complete,” said Mutchler. “In today’s uncertain and changing economic environment, many professionals want to shorten the time it takes to complete their studies in order to apply their knowledge and acumen more rapidly.”

The rigorous, 30-hour curriculum was created and will be taught by the faculty of Robinson College’s Department of Finance. Renowned for their broad experience in research, executive education and practice, they also teach in the college’s top-10-ranked MBA program for working professionals.

Robinson’s Executive MS-Finance will be offered at Georgia State’s Executive Education Center in Buckhead and will meet every Monday evening, every other Wednesday evening and three Saturday mornings per semester. Applicants should possess four or more years of full-time work experience during which they have demonstrated potential for managerial advancement. They must also hold a four-year undergraduate degree. For additional information, please visit http://robinson.gsu.edu/finance/execms.htm.

The largest business school in the South and part of a major research institution, the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, an epicenter of business and a gateway to the world. With programs on four continents and students from 150 countries, the college is both worldwide and world class. Its part-time MBA program is ranked number seven in the nation and has been in the top 10 for 14 consecutive years. The college has 200 faculty, 7,400 students and 65,000 alumni.

Noted for an emphasis on educating leaders, the Robinson College of Business and Georgia State University have produced more of Georgia's top executives with graduate degrees than any other school in the nation.

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U.S. Army Increases Medical and Dental School Benefits

/PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army Medical Department announced today that it is increasing the stipend associated with its Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) to $1,992 per month, effective July 1, 2009. Through this economic downturn, many medical and dental students are faced with anxiety about taking out student loans to finance their education, especially knowing that the average medical school student loan debt is $150,000 after graduation(i).

The United States Army Medical Department (AMEDD) through its F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) helps students to finance their graduate medical, dental or veterinary degrees, as well as select nursing degrees or certain degrees within the Medical Service Corps by providing students with the full cost of tuition; school related fees and books; as well as a stipend of $1,992 per month throughout the school year. In addition, HPSP recipients in the Medical Corps and Dental Corps are eligible for a one-time $20,000 (less tax) sign-on bonus.

"The call to serve as a health care professional is vital to the health of our nation and our Army, but we continue to face shortages of qualified medical professionals in both the civilian and military world," said Colonel Rafael Montagno, commander U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade. "Now more than ever, it's important that students know there is financial support available to help them achieve their dreams of a health care career."

For many students seeking a valuable career in health care, qualifying for loans and student loan debt is a serious issue preventing them from pursuing advanced degrees. According to a 2007 study by the American Association of Medical Colleges, physicians who are on a standard 10-year loan repayment plan would see half of their after-tax earnings go towards their loan payment.

Graduates of HPSP finish school debt-free and, as members of one of the largest health care organizations in the world, gain unparalleled practical experience beyond what is available to their civilian counterparts.

The scholarship is available in 1, 2, 3 and 4-year increments and provides benefits during school and after graduation for those who are currently enrolled in a graduate medical, dental or veterinary program, or those pursuing psychiatric nurse practitioner degrees or other medical service degrees such as optometry or clinical/counseling psychology. Upon graduation and entry into active duty, AMEDD Officers receive increases in salary and new opportunities for a broad range of residencies, fellowships and special pay incentives. Acceptance of the Critical Skills Accessions Bonus includes a four-year active duty and four-year Reserve service obligation, which can be fulfilled concurrent with service obligations related to HPSP upon completion of residency programs and becoming licensed to practice.

For 10-and-a-half months of each school year, a monthly stipend of $1,992 will be paid to each scholarship recipient. This amount is adjusted each year to allow for cost of living increases, but amounts to more than $20,000 annually in addition to the cost of tuition and other school related fees. The remaining six weeks of the year are dedicated to hands-on training during which HPSP participants receive Officer's pay as a second lieutenant.

Graduates of the HPSP program receive all the benefits of active duty Officers including:

-- Paid continuing education courses, seminars and conferences
-- No-cost or low-cost medical and dental care for you and your family
-- A comfortable home on-post or a generous housing allowance if you live
off-post
-- Opportunities to travel throughout the world
-- Attractive retirement benefits with 20 years of qualifying service
-- A flexible, portable retirement savings and investment plan similar to
a 401k
-- 30 days of vacation earned each year
-- Rank and privileges of an Army Officer
-- Low-cost life insurance

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