Five tips for being a successful online student

(ARA) - A growing number of students are attending college classes online instead of going to a bricks-and-mortar campus. Research showed a 17 percent increase in online enrollments from 2008 to 2009, with more than one in four college students now taking a course online, according to a 2010 report by the Sloan Consortium.

A U.S. Department of Education study also found that online learning can even result in better performance than traditional settings. But what does it take to succeed in a virtual classroom, where teachers and students are connected by technology?

"Online learning can be more convenient, effective and rewarding than traditional classes, but convenience doesn't mean it's easier," says Gwen Hillesheim, interim chief academic officer and provost of Colorado Technical University, a leading provider of education for career-motivated students. "Successful online students need to be proactive in their studies and take responsibility for their own learning. It takes self discipline and time management to do your best. But when the student is engaged, the learning can be significant and the experience fulfilling."

If you're an online student or considering taking virtual classes, here are five tips to help you succeed in a distance learning environment:

* Know how and where to ask for help. Online students have access to most of the same services as on-campus students - registrar, career services, academic advisors, library and financial aid. Check if the online university also offers chat rooms or discussion groups, which are great forums to interact with other students, ask questions and talk about assignments.

* Budget your time. As a general rule, for every credit hour, allocate two to three hours a week for study, homework, reading and research. This is in addition to listening to or watching online lectures. Establish a study schedule and stick to it. For those juggling work, family and school, consider posting your school schedule at home and work so that your family and colleagues know when you're committed to studying.

* Create a dedicated learning space. Since you aren't going to a traditional campus, it's important to find a place to do school work - somewhere that's comfortable, well-lit, free from distractions and has the necessary technology, resources and supplies. Consider your home office or set aside a corner of your family room or bedroom to study.

* Focus on how you learn best. When comparing online universities, find out if the course delivery and materials are a good match for how you learn the best. Colorado Technical University, for example, lets students personalize the way they learn in 11 different formats within the online virtual campus environment via M.U.S.E., short for My Unique Student Experience. Students have the option to watch, read, hear or interact with supplemental course materials.

* Follow the course schedule. Even though you don't necessarily have to be in a classroom at a specific day and time, make sure you review the course syllabus, highlight important exams and deadlines, and post in your dedicated learning space.

"Pursuing an education online takes dedication," says Hillesheim. "Those who have a good support system and self discipline are the most successful in completing their degree, no matter the age or life situation."

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Sallie Mae Offers Advice to Help New College Grads Get an A+ in Student Loan Repayment

(BUSINESS WIRE)--While many new college graduates have already paid their first few months’ rent on a new apartment, deposited their first few paychecks from a new job, signed up to save in a 401(k), now comes time for another step in their adult financial life: paying back their student loan. Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading saving, planning, and paying for college company advises customers on responsible student loan management habits.

“Student loans offer payment flexibility, and our goal is to help our customers not only be successful in academia but after school as well.”

“Because of the loans I was granted from Sallie Mae, I graduated magna cum laude from New York University,” says Andi Dyal, now owner of a successful Miami-based events firm, ANJE Soirees. “At first I could only afford a small amount a month, but increased my payment significantly with each pay raise, new job and other financial opportunities that came my way. I am expecting my first child this January and wanted to make sure my college debts were paid off before I started saving for her college future.”

According to the College Board, two-thirds of bachelor’s degree recipients take out an average of $20,000 in student loans. A loan balance of this amount translates into an estimated monthly student loan payment of approximately $270.

“We are here to educate our customers on all options available to make their student loan payments better fit their budgets,” says William A. Smith Jr., customer service supervisor at Sallie Mae. “Student loans offer payment flexibility, and our goal is to help our customers not only be successful in academia but after school as well.”

Experts at Sallie Mae offer customers these tips for successfully paying student loans:

* Mark your calendar. Note when your new principal and interest payment begins—usually six months after graduation for both federal and private education loans. If you have a Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan, the good news is that you’ve already been making monthly interest payments while in school, and as a result, you graduated with significantly lower debt than if you had let accruing interest build up while in school. Plus, you’ve already established the habit of making monthly payments. If you want to change the day of the month your payment is due, send a message from your account at SallieMae.com or call Sallie Mae at (888) 272-5543.
* Budget for success. Financial experts advise that your total monthly debt to income ratio, including payments for student loans, credit cards, car loans, and housing—whether renting or buying—should be no more than 36 to 40 percent of your monthly gross income. If needed, consider how to cut back your other expenses or reach out to your student loan servicer to discuss another payment plan.
* Choose your payment plan. New graduates often have the option of arranging regular monthly payments or minimizing payments initially as they establish their careers. Sallie Mae’s repayment calculator can help you evaluate different payment plans. For example, federal student loans offer an income-based repayment plan, which can cap student loan payments at 15 percent of discretionary income. Different loans have different options, including some with loan forgiveness programs, so it’s important to call your loan servicer to explore the best option for you.
* Sign up for automatic debit. Enroll in automatic debit to help avoid late fees and save yourself the hassle of scrambling for stamps. Even better: Sallie Mae customers may qualify for an interest rate reduction depending on their loan type and disbursement date. For example, on loans of $20,000, a .25 percentage point lower rate could save as much as $500 over 10 years. Surprisingly, less than 20 percent of Sallie Mae customers who recently began loan repayment use automatic debit—don’t be one of them who misses out on the convenience and the possible savings.
* Sign up for Upromise to help pay off faster. Sallie Mae’s Upromise rewards service may help you pay off your student loans faster. Every time you make a qualifying purchase from hundreds of participating companies you can earn a percentage back in rewards that can be used to help pay down your student loan. For example, a freshman who borrowed student loans each year and earned $100 a year in rewards throughout college and during loan repayment could have reduced his student loan balance by nearly $2,000. Visit www.SallieMae.com/upromise to learn more about how to join.
* Reach out if you’re experiencing difficulty. Sallie Mae works with its customers to avoid default by offering options to lower monthly payments or even enabling customers to take a temporary break from payments.

Sallie Mae offers loan repayment tips via Twitter @SallieMae and Facebook at facebook.com/SallieMae.

SLM Corporation (NYSE:SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, is the nation’s leading saving, planning and paying for education company. Sallie Mae’s saving programs, planning resources and financing options have helped more than 31 million people make the investment in higher education. The company services $202 billion in education loans and serves 10 million student and parent customers. Its affiliate Upromise Investments, Inc., manages $27 billion in 529 college savings plans, and members of Upromise by Sallie Mae have earned more than $575 million in rewards to help pay for college. Sallie Mae offers services to a range of institutional clients, including colleges and universities, student loan guarantors and state and federal agencies. More information is available at www.SallieMae.com. SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

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Sallie Mae Encourages Parents to Make a Commitment to Save for College During September’s National College Savings Month

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Parents overwhelmingly agree that a college degree is more important now than ever, yet few have a plan on how to pay for it, according to research conducted by Sallie Mae and Gallup. Sallie Mae, the nation’s saving, planning and paying for education company, encourages parents to make a commitment to save for college and recommends several tips to meet the challenge.

“Parents, have a choice – pay interest on college loans, or potentially earn it on college savings”

“Parents, have a choice – pay interest on college loans, or potentially earn it on college savings,” said Albert L. Lord, CEO. “We want to help families of all income levels save responsibly. Even saving little by little now can make a big difference by the time the college tuition bill is due.”

As children head back to school, Sallie Mae urges parents to use these tips and tools to get back to saving for their child’s college education during September’s National College Savings Month.

· Build a plan. First, understand the full cost of college and build a plan to save for it. Sallie Mae’s free Education Investment Planner helps calculate future college costs and an age-based estimate how much to save. Families can create a savings goal and set up automatic deposits of $25 or more each month or deposit money annually as budgets allows.

· Saving isn’t taxing when you use a 529 college savings plan. 529 college savings plans are tax-advantaged ways to save for college. Most 529 plans are sponsored by a state and many offer a state tax incentive or other benefits to residents. Family members can enroll in any 529 plan, regardless of the state of residence, and the account is easily transferrable to another beneficiary who is a family member (as defined in federal tax code) without taxes or penalties. Earnings grow free of federal income taxes as long as withdrawals are used for qualified education expenses, and many states offer residents a tax break or matching grants for investments made.*

Contributions to a 529 can be up to $13,000 for a single person or $26,000 for a married couple filing jointly in a single year without incurring a gift tax. An individual can also make a five year contribution at one time for $65,000 if single or $130,000 if married and filing jointly to a 529 plan account beneficiary without incurring gift taxes in most circumstances.

· Get by with a little help from your (family and) friends. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends can open a 529 college savings plan on behalf of a future student or, in most circumstances, contribute directly to an existing 529 account. Upromise Investments account holders can easily encourage family members and friends to contribute a gift of college savings through Ugift. Since 2008, more than $12 million has been gifted using Ugift.

· Put your employer to work. Check your benefits at work as many companies offer employees the ability to contribute to a 529 plan through ongoing payroll deduction. If not, talk to them about providing company-wide education and a benefit to help employees contribute to a 529 plan through payroll deduction.

· Bank on it: Most parents save for college using two to three savings vehicles. FDIC-insured high-interest savings accounts and Certificate of Deposit accounts from Sallie Mae are low-risk investment options with competitive interest rates, no monthly fees and no minimums. In addition, the High-Yield savings accounts offer the ability to earn extra Upromise rewards to bolster your savings.

· Saving is rewarding with Sallie Mae’s Upromise: Earn extra money for college through Upromise. Joining Upromise is free and rewards members for eligible everyday spending with hundreds of participating merchants or making purchases with the Upromise World MasterCard. During the month of September, more than 200 online participating merchants such as Gap.com, HomeDepot.com and Sears.com will increase contributions. Earnings can be invested in certain tax-deferred 529 plans, deposited in a high-yield savings account, used to pay down an eligible student loan; or simply used for college or other expenses. Even friends and family can sign up to help.

· Kids’ contributions are meaningful: Kids as young as school-aged can contribute to their future by setting aside money from a weekly allowance for college. For older kids, suggest depositing money earned baby-sitting, from summer jobs or working part-time into their college savings account. Not only will it add up over time, but also will it be a weekly reminder of the child’s goal to attend college and teach an important lesson on saving.

*Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

When you invest in a 529 college savings plan you are purchasing municipal securities whose value will vary with market conditions. Investment returns are not FDIC insured, and carry no bank guarantee, and you could lose money by investing in a 529 college savings plan.

For more information about 529 college savings plans managed or administered by Upromise Investments, Inc. call 1.877.529.2980. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in a 529 college savings plan's offering statement; read and consider it carefully before investing.

Before investing in any 529 plan, you should consider whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers a 529 plan that provides its taxpayers with state tax and other benefits that are only available through the home state's 529 plan.

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August + College = Last Minute Money Month

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Time flies and for 19 million college-bound students, it’s nearly time to head to campus. For those families still finalizing how they will pay the bill, Sallie Mae offers live presentations, daily smart money tips via Twitter and Facebook, and useful resources for college-bound students and their families for Last-Minute Money Month in August.

“Although most scholarship deadlines have already passed to help cover the fall tuition, now is the time to research scholarships for the future and consider other ways to meet this fall’s tuition bill”

Do you have questions about how to get free cash to pay for school, how to avoid the biggest mistakes students make in managing money or how to get a student loan? Experts from Sallie Mae will answer these and other commonly asked questions this Thursday, Aug. 5 from 2 to 8 p.m. during a free back-to-school online event offered by CollegeWeekLive, the world’s leading provider of college fairs and online admissions events.

“Although most scholarship deadlines have already passed to help cover the fall tuition, now is the time to research scholarships for the future and consider other ways to meet this fall’s tuition bill,” said Gen Tanabe, author with his wife, Kelly, of 12 books on college admissions and paying for college, the latest being “The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2011.” The Tanabes will offer a free presentation on “Getting Ready to Find Scholarships” during CollegeWeekLive’s event, sponsored by Sallie Mae.

Receive daily money tips throughout the month of August through Sallie Mae’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/SallieMae or Twitter handle @SallieMae.

Sallie Mae recommends families explore these last-minute tips if you still have a gap in your tuition after scholarships, grants, and federal financial aid:

* Still have a financial gap? Fill the gap with Sallie Mae’s Smart Option Student Loan to save money in the long run and pay it off faster. How’s it done? Students pay interest while in school and have a shorter repayment term after graduation, which, for the typical student, translates into saving 30 to 50 percent in interest charges over the life of the loan compared to the standard payment deferred 15-year term private loan. Customers may choose to pay either interest-only each month or a fixed payment of $25 each month.

“For those parents dealing with paying their kids’ college bills and saving for their own retirement, Sallie Mae’s private education loan can be an ideal family solution,” said Charlie Rocha, senior vice president, Sallie Mae. “Parents can help their students save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by making payments while the student is in school. We’re assisting parents as they balance their desire to help their students achieve a college education and encourage them to become financially independent.”

Parents who co-sign their student’s loan may be released from the loan by taking advantage of Sallie Mae’s new co-signer release option that allows graduates to apply to assume full responsibility for future loan payments after making 12 consecutive on-time principal and interest payments.

* Plan ahead. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a tool that helped families build a budget to pay for college without going beyond their means? Well, the Education Investment Planner does just that. If loans are part of the plan, it helps families calculate the starting salary a graduate would need to keep payments manageable. Education Investment Planner is free, easy to use and available to anyone online at www.SallieMae.com/invest.
* Earn extra money for college through Upromise by Sallie Mae. Upromise members earn rewards every time they make an eligible purchase from hundreds of participating retailers or use their Upromise credit card. Upromise members have earned more than $550 million in member rewards since 2001. Rewards accumulate in a member’s Upromise account and can be transferred to pay down eligible student loans faster or into a Sallie Mae high-yield savings account or members can request a check. Visit www.Upromise.com for more information.
* Use an interest-free tuition payment plan to make paying for college more manageable. Available at hundreds of college campuses, Sallie Mae administers tuition payment plans that let families spread tuition payments over a number of months instead of making a large lump-sum payment at the beginning of the semester. Visit www.SallieMae.com/tuitionpay for more information.
* Hit the books…for less. Upromise members can save hundreds of dollars a year on textbooks by buying or renting books online and earning 3-4 percent back in rewards from Upromise participating retailers such as Chegg.com, Textbooks.com and Barnes & Noble.com. Digital students can save money on ebooks at Textbooks.com and lighten the weight of their backpacks. To find these extra savings, start shopping on Upromise.com.

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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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UGA to host young students at Duke TIP Scholar Weekend Sept. 19-20

As many as 100 of the brightest middle and high school students in Georgia and nearby states will get their first taste of college courses during a Scholar Weekend Sept. 19-20 hosted by the University of Georgia College of Education’s Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development in partnership with Duke University and the Georgia Center for Continuing Education.

The UGA Scholar Weekend, directed by UGA’s Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development, is part of the Duke Talent Identification Program to identify academically talented children and provide resources to nurture and challenge each child’s abilities.

TIP scholars are identified through standardized test scores and invited to take the SAT or ACT in the 7th grade as part of the program. Those scoring exceptionally well are then invited to attend TIP’s Scholar Weekends where they are exposed to interesting and challenging topics not typically covered in middle or high school curricula.

This is the first of three Scholar Weekends planned this fall at UGA, which is one of only eight locations in the nation selected to be hosts. The second Scholar Weekend is scheduled for Oct. 17-18, and the third program will be held Dec. 5-6. Other sites include the University of South Carolina, Appalachian State University, New College in Sarasota, Fla., the University of Houston, the University of Kansas, Texas Christian University and Duke University’s main campus.

“The opportunities this program creates for UGA and its faculty are incredible,” said Elizabeth Connell, coordinator of educational programs in the Torrance Center. “Not only are exceptional students from around the state and surrounding states visiting our campus, they are learning from talented UGA faculty and graduate students, and experiencing the vast resources available through the university. It’s an excellent opportunity for recruitment of some of the best and brightest students to UGA’s programs.”

At TIP Scholar Weekends, students are introduced to the collegiate experience by participating in two days of intense study in one of the provided courses taught by UGA professors and Athens area school teachers. The overall goal is to enhance student skills, enrich the learning experience and foster an interest in college as well as specific collegiate majors.

The courses available for the Sept. 19 Scholar Weekend include “Introductory Robotics,” “Architecture: From Playhouses to Mansions,” “A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words: Creative Writing and Photography,” “To Climb the Great Wall: Fun with Mandarin Chinese,” “CSI: Plant Pathology,” “Biofuels: The Next Step?,” “Rube Goldberg Challenge,” “Psychology, Human Experience and the U.S. Military,” and “The Physics of the Nintendo Wii.”

Tuition for the Scholar Weekend on Sept. 19-20 is $395 for day students and $425 for overnight students. Some financial aid is available. Registration ends Sept. 1.

For more information on these programs and a printable registration sheet, see the Torrance Center’s Web site at www.coe.uga.edu/torrance/ or call 706/542-5104.

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Sallie Mae Offers Tips, Tools for Successful Student Loan Repayment

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Another important milestone is approaching for last spring’s college graduates – at least those who took out student loans. As the end of the six-month, post-school student loan grace period approaches, Sallie Mae offers tips and tools to help newly minted alumni begin student loan repayment and build a healthy credit history.

“I was able to pay down part of the principal balance of my loans every month, and at one point, I even increased my monthly payment,” said Sallie Mae customer, Coelise Martin Taleb, now a registered nurse. “I also want to buy a house one day and realize that good credit is the way to accomplish this goal.”

In addition to a standard repayment plan that allows federal student loan customers to make level payments of principal and interest over a 10-year repayment term, Sallie Mae offers graduated repayment, extended repayment and income-sensitive repayment options to allow consumers to customize their federal student loan payments to suit their financial situation. To help make repayment even simpler, Sallie Mae gives customers the convenience of one bill for all of their Sallie Mae-serviced loans, including their private loans, so they can make a single monthly payment.

Sallie Mae offers these 5 tips to help customers get off on the right path for student loan repayment:

Automatic debit: Set up monthly loan payments with automatic debit as an easy way to make on-time payments. Your monthly student loan payments are electronically deducted from your checking or savings account, saving you time and stamps.

Run the numbers: Sallie Mae's Loan Repayment Calculator estimates the monthly payments and total interest costs under the different repayment plans available. Before selecting a repayment plan, run the numbers and see which repayment plan gives you a monthly payment that fits into your budget.

Link your loan to Upromise: Join Upromise, then link your Sallie Mae loan account to your Upromise account and use your Upromise rewards to transfer savings automatically to help pay down your eligible Sallie Mae student loans. Upromise helps students and families save money for education expenses by earning rewards on everyday purchases from participating companies. Visit www.SallieMae.com/upromise to learn more.

Stay in touch: Immediately notify your student loan servicer(s) of any change to your name, address, telephone number, employer, or Social Security number. This will ensure that you receive all communication from your loan provider and that you are aware of your payment amount, payment due date and repayment options.

Prepay or pay extra when possible: You may prepay your loans in part or in full at any time without penalty. This will lower the overall cost of the loan. Adding a little extra to each monthly payment can help.

“I was so proud of the fact that I had paid off my student loan, I placed a copy of the ‘Congratulations’ letter from Sallie Mae on the wall of my cubicle,” said Angelique Tellis from Lafayette, La., a Sallie Mae customer who recently paid off her student loan. “For me, the key to paying off my loan faster was to add a little extra to the payment each month.”

A recent study by Sallie Mae and Gallup on “How America Pays for College” found that the median monthly payment that students with loans expected to pay once they began repayment was $200. Respondents, however, offered a wide variance of estimates, especially for similar loan values.

Sallie Mae’s new Education Investment Planner can help students and families more accurately forecast their monthly student loan payments. The free tool, available online at www.SallieMae.com/plan, enables families to estimate the total cost of a college degree, build a customized plan to pay for college, forecast monthly student loan payments, and even estimate the salary a graduate would need to keep repayment of student loans manageable.

In addition, the Education Investment Planner educates users on debt-to-income ratios and offers debt management guidance as part of Sallie Mae’s commitment to helping families understand the total cost of college and how to pay for it without going beyond their means. A general rule of thumb is that total monthly debt payments (including payments for student loans, credit cards, car, and housing, whether renting or buying) should be no more than 36% to 40% of one’s monthly gross income.

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