Archive for the ‘Scholarships’ Category
The United States gives hope to thousands and to its self through education loans
Posted on Sep 25, 2010 03:33:25 AM
In a democracy, through their vote, the people decide what issues should be set before them, what side of an issue will prevail, and what their, and their children’s future will hold. Citizens are expected to be conversant on the issues of the day, expected to use their minds and knowledge to seek and discover the concerns that will shape the destiny and form of their nation. Successful democracies depend on the wisdom of their people, and wisdom comes through discipline, training, experience, and education. Through education comes the higher skilled workers that no robust economy can do without. A strong and healthy economy is the backbone of a strong and healthy nation. No democracy can afford to ignore the importance of education if that democracy is to survive, to thrive and flourish, if it is to be a democracy capable of justice. It is the responsibility of a democracy to assure its citizens the right to an education. It must make it widely available and affordable. Education loans are one important vehicle.
Having long recognized the necessity of an educated populace, and recognizing as well that education comes with a price tag, the people of the United States have heartily embraced the practice of education loans. Education takes up time that might otherwise be used for work and profit. A citizen must live while yet attending a school or a college, and the education facilities and its teachers and staff must all be paid. Unless the citizen is wealthy, most citizens are unable to refrain from work in order to obtain an education. A part-time job will only cover so much. To cover the rest, the people of the U.S., through their government, make the first twelve years of a citizen’s education free, and for higher education, student loans are available.
Education loans in the United States have been supported by the federal government since 1965. Our government subsidizes banks and institutions such as Sallie Mae, enabling these institutions to provide student loans to citizens in need. The government encourages lending institutions to make student loans by reducing risks to the lender. The Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) project, the government program responsible for backing student loans, will pay out 97 percent of a student loan that goes into default.
With this incentive in place, lending institutions have little trouble giving out education loans. There is money to be earned from the interest charged, and the risk is low. Granted, there isn’t the opportunity for lenders to make the highest possible profit from their capital: since 1993 the federal government has been making student loans directly to the student, putting a competitive cap on interest rates the private sector lenders may charge. FFEL has worked very well for students and lenders alike, but, under the FFEL program, the people have been expensed at about $6 billion a year. This is money that could be applied to student grants for low income students, to the Pell grant. To reduce these expenses and make the saved money available for grants, and for junior colleges, the federal government is now retiring FFEL and making education loans directly to its citizens under the Direct Loan Program.
While this may be bad news for the education loans industry, it’s good news indeed for low income students. The Pell Grant is slated to receive an additional $13.5 billion of funding. With so many people unemployed and displaced, wanting to return to school today, this change is just in time. It brings hope to thousands of people thirsting for knowledge and a better job. It is also reason to hope that the United States will win in its struggle to retain its character as democracy’s shining star. Its commitment to education ?and education loans – may very well be the means of its redemption.
Scholarships For Students
Posted on Sep 23, 2010 05:53:35 AM
College is expensive. There are loans and other ways to get money for higher education, but free money is always the best way to pay for college. If you can afford to pay for your kids to go to college, you probably made some sacrifices and good savings choices when they were young. Not everyone can do this, so if you know your child wants to go to college, encourage them to work towards scholarships for students. Not all good students are going to get these, as there are only so many to go around, but there are a few things they can do to get noticed.
Good grades are almost always a way to get good scholarships for students. Not all of them rely on this for qualification, but many do. Students should always be encouraged to do their best, but don’t push too hard. There are some students that will never be straight-A students, but they can still get into a good college because they have solid grades. It also depends on the target college. Where a student wants to go makes a difference in what GPA is acceptable. Just encourage them to work hard and to use good study habits.
Some students find that doing special projects that are not necessarily grade-orientated are ways to get scholarships for students. These special projects can come up all throughout school. It could be something as simple as a science fair project. Encourage your child to participant in all types of special projects that may otherwise be optional at school. Also encourage them to do special projects and contests that develop in the community rather than just as school. Even without a scholarship, this helps your child become much more well rounded.
Don’t forget about getting involved with the community in general. There are many scheduling committees that look at more than just grades, or give out scholarships based on single projects. Many colleges want their students to be well-rounded, and so do those that offer money to a student. Encourage your child to help the community by volunteering in a few different ways each year. They can also do things like Boy or Girl Scouts or programs like it. There are many out there, so your child is sure to find something that they will love to do.
There is a bonus to having your child go through all of these things in high school other than scholarships for students. They are going to be better people and they will grow up keeping others in mind when making choices. They are also going to know the value of hard work and keeping a goal in mind. Whether they get the money to go to college through scholarships or through loans or savings, there is always something to be said for doing your best and giving back. What they learn from your guidance will carry throughout their lives, even when it seems that they are not hearing a word that you are saying.