Continuing your education and going to graduate school to earn your master’s degree or PhD sounds like a great idea, but how do you fund such extensive education? During tough economic times, many schools have less money to fund grad students which will lower your chances of affording school. But, if you really want to up your odds, there are some things you should know. US News offers some tips on how to get financial aid for your graduate school education.

• Apply to wealthier schools. Public universities in states with stronger economies, and schools with endowments large enough or managed well enough to weather Wall Street’s collapse, have more money to hand out.
• Apply early. To lock up the best Ph.D. students, schools are making earlier offers and demanding quicker commitments, says Michael Lesk, who chairs Rutgers’s Department of Library and Information Science.
• Work the competition. The growing number of professional graduate programs, especially online, is sparking price competition. About 1,000 universities now offer masters’ in business, for example, up from about 700 in 2002.
• Think long term. Julia Mortyakova, president of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, says students need to think realistically about their careers and salary prospects before investing time in or spending borrowed money on graduate degrees.

With some careful planning, you can increase your chances of getting the funding you need for you advanced degree. Online masters degrees programs can also be a good option.

Do you know how much it is going to cost you to send your child to college? Do you have any contingency plans if you cannot get scholarships, grants or other financial aid? Careful planning is a must for parents of students who plan on attending college.
Many parents and their children approach the college process much like the deer running into the road. They just dart out there and hope for the best.
Given how much a college education costs, you need to plan ahead and know how to navigate through the twists and turns of the financial aid process. That way, you and your child can avoid being hit with a tuition bill that can cause serious damage to your financial future.
Most parents … | Read the rest of this entry »

Students are finding it increasingly difficult to afford a college education. Federal Stafford loans are not available to everyone, so some students are turning to private college loans. Although these loans allow students to attend college, they carry a higher risk than government loans.
Private loans are the fastest-growing sector of the multibillion-dollar student loan industry. In 2005-06, college students borrowed a record $17.3 billion in private loans, up 913 percent from a decade ago, according to a report issued Tuesday by the College Board.
At a time when the cost of college is surging and financial aid is shrinking, private loans make it possible for many students to attend colleges they couldn’t otherwise afford. But consumer advocates and student groups worry that the … | Read the rest of this entry »

Colleges today are seeing great numbers of adults over thirty joining the ranks of high school graduates – eager to earn degrees. Older students with real world experience are seeing that they can have better jobs and salaries if the earn a college degree.
Across the country, more than one-third of students enrolled in higher-education programs are older than 24. And that could rise as the population ages and more Americans return to school to hone job skills, prepare to launch new businesses or to pursue areas of personal enrichment.
“More older students are coming back to college,” said Scott Higgins, interim dean of research and graduate studies at Western Carolina University. “Many are seeking insight and skills required to start small businesses”.
Those who decide to back … | Read the rest of this entry »

Students today face many big questions when looking at going to college. Which college is right for me? What should I major in? But even more importantly is the question – How do I pay for college?
Now at an all time high, the overall cost of a college education in the U.S. is projected to reach $220 billion this year, nearly half of which will be financed by students or their parents. Despite this, the benefits of a college education still outweigh the costs as college graduates can earn $1 million more than non-college graduates over their lifetimes.
Limits on federal loans have barely risen over the past decade, yet tuition costs have doubled for private colleges and more than doubled for public institutions … | Read the rest of this entry »

Capella University is offering special scholarship opportunities for men and women who were wounded serving their country.
To honor the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, Capella University, an accredited online university and a leader in online education, is offering five $10,000 scholarships to service members wounded in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. Titled “Spirit of Capella Scholarships For Injured Service Members,” the scholarships may be applied to any of Capella’s online degree programs. Approximately 15 percent of Capella students are members of the military.
“As a university with a significant number of students who are members of the military, Capella is committed to doing its part to support those men and women who have given so much in … | Read the rest of this entry »

Back in 1990 the rules changed for students looking to qualify for financial aid – things havent gotten better since. The federal government has limited funding for students whose families have financial means, changing its guidelines for qualification as a dependant. These days to be qualified as a dependant, you must be over 24, a ward of the courts, married, or in graduate school.
That leaves you in a tough spot if you’re officially “dependent,” but your parents can’t or won’t contribute to college expenses. Even if you live on your own, schools will expect your parents to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any other required forms and will compute your expected family contribution (EFC) based on their … | Read the rest of this entry »

Did you ever think the United States would loose its edge? The number of students who graduate from college annually in the U.S. is on a steady decline. This drop in numbers is putting our nation far behind many other countries in the percentage of students who graduate from college. This decline could possibly cause the United States to loose its competitive edge in a global economy.
As the Baby Boom generation ages and retires, a well-educated corps of young people isn’t stepping up to take their place, and the United States is slipping behind other countries that are producing a better educated young workforce, says “Measuring Up 2006,” a national “report card” on higher education released by the nonpartisan National Center … | Read the rest of this entry »

Some students attend college for the richness of experience; others go in order to set up a promising financial future. Whatever your motivation, you’re going to need a good job when you graduate. But how in the world will you…
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