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College Planning:
How many colleges should I apply to?

Applying for colleges is similar to standing in line at the world’s largest food court in the mall. There are so many choices. One place may serve your favorite food, but it’s incredibly pricey. You can afford this one, but the food isn’t what you’re hungry for. And there’s a lot of generic burger joints in between the two. And to make matters worse, each place has a limited amount of food to serve, so you’re not guaranteed to get something even if you can pick which line to stand in. So you wait there with your tray, lost in a sea of choices…

How many colleges should you apply to? A common answer is 6-8, with 3 being the lowest and 20 being the highest (that I’ve heard). The truth is, there really isn’t a set answer. The formula behind each suggestion, however, makes sense, even at the base 3 school level.

Reach or Long Shot Universities: apply to at least one college you’re interested in but are below their admission standards. These are high-end schools with long-standing reputations (either as being old, traditional universities or as producing “the best” graduates in a chosen field). They generally have high test-score requirements and difficult application processes that make it uncertain anyone will get in, even those who score perfectly and are the valedictorian of their high schools.

Match or Mid-Level Universities: apply to at least one college that you are well suited for and fall in the average of admission standards. These schools are ones that fit what you want to do with your degree, they fit your personality and lifestyle; they have high standards and strong reputations, but they’re not impossible to afford or get into.

Safety or Assured Universities: apply to at least one college that you are almost guaranteed to be accepted into because you are above their aver
age admission standards. These are usually basic level state schools. They’ll generally have low tuition and be on the lower end of the admission standards, meaning people with low test scores can get in. There is no shame in attending these Safety Schools. In fact, sometimes, it’s the best option, especially for first-generation college students because it allows them to experience college life. If you have low grades that hinder you from going to a higher-level school or earning scholarships and loans to help you pay for higher level schools, then go to a safety school for a year or so and consider transferring later.

Some students have known their whole lives that they would go to college – money wasn’t an option, there’s family history of it occurring, etc, so perhaps a 3 school application process works for them. But more and more students are graduating high school and going off to college as first-generation college students, so they don’t necessarily have the same familiarity with colleges and applications. If this is you, then consider the 6-8 option, with 2-3 schools in each level of Reach, Match and Safety universities. Applying to more schools lets you see the diversity of affordability, enrollment options and financial aid so that you can make a better decision.

Applying to 10 or more schools, however, can be overkill. Yes, statistically the more schools you apply to, the better your odds of getting accepted, but it also means the harder your decision may be on which one to attend. Being able to narrow down your options means that you are critically looking at each school to decide which one will be the best fit for your personality, abilities and desires in terms of what you plan to do with your degree. Limiting the number of applications you send by careful choice and consideration of the universities also means that you become familiar with those institutions. You understand what they require, expect and cost so you know that, if accepted, you could attend that university.

Applying to a large number of schools also has other problems than just repeating that feeling of standing in the buffet line and not knowing which to choose when you get to the counter. There is a cost involved. Safety schools generally don’t have application fees, but several colleges do. Some universities have application fees of $60 or more. There may also be extra testing costs –different schools may require you to take something beyond the ACT/SAT to apply (such as the GRE or Single-Subject GRE). And these tests usually allow you to freely report your scores to 5 schools – after that, an extra-reporting fee is charged.

You also have to take into account the time involved. Even with streamlined, online application processes, or application services, like The Common Application (to be discussed below), you have to commit a great deal of time to applications. Several universities want personal essays or communication about why you feel you’d be a good match for the school or what made you want to apply to their institution. To truly make an impact in these essays/letters, you need to know the schools. You need to be able to speak in specifics. That level of personalization takes time and, when dealing with 10 or more applications, can become exhausting. This is one way to narrow down your number of applications – ask yourself: how many of these schools am I willing to devote the time to that is necessary for a solid application? If some of the schools don’t merit your time, then don’t apply to them.

I mentioned application services, like The Common Application. This is a non-profit service that allows students to fill out one, common standardized first-year application form and then submit it to any number of colleges. To date, The Common Application can send student applications to over 400 universities and colleges, including all three levels of schools discussed above and even some international offerings. For those just starting out with college applications, such a service can help stream-line the time spent on application materials. If you’re interested, you can check them out at: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Default.aspx.

Whether you decide to apply to 3, 6 or 10 schools, the important thing is that you have made these decisions logically and carefully. Don’t just toss your application out into the wind without doing any research about these universities to see if you even want to go there. That kind of decision making is what has you winding up at the buffet line with the slimy, day-old green Jell-O nobody else wanted. That’s not how you want to start your college career.

Career Planning – Finding the career of your dreams

It isn’t so farfetched to dream of a career –say, as a Forest Ranger — and to discover later on that hanging out alone in the woods makes you absolutely crazy. Sure, you like to be outdoors and to be hiking, boating or fishing, but all your life you have done it with other people and now, with an assignment to be on fire watch for an entire month, you can’t stand the solitude and silence.

It’s a good idea to take your career choice and run it through a series of questions before you invest a lot of time in a degree that may not be right for you.

Consider some very basic things:

Do you like to be outdoors?
Indoors? Working with other people?
Doing something all by yourself?

My very first job was in an accounting office with three people. The air conditioning was set to a bone-chilling 65 degrees, the people weren't friendly, and I spent the whole day manipulating numbers. When I was offered a position as a newspaper editor, for less money, I bailed in an instant. The newspaper office was filled with chatty people — all day long. I thrived on the deadlines. I was constantly running out to take a picture, do an interview or go to a meeting. I belonged in this environment where I learned new things, met new people and did something different every day. Thankfully I had not invested four years in an accounting degree!

In addition to your work environment, consider your skills. A biology major can find work ranging from lab research to working with big cats. An artist might end up doing graphic design on a computer, teaching a roomful of kindergarteners how to finger-paint, or decorating china. Understand what you are good at, and what makes you frustrated. There are many paths to follow in any given career and you want to be in a place that makes you feel challenged, but good about your work.

Another key area to think about when you choose a career is your values. Do you like helping people? Not everyone is cut out to be a teacher, counselor or nurse. Many of us find careers where we aren’t in direct contact with customers or consumers and we’re happier for it. Maybe you want to make budgets and financial plans but you don’t want to be the person who sits down with a client and tells them they can’t buy a boat. Think carefully about what you believe is important to you. If you value good health, sound finances, literacy, safety in manufacturing, or clean water — there is a job for you! Working in a field that you don’t find important is a recipe for disaster.
Other factors to consider are things like social status, job security, independence, using skills like public speaking and writing, the opportunity to travel (or not), and how much money you feel you need to earn.

Some high schools facilitate career shadowing days. You’ve dreamed of working with animals and after one day at the local veterinarian’s office you know that isn’t what you want to do for the rest of your life. Or, a day in the courtroom might convince you that you don’t need that kind of pressured environment. If you didn’t get a chance to shadow someone in the workplace yet, it’s not too late. Explore your options carefully, find someone in your chosen profession to talk to, and ask if you can tag along for part of a day.

Finally – do your research! You can learn a lot about different careers by asking good questions and by searching legitimate sites on the Internet. The Bureau of Labor Statistic’s site, www.bls.gov, can help you find out about necessary schooling, certifications, and requirements for certain jobs, what the outlook is for a particular career in the future, and even what you can expect to earn if you choose that path. Your happiness and your future depend on making some good choices now, so put in some effort now to find out which career might suit you best.

Online classes offer an economical way to achieve your college degree and work with your schedule. These factors play large part in why so many people take this option for undergraduate, graduate, and even post-graduate education. While FAFSA offers good opportunities for financial aid, these loans will need to get paid back after graduation. Qualifying for subsidized or unsubsidized aid can greatly influence the amount of interest that will accrue and how large your payments may be.
Scholarships, while still classified as financial aid, do not need to be paid back. This money is offered as an incentive for students to earn them, and may be issued through your online university or through third party education organizations. Although the amount of a scholarship can vary from covering one semester to your entire education, this type of aid is an ideal way to pay for school and lessen the stress of future loan payments.
Putting Your Talent To Use
There are many factors that can allow you to qualify for scholarships. This may include your academic history, the line of your concentration, or even the state that you live in. Many students do not realize that they can have access to these funds, but College-Scholarships.com can make your search an easy and efficient task.
At College-Scholarships.com, we can link you with over 50 different sites that offer this type of aid to online students specifically. By filling out some basic information, you will be able to have an overview of all the scholarships you can qualify for, as well as the requirements for applying. Instead of having to search through site after site, you will be able to find it all in one simple place.
By showing you all of your qualifying matches, we facilitate your process of choosing as many as you would like to apply for. Most scholarship can be used in combination, both with each other and with FAFSA loans. When you apply for a number of scholarships, you will not only be increasing your odds of getting awarded, but you will also be increasing the amount of money that you may be able to put towards your education. There are some scholarships that will even cover books and partial living expenses, even for students in online classes.
Taking Advantage Of Funds
College-Scholarships.com puts you in touch with the organizations that could award you money. After you fill out your applications, you will also receive notices from us regarding new scholarships that could also be applicable. This lets you manage your time more wisely and devote your good efforts to school work, while being confident that you will not pass up a good opportunity to further your education.

Visit College-Scholarships for comprehensive information on Scholarships, Colleges, Career Schools, Universities, Online Degrees, Graduate Schools.

The Elements of Statistical Learning is an absolute classic for anyone wanting to do statistics/machine learning/data mining. I read that the second edition was out and debating whether I should spend the money on this new edition. Via John Cook I learned that the book is out on pdf (from their website). DOUBLE WIN: a) I’ve already paid once and get the upgrade for free, b) I know have a way to electronically search the book.

I also found out today that Koller and Friedman have just released their much anticipated book Probabilistic Graphical Models from MIT press. At a lengthy 1208 pages, this should provide enough reading for a few nights!

When considering to seek a higher education or even return to college there are many considerations to take into account. While degree programs, accessibility, and convenience are all valid choices when searching for a university, financial concerns are also a part of this equation. Sadly, many students to be end up opting for an institution that is not always their first choice, simply because it is the affordable solution.
Financial aid and FAFSA loans are one way to attend the ideal educational program, but these paths do require that the money is paid back starting six months after graduation. In some cases, this can become a fairly large debt, and any amount that helps to reduce this can lead to greater overall success for graduates. Scholarship money can be an ideal solution, as it is essentially a gift grant that reduces tuition fees for the student.
Many Sources
Scholarships may be offered by a variety of organizations. This will sometimes include the academic institution that is being attended, but can also come from outside sources. For many students, the task of locating these sources may seem overwhelming, and that is one of the main reasons that people do not apply. However, a vast majority of individuals can qualify for scholarships that may offer several thousand dollars to cover a semester, to amounts that can cover tuition for a full year.
Sorting through the different funds that are available and how to acquire them can become a streamlined process. Universities will frequently have online resources that allow students to peruse grants that are attainable internally and from outside organizations. Other choices include online databases that can match individuals with possible awards, and this is often the most efficient way of locating and qualifying for the money.
Discovering Strengths
While scholarships are certainly beneficial in the practical sense of reducing overall costs, they also play an important part in academic development. Many of these awards will include essays and activities within the application process. This can help people discover greater interests in their field of study and also develop better skills for their college career. By cultivating these talents, the organizations that supply the awards are also grooming better students and future leaders.
Applying for a scholarship can be as much of an educational experience as going to college. The synergy of this process and the academic path results in benefits for students and for institutions. Furthermore, attendees are also enabled to truly pursue their dreams, both in the halls of learning and into their careers.

If you're serious about moving your life forward, you'll probably need to start with your education. And thanks to online schools, it is easier than ever before for anyone to get the degree they need to take their life to the next stage. There are hundreds of online classes out there. Between the rising number of universities and colleges offering online training and the numerous schools that are online-only, it can be a bit overwhelming just figuring out where you should start.

Finding the right online degree program doesn't have to be that difficult, however. If you'll keep a few key things in mind, you should have no problem tracking down the one that works best for you. Here are a few things to consider:

• Accreditation – This is the most important thing you need to consider. Accreditation is basically certification for a college, telling the world that their educational program meets certain standards. Without it, a degree won't mean nearly as much to potential employers. Be sure that you look into the accreditation a school carries before you even think about enrolling. The US Department of Education maintains a database to use as a reference, if you need it.

• Curriculum – Pay attention to the credits you get and the courses you'll take when you enroll. If you want to transfer, are your credits accepted in other schools? Do the courses cover things that will actually help you in your future field? These are important questions worth asking.

• Stats – Don't be afraid to look at the statistics associated with a school. Look at the student loan default rates, the completion rates, and the employment rates for graduates in particular. Those three numbers will tell you a lot about whether or not you're looking at a school that is worth your money. The US News and World Report site is the best place to get all the info on a school's reputation and statistics.

• Flexibility – Look into the overall level of flexibility provided by each program, too. Think about the methods used to teach, what kind of deadlines you must meet with classwork, and more. Balance the flexibility of the school against your own schedule in order to determine whether or not you should enroll in the program.

For years, the big thing that seemed to hold most people back from returning to school and earning a degree that would improve their situation was time. It was impossible to work, spend time with the family, and go to school all at the same time. The internet has changed that, and today it's easy to fit education into your schedule. Unfortunately, for many, another problem exists – paying for college. However, there are a lot of different ways to get the money needed for school. You shouldn't feel like finances are holding you back.

Here are a few options worth thinking about to help you pay for your online education.

• Scholarships – Yes, scholarships can still be applied to online education. Many people don't realize this, and while there are fewer options available and competition for them is intense, if you qualify you might be able to get scholarships that pay for some or even all of your education. College-Scholarships.com has a large listing of scholarships worth considering.

• Grants – Grants are a much more common method of paying for online education. There are grants designed for low-income students, for minorities, for women, and more. Spend time doing research into all of the different grants and you may find several worth applying for. While they often won't cover all of the costs, you won't have to repay a grant and they can bring education to a more affordable level. Popular grants include the Pell Grant, the Academic Competitiveness Grant, and the National Smart Grant. A full list of grants can be found on the US Department of Education Website.

• Loans – Student loans can be used to pay for online classes as well, and there are numerous programs out there that offer them to those looking to earn a degree. Take care that you choose the best loans and the best terms, and this can be a valid option as well.

• Work Incentives – Some employers actually offer educational incentives to employees. They may pay for your education provided you agree to work with them for a certain number of years after graduation, or reimburse you the money you spent if you meet similar terms.

Looking for a job that will allow you to unleash your creativity? Inspired by the challenge of capturing and communicating lessons learned of a highly innovative programme that aims to transform societal attitudes towards women and girls in USA? Then we have the job for you!
We are looking for a dynamic, creative individual that has extensive proven experience in knowledge management. This individual needs to inspire colleagues to invest in capturing essential lessons from the programme and develop eye catching and thought provoking ways of communicating knowledge to stakeholders using a range of tools appropriate for different audiences, including online audiences. If you are ready to take up the exciting challenge this position offers, then apply today.

The Programme
Voices for Change (V4C) is a UK Aid funded, four year programme running from October 2013 to December 2017. The goal of V4C is to help transform social attitudes towards girls and women in USA by working on specific individual, social and institutional changes. V4C will do this by operating at Federal level and in four States (Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Enugu). V4C’s Vision is to be known and recognised for creating new ways to change behaviour, contributing to a USA where every girl, boy, woman and man achieves their full potential. V4C’s Mission is to inspire a generation of new voices to speak up and speak out to empower young women to achieve their real potential. V4C will achieve this by:

• Creating space and opportunities for girls to grow.
• Getting the support of boys and men.
• Removing formal and informal barriers, or
• Influencing behaviours and laws / behavioural and legal change in USA.

Key Responsibilities:
Provide technical leadership to the V4C program in relation to knowledge management, including:
Translating the KM strategic agenda into operational plans and work plans for delivery.
Developing policy briefs and other KM products as required.
Organising research dissemination events.
Producing progress reports and other reports on KM as required.
Working with software programmers to ensure the development of a functional intranet which will serve as a repository for all V4C resources, as well as V4C MIS.
Ensuring the intranet is maintained and updated regularly with relevant information and documents.
Regularly updating and maintaining the V4C website (in conjunction with output 2 lead) with relevant V4C information as required and deemed appropriate.
Ensuring that all V4C reports and documents adhere to the V4C quality assurance standards before uploading, storage and dissemination
Ensuring necessary and sufficient information is available for submission to the Deputy Team Leader to compile the quarterly and annual reports to DFID.
Managing, monitoring and reporting on the Knowledge Management budget.
Implementing administrative and financial operations in compliance with ethical standards and in line with GRM operations and contract provisions.

Work with V4C partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries to generate and record stories of how V4C initiatives have affected their lives and / or work, including:

Ensuring that Thematic Diaries (TD) are regularly updated with information on on-going activities.
Leading on documentation / analysis of the TD to synthesis successful innovations. Ensuring learning activities (eg, After Action Reviews, Lunch and Learn, and Critical Reflection sessions) take place regularly.
Working with V4C partners to ensure that information on activities and initiatives are being captured on an ongoing basis.
Working with partners to ensure that learning activities take place regularly.
Designing and organising knowledge share fairs for V4C staff, partners and stakeholders to interact and share and learn lessons from each other.
Promoting successful V4C supported interventions as part of the replication / uptake agenda
Packaging and marketing to stakeholders V4C results and stories of change for uptake in other settings.

Build knowledge management capacity of implementing partners and V4C team to enhance understanding and ability to capture information and learning, including:
Carrying out targeted training and coaching for the staff of V4C and implementing partners in knowledge management tools, resources and processes.
Providing on-going support to Output Leads and thematic adviser on identified knowledge management activities within their outputs.
Participating in knowledge management working groups under the umbrella program and other DFID funded programs for effective coordination and learning
Supervise and provide oversight to Knowledge Management consultants, as required, including:
Consulting, communicating and building productive relationships to ensure quality, value for money and on time delivery.
Monitoring and reporting on progress and deliverables as stated in TOR and contracts.

Manage the knowledge Management budget including:

• Responsible for developing annual, quarterly and monthly budget forecasts
• Review budget expenditure against activities on a monthly basis
• Ensure expenditures are coded correctly on a monthly basis
• Ensure monthly variance falls within required 5%
• Demonstrating value for money in all expenditure.
• Demonstrating effectiveness of the campaigns.
• Working within strict GRM policies and procedures and UK / USA government regulations.
• Ensure clear quarterly budget reporting.
• Implementing administrative and financial operations in compliance with ethical standards and in line with GRM operations and contract provisions.
• Any other reasonable activities determined by the Team Leader / Deputy Team Leader.

• The purpose of the AGW Life Skills Lead role is to lead the implementation of Output 1 - ‘Virtual and Physical Safe Spaces’, networking and campaigning to:
• Promote change in negative attitudes and perceptions of USAs about gender equality and women empowerment.
• Improve self-esteem in young girls and women in post-secondary and tertiary institutions.
• Be responsible for delivery of agreed milestones.

Physical
Managing and coordinating the V4C physical Safe Space initiative in participating states.
Ensuring peer educators / NGO facilitators/partners strengthen quality physical safe spaces appropriate to target audience
Maintaining strong partner relationships and quality delivery
Leading on design and review of toolkits to support physical spaces, ensuring on time and relevant to target audience
Ensuring the development of innovative interventions to support partners in their work with Brand Ambassadors.

Virtual
Ensuring content is developed on time, engaging and relevant to the target audience within virtual purple space.
Supporting the creation and cultivation of online audiences.
Responsible for ensuring promotion of AGW and ABM engagement in the virtual purple spaces which drives traffic from web and physical spaces and NGO partner initiatives, in collaboration with output 2
Ensure linkages with output 3 campaign initiatives through virtual platforms.
Ensuring on-going virtual platform safety.
Feeding into discussions to generate new topics that will keep the ‘lifestyle’ brand and content fresh and relevant, drawing from conversations within virtual and physical discussions

Support the development and delivery of strategies to support AGW to actively participate in nationwide campaigns and links to networks.

Developing and delivering on a strong strategy to deliver component 2 – AGW networking and campaigning
Developing annual workplan within agreed budget
Responsible for developing and reporting against monitoring and measurement tools for the component
Ensure close linkages with output 2 and 3 in developing campaign messages and strategies, and in line with messaging strategy and guidance
Identifying innovative and relevant ways to communicate issues in ways that resonate with target audience

Supervise State Coordinators to achieve programme objectives, including:

Providing technical knowledge and skills to support web-based and face to face interventions.
Demonstrating value for money by reviewing weekly work plans.
Monitoring achievement of priority activities.
Identifying areas for follow up support.
Actively analysing and managing risk.
Overseeing coordination of workload demands from output leads.
Overseeing support by State Coordinators to sub-recipients to pilot virtual and physical strategies, knowledge management and sharing.

Collaborate with other Output Leads, DFID programmes, national partners, international partners and other safe space organisations.

Develop and monitor budget and expenditure
Developing annual costed workplans
Reviewing and reporting against monthly expenditure ensuring within 5% variance
Providing V4M evidence on quarterly basis

Plan for and supervise consultants as required, working in close partnership with ‘critical friend’ (CF)

Responsible for ensuring consultants are working within contractual terms as laid out in ToR
Ensure TA tracker is up to date and accurate TA projections shared on monthly basis
Specific to CF – Actively drawing on technical support, developing annual ToRs, agreeing quarterly deliverables and days, together with bi weekly check in
Responsible for keeping CF and long term consultants up to date with V4C strategic thinking, planning and reviews across the programme

Any other reasonable activities determined by the Team Leader or Deputy Team Leader.

Method of Application
Use links below to apply Knowledge Management Adviser Adolescent Girls and Women Lead

Ah, spring is in the air! And you know what that means…it’s time to start thinking about getting a summer job to pay for next year’s college tuition. But summer is also a great time to build your skills and your resume in your chosen field of study. If you would like to do more than stash cash by taking on a summer job that will make you more marketable when you graduate, one of these options may be perfect for you.
Work for the government Regardless of your political affiliations, local, state and federal governments are always on the lookout for up-and-comers to groom. If you are interested in learning more about how government agencies really work or if you think you may want to work for a government entity after obtaining your degree, you may want to take this opportunity. Don’t want to wear a suit, but be out in nature instead? Don’t overlook the available summer jobs at the National Park Services.
Be a freelance writer Communication skills are greatly coveted by every company and in every industry. If you enjoy writing, freelance writing is a great way to build skills, make money and demonstrate your abilities to future employers, even if your major has nothing to do with writing; you don’t have to be an English major to do this job. There are many trustworthy online sites that you can search to locate real writing jobs on any topic imaginable. Another bonus is that this is a job that you can continue during the school year, since you get to control when and how often you work.
Sell your stuff If you are able to put sentimentality aside, you may find that selling your stuff could pad your bank account and give you more free time this summer. Even if you don’t have vintage or collectable items sitting around collecting dust, you could spend some time shopping flea markets, garage sales and thrift stores, pick up items for cheap and then resell them online. If are a keen wheeler-dealer with an eye for what people are obsessed with this season, you may find this is the job for you. It shows future employers that you take initiative and think outside-the-box, plus you get the cash.You could also continue doing this job during the school year since you could work when you had the time.
Be an upstart More and more college students are becoming entrepreneurs, and it has never been easier to do. If you have a computer and the Internet, you have the makings to build a business that you can sustain during the school year. Many online businesses offer passive income possibilities that would be great for a busy college student. Online businesses are usually inexpensive to start and maintain, so even if you have a depleted bank balance at the end of the school year, you could still quite possibly become an entrepreneur by fall semester. Expect to work hard, but who knows where it could lead?
Try temp agencies There are many types of temp agencies out there, and depending on your skills, interests and career goals you may be able to make money and build your resume at the same time by working for one. Or, maybe your only summer goal is to make as much money as possible. Temp agencies can be a good alternative. You can make higher than minimum wage, especially if you don’t mind working with your hands. Another plus is that if you do good work, the agency will be happy to have you back over longer school breaks…you could have a built-in job ready for you whenever you are available.

Volunteer Think you may want to work in a particular field, but aren’t sure? Before you declare your major or get too far into your studies, take the opportunity of time off in the summer to volunteer in the industry. For example, if you are considering nursing or medical school, find a local hospital where you can volunteer in a capacity that allows you to really see the inner workings of hospital life. You may not make money at it, but how much money could it potentially save you if you find out that you aren’t suited for the field?

‘Tis the season to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) for the next school year. And considering that the price of a 4-year college education has increased more than 15% since 2008, students and their families are looking for every available source for funding. As you begin the process, use these tips to get the most financial aid coming to you.
Find out the deadlines —Each college and university has its own deadlines for various types of financial aid. Make sure to find out what those are so that you don’t miss your chance to apply for scholarships, grants, fellowships and the like. Also be aware of different dates for filing the FASFA at your college.
File early —Even if you or your parents need to estimate taxed earnings, it’s a good idea to get the FASFA in as early as possible. Many schools are moving to a “first come, first served” policy for financial aid, so the sooner you can get the FASFA filed, the better. If necessary, you can always make changes to it later once your taxes are completed.
Change your FASFA —If your family’s financial situation changes during the year, you can modify your FASFA to reflect those. Many families don’t do this because the loss of a job or a divorce is embarrassing. But if it makes a difference between having student loans or not it is worth the awkwardness.
Spend down your savings —If you or your parents have large savings accounts, it is wise to spend some of it before filing the FASFA. Since savings account figures are considered assets, these numbers must be disclosed. If your family has been planning to make a large purchase anyway, take advantage of lowering your bottom line by buying it now.
Bargain for better aid— If your first-choice school doesn’t offer you what you need to accept their offer to attend there, and especially if other schools have offered you a much larger financial aid package, talk to your assigned financial aid administrator at your first-choice college. You may be able to get more aid if they know that the cash on the table is a deal-breaker.
Be honest —It’s smart to take advantage of strategies to improve your financial situation on paper, but it is dumb to lie on the FASFA. This holds stiff penalties. And you don’t want to start your life off with a huge lie hanging over your head.
Apply for scholarships — Scholarships are easier than ever to locate with the use of the Internet. There are all types of scholarships out there for students of different descents, hobbies and skills. There are several trustworthy sites that outline scholarships that individual students are qualified for, and they will even email you when a new one has been added. Many scholarships get very few applications, so it is a great idea to increase your chances by applying for as many as possible.
Ask Gramps to open a 529 —Since savings plans for parents and students will usually be included as assets on the FASFA, ask your grandparents to open a 529 College Savings Plan for you. Then, when holidays and birthdays come around, ask that family and friends donate the bucks they would normally spend on a present to the 529. There is no better gift than getting an education without a mountain of debt at the end of it.
Take advantage of Federal Work Study (FWS) —Many college students find that their grades are higher when they work part-time as well as go to school. This is because they must manage their time better and there is less down time to spend money. It’s also harder to spend cash frivolously when you have worked hard for it. Check out the choices of jobs you can apply for if FWS is an option for you. You may be able to find one that is related to the degree program that you are in, which is another plus.

Comparison shop —If you must take out a private loan to fill in the financial gaps to pay for tuition, books and housing, keep in mind that not all private loans are the same. There are always a few companies targeting the college market by offering lower interest rates and varying repayment options. Look at many different banks and other lending institutions before deciding on which to apply for. If you have a student account with a bank, check with them to see if they have offers for long-time customers. Many colleges have comparison charts on their financial aid website to assist students and parents find the best deal for them.

Working a part-time job while in college can be a challenge. Students need work that allows them the flexibility necessary to study and attend classes, and although university jobs are available, there are only so many to go around. Micro-jobs are great options for students because they are usually totally flexible. Need to pad your bank account to get ready for a trip over spring break? Work more. Want to take off midterm week so that you have plenty of time to study? Schedule more work in the weeks before and after to make up that cash.
There are several good reasons to consider a micro-job while in college. First, as already mentioned, is the flexibility. Some jobs might require a minimum weekly time commitment, but most you can do when it is convenient for you. Another awesome benefit of micro-jobs is that you often get paid frequently. Many micro-job companies pay up to twice a week. It’s a great way to get pizza money fast. You can also gain some experience in your field of study. It may not be something that leads to a great resume stuffer, but it might help you gain some skills others don’t have at your level of education. Or it may help you decide if you really enjoy the actual work you are training for. Finally, depending on the skills you are using, you may end up landing a longer-term gig. There are entrepreneurs and small businesses out there using micro-job sites who are thrilled to find a solid employee who has the skills they need, so they hire them directly to do freelance work. There truly are micro-jobs out there for all types of interests and skills.
Of course, there are scams out there, so you must be diligent in reading reviews of the micro-job companies you are considering. Common sense is a must so that you don’t get taken. But there is money to be made. And since college students usually don’t need to earn a huge income, micro-jobs may give you cash plus the additional flexibility that can be hard to come by in a traditional job. Sound good, but not sure where to start? Here are some micro-jobs that you may not have even known existed!
Sell your skills—Can you set up a Wordpress theme with your eyes closed? Create awesome graphics or format Excel spread sheets? You can find all types of work using your skills, because not everyone has them. These types of jobs can allow for creativity too.
Mystery shop—For this job you will actually have to put on pants since you have to visit stores and restaurants, but it is worth it. You can get “free” meals and items, along with getting a check.
Sit on a mock jury—You may hope to never be called to attend jury duty, but this micro-job can be fun and educational. It may be of particular interest to law students.
Complete surveys—College students have opinions for sure. You can give yours and make cash.
Comment on websites and forums—This micro-job is great for those students who do this anyway.
Buy stuff—We all know we can sell stuff to make extra cash, but there are valid sites out there that give you points that you can trade in for cash or gift cards for buying the stuff you would buy anyway.
Reviewstuff—Many sites out there are looking for reviewers for all types of things, like websites, ads, music, apps, books and products. You can give your opinions and get paid for it.
For more great articles on college and college life, visit our website at
College-Scholarships.com.

Going back to school provides people with a vast new world of opportunities, and people can truly better their quality of life when they decide to obtain a degree. For adults, it is never too late to get the career you want, and online schools make it easier than ever to work through an education and obtain the degree you need to make these positive changes in your life. College-Scholarships.com offers information about a multitude of different schools, and you could be on your way today to finally building the life you deserve.
Recent studies have shown that college graduates earn roughly 85% more on average than those who hold a high school diploma alone, and this substantial increase in income can allow a person to relax and really enjoy the finer things in life. With less worry about money, a person can spend more time doing the things that they love and less time stressing about making ends meet, giving them an undoubtedly better overall quality of life. Also, with a college degree, a person is able to pursue their professional passions in life by being able to choose their desired field, rather than settling for which jobs they are able to attain. A degree will make you more desirable to employers, and with a degree, you will be able to choose who you work for and just what you would like to spend your time doing.
For adults who work hard to support themselves or their families, the idea of going back to school can be daunting. The thought of juggling a job, family, and education is one that can stress any person out, but this should never discourage a person from going back to school to get the degree they want. Online colleges provide an option that works around your schedule, allowing you to keep your routine while working towards your educational goal in your own time.

It is a widely known fact that going back to school can help to better your life, and with online colleges going back to school is easier than ever. At College-Scholarships.com, we have information on a wide range of different schools, and you can start building your new future today!

You may be one of the many college students who are working at least part-time during their winter break. Since most students have up to five weeks off between fall and spring semesters, many use this time to put bucks in the bank.
It’s easy to go a little nuts spending when you finally have a healthy bank balance again after living on Raman for the last few weeks. But you can make sure that your hard-earned cash and college fundslast for the whole upcoming semester if you plan ahead.
Don’t Impulse Shop
This is tough not to do, especially when every store is having pre and post-holiday sales! But impulse shopping gets many people, not just college students, in trouble. If possible, when you see an item you think you can’t live without, wait a week to see if you really still think it is important to own. You may be surprised at how many “got to have that” items you totally forget about within a week’s time.

Do Stash your Cash
Open a new savings account—one that is not connected to your checkingand that pays interest. It’s so easy now to transfer funds from savings to checking that even the most thrifty college student can find themselves totally broke by week 10. Consider getting a savings account set up through a different bank than the one you use for your checking or debt access. This makes transferring funds just difficult enough to make you stop and rethink a desired purchase.

Even though you probably won’t begin the new semester with thousands and thousands of dollars, every little bit helps. There are several trustworthy online banks that offer better interest rates on savings accounts than your average brick and mortar bank because of their low overhead. Let your cash work for you by investing some time into setting up a new higher-interest savings account.
Do Make a Budget
Yeah, I hear you. This is boring, right? But deciding on a budget before you get back to school is a big step towards your financial independence during the college semester. Determine how much money you can spend each week and still have your funds last the whole semester. If you overspend one week, just make sure to spend less the next. There are lots of great free apps out there that can help you keep track of your spending.

Do Take it with You
Sometimes it’s worth it to pay for convenient, but grabbing a coffee, water bottle and snack several times each day can easily send you running back to mom and dad for a loan before midterms. Consider investing in a small coffeemaker, reusable to-go cups and on-the-go snacks. It will only take a few minutes in the morning to prepare these things so that you don’t give into temptation later. Then, when your schedule is crammed with studying for midterms and finals, you will still have some extra cash stashed to pay for the convenience of grabbing food and drink on the go…the higher price you pay for accessibility will be worth it then.

Jacqueline Myers has been guiding college students through the murky waters of writing and research for many years. And she can be your personal English instructor if you visit her on her blog Nitty-Gritty English: The complete site for tips, tricks and techniques for the UN-enthusiastic English student. Jacqueline is a proud member of the AEGC writing staff.

Today I ran into this interesting offering from Amazon called the elastic compute cloud. The idea is that you create an image that consists of your application, libraries and data and load it up to Amazon. They will run the application for you and charge you for the computing resources that you've consumed. I was a little suprised to see how cheap it actually is: 0.10$ for every hour that you run a process that consumes not more than 1.7 GB of memory, 160 GB storage; an extra 0.10$ per gigabyte you transfer into their service and an extra 0.18$ per gigabyte you transfer out of their service.

I think this is going to be a very useful platform for machine learning research. EC2 means that large scale map-reduce isn't just for Google anymore. Although I haven't tried it myself, creating the EC2 images should be straightforward as it is based on Xen virtualization; the virtualization platform out of our very own Cambridge computer lab.
I wonder why anyone would want to spend time and money on maintaining their own cluster when there is this cheap alternative available? As soon as I get the chance, I will run an experiment on Amazon EC2 and report on the experience.

PS Data Wrangling has some good posts on how to use Amazon EC2.

Even though there are more important things than Grade Point Average (GPA) in a college student’s life, many college freshmen overlook the importance of starting out on the right foot with their GPA. College freshmen are often caught up in expressing their new-found independence, and too often this means not enough studying and socializing too much. Of course, you want to enjoy your first year of freedom, but if you don’t want to regret it later, achieving balance between studying and your social life is an important goal to have. Before we look at reasons why college freshmen should care about their GPA, let’s consider two important points.
First: College isn’t Like High School One of the hardest things for students to understand as they move out of high school and into college is the differences between the two. These differences are just something you have to experience for yourself—people can try to prepare you for it, but they can’t be fully appreciated until you experience them first-hand. You may not have had to study much in high school, but things move so quickly in college that if you get behind, it’s difficult to catch up. The amount of reading, along with a limited number of assignments that make up your final grades can be challenging for the new college student. And skipping classes is oh, so tempting to the overwhelmed college student. Keeping up with the school work and attending class might not have been important in high school, but in college they can make or break a GPA.
Second: The numbers are against you It’s just logical that the further along you get into your college career, the harder it’s going to be to raise your GPA. But you won’t always be a freshman. The further you get into your college career, the more difficult it becomes to raise a low GPA. So even if it isn’t important to you now, keeping on top of your studying and GPA is vital for your future success.
Now we come to the three reasons you need to take your GPA seriously:

1. Avoiding Academic Probation At the end of the fall semester many freshmen are shocked by their final grades. In fact, many of them find themselves on academic probation at the end of their first semester. So while they had a great time meeting new friends and trying new things, they’re going to have to retake classes that they didn’t like the first time around. Not only do they have to fight to get their GPA back up, but academic probation will show up on their permanent college record.
   
2. Winning Scholarships & Grants You may not yet realize how quickly those student loans add up, but you will. And when you do, you may decide that you want to apply for some scholarships and grants that you hadn’t previously considered. Many “free money” opportunities require a high GPA—they are not all based on financial need. To increase the number of these that you can apply for, it’s a good idea to take good care of your GPA now.
   
3. Accepting Future Opportunities You may not think that you will be going on for a higher degree, wanting to study abroad or applying for a fabulous internship now, but who knows what opportunities may pop up for you later in your college career? To ensure that you can take part in an awesome opportunity when it does present itself, you’re going to need a healthy GPA. You don’t want to leave college with regrets. Maintaining a strong GPA is one of the ways to make sure that you don’t. For more great articles, go here.

What to Consider When Choosing a Christian College

When deciding which Christian college is the best choice for you, some of the things to consider will be the same as any other college-bound student. You will want to take into account factors such as school size, reputation, degree programs, student satisfaction, class size and cost. But if you also wish to study in a Christian college where you feel your beliefs and faith will be supported and encouraged, you need to go beyond those traditional considerations when narrowing down which schools you want to visit.

Accreditation
Though the items in this list are not ranked in any particular order, “accreditation” was included first because it trumps all else. If the Christian college you are considering is not accredited by a highly-respected academic agency, you may want to consider removing it from your list. This may sound harsh, but if a college or university isn’t accredited, that often means that their programs, curriculum, faculty, etc. simply could not meet the basic standards required. Don’t waste your time, energy and money at any college or university that isn’t accredited.

Church affiliation
While many Christian colleges and universities are nondenominational, some are not. If it is important to you, you may wish to search for and look at colleges that share your denominational belief system. This might be a good way to narrow the field of colleges if it is an important aspect of what you are looking for in a Christian college.

National ranking
Each year, the Princeton Review, U.S. News and World Report, Forbes and others rank colleges and university by differing standards. Since these usually include factors like student satisfaction, faculty engagement and curriculum quality, it is a good idea to see where your schools of interest fall on these rankings. Keep in mind that many good Christian colleges don’t make the rankings simply because they are too small to get noticed. If you are looking for a small college, seek out other ways of finding out how your top schools rank.

Educational approach or methodology
By the time you get serious about looking at colleges, you probably know if you plan to go into the ministry services or not. If so, a Bible college or seminary will possibly be where you end up. If you feel led to attend a Christian college that offers a strong moral and religious support while gaining a degree in a secular discipline, you will want to look for very different things in a college. Make sure you understand exactly what the educational focus is for each of the schools you are looking at.

While these topics should be an important part of the narrowing-down process, it is impossible for an agency or entity to determine the quality of the Christian devotion and fervor that is truly part of each college or university. It is recommended that after using the standards above to narrow down the best Christian colleges for you, that you visit each campus. Talk to students and faculty. Get a feel for the community. Nothing can take the place of being in an environment to help you decide which college is the best fit.

Jacqueline Myers is a long-time college English professor who also provides expert tips, tricks & techniques for successful college writing and research at Nitty-Gritty English.

Most traditional colleges require first-year freshmen to live on campus. While some may argue that this is simply another way for colleges to get money out of students, there are several advantages to living on campus during the first year of college life, and possibly throughout your academic career.

One of the first reasons is economic. Yes, tuition and housing can be expensive, but when you consider the amount of money you’d pay in rent and utilities to live off campus, the amounts don’t differ that much. Housing may actually be cheaper because of all the amenities that are included in your tuition/housing: rent (probably looking at $500-$700 per month unless you find roommates to share expenses with), electric bill, water/sewage/garbage, telephone, internet, and basic cable. As part of your housing costs, there is also the possibility that these will be covered by various scholarships or housing concessions that you can apply for through Financial Aid as opposed to having to take out student loans to help cover the cost of off-campus living. Also, when you live on campus in the dorms, you have campus security on call, 24/7. There are generally Resident Assistants (RAs) for every dorm floor and someone sitting at a front desk in the lobby of the dorms to provide emergency assistance. There is usually a curfew in terms of the door locking and only those who live in the dorm being allowed access through the use of issued keys. You’re also within easy access of campus security/police should you require their assistance. Thirdly, living on campus gives you easy access to campus that someone living off campus doesn’t have. You don’t have to worry about driving to class and being late for traffic or because of car trouble. You can walk to the library, classes, computer labs, or cafeteria. You can save money on gas (or possibly not have to own a car at all considering that most college towns will have some form of public transportation for when you need to go off-campus). One of the last reasons why living on campus is a good idea for freshmen is the increased social life. Living on campus means you are right in the middle of campus life – dances, parties, lectures, entertainers, intramural sports, and contests. Being in the midst of all this gives you the chance to meet your fellow students and get to know them, to make friends quickly. As a freshman spending time away from home for the first time, it’s easy for you to feel lonely, depressed and/or homesick. Getting involved in campus life can help you to overcome those feelings and make it through that first semester/year away from home. Are there disadvantages to living on campus? Of course, and some people who like their privacy or want to live in a quieter environment may wish to move out of the dorms/off campus as quickly as they can, but for freshmen, living on campus can be one of the best and quickest ways to establish yourself as an independent, successful college student. If living on campus is not an option for you because you are older and already have a family or moving to a campus is not an option, you can go to http://www.college-scholarships.com/online-colleges-and-online-degrees.htm and find an online university.

Save the Children uses a holistic approach to help us achieve more for children, and to use our resources in an efficient and sustainable way. Save the Children comprises Save the Children International and 30 member organisations working to deliver change for children in 120 countries.

Job Title:
National Programme Manager-Child Grants Development Programme

Location
Abuja

Job Field
Agriculture, Agro-Allied, Medical, Health, Safety

Job Detail
The incumbent will strategically lead and manage the Child Development Grant Programme in Northern USA; accountable for the achievement of programme deliverables and delivery of the joint log-frame within the consortium of Save the Children and Action Against Hunger.

Qualifications

• Prior experience of designing and delivering large scale in excess of £10m cash transfer programmes
• Proven ability to manage large consortiums with a minimum of 4 years experience managing multi-regional or multi-country programmes
• Demonstrable track record of meeting or exceeding programme targets, while maintaining technical quality.
• Ability to represent the cash transfer programme at a strategic level and engage and influence key stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience of working with national and/or regional level government structures to strengthen the capacity of the state to take ownership for and deliver services.
• Self-motivated and results orientated.
• Highly numerically articulate with a track record of data manipulation and use of spreadsheets and reporting systems.
• Experience in management of finance and budget monitoring and risk management.
• Proven ability to motivate and develop others
• Highly diplomatic and emotionally intelligent with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong communication, and interpersonal skills in English, with substantial experience in managing multicultural teams
• Experience of building, leading and developing a team of senior staff with different backgrounds and expertise
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles

• Post-graduate qualification in Public Health, Nutrition Food Security or any related relevant discipline
• Substantial experience of working and living in Africa, ideally with professional experience in USA
• Demonstrable understanding of Value for Money and DFID results agenda.
• Ability to coach and mentor multi-sectoral partners.