Hello, Science!:
taxes

‘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.

As a college student, you’re probably not overly concerned with your health. After all, there are so many new things to experience and worry about. However, your health is now your responsibility. For possibly the first time in your life, mom and dad won’t be there to take you to the doctor or tell you what to eat or when to sleep. Staying healthy as a college student can be a bigger challenge than most students are prepared for, but here are five tips that can make it easier:

1. Be familiar with Student Health Services on campus : Most universities will have some type of health services or clinic on campus specifically for students and faculty that offers heavily discounted treatments and basic medications. Know where this is located on campus, what hours they operate and what services they offer so that when you get sick, you don’t waste time trying to find them. Look at their website or go in and see if they’ll allow you to fill out any forms/paperwork early at the start of the semester to, again, save time when you get sick. They may also have some websites or pamphlets you can look at to stay aware of local health issues (disease outbreaks, etc) or common student problems (drinking, drugs, STDS, etc).
   
2. Know your medical history : Knowing your blood type, family medical history and what allergies you have to certain foods, medications or products can go a long way to making your life easier when you have to go to Student Health Services. Instead of wasting time calling home or contacting past doctors, you can answer any questions the campus physicians have immediately and be that much closer to receiving treatment for whatever ails you. It will also help insure that you don’t receive medication or treatment that can make your condition worse due to allergic reactions.
   
3. Own a first aid ki t: You can either purchase a full first aid kit or buy a box and fill it with your own choices. Whichever, your kit should contain the basics – various sizes & shapes of band aids, gauze, alcohol swabs, antibiotic & itch creams, and Aspirin – but you should also have a few more items, such as: an Ace compression bandage, an instant cold pack, cold medicine (including a non-drowsy option), antihistamines (for the new allergens you’ll encounter), Pepto Bismol (or some medicine for gastro/digestion issues), Emergen-C powder, and a thermometer so that you can handle most minor medical issues immediately instead of having to wait for Health Services to open. You should also keep a list of emergency contact numbers in or near your kit for quick and easy access.
   
4. Develop a routine (one that includes regular amounts of sleep & exercise) : Your body needs proper fuel and rest to function properly, and a bag of Funions and an extra-large Mountain Dew do not a good breakfast make. Become familiar with the cafeteria/dining hall on campus – they will often offer healthy options.Sleep and exercise are also important, both because they lead to healthy brain function. It’s a given that, while in college, you’ll probably pull a few all-nighters cramming or partying or finishing that essay because you work so much better “under pressure” (that’s a lie you’ll come to realize isn’t true soon enough). But a constant pattern of sleep-debt can have harmful side effects. It slows down your brain’s ability to process information which may not only harm your grades, but also make it unsafe for you to drive. Certain studies have shown that driving while sleep deprived can be almost as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. It also makes your body work extra hard, which taxes your immune system and makes it easier for you to get sick.Try to work in some physical exercise to your routine. In high school, you were always on the move – 7-8 classes a day, extra-curricular activities, gym class, etc. College is a bit different. You may only have one class every day, for 2-3hrs at a time and time spent sitting reading or studying. You may be required to take phys ed course, but with all the options available (such as Rest and Relaxation – you have to love college, right?), you may not actually be moving that much. Physical movement will not only help your body stay fit, but it can help relieve mental stress and clear your head. Most universities will have some type of fitness center that is open to the general student population during certain hours, but even if you don’t want to work out in a gym, you can simply go for a walk. It will help you learn the campus more. You can also join in intramural sports on campus as a way to get exercise and meet new people.Getting into a routine that covers these three basic health needs means that you don’t have to think about it or find time for it or worry about it. You have a schedule, you have a plan – your body develops the pattern, which makes it easier for you to keep up with these habits.
   
5. Identify Stressors & Get Organized : It’s almost impossible to avoid all stress or plan for everything that might go wrong or change your plans, but some common stresses can be, if not avoided, planned for. For instance, if you know a certain class requires more work, you can arrange to do that work first/early so as not to feel rushed later on. If you know a certain student in one of your classes annoys you and makes it hard to concentrate, you can arrange to get to class earlier or later than they do to avoid sitting near them. Those little steps can go a long way in avoiding or lessening stress loads without too much effort. Another way to avoid stress is to get organized. Learn your class schedule and know when assignments are due. Know where your books are so you don’t have to search for them before class. Know where your homework is so there’s no panic when it’s time to submit it. Put your dorm room/car keys in the same spot every time (either in your bookbag or dorm room) so that you’re less likely to lse them. Learning a few organizational skills will help keep you from being too stressed.

Keeping healthy will make it easier for you to concentrate on all those new experiences you want to remember as a college freshman. It will also help you deal with the expected side effects of being off in a new place, alone and away from family for the first time – homesickness and depression. If you’re already healthy, you can realize when your body is having negative reactions to these problems and deal with them quickly, either by talking with friends or even going to see the counselors/mental health services available for free at most universities. Your college years should be a time of learning and exploration – make sure you stay healthy enough to remember and enjoy them.

MTN USA is part of the MTN Group, Africa's leading cellular telecommunications company. On May 16, 2001, MTN became the first GSM network to make a call following the globally
lauded USA GSM auction conducted by the USA Communications Commission earlier in the year. Thereafter the company launched full commercial operations beginning with Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Job Title: MTN Foundation Budget Accountant

Location
Lagos

Job Field
Finance, Accounting, Audit

Job Description
Provide financial input at the inception of all MTNF projects and to the overall business plan, identifying associated financial risks.
Provide financial input to the MTNF Project Appraisal Committee PAC meetings, guiding the committee in recommending projects to MTNF Board of Directors.
Interpret accounting/financial information to evaluate the financial performance of MTN Foundation’s operations.
Work with Monitoring & Evaluation Officer to obtain information and conduct corporate social investment analysis on a monthly basis.
Perform quarterly social audit and return on investment analysis on all MTNF projects, giving advice as to the economic viability of the projects.
Optimize processes, procedures and policies on funding issues with partners, forecasting the cash needs of each MTNF portfolio.
Process payments to the MTNF partners, consultants and vendors, implementing necessary financial controls within the MTNF processes.
Verify and validate the expenditure retirement documents and processes, preparing budget/actual variance analysis on both MTNF project funds and OPEX.
Oversee accurate deduction of taxes and prompt rendering of returns.
Prepare financial management reports to the Executive Secretary of the Foundation on a monthly basis.
Collaborate with Financial Reporting for the preparation of quarterly financial statements to MTNF Board of Directors.

Job Condition
Normal MTNN working conditions
May be required to work extended hours

Experience

• 4 years work experience in Finance environment including:
• At least 2 years in mainstream financial reporting in a multinational organization
• Experience in working with enterprise financial systems
• Experience in telecommunications industry is desirable
• Experience in social development environment is also desirable
• Training
• Financial Analysis and Modeling
• Corporate Social Investment analysis
• Advanced Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Hyperion Financial Management, IFS, Oracle Financial Analyzer, Pastel Evolution
• Developmental Training: Management Skills, Negotiation Skills, Supervisory Skills