Archive for the ‘Education’ Category

PostHeaderIcon Virginia Schools Hail Successes and Fund Challenges

Patricia Hawke asked:


Virginia Schools recently received national acclaim for some of its successful schools. Newsweek released its list of the top 5% of schools in the nation, and 87 Virginia Schools made the cut. Eleven Virginia Schools made the top 100, and an additional two were included in the list of the “public elites.” Those two were Maggie Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Both were included because of the higher than average SAT and ACT scores of their students.

Virginia Schools achieve these results while spending about $7,751 annually per pupil. This puts the state right in the middle for national spending. Clearly some good results are coming from some of the efforts of Virginia Schools. But there are still some big concerns and certain gaps. Like the rest of the country, Virginia Schools struggle with an achievement gap for minority students. African-American and other minority students consistently score lower as a group on standardized tests. Socioeconomic factors have proven to dramatically effect a student’s academic success.

One way that the Virginia Schools are trying to remedy this problem is through a partnership with the ECMC Foundation. In 2003 the ECMC and the Virginia Department of Education teamed up to create the Virginia ECMC Scholars Program to “increase participation in postsecondary education by economically or otherwise disadvantaged students, and to challenge these students to better prepare during the junior and senior years of high school.”

2007 will be the fifth cycle of funding and the ECMC has upped its pledge for Virginia Schools to $3 million dollars in scholarships, mentoring stipends and program funding. Participants in the programs are selected from Virginia Schools at the end of their sophomore year. What makes this scholarship program different is that educators select students they know. Anonymous strangers who base the decision on faceless essays or a qualifications list choose participants in most other scholarship programs.

ECMC and Virginia Schools select children based on future potential rather than past grades. The participants are mentored and tutored through their junior and senior years to bring out their best potential. Ten Virginia Schools were selected on basis of need, and the program is funded through 2009.

Privately funded programs like the Virginia ECMC Scholars Program are one way that Virginia Schools hope to close the achievement gap and propel the state school system forward. Virginia had its own testing system in place (Virginia Standards of Learning) prior to the 2001 No Child Left Behind Initiative. But the national mandate implemented class size and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) markers for every school in the nation. Pressure for students to meet passing marks in both Virginia Schools and across the nation has been intense. Educators and politicians continue to debate the merits and pitfalls of standardized testing as a way to raise learning standards in the nation.



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PostHeaderIcon Funded Education Programs For Children

James Brown asked:


Every child in the United States deserves a good education and there are many groups and organizations that are dedicated to making that fact become a reality. Low-income families are often given the lowest priority on waiting lists at private schools but are at the top of the Government funded school programs in place in communities that stretch across the United States.

Some of the funding for these programs has been reduced or deleted by budget cuts in Congress. The opportunities for learning still exist for low-income families due to the caring and sharing of people who are members of privately funded organizations. The President’s No Child Left Behind policy ensures that children of all walks of life have access to education and that no child will graduate without being qualified to do so. The rigid requirements of government funded educational programs make it impossible for some low income parents to participate.

Parents are educated on the education process and are notified about the funded programs, which are in place that will help their child receive the education that they deserve. While school vouchers take the bite out of educational costs for low income families, these vouchers are limited and not all children will attend school using this method. Some low-income families get financial assistance from the Government to pay school fees, and others will only qualify for financial help to buy school books.

Many low-income families live in public housing projects and rely on the public assistance programs to have funds to buy foods. This lower standard of living will allow large families to qualify for early education programs and bear no expense in getting it. Public transportation is provided to take pre-school age children to daycare where they will learn the educational basics of the alphabet and how to interact with other children.

These programs are designed to give children a head start in life and prepare them intellectually to be able to live better later in life. With better living conditions and a concerted effort to provide a quality education, many community leaders feel that welfare roles will be reduced when a child is educated about the world they live in. Real life conditions will take on a higher degree of importance to those that are educated about education costs. Those that have money to spare are more than willing to share the cost of education with those less fortunate.

Some privately funded organizations will donate books for low-income children to read while they attend after-school care programs. Public libraries provide free access to the internet and school age children are often seen playing educational games that will help them learn mathematics or explore geography with a friend who also speaks Spanish. The public libraries are an excellent source of information and can be the center of learning for children from all lifestyles.

Pre-school children are often educated at home with the help of publicly funded television programming. The children’s education is well-rounded and carefully calculated to allow children access to learning at various points throughout the day. Some of these educational programs have become part of the public school system curriculum and school age children do not bear the cost for access to this type of educational opportunity.



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PostHeaderIcon Students Should Compose Strategic College Funding Plan

Jeff Mictabor asked:


Getting your financial house in order means different things to students and their parents, depending on what year a student is in college. Regardless, springtime presents the perfect opportunity to review the past year’s financial strategy and plan for the future, whether you are a freshman or a graduating senior.

Returning students may take this time to access the actual costs of school as compared to what they originally projected and re-calculate their budget for the upcoming school year. This way they are in a better position to more accurately estimate the following year’s expenses and the funding options to make their next year optimal. Graduates are in an entirely different category, preparing to leave behind their academic successes and move forward into the everyday work world.

NextStudent Provides Tools

Wherever students are in their academic career, NextStudent, the Phoenix-based premier education funding company, has all the tools necessary to help them get their college student loan debt and finances in order. Since needs vary, NextStudent, a Federal Family Education Loan Program provider, funds Stafford student loans, PLUS loans, Student Loan Consolidation and Private student loans.

When working with NextStudent, borrowers are assigned their own personal Education Finance Advisor, who will walk them through the college funding process from start to finish. This personalized attention and outstanding customer service is just one component of the excellence that can be expected when working with a company of NextStudent’s character and caliber.

Strategy Begins with Scholarship Search

A good place to start once a continuing student has updated the cost estimates for attending college for the prior year is to review the FREE money options or scholarships that are available. NextStudent has an impressive free online Scholarship Search Engine and comprehensive database that allows students to apply for 2.4 million scholarships valued at over $3.4 billion from more than 42,000 college funding sources.

Currently, in its efforts to promote the search for “Free Money” for college students through its Scholarship Search Engine, NextStudent is having a “Rock My Grad Party” contest for local Phoenix high schools and students. A total of $5,000 goes to the winning school toward funding its 2007 Senior Class Party, and one lucky student will be awarded a laptop computer that can be used at college next year! All school administrators, including teachers and counselors as well as students, will be able to take advantage of the many scholarship opportunities available through NextStudent’s Scholarship Search Engine tools. For more information on the “Rock My Grad Party” promotion and how you can get involved, e-mail Amy Bookbinder at abookbinder@nextstudent.com.

All Qualify for Stafford Student Loans

Once a student has exhausted the “Free Money” resources, it is time to start putting together funding options for school, starting with Federal Stafford Student Loans. NextStudent offers both need-based subsidized Stafford Student Loans as well as unsubsidized Stafford Student loans. Since the government mandates that the student loan rates do not exceed 8.25 percent, this funding option is an inexpensive one for a student’s student loan portfolio. Rates currently are at 6.8 percent, and students qualify regardless of need.

When students choose to fund a Stafford Student loan through NextStudent, they are making a wise, financially sound decision since there are many money-saving benefits. Students literally can save thousands of dollars with such benefits as: zero origination fees, a 3 percent cash rebate on the remaining principal balance after making 30 consecutive on-time payments using auto-debit, and an interest rate reduction of .375 percent when borrowers use auto-debit for repayment.

PLUS Loans’ Crucial Component

A smart and easy way for parents and graduate students to fund college is to look to Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students and Graduate PLUS loans. Most people qualify for these student loans since the student loans are not based on income or need. These funds may be used to cover 100 percent of such college costs as tuition and a new computer, books and other necessities, less any financial aid received. NextStudent PLUS and Graduate PLUS Loans include generous terms and savings incentives.

Private Student Loans Fill Critical Gap

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Once all federal financial aid is maximized, which can come a lot quicker than most people think, it is time to check out NextStudent’s Private Student Loans. Oftentimes, original estimates of college costs are significantly lower than the actual costs. This is where private student loans fill that gap, to the tune of the lesser of $40,000 per year or the cost of attendance (less any financial aid received). Since funds are disbursed directly to the borrower, students and their parents retain control of their funds. Students must be enrolled in school at least half time and may not require a co-signer. Funds also are available for study abroad and distance learning programs.

Student Loan Consolidation: Key to Savings

Once students have used funds to cover costs and completed their education, it is time to take action to save money. College seniors who consolidate their student loans can end up saving thousands and slashing their student loan payments by up to 60 percent, putting them into a sound financial position as they enter the “real world.” Students must have at least two federal student loans having a minimal student loan balance totaling $10,500 and may qualify for the NextStudent student loan consolidation program over the phone in as little as five minutes. One particularly aggressive benefit that saves students thousands is the “Standard Locked” package where borrowers receive a 1 percent LOCKED rate reduction after 36 consecutive on-time payments.

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and it is dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding simple. Learn more about federal student loans, private student loans, and? student loan consolidation at NextStudent.com.



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PostHeaderIcon Student Loans From Nextstudent Offers An of Options for College, From Free Money to Federal and Private Loans

Jeff Mictabor asked:


STUDENT LOANS FROM NEXTSTUDENT OFFERS AN ARRAY OF OPTIONS FOR COLLEGE, FROM FREE MONEY TO FEDERAL AND PRIVATE LOANS

 

College student borrowers who need help to fund their college education have a variety of options. Phoenix-based NextStudent, the premier education funding company, offers a host student loan options as well as advice for borrowers who are looking to achieve their dream of a college education.

NextStudent’s highly trained Education Finance Advisers are knowledgeable about the numerous student loan choices available to students and offers education finance counseling to help put students on the right educational financing track.

Prospective college students always are advised to begin with scholarships, get as much free money as possible. Through NextStudent’s Scholarship Search Engine, student borrowers have a host of available scholarships from which they can apply to see if they qualify for free money. The search engine is free of charge, private and updated daily so that students continuously can inquire. Students also should check about scholarships offered through other avenues, such as their college of choice, local community companies and community religious organizations.

After scholarships, student loan borrowers then should look to federal student loans to help fund their education. NextStudent offers competitive federally guaranteed student and parent loans, or PLUS Loans. Along with the set federal interest rate, the company always features a host of aggressive benefits and incentives to help make repayment both easy and manageable for the student.

Federal Student loans offered to college students include Stafford loans, which do not require a credit check, and payments do not have to be made until after graduation. Parents also can help to pay for their children’s higher education costs with a federal PLUS Loan Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students. Parents can take out PLUS loans and never have to dip into their savings. The loans are not based on financial need, so all parents are eligible, regardless of their income.

When scholarships and federal funds are exhausted, student borrowers can turn to NextStudent Private student loans, which are available to college students and graduate students. They are unsecured, credit-based loans that are available throughout the year for all related college expenses. They cover up to the full cost of education, less any financial aid received by the borrower.

Preapproval is fast and student borrowers can receive a NextStudent Private loan in as little as five business days. There are no payments until after graduation, no application fees or deadlines, and funds are sent directly to the borrower. Borrowers can apply for Private student loans with or without a co-signer; however, NextStudent approves more loans with a qualified co-signer. In addition, Private loans through NextStudent typically are a better choice than credit cards because interest rates are lower and the loans feature money-saving repayment options.

About NextStudent

NextStudent, federal lender code 834051, is dedicated to helping students and their families find affordable ways to pay for college. NextStudent offers one-on-one education finance counseling and has a portfolio of highly competitive education finance products and services including a free online scholarship search engine, federally guaranteed parent and student loans, private student loans, both federal and private /www.nextstudent.com/consolidation_loans/consolidation_loans.asp”>student loan consolidation programs, and college savings plans.

The NextStudent Scholarship Search Engine, one of the nation’s oldest and largest scholarship search engines, is updated daily, available free of charge, completely private and represents 2.4 million scholarships worth $3.4 billion.

For more information about NextStudent and its student loan programs, please visit the company’s Web site at http://www.nextstudent.com/.



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PostHeaderIcon School Fund Raising Idea – Custom Gift Wrap

Richard Leeds asked:


Some of the best fund raising ideas for schools are those which involve the pupils in some kind of creative activity. I’ll bet if you asked most young children what they enjoy most at school the answers would include drawing or painting. Combining the talents of our children with parents and grandparents willingness to spend money is a winning combination.

And how do you get all that creativity on to something that displays our children’s artistic skills to as wide an audience as possible? You print it on gift wrapping paper. Possibilities for themes are endless, but parent’s pockets aren’t, so selling the gift wrap at a couple of events a year should be just right. The most obvious are the Summer Fete or Fair and at Christmas.

Get the children to create their works of art on A4 paper sheets. They can be on white paper, or for an interesting effect spread a few different coloured papers among the pupils. A standard sheet of Gift Wrap is 500mm x 700mm or similar. When the children’s illustrations are reduced down in size, you can fit any number from about 72 up to 288 images on to a sheet. It depends on the effect you want to achieve. The white background tends to work better with the lower numbers and the multi-coloured papers with higher numbers. Duplicate images as desired or necessary to make up the numbers.

The children’s images are scanned and montaged using design software and printing should be carried out by a printing company. How much of the work of creating the gift wrap is carried out by the school will depend on the school’s own capabilities. However, it is recommended that the assembly of images and final printing is carried out by professionals. The minimum quantity for printing gift wrap of this kind is 1000 sheets. The profit on this amount should be at least 100% after printing costs are taken out. For larger quantities, the amount raised by the school would be even higher.

At Christmas time, an additional fund raiser is to have greetings cards printed with images from the gift wrap. The advantage with these fund raising projects is that they can be repeated annually with different sets of children taking part. As well as the money raised, the expressions on the children’s faces when they see their work in print is priceless.



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PostHeaderIcon Weekly Commercial Loan Origination Tip: Summarize Your Loan Requests For Better Results

craighigdon asked:


This video describes the importance of using a well-written summary when seeking commercial real estate financing for a client. It is of most interest to loan originators who are considering or who already do commercial loans as part of their business. … “Commercial Real Estate” “Commercial lending” “lending tips” “loan officers” “mortgage brokers”

PostHeaderIcon Commercial Real Estate Financing Tip, Pictures are Worth $1,000,000

craighigdon asked:


This commercial real estate financing tip covers the importance of including pictures with your loan requests. Includes a suggested list of photos to include with your submissions.

PostHeaderIcon Commercial Real Estate Financing Tip: How to Pick the Best Lender

craighigdon asked:


The weekly Investment Property Insider commercial real estate lending video tip. This week covers how to choose the right type of lender for your commercial financing needs. Not all lenders are created equal and this tip points you in the right direction.

PostHeaderIcon InvestmentPropertyInsider.com-Commercial Investing Tip, Getting Back to Basics 1-12-09

craighigdon asked:


This video describes the importance of using a well-written summary when seeking commercial real estate financing. It is of most interest to investors who are seeking a loan from a financial institution. … “Commercial Loan” “Lending Tips” “Commercial Financing”