Archive for April, 2009
Today my daughter told me she was taking three online classes so she can work almost full time this summer. She is doing this to graduate in December, four and ½ years after she started. While I am grateful financially that she is motivated to finish up; in the back of my mind I am wondering if she can handle the intensity of three online classes. She is quite organized so she has that in her favor, but I am not sure if she can handle the demands. She has taken an occasional online class with her on site classes, so she does have some idea of what she is getting into. Online classes require a lot of response, which is visible or invisible to the instructor. She tends to get overwhelmed and I am wondering if online classes condensed for a summer session might be too much for her. She did not inherit her mother’s need to stay busy.
If you work full time, online or on site classes, eat most of the free time you have after working an eight hour day. You need to have a lot of energy to do either types of college education. If you have children they still need a piece of your day too. The advantage of online classes is you can complete a lot of your assignments on the weekends before your assignment is due. If you are the first to post, you have the advantage of starting the discussion and understanding all the threads that follow.
Success in online classes belongs to those with a lot of energy and good organizational and time management skills. The ability to work ahead before the deadlines helps a lot in the online environment. If a student lacks these skills it will be difficult for them to achieve in the online environment.
Posted by admin on April 28th, 2009
Change may be coming to the student loan system. President Obama proposed cutting federal subsidies to private student lenders, the Federal Family Education Loan program, in his February budget proposal. The money from the cuts would be used to increase the number of Pell Grants, money given to financially eligible students. This program would not affect federal student loans.
Proponents of the plan to cut subsidies to private lenders expect this to increase the efficiency of student loans. They argue that subsidized private lenders make huge profits off loans while the federal government is left paying for loan defaults. President Obama describes the new plan as “putting students ahead of lenders by eliminating wasteful student loan subsidies that cost taxpayers billions each year.”
Opponents have responded that private lenders are needed to give students options. During an NPR interview, Jack Remondi, the Chief Financial Officer for lender Sallie Mae, said “choice is an important component of this program.” By eliminating choices, the opposition fears that competition would also be eliminated between lenders, causing an increase in rates and a less efficient system overall.
In spite of the poor economic environment, loan providers have explained that the cuts would not cause significant job loss throughout the loan industry. Earlier this year Sallie Mae recently brought 2,000 overseas jobs back to America. The official justification was support for the American worker but some have drawn a connection to the return of jobs with threats of federal cuts.
Sallie Mae has begun promoting for a mix between federal and private loans. This plan would have private loan providers originally providing loans to students. The federal government would then buy control of these loans from the private companies. A campaign of lobbying has begun to promote this alternative proposal.
Democratic lawmakers have generally supported President Obama’s proposal to cut subsidies to private loan providers. Republicans, however, have been wary of the programs, citing the increased burden placed on the federal government as loans shift to it from private loan services.
Student loans are also being affected by the current economic environment. On Tuesday, April 21, Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner spoke to a Congressional panel saying that despite government intervention, banks are very strict about to whom they give loans. He continued by saying that results of the program have been “mixed” since some types of loans are challenging to come by.
Student loans are one of the areas being affected by the restricted flow of credit. Lending agencies are also wary of lending due to the increasing rate of students defaulting on loans. The current rate of 6.9 percent, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education, is the highest it has been in the last 10 years.
With two out of three college students graduating with debt and tuition continuing to rise, this is an issue that will greatly affect America’s next generation. If change does come, will students be shedding a tear for private loan providers? Justin Eisenstadt, a sophomore at UMBC, will not, since he considers student loans to be the “biggest scam in the nation’s history.” The outcome of private loan providers is undetermined while Congress hashes out a final budget.
Posted by admin on April 23rd, 2009
If you’ve recently been laid off, you’ve probably had someone tap you on the shoulder and tell you something like: “Out of crisis comes opportunity,” or “When one door closes, another opens.” It probably feels a little pat, but the truth is that many workers will use the downturn to switch out of a slow-growth career—and into work with a much more promising future.
The financial crisis and economic recession have made quick work of an expected gradual evolution in our economy. In the next few years, it could look very different—a shrunken Wall Street will force bankers to find jobs in other industries, a massive green-energy effort could create jobs that are barely on the map today, and an expanding healthcare sector could offer new opportunities for a broad swath of workers. So whether you’re out of work or you’re gainfully employed, you should keep on eye on the changing nature of our job market.
U.S. News has plowed through hundreds of careers, looking for the jobs with the best outlook in this recessionary economy (and beyond), the highest rates of job satisfaction, the least difficult training necessary, the most prestige, and the highest pay. These careers have staying power: They’re smart moves now, and they’ll be smart moves for years to come.
The aging of the baby boomer generation promises to place major demands on the healthcare system. There will be more need for physical therapists as active seniors work their way back from hip and knee replacements. A couple of national surveys also found that physical therapists rank high in job satisfaction. Registered nurses, biomedical equipment technicians, and physician assistants will also be in hot demand. Equipment technicians install, train, calibrate, and maintain a cadre of fast-evolving medical equipment, such as PET/CT scanners and robotic radiosurgery units. Computer systems know-how is increasingly useful, and you can be an everyday hospital hero after only a two-year associate’s degree. Physician assistants need two or three years of postgraduate education. Then they can do about 80 percent of what physicians do, and their salaries can reach six figures.
It’s also important to consider the effect of an Obama presidency on the labor market. The president-elect has indicated that healthcare reform will be a priority for his administration. Overhauling our existing system to make way for universal healthcare will require the hard work of many health policy specialists, who will be called upon to examine, analyze, or advise on everything from economic approaches to ethical outcomes of policy changes. Schools like Harvard, Penn, and Johns Hopkins offer interdisciplinary health policy programs, but there will be good job opportunities for people with primary expertise in economics, politics, medicine, accounting, management, and ethics, as well.
Some best careers may surprise you. Did you know that hair stylists rank among the most satisfied with their jobs? (No need to fear that your work will be outsourced, either.) Pharmacists are increasingly in demand as medical advisers, thanks to soaring physicians’ costs and appointment delays. Firefighter is among the most prestigious careers, as ranked by the public in a Harris poll. It ranks behind scientist and physician—two careers that require much bigger investments in higher education. The veterinarian career—long a favorite for kids who love pets—is a surprisingly smart adult choice, with plenty of opportunities in the field, a variety of work environments, and, although it can be stressful, great reward for your labor.
Some careers fly well under the radar, so competition is less intense, even if job satisfaction runs high. Have you ever thought of a job as an audiologist? Probably not, but this career lets you work closely with the rapidly improving technology of hearing aids, and you spend lots of time out of the office—working one-on-one with patients in clinics or hospitals.
Workers who crave job security may find their last bastion of hope in the federal government. Government can always raise taxes or print more money—and it still offers full-time, well-paying positions with generous benefits, including ample holidays, sick days, and vacation days. More good news: There will be plenty of jobs to choose from, as a big chunk of federal employees become eligible for retirement over the next decade. Opportunities for a government manager abound—in everything from human resources to finance, research to public relations, and technology to art, with jobs throughout the United States and the world.
Our full list of Best Careers 2009 :
* Audiologist
* Biomedical equipment technician
* Clergy
* Curriculum/training specialist
* Engineer
* Firefighter
* Fundraiser
* Genetic counselor
* Ghostwriter
* Government manager
* Hairstylist/Cosmetologist
* Health policy specialist
* Higher education administrator
* Landscape architect
* Librarian
* Locksmith/Security system technician
* Management consultant
* Mediator
* Occupational therapist
* Optometrist
* Pharmacist
* Physical therapist
* Physician assistant
* Politician/Elected official
* Registered nurse
* School psychologist
* Systems analyst
* Urban planner
* Usability/User experience specialist
* Veterinarian
US NEWS and Reports
Posted by admin on April 21st, 2009
University of Phoenix’s Severely Injured Veterans scholarship program is recognized on the U.S. Army Community Covenant web site as a national best practice in support of military members and their families. The scholarship program was created to honor Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland’s brave men and women who return home from service in Iraq and Afghanistan with severe injuries. Through full-tuition scholarships, injured veterans are empowered to reach their academic goals or pursue second careers. University of Phoenix Severely Injured Veterans Scholarship program is especially proud to partner with Armed Forces Foundation in paying tribute to those who fight heroically for the protection of American freedoms. Four (4) full-tuition scholarships will be for severely injured veterans/service members, and one (1) full-tuition scholarship will be for a spouse or primary caretaker of a severely injured veteran/service member. These scholarships can be used toward one bachelor’s or master’s degree program of choice.
Residents in the DC area (Maryland, DC and Virginia) are eligible for the scholarship. The application deadline is May 1, 2009. Apply Today
Request more information from University of Phoenix
Posted by admin on April 21st, 2009
The Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan was proposed as part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 and will become available on July 1, 2009.
Income-based repayment is intended as an alternative to income sensitive repayment (ISR) and income contingent repayment (ICR). (Both ISR and ICR plans will continue to exist.) It is designed to make repaying education loans easier for students who intend to pursue jobs with lower salaries, such as careers in public service. It does this by capping the monthly payments at a percentage of the borrower’s discretionary income, which is based on the borrower’s income, family size, and total amount borrowed. The monthly payment amount is adjusted annually, based on changes in annual income and family size.
Income-based repayment is only available for federal student loans, such as the Stafford, Grad PLUS and consolidation loans. It is not available for Parent PLUS loans or for consolidation loans that include Parent PLUS loans. (IBR is not available for Perkins loans, but it is available for consolidation loans that include Perkins loans.) It is also not available for private student loans.
Income-based repayment is similar to income-contingent repayment. Both cap the monthly payments at a percentage of your discretionary income, albeit with different percentages and different definitions of discretionary income. Income-based repayment caps monthly payments at 15% of your monthly discretionary income, where discretionary income is the difference between adjusted gross income (AGI) and 150% of the federal poverty line that corresponds to your family size and the state in which you reside. There is no minimum monthly payment.
(Overall, income-based repayment is probably a bit better for borrowers than income-contingent repayment, especially if the borrower’s financial circumstances improve. Income-contigent repayment caps monthly payments at 20% of the difference between AGI and 100% of the federal poverty line. Income-based repayment is clearly more generous than this aspect of income-contingent repayment, since it assesses a lower percentage, 15%, of a smaller definition of discretionary income, the excess of income over 150% of the poverty line. Income-contingent repayment also capped monthly payments at the 12-year extended repayment plan monthly payment multiplied by an income percentage factor of 50% or more based on income and marital status. However, few borrowers would trigger the income percentage factor caps.)
The maximum repayment period is 25 years. After 25 years, any remaining debt will be discharged (forgiven). Under current law, the amount of debt discharged is treated as taxable income, so you will have to pay income taxes 25 years from now on the amount discharged that year. But the savings can be significant for students who wish to pursue careers in public service. And because you will be paying the tax so long from now, the net present value of the tax you will have to pay is small.
A new public service loan forgiveness program will discharge the remaining debt after 10 years of full-time employment in public service. The borrower must have made 120 payments as part of the Direct Loan program in order to obtain this benefit. Only payments made on or after October 1, 2007 count toward the required 120 monthly payments. (Borrowers may consolidate into Direct Lending in order to qualify for this loan forgiveness program starting July 1, 2008.)
In addition to discharging the remaining balance at the end of 25 years (10 years for public service), the IBR program also includes a limited interest subsidy benefit. If your payments don’t cover the interest that accrues, the government pays or waives the unpaid interest (the difference between your monthly payment and the interest that accrued) on subsidized Stafford loans for the first three years of income-based repayment.
The IBR program is best for students who will be pursuing public service careers and borrowers with high debt and low income. Having a large household size also helps. Borrowers who have only a temporary income shortfall may be better off seeking an economic hardship deferment.
Students who are not pursuing careers in public service may be intimidated by the through of a 25-year repayment term. However, it is worth careful consideration, especially by students who might be considering using an extended or graduated repayment plan. IBR will likely provide the lowest monthly payment for many low income borrowers and certainly is a reasonable alternative to defaulting on the loans.
Calculating the cost of a loan in the IBR program can be somewhat complex, in part due to the need to make assumptions about future income and inflation increases. FinAid provides a powerful Income-Based Repayment Calculator that lets you compare the IBR program with standard and extended repayment. You can compare the costs under a variety of scenarios, including the possibility of starting off with a lower income and later switching to job with a higher salary.
FinAid’s IBR calculator also computes the net present value of the total payments, telling you how much they would cost in constant dollars. The idea is that a dollar ten years from now will have less buying power than a dollar today, due to inflation. Net present value tells you how much that dollar would be worth today, under certain assumptions. Comparing different loans using constant dollars can provide a more realistic analysis of the difference in real cost.
When comparing the IBR program with the standard and extended repayment programs, it is important to recognize that the loan term has a significant impact on loan cost. Although net present value figures allow you to compare costs on a constant dollar basis, comparing the cost of a 10 year loan with a 25 year loan is like comparing apples and oranges. A 10 year loan will likely have a lower overall cost than a 25 year loan, primarily because of the shorter loan term. For example, consider a student with a $72,000 loan and an AGI of $40,000. Under the IBR program, the net present value is $77,940.78. Under the standard repayment program, the net present value is $76,074.74. So the standard repayment program is slightly less expensive than the IBR program. However, it would be a mistake to conclude from this that the extended repayment program with a 25 year loan term is better than the IBR program, because the relative costs change as the loan term increases. The 25-year extended repayment program turns out to have a net present value of $80,743.06, more expensive than the IBR program.
The marriage penalty inherent in the IBR formula was corrected by Congress (P.L. 110-153, December 21, 2007) by allowing a married borrower who files income tax returns as “married filing separately” to count only the borrower’s adjusted gross income and student loan debt. This lets a borrower exclude the (higher) income of his/her spouse when calculating the cap on monthly payments under income-based repayment instead of combining the income as under the original legislation.
An important feature of the government’s IBR program is that although you must initially sign up for 25-year income-contingent repayment, you are not locked into this payment plan. If your circumstances change or if you just decide that you want to pay off your loan more rapidly, you may do so. (Borrowers who switch into Direct Lending in order to obtain public service loan forgiveness are limited to the IBR, ICR and standard repayment plans.)
Posted by Jeff Davis on April 20th, 2009
Not everyone is a good candidate for becoming an online student. In my opinion, online courses seem to be geared more towards students with a verbal learning style versus a visual one. Why? Well, namely because the study materials, classroom discussions, assignments, and interaction are all replaced by writing. So, if you are the type of student who prefers a more hands-on approach, the online school environment may not be for you. But whatever your learning style, you must be able to learn and work independently in order to succeed in an online degree program. This means that you must be organized and able to complete all assignments with little to no supervision. Effective time management is very important, so procrastinators beware. Among the many benefits to this type of learning environment are that online students usually don’t have to worry about waiting for the entire class to catch up to speed so that everyone is on the same level and I have personally found it to be beneficial by working at my own pace like this so that I can help to speed up my graduation date and getting my degree.
Among the other characteristics of a good online program candidate are that they must be able to effectively demonstrate comfort with using technology and especially such items as the Internet (for research and classroom activities), word processing software, and communication tools (like email and instant messengers). Lastly, I think it’s important for an online student to have the necessary reading and comprehensive skills in order to understand the text because in the online school environment you will be missing out on the more traditional instructor-led lectures.
Posted by Jeff Davis on April 17th, 2009
Not only am I considering earning another online degree, I’ve already started on one. Once I completed my online Bachelor’s degree program, I told myself over and over that I would not even contemplate a Graduate degree program for at least a year so that I could give my mind a rest and take a much needed break. However, it didn’t quite work out that way. I finished my online education in April and by November, I was eager to start school and start learning again. Well, here I am smack dab in the middle of a Master’s degree program and of course, it’s another online program. I wouldn’t have it any other way, especially since I already know that a traditional school wouldn’t offer me the flexibility I need for my hectic schedule.
After looking at some various options as to which program was right for me and which online school I wanted to attend, I came to the conclusion that the school from which I just graduated, seemed to provide me with the best opportunity for meeting my overall goals in the long run. I am now approximately halfway through my Master’s degree program at the University of Phoenix and am starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel (or it could just be my eyes playing tricks on me from being so tired). I am looking forward to graduating in about 6 months now and being able to utilize what I’ve learned into my professional career.
I don’t feel that I have done anything different this time around than in my online undergraduate degree. However, I do notice that there seems to be more work involved and is therefore taking up more of my time each week. So, for those of you who may be considering embarking upon the journey of obtaining a graduate degree online, listen closely. There is work involved, just as if you were going to a traditional school. My best advice for anyone considering returning to school to pursue another degree in the online environment is to do your homework and comparison shopping wisely in order to get exactly what you are looking for. I am noticing more and more traditional schools coming online with their degree programs each and every day. I can imagine that it won’t be long before the majority of all schools offer the traditional classroom environment or the online classroom environment for all students. In fact, they may have to do this in order to compete for students because the online enrollment is growing by leaps and bounds.
Posted by admin on April 16th, 2009
In today’s economy, it can feel as if there are few jobs to be had, much less ones with six-figure salaries attached. However, there are careers to be found in a range of fields that can boost your earning power. What’s more, you can achieve a high income without a doctorate or a law degree.
Of course, achieving a six-figure salary will always require hard work and motivation. There are no free rides or successful get-rich-quick schemes. Sometimes continuing your education is the best way to prepare for a new career.
Below are some steps that may help you take your current salary to new heights.
Consider the benefits of online education.
Online training programs offer an alternative to traditional in-classroom education that can be very appealing for working students. Pursuing an online degree, whether it’s a bachelor’s, associate’s, or higher, allows you to study from home, at your own pace, so you can keep your current job while training for a better one.
Scenario 1: Earn a two-year associate’s degree.
Believe it or not, there are some high-paying careers out there that you can prepare for with about two years of study. For example, court reporters are known to pull in six-figure salaries, and often train for their careers with just one year to 33 months of study. If you’re surprised to see this career on the list, consider that court reporters often take on freelance work in addition to their regular hours to significantly boost their incomes. While the average salary for a court reporter technically weighs in at about $48,000, many use freelance opportunities to top the $100,000 mark.
Scenario 2: See where a bachelor’s degree can take you.
Train for a career in fine arts, finance, or technology, and find high-paying careers in each area. Art directors average about $83,000 annually, with the top 25 percent earning over $100,000 per year. Many art directors hold a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. Some begin their careers as graphic artists in advertising, publishing, design, or film, and work their way up to the position of art director while proving themselves through experience and hard work.
In the financial sector, actuaries pull in hefty salaries assessing risks and their financial impacts while often working for insurance companies. The mean annual salary for an actuary is $95,420. A bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, or business should offer solid footing for you to embark upon this career path.
If your interests lie in technology and IT, consider becoming a Web systems manager. The mean annual salary for this career is $113,880, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 25 percent can earn over $136,000 per year. A bachelor’s degree is a common requirement for IT managers, along with a strong knowledge of computers and management practices. A degree in management information systems may be especially helpful.
Scenario 3: Looking beyond a bachelor’s — let education take you higher.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree and are looking to advance within your current field, consider the options that might be possible with a master’s degree.
Becoming an educational administrator can be a great option for teachers looking to advance their careers with a two-year master’s degree. In most cases, a master’s in educational administration or educational leadership is required, as well as related experience in teaching or school administration.
A high school principal might expect to earn around $92,000 annually, according to the BLS, while a chief academic officer can earn over $140,000 per year.
Look into further career training.
Research your potential new career, what further experience you might need, and how to get it. In today’s fast-paced job market, current job skills are essential, especially if your career involves using computers or technology in any way. Many professionals remain at the top of their careers with short educational stints or extra certifications in their fields.
Do what makes you happy — the money will follow.
You’ve heard it from everyone from your mom to Oprah: Do what makes you truly happy, and the financial side of things will fall into place. While it may be difficult to swallow this notion when you’re about to leap into a career change, you will likely be happy you did, especially if you follow these guidelines.
Yahoo Hotjobs
Posted by Jen Zeman on April 16th, 2009
In the fall of 2008 I considered, and was ready to begin, a graduate degree online with the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. The master’s program was in Liberal Studies and at the time I felt this was the direction I needed to go in. I felt I had completed enough research to know whether graduate school was the right choice and that Liberal Studies was the program for me. As soon as classes started, fear and loathing consumed me. I started questioning whether starting graduate school now was really right after all and suddenly I felt like I wouldn’t be able to handle it. Not a good way to start a semester – I was setting myself up for failure. After much consideration and discussion with my husband and with myself, I decided to drop the classes and withdraw completely.
In deciding to withdraw, I took a hard look at my reasons for beginning graduate school online. I hope the lessons I learned will be helpful to you when deciding to pursue a graduate degree:
- Carefully consider the reasons why you are doing it. A lot of career fields do not require a graduate degree. Do not feel pressured to obtain one just because others around you have one (i.e. do not think of it as a status symbol). If you feel pressure from others to obtain a graduate degree, you will be miserable in the process.
- Graduate school is expensive, even if your company offers some sort of tuition reimbursement. If a graduate degree isn’t necessary to get you where you want to be, think about whether the debt you will accumulate will be worth it in the end (i.e. will you recoup the money?).
- Graduate school consumes a lot of time. If you think earning your bachelor degree online was a lot of work, multiply the workload by at least two.
For me an online graduate degree is not completely out of the question. But when considering it next time around, I will spend no less than a year researching the right program; lining up adequate funding; and I will make sure I truly have the time it takes to make graduate school a rewarding experience and to make sure I do well at the same time.
Posted by Sharon Cece on April 14th, 2009
Tofu is not for everyone.
Now that I have your attention, I’ll add this: sushi is not for everyone either, but some people do love sushi. Others, on the other hand, would very well live well without sushi and instead prefer a hot, juicy steak with potatoes. Still others (like myself) love tofu, sushi, steak and potatoes. Now, who’s ready for dessert?
Along with celebrating my healthy appetite, I’m using food metaphorically to illustrate that some students enjoy attending school online, yet it may not be the right fit for everyone. Similarly, attending college in the traditional sense–on campus–might be a great choice or it might be a hardship for those looking to pursue a degree.
It would be helpful if we had a template for determining online and traditional campus populations, but in the absence of such templates there are guidelines that can help students gauge which degree-seeking method would be an ideal choice:
- Lifestyle Your daily life routine is a good starting point to determining whether online college is a better alternative to attending college on campus. For example, if you’re single and attending school full-time and want to be in the thick of college life, attending college on campus would be a great choice. However, if you are married, working full-time and caring for children or older family members, you will undoubtedly benefit from the time-saving flexibility of online classes.
- Social Disposition Those who are shy, socially-reserved, or who prefer working from home on the computer might benefit from the liberated platform of online learning. Keep in mind, some socially reserved students would benefit from the social atmosphere of campus life, for it would challenge one‘s comfort zone and widen their experiences–all good. However, a student with a healthy social life who performs better academically without social distractions might find online options to be an excellent choice. Gregarious and socially active individuals who love being out in public and interacting with other classmates and friends may naturally want to consider courses on campus.
- Level of Autonomy If you’re the type of student who needs strict order and scheduling, set class times and guided formats, then traditional college venues would be recommended. Students who are adept at making and adhering to their own schedules, who prefer being independent in course work and course submission, will do very well online.
- Computer Skills Both online and traditional courses utilize the computer; however, online courses operate exclusively from the computer.
- Organizational Skills Organization is fundamental when taking classes online. Since the student is, for the most part, scheduling their own coursework regulation, class and testing times, and content review, a self-structured and self-imposed schedule is necessary for online success.
There is a third option; that is, to do both–attend school on campus and take a few courses online. This way, you get the best of both worlds and, like me, you can enjoy sushi and steak. Just don’t forget the dessert.
