The Collegebound Resource

Happy Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:08:00 +0000

Just a quick note wishing everyone a very happy holiday season and winter break. I hope finals went well!

I look forward to writing more posts after Christmas.

Random comic.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:53:00 +0000

Even athletes need to earn scholarships.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:21:00 +0000

If you're wondering the odds of winning an athletic scholarship, you should read my previous post here. The truth is, athletes need to work at earning scholarships, too. And, new sites are making it easier for athletes to promote themselves and secure money for college.

Using social-networking strategies (think Facebook and MySpace), these sites allow athletes to post their resumes and add videos displaying their skills.

If you're interested in learning more about this technique, and how other athletes "did it themselves," read this great article by the Wall Street Journal.

Happy hunting!

First come, first serve financial aid.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:01:00 +0000

It’s no secret that the economy is going through some slow times. And, as the current financial situation effects many businesses, it’s also impacting the number and amount of scholarships, loans, and federal financial aid.

While this may sound ominous, there is still plenty of money to be earned. You just need to increase your diligence, preparedness, and attitude. Here are some suggestions to stay on top of the financial aid and scholarship game.

1. Fill out your FAFSA.

This year, more families than ever will be applying for federally funded financial aid. The problem, as always, is that there is a fixed amount of funds available. The sooner you apply, the greater your chances of securing some money. Apply even if you don’t think you’ll qualify. The earliest you can file your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is January 1. You can file online, and I highly recommend you file the first of the year. To hit the ground running, fill out a sample form on the FAFSA website, gather all tax information, and set up a free account on www.fafsa.ed.gov. On January 1, you’ll be ready to file.

2. Get your college applications and financial forms in early.

Just as the government has a set amount of funds available for students, colleges are limited in the amount of scholarship money they can award each academic year. Typically, schools award money on a first come, first serve basis, and the number and amount of awards decrease as time progresses. What does this mean? More money is available at the beginning of the application cycle. Students that apply early in the application process are more likely to be granted a better financial aid package or get scholarships from the college. And, the amount of the scholarship is typically higher the earlier you apply. In addition to your basic admission application, be sure to complete any extra materials associated with scholarships, grants, or being considered for the college’s award money and return these forms as soon as possible. Sometimes, you are automatically considered for awards based on your college application, other times it is a separate process altogether. Check with your potential colleges to find out their procedures.

3. Apply for every scholarship you can.

In years past, students could afford to be picky. Scholarships with essay requirements were commonly ignored, scholarships less than $500 often we’re rejected, and there was basic apathy among high school students regarding scholarships. The fact is, you can’t afford to be picky. You must apply for any scholarship you have a chance at winning. In hockey, they say you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. The same is true with scholarships. You lose 100% of the scholarships you don’t apply for. This year, take your scholarship search seriously. Visit your career center or guidance counselor and request a scholarship list immediately. If your school does not have one, conduct an online search. Visit my previous posts for specific scholarship search strategies.

The strategies outlined above may seem simple, and they are. However, knowing something and executing are two different things. When you actually do the things above, you increase your chances of securing money for college.

Good luck. If you need help, just remember to repeat the mantra: early bird catches the worm.

The Scholarship To-Do List, Part 4: Online Search Strategy

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:04:00 +0000

Typically, the internet is the first place students and parents will search for scholarships. And, while this can work, it’s better to complete a couple steps to make the most of your online efforts. For review, I will quickly list those steps (you can also click on the links, they will take you to the full articles):

1. Understand the importance of an activity list.

2. Create a very specific activity list.

3. Visit your academic advisors.

Simple steps, sure. But, they’re essential to your online success. Here’s why: an activity list will help you create a strategic, focused plan of attack. Your counselors might be able to direct you to especially helpful sites you might have otherwise ignored or alert you to scholarships not listed online.

Once you’ve completed steps one, two, and three, you’re ready to search online. Now, before you jump onto Fastweb or another scholarship search engine, make use of your activity list. Follow the steps below to succeed online.

1. Use long-tail search terms.

A long tail search term is a phrase, rather than word, you type into the Google, Yahoo, or Ask search bars. For instance, instead of searching for “scholarships,” (which can return an overwhelming number of web pages) you’ll have better luck using a long tail search term like “art scholarships” or “scholarships for boy scouts.” In addition, use synonyms for scholarship like “grants,” “awards,” and “endowments.” To find scholarships that you’ll be especially qualified for, use your activity list. Type in “[your Activity] scholarship(s)” into the major search engines: you’ll be pleased by the return of more specific sites.

2. Find activity-related groups.

Use your activity list to find specific groups that cater to your interests: most have scholarships. Associations, clubs, groups, and professional organizations offer many scholarships to students that participate in their activity or pursuing degrees in their area of expertise. For instance, if you’re interested in photography (yes, this is an example I use a lot, but bear with me) you would type in “photography association.” When I did this, my search returned the site for Professional Photographers of America. Using the site search function, I typed in “scholarships.” Seven results popped up. To do this with your specific activities, simply choose an activity, type in “[activity] associations.” You can also do this with your major or future profession. For instance: “physical therapy association.” In addition, use synonyms for association like: organization, club, group, etc. The key here is to have fun with this process and think creatively.

3. Use the news function

Many times, I forget that I can use different search functions and get different (and sometimes better) information. It pays to use the “news” search function on search engines (you find this near the top of the page on Google, above the search bar on Yahoo.) Before you conduct a search, click on the link for “news.” Then, proceed with your search as you would normally. When you search using the news function, the results are media stories about your search terms. This is beneficial because most scholarship donors publicize the winners through newspaper or TV stories. When they advertise the winners, you can find out about the award, when applications are typically due, and what it takes to win. (Plus, if a scholarship related to your interests pops up, it validates the scholarship.) The only downside to this type of search is that you probably missed the current-year deadline. I use this function primarily to plan for the upcoming year. The lesson is that if you want to win awards, you must think ahead.

4. Don’t limit yourself to one search engine.

I use Google all the time. And, while Google is a very good search engine, it’s not the only one. While other search engines like Yahoo and Ask may not be as appealing or familiar to you, they tend to churn up different search results. The different lists can lead you to different web pages, and more scholarship opportunities. Don’t be scared, explore and compare. You never know what you might find.

I hope that these steps will help you conduct a very fruitful online scholarship search. With a little creativity, dedication, and web surfing I know you’ll have much success.

Interesting way to pay for college...

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:13:00 +0000

It's no secret that paying for college has become more of a struggle recently. Parents aren't able to contribute as much, loan companies are reducing their support, and jobs are becoming more scarce.

Interestingly, these tough times force people to become more creative in the way they attempt to finance their schooling, or pay for things in general. More and more, I'm hearing people talk about "human capital contracts." And, while the phrase doesn't exactly make me feel warm and fuzzy, it's definitely an idea worth discussing.

A human capital contract is an agreement entered into by an investor and college student. The investor pays college expenses, as an investment, in return for a percentage of the college student's future earnings over a fixed amount of time.

The benefits:

-Financial risk is transferred from the student to the investor

- The student avoids student-loan debt that can delay many life events like marriage, buying a home.

-The payment percentage is directly proportional to the amount the student makes in his or her job. (A teacher, for instance would have smaller payments while a lawyer or doctor would have higher payments.)

The downfalls:

-The contracts create an incentive for students to hide their income. (Remember, payments are based on earnings: the more you make, the more you pay.)

-No fixed payment is required. Therefore, a student could play Wii all day and not pay anything.

-"Adverse Selection": this system seems to penalize students that plan on entering into high paying careers.

Plans like these are taking root in other countries, including Germany. Is it a viable option for students in the United States? Maybe.

For more information about human capital contracts, read this report by the Grand Forks Herald.

Sorry! I've been south of the border.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:03:00 +0000

Hi everyone. (If there's anyone still reading after my one-month hiatus.)

For the past few weeks, I've been in Mexico for "Festival Internacional del Globo." (International Hot Air Balloon Festival. And, while it was a lot of fun, it also means I was unable to write for my blog. I apologize if you've been checking for new material.

I promise, there will be new posts coming soon. But, in the meantime here are some pictures from the event. It was super cool--the event organizers were fantastic, the spectators were in awe, and it was an all-around awesome time.

Obama is President. What does that mean for college costs?

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:48:00 +0000

This morning, we woke up to a new President-elect. Barack Obama.

Our new President has a lot of work ahead of him, and one major issue (the one I'm sure you're very concerned with) is paying for college. Recently, President-elect Obama sat down with Sway from MTV and talked about college costs and student loans. Below is the discussion. If you want to read the entire article, click here.

In the meantime, have a great day!

********************************************************************

If he's elected Tuesday, Senator Obama said he'd work to create new programs — and overhaul existing ones — to help students pay for their college education, which he said was vital not only for young people, but for the overall future of the economy.

"Look, this is something I can relate to," he said, answering a question from Joy0294 of San Antonio, Texas. "I went to college having to take out student loans. I went to law school having to take out loans. Michelle took out student loans. When we got married, I think together, our total loan payments every month [were] more than our mortgage when we bought a house, and that lasted for about 10 years."

Obama said that the average student applies for between $25,000 and $30,000 in student loans, and "that's a huge burden, especially at a time when wages and incomes aren't going up." Obama said he'd like to increase the Federal Pell Grant Program for starters, but also "eliminate banks as middle men from the Direct Loan Program; they're taking out billions of dollars in profits. I want to take that money, apply that to increasing the number of loans that are out there and reducing the rate. And then, what I want to do is provide a $4,000 tuition credit to every student every year, in exchange for national service."

The credit would be available to students who volunteered with the Peace Corps, worked in their communities in some fashion or joined the military. "We're going to make sure they can afford their college tuition," Obama said. "In certain areas, like teaching, where we really need teachers, especially in math and science and nursing, where we really need nurses, we will potentially provide them even more than that, to get the high-quality teachers and nurses we need."

Those who already started incurring student loan debts won't be left out in the cold, either. Senator Obama said he'd work to find ways to consolidate some student loans. But, he admitted, "there's only so much we're going to be able to do going backwards."

Answering a question from Seb88 of Buffalo, New York, he said that we need to "focus on going forward. There are a lot of students out there who have already paid off their loans, and they may not be happy with it. They wouldn't mind getting some of their money back too.

"By the way, this isn't just four-year colleges and universities," he continued. "My attitude is, if young people are going for two years at the community-college level, for some technical training of some sort, or if they are returning to school after having worked for a while, all that is part of creating a knowledge-based workforce that's going to be the key to our competitiveness long-term. We're looking at potentially being able to consolidate some of these loans, and, if they are part of a broader pool, we may be able to lower interest rates on the debt they already owe. But the key is, going forward, making sure young people will be able to afford to go to college."

Vote tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:55:00 +0000

If you're 18 or older, vote tomorrow. It's that simple.

Compare the two major candidates and find out where you can vote:

www.barackobama.com

www.johnmccain.com

Check this website out!

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:05:00 +0000

If you want to quickly compare the merit scholarships offered by various colleges, you need to check out this website: www.guaranteed-scholarships.com. Although this site is just a list, it can be a useful tool for comparison purposes.

It's important to know that most schools offer automatic scholarships based on academic performance and ACT or SAT scores. If you know what you need ahead of time, you can prepare and score accordingly. Higher grades or test scores almost guarantee more money. Take a look at this example:

Visit Hamline University's website HERE. You'll notice that a mere three point difference (25 to 28) ACT will earn you $2,000 more each year. That's $8,000 more over the course of four years. If you knew this before you took your ACT, wouldn't you try harder to get a higher score?

Take a look at guaranteed-scholarships.com. Find out what you need to do to get more money for college.

Have a great day!

Your College Scholarship To-Do List Part 3: Visit your academic advisors (high school website).

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:14:00 +0000

When you're searching for scholarships, I know you might be tempted to visit Google first thing.

Totally understandable.

But, unless you want to be overwhelmed and confused, you’ll avoid that step for the time being. Instead, go to your high school website.

Most schools provide a list of local scholarships available for students (these scholarships are better than those you’ll find in large scholarship databases because they're local, so you'll have less competition. By applying here instead of online to national scholarships, you automatically increase your chances of success.)

Some schools list awards available by month. Others list all the scholarships are available for the entire year. If your school lists them by month, visit your counselor and request the entire list. This way, you can gather all the required materials early and save yourself stress later.

Typically, you’re going to have to click around a bit to find scholarships, but the pattern is usually something like this:

• Visit your high school’s homepage

• Click on Departments or Academic Departments

• Visit the Career Center or Academic Advisors Section

• See if there are any of the following categories, then explore: scholarships, grants, financial aid, paying for college, college planning.

If your high school does not have this web resource, visit your advisor or counselor directly, and ask them for their assistance. Most scholarship donors will notify schools about their requirements. Most counselors have this information.

I found many of the scholarships I won through my high school career center (website). Trust me, if I did it, you can too.

Happy hunting!

Your College Scholarship To-Do List Part 2: Create your [very specific] activity list.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:56:00 +0000

In my last post, I talked about the importance of writing an activity list before you start looking for scholarships. To read my previous post, see it here.

Today, I'm going to run you through the basics and help you brainstorm your own activity list. So, without further ado, here you go:

How to create an activity list:

1. Separate a sheet of paper into three sections, titled: Activity, Years Participated, Specific Achievements/Contributions.

2. List ALL the activities you’ve participated in, including those activities dating back to elementary school. Ask yourself these specific questions:

• What groups/activities/programs did I participate in when I was younger? In Junior High? In High School?

• Where have a traveled? Did I go with a group or on my own? What did I learn?

• What church or religious groups did I participate in?

• Where and when did I volunteer?

• Where have I worked?

• What do I like doing when I’m not in school?

• What are my hobbies?

• Have I or do I participate in school-sponsored athletic programs?

• Other types of athletic endeavors, not school-affiliated (things like ballet, snowboarding, etc.)

• What do I plan on majoring in? What activities relate to this?

• Have I participated in any clubs?

• Do I speak a foreign language?

• What leadership positions have I held?

• Do I spend a lot of time with my friends?

• Am I technically savvy?

• Have I been invited to join any academic groups like NHS?

• Have I been involved in student government?

• Mock trial?

• Did I go to boys or girls state?

• Have I had internships or have I job-shadowed?

• Does my family belong to a credit union?

• Am I involved in the military?

3. After you’ve answered the questions above, try to write down specific examples or stories you remember about your participation. By diving in depth into these areas, you’ll save yourself time later because you’ll have excellent essay writing material. In addition, look for a theme that can tie your activities together. If you notice one type of activity that keeps appearing, you might use that as your theme. If you don’t have a clear “winner,” you might consider rounding out one of your favorite activities to give it more priority. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, see my last post).

Over the course of your life you’ve participated in countless activities. It’s important to write them down (or try to remember them) because you never know which ones will lead you to scholarships.

If you’re still stuck, here’s a some examples of specific activities: boy scouts, girl scouts, YMCA, United Way, Red Cross, church groups, mission groups, boy/girl’s state, academic programs, language clubs, the places you’ve traveled, any press you received for any activity, awards of any kind, your hobbies (are you a stamp collector, video gamer, skateboarder, sewer or knitter?), outdoor sports (like skiing, snowboarding, surfing, camping, hiking, climbing, etc.), and school-sponsored sports are all examples of activities that could appear on your list.

Just remember, write down anything and everything you can think of. Don’t filter yourself because this is for your eyes only. Plus, the more you write down, the more places you’ll have to start looking for scholarships. Stay tuned for my next post, I'm going to help you find scholarships by putting your list to work.

In the meantime, happy list writing!

Your College Scholarship To-Do List Part 1: Why an activity list will help you win scholarships.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:49:00 +0000

When it comes to success, everyone knows what to do: develop a goal, devise a plan, and work hard. The formula is common sense. However, most people have trouble reaching their goals. Why?

In my opinion, we get caught up in the details, especially in the planning stage. We know we have to create a plan, but we spend hours deciding on the steps to take. We don’t know how to do something at some stage in the process so we put it off. We don’t know where to start, so we never start. We put off action by substituting it with planning. Unfortunately, when it comes to paying for college and winning scholarships, you don’t have time to plan: you need to take action.

Why?

If you don’t take action, you’ll miss opportunities. You’ll miss deadlines. You’ll lose money.

So, to help you take action (and help you win money for college) I’m providing you with the initial plan to jump start your scholarship search. These suggestions and information will come through many blog posts, so stay tuned. More importanty, ENJOY and USE THIS LIST. Take action now. You’ll thank me later.

Step 1, Part A: Make a [very specific] activity list.

Before you get ahead of yourself, I think it’s essential to get reflective first. You need to take stock of what you’ve done, what you find interesting, and what you want to do with your future. Once you create a list of all the various “things” that make up who you are, it becomes easier to identify what scholarships you qualify for, and helps you develop a search strategy. I’ll explain.

It’s important to create an activity list for three reasons:

1. Creating a very specific activity list will help you “know thyself.”

By listing your activities, you’ll know exactly which scholarships you qualify for and which ones you don’t. You will save time because you’ll only apply to awards that you can win. (Most people are tossed out of applicant piles because they don’t meet the requirements of the scholarship donors.)

2. You’ll create your own, specific scholarship search methodology.

When you know your interests (past, current, and future) and your activities (past, current, and future), you can run a very specific scholarship search that again saves you time and energy. Instead of visiting Google and typing in “scholarships,” you’ll be able to seek out specific organizations that give you awards for participation in their activities. For example, if you enjoy photography, you might search “photography + scholarships.” Or, you might find a national association of photography. Usually these organizations give scholarships. Simply Google “national photography association.” In your specific case, “national (your activity here) association.” By using this type of search, you will find more qualified scholarship opportunities.

3. By listing your activities, you can develop an application theme that helps you stand out to scholarship judges.

Most people, when they apply for awards, simply list all the activities they’ve ever participated in. Unfortunately, most applicants have similar activity lists: student counsel, NHS, sports, language clubs, and youth groups seem to appear on everyone’s application. If you list these same activities, how will you stand out? By creating a very specific activity list before you start applying for scholarships, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to study your list, go over your activities and see what ties them together. You can give yourself a leg up on your competition by developing a theme for your activity list.

Let’s revisit the photography example. Say you have a deep interest in photography, and participate in the “normal suspects” list of activities. Perhaps you can capitalize on your interest in photography by having it become your theme. You start taking photos of student counsel activities, you volunteer to take pictures of premature babies at the local hospital, you submit photos from your sports activities to the high school newspaper and yearbook. Thus, when it comes time to list your activities for a scholarship, all of the “normal” activities become highlighted and interconnected with your love of photography. You prioritize your activity list to emphasize your photography abilities (typically, activities are listed chronologically. Instead, with the “theme approach,” activities are prioritized. In our case, activities with photography are listed first, followed by others). The result? Instead of being “Joe or Jane Doe,” you become “Fred or Fanny the Photographer.” Your theme helps you stand out from other applicants.

Now that you understand how a specific activity list can help you, you need to create one. Stay tuned for my next post, I'll help you brainstorm and create an awesome activity list.

Great opening lines.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:10:00 +0000

Most scholarships require an essay. I know it stinks. The thought of writing is enough to get anyone a little antsy. But, it's the cold, hard truth.

The hardest part of writing is to actually do it. I know that when I'm about to write something, I procrastinate because I don't know what I want to say, I want the words to come out perfectly, or I don't know where to start. Fortunately, I've found something that might give you some inspiration.

Stanford recently published the first sentences from stand-out personal essays written by this year's freshman class. This list is enough to get your wheels turning about your own opening lines for your scholarship or college admissions essays while also giving you some motivation. (These examples will help you realize that you don't need big words, lofty thinking, or super extraordinary experiences to craft a compelling, attention-getting essay.)

Take a look here for the examples. Let me know what you think: do these sentences grab your attention? Can you write a better opening line? Do you now feel that you could get into Stanford?

Comment below when you get a chance. In the meantime, happy writing!

Missing in Action!

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:55:00 +0000

Hi All!

First, I just want to say I'm sorry! I've been out of commission when it comes to posting blogs because I've been so busy in real life. But, I've been working on some really great stuff for you--all related to paying for college, so I hope you'll forgive me.

Second, I just want to get your questions. What is the hardest part about finding scholarships? Applying to scholarships? Winning scholarships?

What types of posts would be helpful to you? How do you manage college tuition? Do you want to hear more about how I saved money on college?

Basically, I want to hear from you because this blog is for you. If I'm not answering your questions or helping you, I'm wasting your time. So, comment to this post, or send me an email at info@collegeboundresource.com and let me know what you think!

Have a great day!

College loan forgiveness?

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:06:00 +0000

If you've been keeping up on current events, you know there have been a lot of bail-outs lately. However, I'm not quite sure this is a good thing. I mean, what kind of example is Wall Street, the Government, and our leaders sending to the rest of us?

Contrary to the example our leaders have set, as college students, we have to be more wise with our money. How?

1. Take a serious look at our current situation. Evaluate.

How much money, exactly, do we need to save, borrow, and earn to pay for college? The amount we borrow should be considered extremely carefully, as we'll have to pay this back over the long haul. We should keep borrowing to a minimum, and spend our time working more in the summer, trying to find scholarships or grants, and cutting spending to save money and put the saved amount toward school.

2. Cut Spending.

You may never have cut a coupon in your life, but trust me, they're worth it! Look for deals on groceries, books, supplies, furniture before you jump in and buy. Also, cutting back on going out one or two nights a week is not going to kill you. Have a roommate cooking night or movie night, you might just like the bonding. (You'll for sure like the extra money you keep in your pocket.)

3. Develop a plan for the future.

Did you know that about 70% of college students and their parents borrow large sums of money for college without estimating their future earnings? It seems kind of ridiculous when you think about it. If you have tens of thousands of dollars in debt and you make only $30,000 a year, you're not going to pay that loan off any time soon (you have other expenses once you leave college, trust me). Before you take loans out on your future, consider the job you'll get once you graduate. How long, realistically, before you pay that loan off? If you want to be out of student debt in a certain amount of time, you need to plan ahead. Sometimes, that means you need to borrow less.

Now, you may already be in a situation where you've borrowed a ton of money and are regretting it. To you, I recommend you read this article: click here. This article explores the different programs and situations that help graduated students get out of debt. In some cases, loan forgiveness.

Remember, paying for college requires a strategy. I hope these three common sense tips get you started. Have a great day!

Check this out!

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:51:00 +0000

If you're confused about the whole college admissions and financing game you're not alone. Fortunately, there are more resources than ever to help you along your college journey. And, although weeding through the books and websites can sometimes be overwhelming (there are a lot of sub-par sites out there), every once in a while a great resource will come along!

The U.S. Department of Education has recently launched a new site that helps students organize the college process. The cool thing is that this site features real-life students and their stories to inspire and motivate you in the process.

If you have questions about college, paying for college, applying for college, and finding the right school, I definitely recommend that you bookmark this site: www.college.gov.

Have a great day!

Oh, by the way: if you want another great resource, sign up for my weekly newsletter by visiting my site: www.collegeboundresource.com.

Sometimes getting a scholarship is a matter of luck.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:50:00 +0000

Listen to this! (Especially if you attend a public college in Wisconsin.)

600 low-income college students will be randomly selected to receive scholarships worth $3,500 per year.

In addition, 600 low-income two-year or technical college students will be randomly selected to receive scholarships worth $1,800 per year.

For more details, click here.

That's pretty cool.

If you attend school in Wisconsin, be sure to check your mailboxes!

Here's the thing. And this random scholarship lottery is an example: sometimes getting a scholarship is a matter of luck. Many awards function by private nominations, random drawings, and unexpected gifts. This "random" nature of scholarships should not deter you from actively seeking awards, however. (Yes, I know some of you would use this as an excuse to avoid applying entirely!)

The fact is, when you put yourself out there in front of numerous scholarship committees, people start recognizing you (especially once you're in college and apply for university scholarships). What happens is that committee members remember who you are and because your name is fresh in their brain they are more apt to nominate you or mention you when nomination-based scholarships come up.

So, rather than say "Geez, those kids in Wisconsin sure are lucky," go out and make your own luck.

Some people say that luck is the result of hard work meeting an opportunity.

Based on my own experience, I couldn't agree more.

My advice?

Work hard, apply to lots of scholarships, and appreciate yourself when you receive an "unexpected" award.

Have a great weekend!

New product: I am SO EXCITED!

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:11:00 +0000

I believe that everyone who wants to go to college should be able to go. Right now, many people do not attend college because they can't afford it. Those that do go pile up debt in student loans and through consumer credit cards and leave college with a big financial hole to crawl out of.

I think this is a shame.

The biggest problem, I believe, is that researching, applying, and learning about your college options is overwhelming. There is simply too much information to sift through, and much of the valuable content is overlooked or not found. Plus, who wants to spend hours on end weaving through financial aid forms?

To help finance college, save you thousands of dollars, and relieve you of the time you need to spend researching this stuff, I've created a helpful starter-guide. In this 36-page e-book, I've compiled the top 12 college cost-saving strategies, all in one place.

Here's the Table of Contents:

Strategy 1: Choose Wisely.

• Students and parents will learn how to choose a school they’ll love

• The best online college matching services

• Why your school choice has little to do with your ultimate career success.

• How choosing the right school will save you money.

Strategy 2: Four Years or Less.

• Why the “recommended” amount of credits isn’t enough.

• How to get college credit, before you goto college

• How to avoid taking Freshman Composition (and save $900 in the meantime)

• Why good grades save you money.

Strategy 3: Compare Financial Aid Packages

• View sample financial aid packages from different colleges

• Learn about expected family contribution and why it’s important.

• Why knowing the difference between “Aid as Gift” and “Aid as Loan” is essential.

• Access to easy comparison tools.

Strategy 4: “Negotiate” Financial Aid Packages

• Explanation of the financial aid package appeal process.

• Types of appeals

• When to appeal and what you need to bring to ensure success.

Strategy 5: Find and Apply for College Scholarships

• Why scholarships are the ideal way to fund college

• Where to start searching for scholarships in “real-life.”

• How to start your online scholarship search

Strategy 6: Early Bird Catches the Worm

• Why you should apply early in the admissions process, but not necessarily early admission.

• Why you should send in your FAFSA as soon as you can after January 1st.

• How to maximize your FAFSA application to receive optimal aid.

Strategy 7: Get to Work, Save Money

• Why it’s important that college students work.

• Why future employers view working students more favorably.

• Where to find jobs appropriate for college students

• The top jobs for entrepreneurially-minded college students.

• When to start looking for summer employment

Strategy 8: Save on Extra Spending

• Why free t-shirts on campus aren’t a good thing.

• How to save on typical student entertainment costs.

• The best ways to save on textbooks (and how you can avoid buying them altogether without sacrificing your grades).

• Save money when you live off-campus

• 12 ways to go green and save money

Strategy 9: Good Grades=Good Deals

• Scholarships, grants, and deals available to top high school achievers.

• How good grades in college can pay off in unexpected big ways.

• The extra perks of earning good grades from free food to free electronics.

Strategy 10: Securing a Loan

• What you should know before you take on a loan.

• Where to compare loan rates and information

• A list of INTEREST-FREE loans. (No, I’m not kidding.)

• How to use loans wisely.

Strategy 11 and 11.5: College Pre-Pay and Deferred Payment

• What’s a 529-plan?

• 529-plan pros and cons.

• Pre-paid credits vs. savings and investment plans

• Options for those of you with unreliable cash-flow.

Strategy 12: Tuition Registries

• How to use social-networking to fund your tuition.

• Tips to increase the odds people will invest in you.

• Micro-sponsorships vs. micro-loans.

Plus! 5-page Internet Resource Guide
This five-page list of websites is the result of countless hours researching, reading, and surfing the internet for the best information on everything related to saving money on college and paying tuition. The perfect starting place for those of you new to the college funding process.

I hope that this guide will help you pay for college and save thousands of dollars. If your dream is to go to college, make memories, and leave without a load of debt, I would be honored to help your dream come true.

Visit my newly-updated website: www.collegeboundresource.com.

Have a great week!

How to pick the right college. (And save money.)

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:45:00 +0000

What does picking the right college have to do with saving money? A lot, it seems.

Think about it. Let's say that you end up hating your college choice. You decide to transfer to the new college of your dreams. Realistically, you can expect to lose some of the credits you've already earned in the transfer, and have new graduation requirements at your new school that can lengthen your college stay. Both of these probabilities will cost you money.

The easy answer?

Pick the right college to begin with and you'll save money.

To help you with this process (because I know it's a big decision), I've come up with some common criteria that you should consider before you make a choice:

1. Size:

Would you feel comfortable at a small campus (Less than 5,000 students), a medium-sized (5-15,000), or large campus (15,000+)? Obviously, life on a large campus is extremely different than life with only 2,000 other students. For a good comparison, read this article on The College Board: Big vs. Small College.

2. Location:

Do you like warm weather and hate the winter? Prefer an urban over country lifestyle? What kind of scenery do you like? While this may seem superficial (don’t we go to college for our education?!?), the ambiance is important: if you don’t feel comfortable where you live, you’re going to have a hard time concentrating on school. Pick a college in an area you like.

3. Interests:

Most of your college learning will take place outside the classroom. That being said, it’s important that your college offer a set of extra-curricular activities that meet your needs and interests. Be sure to research each campus, and match your interests accordingly.

4. Instructors:

If you’re ahead of the curve and have a major (good job!), you might want to attend a campus with professors who’ve made significant contributions to your field of study.

5. Recognition:

Perhaps you want to attend a school that has “name brand recognition.” I recommend checking out the U.S. News and World Report’s College Ranking Guide. Sure, the rankings are subjective. But, it’s a place to start.

6. Culture:

You may be seeking a college that has a certain cultural or religious affiliation. Perhaps you want to attend an all-women or all-men campus. These desires are important to keep in mind. As yourself what kind of campus culture or affiliation you want, and pick accordingly.

7. Cost:

While I don’t believe that cost of attendance should be the deciding factor, it is something to consider when making a decision. Before you decide, consider the cost of attending and the cost of living in the city where your potential college is located.

If you're still confused about picking a college, consider using an online college matching service like My U Search or Xap. These online matching services will do the hard work for you, by matching colleges to your interests.

The most important thing about college is that you feel comfortable at your school. When you feel comfortable on campus, you'll learn more, experience more, and most likely stay where you started. The result? A lot of money in your pocket.

Save money on college: 8 ways by SayCampusLife

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:16:00 +0000

It's no surprise that paying for college can be stressful, and confusing. Thankfully, the folks over at SayCampusLife put together a list of 8 Ways to Pay for Your College Education. I recommend you take a look here!

How's everyone's school year going so far? What are the challenges you're facing? Let me know by commenting, and I'll try to answer your questions in an upcoming blog. Have a great weekend!

College Freshmen!!! Save Money.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:15:00 +0000

Alright, you've probably just moved your stuff into your new dorm room, waved your parents goodbye, and started meeting a bunch of new people. Your new-found freedom is no excuse to start spending loads of money.

As a college freshman, you are especially appealing to credit card companies on campus, high book prices, and other not-so-great offers that seem good at first (who doesn't want a free t-shirt), but end up costing you money in the long run.

To save yourself thousands, read this list of the Top 10 Ways to Save Money Your Freshman Year of College. Trust me, you can still have tons of fun at school this year (and save a bunch of money in the process).

Now, the only thing you'll have to worry about is your messy roommate.

Why are textbooks so expensive?

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:47:00 +0000

I've had many posts on finding cheaper textbooks. If you're interested, click here.

If you want to compare all the major online bookstores at once to find the best deals, try bigwords.com. (Cool.)

However, if you've ever asked yourself why college textbooks are so expensive in the first place, click here to watch a report by WCCO in the Twin Cities.

Have a great day!

Scholarships are better than private loans.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:53:00 +0000

There's been a lot of buzz lately about the decrease in private loans available to college students this fall. I understand: it's stressful. If you need information about what to do if you're in a crunch (your private loan amount is decreasing) please read this article. It gives tips on what you can do to make up the difference this semester.

I want to put my two cents in on this issue, however. I feel like private loans should always be the last option: after you pursue scholarships. It's a no-brainer that scholarships are better than loans (scholarships don't have to be paid back), but not a lot of people pursue them as diligently as they could--costing themselves money and stress in the long run.

If you want to jump-start your scholarship search process, check out my previous posts on the subject here.

Also, I want to hear your opinion on this subject: are you having trouble finding scholarships? What are your biggest scholarship search hurdles? Let me know, and I will help you navigate the process through this blog.

Cheap textbooks online.

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay Berger) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:24:00 +0000

I admit it. Today, I'm trolling the internet. But, I've found a "ranking" of the best online textbook sites which is good news for you!

Want to find cheap textbooks? Want to rent instead of buy this semester? Check out Campus Grotto's report about online textbook retailers: click here.