Stay tuned for part 2 of this series…

Making the decision to go to college and earn your degree can be one of the best investments you ever make. The doors opened for college graduates lead to incredible career opportunities that can deliver an established and rewarding future. However, one of the biggest questions facing potential college students is, “How will I pay for college?” With today’s struggling economy and overall pressure to get ahead, it’s a valid thought that definitely warrants careful consideration. Even with financial reservations regarding your education, you should be aware of the vast list of resources available to those willing to work hard and sacrifice to get their degree.

Federal Student Aid

One of the most common means of financing a college career is through a federal student loan such as the Federal Student Aid program (FSA).  A FSA loan is funded by the Department of Education and the Federal Government. The Federal Student Aid program can be applied for by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or more commonly called FAFSA.  FSA allows students to delay any payment on their loan until after they’ve graduated and have begun working.  This flexibility allows students to pay for tuition, books, housing and other expenses without the stress and hardship of a high-interest payment hanging over their heads every month.

Private Student Loans

Another method to pay for college is through a student loan financed through a private financial institution like a bank or credit union.  These loans differ from a federal loan in that they vary from each financial institution.  Because banks are private, they have different standards and interest rates associated with the loans they approve to students.  Talking with a trusted professional from one of these bank or financial institutions can give you a good indication of what kind of loan, rate and payment plan can work for you.  Like federal student aid, many privately funded student loans allow you to delay payment until after you’ve graduated, however it’s a good idea to compare and contrast which options fit your specific educational and financial needs.

Scholarship and Grants

If you’d rather not take out any loans to pay for college, another option is applying for scholarships and education grants. Scholarships and grants are awarded based on a range of criteria that usually reflect the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.  Depending on what you plan to study, where you go to school, and your background, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities available for you to apply for.  A great place to search for scholarships and grants is www.scholarships.com. You may also inquire about scholarships through the college you plan on attending as many have their own collection of scholarship and grant resources. Many scholarships may ask for very specific requirements with their application process, while others require basic information. You can also be at an advantage for scholarship money based on your family background, ethnicity, career goals, and area of study as some scholarship are awarded to candidates who meet certain specifications.

Credit Cards

Utilizing lines of credit can also be a way of paying for your college expenses.  Although credit cards can be dangerous when used carelessly, finding a credit card with a low interest rate and other attractive benefits can be something to consider.  Charging tuition, books, housing and other college costs to a credit card can allow you to consolidate your college finances, giving you a more organized and simple way of investing in your education. Many credit cards award users great benefits such as cash back rewards, annual gifts, interest-free terms, and frequent flier miles, which can be appealing perks for students. Credit can be a viable option to pay for college, but as with most things involving borrowing money, it’s a decision that must be made responsibly and thoughtfully. 

Your decision to invest in your future by getting your degree is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. With a wide range of financial aid resources, finding the right plan should ease your concerns and motivate you towards your goal in going to college. Do your homework, research all your options, utilize the resources available to you, and then make the best decision for you and your needs.   It will be worth it on graduation day.

For those interested in drafting, employers prefer post-secondary training in drafting, either through a career college or a traditional four-year university. Architecture training and drafting programs of all sorts have their benefits, and students should carefully analyze their own needs before deciding where to attend. It’s also a good idea to talk with employers in the area, and in the specific fields students are interested in, in order to determine the best possible match.

Architects are licensed professionals who design buildings and complexes. They also draw up plans for remodeling existing structures. Architects need to ensure that a building is not only aesthetically pleasing, but a safe, sound and functional structure. Each architect’s job description is different, but most architects spend much of their time coordinating information from different sources like engineers and zoning committees.

Drafters prepare the plans and technical drawings that are needed before an object can be put into production or an engineering project can begin. They fill in the technical details, turning rough sketches and notes into precise and detailed plans, providing the visual guidelines needed.

Most modern drafters use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) programs to prepare their drawings. Many drafters specialize in a particular type of drafting, such as civil, electrical, mechanical or architectural drafting. About half of the people with careers in computer-aided drafting are employed by architectural and engineering firms, with most of the remainder in industries such as manufacturing, construction and government.

Legally, all architects must be licensed and usually have graduated from one of the 113 schools of architecture that have programs accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. In some states, additional programs may be accepted.

Kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers impact students in some of the most impressionable phases of their lives. Teachers need to be patient and flexible—constantly willing to adapt with new technologies and new techniques that will help children succeed in the classroom.

Options in teaching are varied. Teachers are needed to teach a vast spectrum of classes from chemistry to photography. Generally, elementary teachers teach the full spectrum to their students, while middle school and high school teachers tend to specialize. However, there are several opportunities for even elementary school teachers to focus on one particular subject. Music teachers, for instance, teach all age groups music throughout the week.

State requirements for teachers vary dependent on individual standards. Usually, teachers receive a license after getting a bachelor’s degree in either education or in their chosen field of expertise. Added to the classes required to graduate, future teachers also take a certain amount of hours in education classes.

Many people are now crossing the bridge from professional field experience to the teaching realm. Online classes are a great option to make up the education credits needed to be licensed. Students just starting their own higher education can also find helps in finishing their degrees more quickly (or more slowly, depending on which pace works best) with online courses. Online courses are also an excellent option for teachers who are required to continue their training even after they have been hired.

The outlook for teachers is steady. According the U.S. Department of Labor, in the next ten years, administrators will be hiring to replace many teachers entering retirement. Some states have growing classrooms while others have shrinking numbers in students. Outlook for positions varies dependent on states, but society will always need teachers.

•    Median annual earnings of K–12 teachers is $43,580 – $48,690
•    The lowest 10% earned less than $33,070
•    The top 10% earned more than $67,490.

Homeland Security

Are you interested in serving your country? Do you want a career in a challenging new field with amazing growth potential? Consider a career in homeland security.

You can help prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also directs the country’s immigration policies and oversees the Coast Guard.

With homeland security training, you can enter into a fast-paced career in various venues:

•    businesses
•    airports
•    home building associations
•    stadiums

Your options are limitless with a career in homeland security:

•    security
•    FBI
•    Secret Service
•    law enforcement
•    drug enforcement
•    U.S. Marshal
•    customs investigator
•    diplomatic security
•    Homeland Security agent

New careers in Homeland Security open every day. You can start helping fellow citizens with the right training in homeland security. Many people enter the field of homeland security through the military or entry-level government positions. Some career colleges now offer programs that give you the edge you need to begin a career in corporate or government security.
Criminal Justice

Like most specialized careers, a career in criminal justice rewards the perseverant as they climb the professional latter. It can be a long road, but extremely fulfilling. After completing criminal justice training, most job experience may come as a

•    patrol officer
•    probation/parole officer
•    correctional officer
•    special agent
•    detective

The vast majority of criminal justice careers come from local and state agencies. There are new federal agencies expanding that raise the chances of getting hired after completing the right criminal justice training program.

An increasing number of city, county, and state police agencies don’t require that you have an undergraduate degree. Professions like working with juveniles are common career choices that don’t typically require a 4-year college degree. There are also a variety of jobs within the human services field like working with at-risk families. Though compensation varies, all tend to be challenging and rewarding.

Associates Degrees

Since job experience is no longer the only criteria to measure your skills, a 2-year Associates degree can help you present to prospective employers, a stronger job profile. Many Associates Degree’s are offered in high-tech fields. An estimate made by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that physical therapist assistants and dental hygienists could be in high demand over the next decade. Both these job positions only require applicants to possess an Associate degree.

While considering the pros and cons of an Associates degree the financial commitment you would need to make needs to be weighed. Whether you are a professional with years of work experience or a student, you could still have the need for financial assistance to complete an Associates Degree. It is suggested that you explore sources such as government grants, scholarships or student loans from state, local, and private financial institutions. The greatest benefit of an Associates degree is that you can get certification in less time and lower cost to find suitable employment in that particular field.

Bachelor degrees

When someone says they have a “college degree” they are commonly referring to a Bachelor’s degree. Typically comprising 120-128 credits, the degree is usually completed within a four-year period.

There are two main types of bachelor degrees: The Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS). The Bachelor of Arts degree usually requires the student to take a majority of their courses in the arts (social sciences, humanities, music, or fine arts). Te Bachelor of Science degree usually requires the student to take a majority of their courses in the sciences (life sciences, physical sciences, or mathematical sciences).

Bachelor’s degree programs typically consist of three parts: general education, elective courses, and a particular area of focused study – a “major”. General education classes are typically taken during the freshman and sophomore years and consist of courses in English composition, humanities/fine arts, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics designed to give the student a solid and broad academic foundation. Elective courses allow students to broaden their academic horizon and explore subjects of interest. Coursework in the student’s major are designed to make the student knowledgeable in a particular field of study. These courses are typically taken in the junior and senior years.

Which is best for you?

Check out www.degreementor.com to get information from schools that offer Associates and Bachelor’s degrees in your area.

Imagine not being required to go to a classroom at a campus to earn a degree in the subject of your interest! Online degrees give students the opportunity to earn that degree from the comfort of their own home.

You can receive a post secondary education on your computer from an online college. Degree’s earned from online schools are every bit as useful as a degree earned at a traditional campus based school. Online schools offer associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as course completion certificate diplomas. Additionally, many colleges and universities now offer online courses and degrees to students in several areas of concentration. Degrees can be achieved in areas such as business, education, information technology, nursing, healthcare, law, and criminal justice – just to name a few.

As wonderful as earning a degree online sounds, there is a “reality factor” associated. Students contemplating online learning need to ask themselves some questions, including the following:

* Do you have the discipline to study regularly?
* Will you miss the social interaction?
* Do you have strong reading skills?
* Are your technical skills adequate?
* Are you self-directed and self-motivated?
* Is your lifestyle compatible to online learning?

Online learning is different in many respects from the traditional campus learning. To name a few, the way you get information and interact with instructors and classmates. Many people say they learn more online, and have higher retention. Consider that good students in the traditional setting may fair poorly in an online environment, while struggling students may excel with online courses. This can be explained in part due to differences in learning styles. Visual, self-directed learners do well at online learning.

Is online learning best for you? Find Online Schools that will help you make the best choice for you!

degreeMentor.com is a new education site

degreeMENTOR.com is a new online education site. Come to degreeMENTOR.com to learn about education options available to you. Only 4 easy steps separate you from higher earning potential, career growth, and a brighter future! degreeMENTOR.com will match you with a schools close to you that offer programs you are interested in. We also offer a large network of Online Schools, which offer you the convenience of working from home at your own pace, while still providing a great education.

Visit www.degreeMENTOR.com today!