Friday, June 30, 2017
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Only 1/3 of College Grads Paying Off Student Loans
Far too many college students are conned into believing
they will be able to pay off their student loans with the paychecks they will
earn after graduation. Statistics tell a far different story. About 30 million grads are never going to be free of student loan debt.
Nationwide about 38% of graduates are current with their
payments. Their balances are decreasing over time. Eventually, they will be
debt free. This may not happen until they are old and gray, but at least they
have a chance.
However, 62% of those with student loans are unable to
make a dent in the principal owed. About 46% are current with payments, but the
interest charged means the balance is not decreasing. In many cases,
although payments are being made, the balance owed is actually increasing.
Those in the most trouble are in default
or delinquent. That’s 16% of those with college loans. Although they are not
making payments, or doing so sporadically, interest still accrues. The balance
owed increases and cannot be erased by bankruptcy.
There is only one way to avoid falling into this trap.
Don’t take out college loans, ever, for any reason. Go to the least expensive
accredited college that teaches the subject you wish to study and get a job. Better
yet, do what Full Ride Scholarship winners do. Become the ideal scholarship or
grant applicant and earn enough scholarship money so college loans are not
necessary. Graduate debt free and enjoy life.
For more information, you'll want my new book, Free
College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing and Watering Seeds. How
to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through
High School students.
You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Monday, June 26, 2017
Friday, June 23, 2017
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
The Secret to Happiness after College
Find a
college that offers the course of study you need for the occupation
of your choice which will also give you a full ride scholarship, (excluding loans of
any sort). If they don't require you to take a job, that’s even better. Under no circumstances should you go somewhere requiring you to take out student loans,
even if that university has a fabulous reputation. No one cares where you went,
just what you learned.
If you can't find a full scholarship, attend the least expensive accredited college that will
teach you what you need to know for your career choice. Start applying for scholarships while still in diapers (not really, but
do start early). Live uber-frugally, even if that means living in your
childhood bedroom (as I did). Get a part time job to pay any bills your parents
are not willing or able to cover (dentist, shoes, etc.). Don't get married,
no matter how cute he/she is. Don't have children either, no matter how adorable they may end up being.
I worked a
full time job, lived at home and took a full load of classes the first two
years of college. Then I foolishly married, making everything more
difficult. We saw each other more while dating. Study hard, work
hard. You can hold your breath for four years. Time will pass. The only
two things that last forever are what you learn and student loan debt. Avoid the
second while acquiring the first. Yes, of course there are other factors that
contribute to or detract from happiness. But all things being equal, people with
no debt are less stressed and happier than those with debt, especially student
loan debt. This is the secret to happiness after college.
For more information, you'll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing and Watering Seeds. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.
For more information, you'll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing and Watering Seeds. How to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.
You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Monday, June 19, 2017
Friday, June 16, 2017
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
How Should You Keep in Touch with Your Child’s Teacher?
While parents usually have only a few children,
teachers have many more. This is especially true for secondary school teachers.
Often, they have 180 students on their rolls. That’s beyond the ones they have
at home. So when parents want teachers to communicate with them, which is a
very good thing, they need to make it easy for teachers to do so.
This will vary by teacher. The easiest way to find out what
works best is to ask straight out, “How do you prefer I communicate with you?”
Personally I found the telephone was the worst way to contact parents. They
were rarely home when I could call, and expecting a message to reach them through
their children was beyond optimistic. Therefore, I always asked for a current
email address. I provided mine as well. This was not my personal email address, however.
It was the one attached to my school run website.
Occasionally, I did call a parent. This was not always
easy due to the time factor, but also because there were frequent language
issues. I taught German and French throughout most of my career, but I do speak a little Spanish. It is enough for travel and telling parents what was wrong
in class. I remember once calling and realizing I needed to switch to Spanish.
After I explained the child was not coming to class and not turning in his work,
I heard the father tell his child, “You didn’t tell me she speaks
Spanish.” I don’t really, but it was enough to do the trick.
Another time I had a high school German student who was
severely ADHD. Since the parents did not trust their son, I sent home a short
email daily. It told them what we covered in class, his behavior and what was expected to be
completed by the next day as homework. Having an up-to-date website makes communication fairly easy. Most teachers are willing and eager to keep parents informed, but
parents need to make doing so simple for teachers. Teachers don’t have the
time or energy to hunt down phone numbers or email addresses.
For more information on education, you'll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing and Watering Seeds. Learn how to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.
For more information on education, you'll want my new book, Free College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing and Watering Seeds. Learn how to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of Pre-K through High School students.
You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com
Photo Credit: Google Images
Monday, June 12, 2017
Friday, June 9, 2017
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Students, It’s Your Job to Find the Pony
Years ago, while attending a business conference, I
heard about a psychological test of two small children. One had been placed
in a room full of toys, the other in a room containing a pile of horse
manure. After a few hours, they checked on the boys. The first had played with
all the toys, broken a few and was bored. The second was up to his elbows in
horse manure and grinning ear to ear. When asked why he was so happy, he
replied, “With all this horse manure, there’s got to be a pony in here somewhere.”
Since this time, I’ve often found myself in locations
or situations that were not to my liking. Each time, I tried to be like the
second boy. I looked for the “pony” or benefit in each. Students should keep
that in mind when sitting in a classroom or completing an assignment. Not every
subject or task will be a thrill a minute. But, there will almost always be a
hidden benefit. It’s the job of the student to find the benefit. It may be
short term pain for long term gain.
Perhaps the assignment will train your brain to think differently.
It may broaden your horizons or teach you a valuable skill. In any case, there
is a reason the assignment was given, or the class is a requirement. The
perspective of the student isn’t the same as that of the instructor or educational
institution. They are farther down the path and have a more informed point of
view. So instead of shrugging off the intended lesson, seek the pony. It’s got
to be in there somewhere.
For more information, you’ll want my new book, Free
College Awareness, coming soon from Griffin Publishing and Watering Seeds.
Discover how to avoid needing college loans; available soon to families of
Pre-K through High School students.
You are reading from the blog: http://www.roadtofreecollege.com
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Monday, June 5, 2017
Friday, June 2, 2017
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