Archive for January, 2008

Benefits of Community Colleges

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on January 30, 2008
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Among the benefits of community colleges are:

Lower Cost

Tuition costs are significantly lower than four-year colleges and universities (about $5,000 per year as compared to $12,000 to $20,000 or more for a four-year institution).

Easy Transfer to a University

A “2+2″ system in the United States refers to an efficient system of “articulation” between a two-year college and a four-year college or university. Most community colleges have articulation agreements with four-year colleges and universities, ensuring that credits earned at the community college will count toward the four-year degree program.

Accredited Institutions

American community colleges, four-year colleges, and major universities are all accredited by the same agencies. That is why universities accept course credits obtained at community colleges.

Wide Variety of Programs

Community colleges have hundreds of majors from which to choose, including popular areas such as business management, computer science, engineering, and health sciences-related programs.

English as a Second Language

Most community colleges offer a wide range of English course offerings at multiple levels and an array of support services to ensure that students with different language proficiencies succeed.

A Supportive Learning Environment

Community colleges offer small class sizes, averaging fewer than 30 students, allowing personal attention and ongoing support from professors. The focus is on individual student success within an environment designed to support students’ learning patterns and needs. Support services for students include tutoring, advising, writing labs, international student clubs, and international student service centers.

Diversity

U.S. community college students come from diverse cultural heritages and ethnicities. The colleges offer a wide spectrum of clubs and activities that celebrate and support the diversity that describes society in the United States.

Access to U.S. Culture

Because they are reflective of and responsive to their communities, community colleges tend to have strong local ties. This relationship provides international students with extensive opportunities to interact with Americans and to experience American culture.

Variety of Locations and Campus Sizes

Community colleges, like other educational institutions in the United States, differ widely. Some are large, multicampus institutions located in big cities, while others are much smaller schools located in rural settings and serving small student populations. There is a community college conveniently located within commuting distance of 90 percent of the U.S. population.

Distinguished Alumni

Alumni of U.S. community colleges include California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening, NASA space shuttle commander Eileen Collins, Star Wars movie series producer/director George Lucas, film actors Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood, fashion designer Calvin Klein, human genome scientist Craig Venter, and U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona.

Written by Martina Schulze.

Community Colleges - the Gateway to Higher Education

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on January 29, 2008
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Community colleges are the gateway to higher education in the United States for a growing number of students. These colleges provide students with an opportunity to earn credits for the first two years of a four-year bachelor’s degree at high-quality, accredited institutions. With their lower tuition costs, community colleges give students a way to save money while learning in a supportive environment. They also allow students to access training for associate-degree or nondegree careers, and they offer continuing education and personal development classes for the broad spectrum of adult learners.

Community colleges are the largest and fastest-growing sector of higher education in the United States. There are now nearly 1,200 regionally accredited community colleges located throughout the country, serving more than 11 million students (approximately 46% of all U.S. undergraduates).

U.S. community colleges offer international students numerous benefits, including opportunities to improve English language skills and to build an understanding of American culture in a U.S. community.

Written by George R. Boggs.

Find Easy College Money in Hidden Places

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on January 26, 2008
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Most emerging university students know very few places to look for college scholarships. Very rarely do they even consider seeking beyond the guidance counselor’s office. Locating money for school takes effort and a willingness to research. There are many hidden grants available to someone who’s willing to search them out. The best thing about these options is that they typically lack the sheer amount of competition that the more mainstream offerings produce. Using these lesser-known options, one can sometimes find enough “free” money to pay for college altogether.

The first place to look is local organizations. Any fraternal group, like the Shriners, is a good place to ask around. Even if the organization you approach doesn’t offer financial aid, they might be able to point you in the right direction. Additionally, consider any non-profit group. Whether it’s a religious organization or the local Boy Scout troop, they might be willing to offer some form of assistance. You just never know unless you ask for it! Small scholarships may
not seem like much individually, but if a few can be found, it can make an enormous difference in your costs.

Finding “free money” requires thinking outside the box, sometimes. Grants that are off the beaten path won’t come beating down your door. You need to think of yourself as a farmer. The more seeds you plant, the better your chances of turning up a good harvest. If you have already decided on a major, consider trade groups in this field. Many offer grants - they offer them, but they don’t advertise.

Take advantage of the Internet when brainstorming funding options. Look at websites that are geared to your situation. They are often a treasure trove of ideas on where to look. There are forums where such things are discussed, join the conversations. Let people know what your situation is and what your needs are, you might be surprised how accommodating people are when it comes to offering you good advice.

If you have a part-time job, talk to your manager or HR rep. Most major companies offer either outright endowments, or a program that pays you back upon successful completion of a class.

Keep in mind, a great opportunity is rarely going to just fall into your lap. Finding people willing to simply give you money takes time. Set aside a certain amount of time each week to pursue your search. Arrange interviews if these are local awards Ask the people who you know to you to serve as references. The simplest awards to win are the hardest to find.

Don’t lose your focus once you are actually in college. Be sure you reapply for any renewable aid, and keep your eyes and ears open for new opportunities. Many endowments are reserved for enrolled students. Head to your school’s financial aid office. They’ll be able to tell you about any aid available through the school itself.

The bottom line is it’s not easy getting someone to pay for your education. Like any other endeavor, if it was easy everyone would be doing it.

About the author:
Written by Henry Gregory. To begin your search for schools or funding, go to http://www.informedcollegeparent.com