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The Basics of a Liberal Studies Degree

A liberal studies degree is a four-year Bachelor’s degree available through an accredited university. Liberal studies majors offer a combination of arts, humanities, philosophy, history, and writing classes. This type of degree is ideal for students that want a taste of all of these areas of study without being restricted to just one. However, there is some debate that such a non-specialized degree will decrease your chances of finding a specialized career path.

The first two years of a liberal studies degree is the same as any other type of degree. You will have to complete general education courses in composition, science, and math along with elective courses. These electives can give you a taste of what a liberal studies degree will be like. As you delve into upper-level courses, you will be with students from different majors. For example, a writing class might consist of English, Literature, and Liberal Studies majors. The courses you choose within your major are not as restrictive as other Liberal Arts degrees. The key is to achieve the required amount of credits to graduate.

Throughout your studies, you will gain valuable skills in critical thinking, writing, and public speaking. Like other college students you will also learn excellent time management skills.

After graduating, what kind of jobs can you get with a liberal studies degree? This depends on a particular employer. You will be capable of doing well in a number of careers, including writing, public relations, researching, marketing, human resources, and sales. Some companies might be more particular in hiring employees with certain degrees. For example, a marketing firm might prefer that you have a business or marketing degree over one in liberal studies. However, not all companies are like this. Some even prefer it if you have a liberal studies degree since you will be more knowledgeable on a variety of subjects.

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Passing Up Free Money to Attend the School of Your Dreams

Getting accepted into one or more colleges is a great accomplishment. To make matters more confusing, a particular school might offer a tuition grant to you in exchange for your attendance. The problem is, you might have had your heart set on a school that isn’t offering any such grants. There are different the advantages and downsides to consider before making your decision.

A grant is free money. Unlike a loan, you will never have to pay this money back. Considering the vast expenses of college, how can you turn down free money? The first thing to look at is the amount of the grant. If the grant is for one semester’s worth of tuition only, this may not be worth it to you if you prefer another school to this college. If the grant is worth much more, for one to two years’ worth of tuition costs, then the offer may be worth seriously considering.

You may pass up the school that is offering the grant for another university that you like better. In this case, you will have to find other ways to pay for school if this college does not offer you any financial aid directly. You can find money from private scholarships or even take out federal student loans to help pay for school. Keep in mind that all loans have to start being paid back after six months of your graduation date.

Passing up the less desirable college may not seem such a big deal if the grant were only a small amount. The situation really depends on what your desired area of study is and which school specializes in it more. You might be at a greater advantage career-wise if you go with the less desired school that doesn’t offer you the grant. Also keep in mind that grants may be offered throughout your college career as an incentive to continue with your outstanding academic achievements.

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How Athletic Scholarships Can Help Pay Your Way through College

Every year, students attend college with the help of athletic scholarships. There are numerous sports that qualify, including football, track and field, hockey, basketball, baseball, swimming, tennis, golf, and soccer. Some student athletes are able to gain partial scholarships while some are lucky enough to have awarded enough money to cover all four years’ worth of costs. There are different places to look for scholarships and certain points to consider when applying for athletic scholarships for college.

The first place to look for athletic scholarships is through the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Association offers millions of dollars in scholarship money to deserving students. If you are a stand-out athlete in high school, you have probably already been approached by college scouts. These individuals are also another key to gaining athletic scholarships. The more schools compete for you, the more likely they will offer you scholarship money as an incentive to play for them.

Still, being a student athlete does not guarantee you will receive scholarships based on your athletic abilities. In fact, you are still held to high academic standards like non-athletic students when it comes to applying for scholarships. Generally student athletes are required to have a high GPA and above-average SAT or ACT scores to even be considered for an athletic scholarship. From the time you are a freshman, you will have to compete for good grades as well as championships within your sport for the remainder of your high school career. This will show that you are a hard worker on and off the field. It is unlikely that you will get an athletic scholarship if your grades are below average.

There are other types of scholarships to consider if you still want to play on a team in college but you do not get an athletic scholarship. Check online, directly through the university, and within your community to see what types are available.

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UF vs. FSU: Differences between Two Florida Rivals

The University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) are just two colleges within the Florida state university system. UF is in the central Florida town of Gainesville, while FSU resides in the state capital of Tallahassee. The two universities have long been football rivals. In fact, some students who are not actually on the football team make their choice between the two based on these preferences. Before making such a rash decision, you should consider what both schools have to offer in terms of academics and overall student life.

UF is ranked higher academically and has a higher student success rate and is more difficult to get into. Students who apply to both colleges with above-average GPAs might get accepted into FSU and not UF. This is due to the fact that UF is a larger school. In fact, UF is ranked number four in the nation in terms of student body size. FSU is by no means a small university, but you might be enrolled in smaller class sizes.

FSU is smaller in terms of campus size. This makes walking and finding classes easier. UF is so large that it resembles a small town within the city of Gainesville. Still, Gainesville itself is considered a small and friendly town. Tallahassee has a more “big city”-like atmosphere.

Both universities have strong athletic programs, with the focus being on football. Until 2010, UF had a stronger football team. As new students enroll and graduate, the team dynamics continuously change in both schools. UF also has a strong basketball team but FSU has a historically stronger baseball team.

FSU and UF both have a variety of degree programs. UF has a large Business school and FSU has a more refined Liberal Arts school. To make your final decision, your best bet is to visit both schools to gain a feel of the atmosphere. Although you might hear strong opinions for both universities, the two schools are both good places to attend college.

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Community vs. State Colleges: Differences and Advantages

When searching for potential colleges to attend, you may consider a community college in your area. You may also be wondering what the differences are between going to a community college and that of a larger state university. Each offers different specialized areas of study. Your choice between the two depends on what your career path is.

A community college offers two-year degrees, also called Associate’s degrees. Community colleges also specialize in career certifications. They offer hands-on training that you may not be able to gain from a large university. Common careers include paralegal, medical assistants, and dental hygienist.

Community colleges can also be used as stepping stones to state universities. These schools are not as difficult to get into. So if you did not achieve the best test scores or the greatest GPA throughout high school, you can attempt two years at a community college first and try to transfer to a university.

Community colleges are generally less expensive than traditional universities. Some students struggling to find financial aid might opt to spend two years at a community college in an effort to save money. During the two years you can take general ed courses that are required of a university.

State colleges or universities are larger and more competitive to get admitted to. Generally you are required to have at least average test scores and an above average GPA to gain admission. Universities offer Bachelor’s degrees and Graduate degrees. Some offer PhD programs as well. Unlike community colleges, universities specialize in long-term training for a professional career. This is not the ideal option for you if you want to quickly learn a trade.

Both community and state colleges have their advantages. Choosing which is the most appropriate for you depends on your career path and current academic standing.

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What to Look for When Choosing a College

Picking a college is a big decision, and there are different variables involved. From the setting, to class sizes, to degree programs, the possibilities are endless. Furthermore, you have to look at your own qualifications to determine whether a certain school is appropriate for you. Before choosing a school, you must see where you stand compared to other students. Consider your:

• Grade point average (GPA). Does it fall within a particular school’s minimum requirements? For instance, you might have a GPA of 3.4 but a more competitive school might require a minimum of 3.5.
• ACT and SAT scores. An average ACT score is 20 and the average SAT score is 1500. If you are applying at a more competitive school, you will want higher scores than the averages.
• Extracurricular activities. Do any sports, clubs, or volunteer work make you stand out?

Once you have figured out schools that will generally accept a student with your profile, it is time to narrow down your choices of schools. This becomes even more challenging when more than one school accepts you. Here are a few things to consider:

• Degree programs. If you are 100 percent sure of your future career path, then this will be easy to look for. However, if you are undecided or have a few choices in mind, make sure that your school offers a variety of majors to suit you.
• Class size. Do you prefer auditorium style classes with hundreds of students or do you want to be in a more intimate setting with less than 30 students?
• Living conditions. Are the dorms acceptable? Are there affordable apartment homes nearby?
• Distance learning. Does this school offer virtual classes?
• Student success rates. How many students actually graduate this school? What professions do the majority of them enter?

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What You Need to Fill Out a FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an annual form that helps determine a student’s eligibility to receive grants as well as unsubsidized and subsidized Stafford loans. The FAFSA is available January 1st of every year. If you plan on attending college in the fall, you will want to complete the FAFSA during the spring. In order to qualify for aid, you must fill out the form every year. Before filling out the FAFSA, you will need to gather some particular documents.

Qualification for financial aid is based on household income. Most of the information you need for the FAFSA is found in your tax returns. If you are a dependent, you will also need your parents to fill out the form with you, as their tax information is required. Since you need tax-related information, it only makes sense to complete the FAFSA after you and your parents have successfully filed all tax returns.

You and your parents will also need to provide other money-related information, such as the total of all current assets. This includes money in savings accounts. If your family received any type of government aid, such as welfare or food stamps, you will need to list this information as well. Other information provided includes your date of birth, social security number, and driver’s license information.

Never falsify any information on your FAFSA. If you feel you made a mistake, you can amend the information online. Purposefully falsifying information in hopes of getting more aid can result in prison time and fine of $20,000.

Another important piece of information to list is the schools you would like your FAFSA information sent to. This is not required, but saves you more work down the line. Once a college receives your FAFSA, they can determine your eligibility for school-based scholarships and help appropriate funds from loans.

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Parental Guidance and Contributions to a Student’s College Career

Parents play a key role in their child’s college career. Although your child may seem independent, he needs you more than ever. College is a crucial point in a person’s life. It is extremely fast-paced, difficult, and competitive. The experience can also be emotionally draining. Your student is likely run-down and working harder than ever.

So how can you check on your child’s college career experience without seeming overbearing? With classes, clubs, and work, she is bound to be busy. However, if you start to rarely hear from her, this could be a cause for concern. By calling to see how she is doing, and not her classes, you remind her that you are there if she needs for emotional support.

If your child starts to struggle through classes, he will likely tell you if you have an open relationship. The more pressure you place on him, the more less likely he will confide in you if there is a problem. If there is a problem with a class, offer to find a solution with him. Is there tutoring available? Is his work schedule cutting into study time? Can he drop the class without penalty and re-take the class next semester?

In some cases, students also rely on their parents for monetary resources for college. If you are like most parents, you did not have four years’ worth of college expenses stowed away in your savings account. It is unlikely that you will be able to fork out the bill alone. Here are some options to consider:

• Have you and your child filled out a FAFSA form? It should be filled out once a year to see if your student qualifies for financial aid.
• Has your child applied for scholarships? There is a plethora of free money available locally, through websites, and even through individual schools.
• As a last resort, you can take out a personal loan from your bank.

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How to Prepare for College during High School

Picking a college is a major decision. There are thousands of schools to choose from within your state, out-of-state, and even abroad. Some offer a variety of majors while some are more tailored to specific types of degrees. Some colleges are also more competitive than others.

There are many variables in finding a college. Therefore, the search for your preferred schools should start well in advance, preferably during your sophomore year of high school. Your college search should not begin during your senior year. Here is a break down of steps you should take throughout your high school career.

Freshman Year:

• Start with good study habits and keep your grades up. A college will look at all four years’ worth of transcripts, not just your final two years of high school.
• Pick extracurricular activities that interest you. As college admissions increase in competitiveness, you will need to add point out things about your life that make you stand out.
• Begin thinking about what type of career you might like to have. If possible, shadow a professional during career day.

Sophomore Year:

• Research what schools offer degrees you might be interested in.
• Start narrowing down career possibilities.
• Begin studying for the ACT and SAT.

Junior Year:

• Take the ACT and SAT. Some schools require both and will take the better score of the two.
• Visit schools of your interest, in possible.
• Consider applying early. If you do not get accepted into a particular school, this will give you more time to start finding one that is a better fit.

Senior Year:

• Re-take the ACT and SAT if you were not satisfied with your previous scores.
• Finish applying to colleges by late fall.
• Begin searching for scholarships.
• Apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as early as January.

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Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans: The Differences and Financial Requirements

To qualify for grants and federal student loans, it is necessary that you complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year. Since the form requires personal tax information, it makes sense to complete the form in conjunction with your federal tax return. Once you submit the form, your eligibility for grants and federal loans is reviewed. This is based on household income. Even if your parents do not contribute directly to your tuition costs, you are still a dependent if they help supplement over half of your living expenses.

A low household income might make you eligible for a grant. Grants cover part or all of your college expenses without you having to pay the money back. In any case, you will qualify for a subsidized or an unsubsidized loan even if you do not receive grant money.

Subsidized federal Stafford loans are based on household income. Only students with the greatest financial need are eligible for this type of loan. A subsidized loan does not accrue interest charges while you are in school. This makes it easier to pay the loan back after school. However, interest starts building up upon six months after graduation. Subsidized loans often pay more at once, since they are based on income.

Unsubsidized loans accrue interest while you are in school. Every student qualifies for an unsubsidized federal student loan, since it is not based on household income. Also, you are likely charged an additional interest on top of the interest accrued during your four years of school. If you are given an unsubsidized loan, you can try to pay back part of it while you are in school. At the bare minimum, you can pay back some of the interest before graduating. This type of loan also does not disperse as much money. In fact, the amount only increases as you progress through school.

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