Wealthy Applicants in Luck

If you’ve got tons of money, then you’re in luck. Many colleges are now looking more favorably on wealthier applicants this year because of fallen endowments.

Students who can pay the full cost will be taken from the transfer or waiting lists, and foreign students with a lot of cash will be admitted more often.

With an increase in financial aid needs, institutions are being mindful of how many scholarship students they can afford. The inevitable result is that the needier students will be shifted down to the less expensive and less prestigious institutions.

By giving more seats to higher-paying students, colleges are trading off their goals to be more socioeconomically diverse. There’s going to be a decline of talented lower-income kids in higher education, and an increase in the amount of affluent kids.

Michelle Obama Visits Merced

After weeks of wooing, Merced, the smallest, newest campus at the University of California, has finally gotten its wish. This will be Michelle Obama’s sole stop on the college commencement circuit.

The first full class to graduate from the university, which was established in 2005, worked hard to charm the First Lady.

Methods included enlisting the help of Obama’s friends and sending hundreds of handwritten letters and Valentine’s Days cards. They certainly laid on the charm.

The May 16 speech from Mrs. Obama will bring an inspirational message for the students in Merced, a city that has suffered from mass foreclosures and high unemployment.

Computer Science Programs

Enrollment in computer science programs has increased for the first time in six years, which may be a sign of amplified attention and interest to investment.

In the past, the numbers of science and engineering students were declining, signaling the nation’s weakened ability to compete in the global economy. Most college students had instead decided to enter into fields like investment banking and financial engineering.

Now more and more students are beginning to see the benefits of computing science skills that are handy for pursuing numerous modern careers.

Delaying College

In my previous post I talked about President Obama’s plan of far-reaching changes in federal college aid programs. They will not take effect until July 2010 as mentioned.

For the meantime, high school seniors this year are being advised to take a year off and wait until they can take advantage of the aid money.

According to The New York Times, it’s not all about the money. The aid provides just a little extra cash, so students will not totally benefit from the help. It’s really about the opportunity that students can profit from. By waiting, those with younger siblings may save their families more money because financial aid is available when more than one child in a family is in a college at the same time.

Although taking a break from school may seem like a risky decision, some students that have made that choice have found themselves wiser and more mature when they arrived on campus than their younger classmates.

New Student Loan Proposal

The Obama administration has proposed benefits to help pay for college, but they will not be available until July 1, 2010.

Another problem is that Congress may reject the proposal, which is being seen as the broadest overhaul of federal college aid programs in decades.

The major administration proposals include the size of Pell grants, direct student loans from the government, and the expansion of the Perkins loan program to provide borrowing options for students.

Every little bit helps indebted college kids and the changes that the administration is in the process of making may be able to help them.

Spring Breakers Welcomed

Now that spring break is near, hotels and resort destinations are opening up their doors to the college crowd they once shunned before.

A more subdued clientele used to be preferred, but the recession has changed the way many businesses operate.

The arrival of students to struggling tourism regions like Florida may help the annual number of visitors increase again. In order to do this, many deals are being offered for college crowds willing to bunk four or more to a room.

In this tough economy, business owners know that welcoming every person is crucial.

Unfair College Costs

According to a new study by the Delta Project, college students are covering more of what it costs to educate them, even as most colleges are spending less on students. The study also found that the share of higher education budgets that goes to instruction has declined, while the portion spent on administrative costs has increased.

The percentage of the budget going to instruction declined everywhere, while the share spent on administration and support increased everywhere. As state revenues decline, the problem will only get worse.

The Delta Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, seeks to increase college affordability by controlling costs without sacrificing quality. They try to answer the question of why it costs so much for higher education and where the money goes.

Prep Costs in Tough Times

Counselors at high schools are worried that the amount of money people think they need to spend is out of control. The inclination to buy every product and service possible to get a child into college is adding to the frenzy already surrounding the process.

Many families already spend thousands of dollars even before their kid graduates high school.

But in these stressful economic times, more is not always better. Countless test preparation courses and dozens of visits to college campuses are not really necessary if you have the essentials. In fact, a school counselor is just as good as a private one. Most people, however, turn to expensive options for the security they provide.

The Financial Aid Form

Between the recession and the rising cost of college, more families than ever are paying for professional help with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (Fafsa).

Although the time it takes to fill out the form has decreased, the many questions are scaring off families most in need, preventing some teenagers from going to college. Various people, however, have decided that the help was worth the cost.

Critics say that the form does a poor job of assessing financial worth because it excludes assets and does not factor in all issues. As a result, President Obama promised to eliminate Fafsa. But the future is not clear on how the situation will be resolved.

Black Campuses in Crisis

The economy has severely affected historically black colleges and universities. Morris Brown College is a prime example of the damage that has taken place. Down to 151 students and $30 million in debt, this institution only narrowly missed having its water shut off for the second time this school year. You can read about it here.

Although colleges and universities of all kinds across the country are facing a crisis, historically black institutions have two significant disadvantages when it comes to dealing with hard times: smaller endowments, which mean heavier reliance on tuition and fees, and a higher proportion of disadvantaged students who are now facing a credit crunch when they apply for loans.

Having a proud lineage, historically black colleges and universities will tough it out to provide an environment in which black students who might otherwise have trouble graduating can flourish.

Student Expectations

Most students these days expect a good grade for working hard. Otherwise, there would be no point in trying. However, the quality of work is often forgotten.

Some professors believe that their college students have an increased sense of entitlement due to increased parental pressure, competition among peers and family members, and achievement anxiety.

There is no real explanation for this occurrence, but professors hope to re-teach students about what education is.

Colleges Aid Job Search

I feel sorry for the graduating college seniors this year. The long and painful process of finding a job will be even harder for them during the recession. Fortunately, campus career centers are helping students get through it.

For example, New York University recently began offering a seminar called “Recession-Proof Your Job Search.” This class advises students to focus on fields in which sales are up and on services or products that people will not abandon, such as alcohol and beverages. Other tips include going into fields that have been historically recession-proof.

Students may not land their dream jobs right away, but any job will help them make contacts and gain skills.

Utah to Keep Smart Students

Utah is trying to keep its smart students within its borders by giving them a 5 percent tax credit for the cost of their tuition and fees.

This incentive should allow students to afford Utah's public colleges and universities. The struggling economy may benefit from this bill as well.

Keeping the brightest minds in the state will help stimulate the economy in Utah and form a better society founded on education. The only downside is that Brigham Young University, Westminster College, and other private schools are not included in the bill.

Julio Osegueda's Question

Taking a break from hard college news, I discovered an entertaining clip from USA Today. It was of State College communications major Julio Osegueda, 19, jumping up and down with delight after being the last person to ask President Barack Obama a question at a town hall meeting in Fort Myers, Florida. You can read about it here.

It's interesting how an enthusiastic college freshman like Osegueda can make a difference. This event shows us that everyone has the ability to impact society.

R.O.T.C. Back to School

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) is an elective at Buffalo Grove High School designed to focus on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.

No wonder the Supreme Court unbanned the program at elite universities like Yale and Harvard in March 2006.

Most of our nation's senators, and presidents come from prestigious universities that didn't advocate uniforms on campus. This shows how dangerously out of touch the elites who shape our national policy have become with the men and women they send to war. Hopefully, R.O.T.C. will rebuild a connection between America's military and its most selective colleges.

African Americans Less Likely

The A.P. program is growing steadily, but not as evenly, across the country. There is still an ethnic gap that exists in American education.

The College Board reports that while Hispanic, Asian, and white students are improving, African Americans are behind when it comes to taking A.P. exams. No state has yet gained ground in this issue, however, the number of low-income students taking these exams have gone up.

With the recession weighing us down, it is essential that we use every available resource provided for us. The economic benefits of the A.P. program can help with cutting those college costs.

Grading Standards

At Buffalo Grove High School, a score of 90 will earn you an A, but in Virginia's Fairfax County you'll need a solid score of 94 to get the same grade. Even passing a class is arduous, requiring a 64 rather than a 60.

According to The Washington Post, this strict grading policy will be abandoned by The Fairfax County School Board in order to please parents that find it a hindrance. You can read about it here.

There's no doubt students will be pleased with the change in Fairfax. Chances for college admission and scholarships are sure to be increased.

More Joining the Military

A lot more Americans are joining the military these days as the number of available jobs diminishes across the nation. They are enticed by a steady paycheck, benefits, and training. The intensified violence in Iraq also contributes to this occurrence.

But what does this have to do with college?

Well, service members who spend at least three years on active duty can attend any public college at government expense or use the payment for tuition at a private university. Although no data exists yet, there's a strong link between increased education benefits and new enlistments.

Some AP Exams to End

These days, a ton of high school students are taking Advanced Placement classes in order to do well on the exams. According to The New York Times, students took more than 2.6 million exams in 37 subjects last year. If they get a good score, students can receive college credit.

AP United States history and English literature programs are the most popular among high school students, however, very few participate in the AP Italian, French literature, Latin literature, and computer science AB exams. Since it takes a lot of money to keep an AP program running, these four subjects will be dropped.

AP Italian is not even available in Buffalo Grove High School, but if it was I’m sure many students would have taken it. With the economic situation that we’re in right now, though, not enough money was funded to keep it going. It’s too bad because AP Italian exams started only four years ago.

Inventions on Campus

If you’re planning on inventing something while in college, then be prepared to know that the school can take your idea and patent it. Most universities own inventions created by students using a significant amount of their resources.

This policy may benefit those who don’t have access to venture capital money or the expertise to claim exclusive rights to the invention. Plus, students can concentrate on finishing school by handing over the work to the university.

The expense and hassle of students doing it themselves, however, may be worth if if they don't want their invention to be controlled by a certain company.

Saving for College

The economic recession is predicted to end at the conclusion of 2009, which means that a lot of students saving for college this year will have a dilemma. Investing money, especially if the student is just a few years from enrollment, is going to be nearly impossible with all the other financial payments that have to be made.

Fortunately, there are a lot of choices out there that can help you save for college.

Parents aren’t the only ones who should be taking part in the investment, though. Kids in high school can get a head start and save right now. I’m hoping to find a job soon so that I can regulate my own cash and learn how to spend wisely. Right now is a good time to start!

SAT Changes Policy

As a junior, taking the ACT/SAT is really important. There’s also a lot of stress involved and money spent in order to prepare for them. Well, I was happy to come upon this article in The New York Times about a new policy called Score Choice that will give juniors taking the SAT the option of choosing which scores to send to college. You can read about it here.

I like this new policy because I want to put my best foot forward and send in a good test score without having to reveal the bad ones.

But some highly selective colleges are refusing Score Choice, and the policy is stirring heated debate among high school counselors and college admissions officials.

Endangered Enrollment

Private colleges are reporting a higher number of early-decision applications this year. However, the number of regular applications is about 30 percent lower.

The deadline at most colleges is still a few weeks off, so a last-minute flood of applications could raise the numbers to last year’s level. But admissions officers aren't counting on that.

Rumors about how private colleges are unaffordable may be the reason for the decline and because of this students are turning to their state university, which will be at capacity.

It's a shame that students will miss out on the chance to attend a private college that has more financial aids available this year.

Do-It-Yourself Scholarships

Athletic scholarships are hard to come by these days, especially since athletes need to pay high-priced private consultants to connect them with coaches beforehand.

According to The Wall Street Journal, kids who can't afford to pay the consultants are turning to do-it-yourself services that allow them to showcase their abilities for a fraction of the price. You can read about it here.

It's a great idea since college coaches don't get charged for viewing profiles and student athletes from all over can be discovered.

Secretary of Education

It’s unclear how successful No Child Left Behind has been, but under President-elect Barack Obama this policy may finally take off and make a difference.

Obama has chosen longtime basketball buddy Arne Duncan, who is the chief of Chicago Public Schools, to be the secretary of education in his Cabinet.

The selection of Duncan will certainly renew debates about Obama's commitment to public schools since he has chosen not to send his daughters to the district that Duncan oversees. However, Obama defends his decision to send them to a private school, saying it was the best choice for his family.

Starting Over

Imagine going back to school when you’re 50 or even 60 years old. I would love to do that when I get older. It’s a great opportunity to learn something new and get another fresh start in life.

Well, this week Harvard began a program to find “encore careers” for retiring baby boomers. Its purpose is to help senior citizens learn how to become successful social entrepreneurs or leaders of nonprofit organizations.

This is a perfect solution for those who don’t particularly like the traditional retirement ideal of leisure and travel. If all goes well, schools at other universities can follow suit and more people can join in on the fun!

Paris Hilton and Princeton

I know it’s none of my business, but it really bothers me when people who inherit money don’t spend it wisely. For instance, in just 30 minutes Paris Hilton spent $20,000 on only 70 items (none of which she had tried on). Sounds crazy, right?

Recently, a dilemma like this happened to a well-known university. Princeton got in big trouble for misusing donated money and has finally settled a legal case dealing with the problem. You can read about it here.

I guess Paris had a little excuse for her impulsive shopping... but Princeton? I wonder what was more important than education.

Gates of Hope

I know for a fact that I don't have the money for my dream college. But now that the poor economy is in turmoil I also know that this may be true for many others as well.

Sometimes, I question whether or not I should even try in school. What's the point of going to college if you don't even have enough money to graduate?

Many of us have to work full time or get an expensive loan in order to just get in. And with the recession growing exponentially our problems are only mounting higher.

Luckily, Bill Gates announced an initiative to help low-income students finish college. Let's hope that something happens and fast!