7/28/11

Student Loans are a Trap!


I hate student loans!
This is money that is so easily handed over to 18-year-old college students with a wicked snear....saying "Here little girl, do you want some candy?" or "You can have all you want little boy!  Here take some more, and more, and more..."...and then the trap door slams shut *BAM*.

I borrowed $3,000 of student loan money for my 2nd year of college (in 1994)...and now 17 years later I now owe $12,000.  I'm sure you are wondering how $3K of student loan money can turn into $12K.  Well can you say subsidized? or involuntary consolidation fees? more fees? or interest accuring at a phenominal rate? interest only payments?  can you say TRAP! 

Listen people!  These are the facts:
  • You can not file bankruptcy on student loans.
  • You can not write-off student loan debt.
  • You can never get rid of student loan debt except through death...
  • Student loan companies can garnish your wages.
  • Student loan companies can take your taxes.
  • Student loan companies can haunt you for the rest of your life.
  • Student loan companies will not use vaseline.
....You will owe this money until your death, even if you don't finish your degree.
I encourage everyone to exhaust all other possibilities before accepting more than your first year's salary in student loans.

For example, a social work (BSW) student should not accept $65,000 of student loan money. 
A BSW will never make $65,000 which equals a lifetime of debt.  Run Forest Run!

Accessing the precious and disappearing scholarship dollars...

EVERYONE, regardless of income, should apply for financial aid

If you don't apply...you can't win!

7/14/11

Where do you find scholarships?

Where do you find scholarships?

1. My favorite website is www.fastweb.com
It does all the work for you. After you fill out your profile fastweb continuously searches for any opportunity the fits YOUR qualifications. It gives you the website links, phone numbers, deadlines, etc...

2. www.scholarships.com is my second favorite; and it does the same thing.

3. YOUR University Scholarship Office:
Love them! Visit them! Study their website! Sign up to receive email notices concerning new scholarship opportunities!

4. Finally, Scholarship application time is typically Jan. to March/May of each year. So if you miss a couple of opportunities this time around don't worry....you will be WELL prepared for next season, and can hit the ground running. There are fall application opportunities so keep an eye out.

Volunteer Experience


Your Volunteer Experience will be worth it's weight in gold!  Scholarship committees want to see community service, volunteerism, and abroad experiences.  
Volunteer Experience sets you apart from the other 3,000 applications scholarship committees review.  So I encourage you to include a short write-up about your experience.

Indiana Black Expo Education Conference

I attended the Indiana Black Expo Education Conference this morning.  And if I thought that programs were in short supply to help young women achieve their goals...I was wrong! 

The message I shared was: Raise the Bar!  When we know better we do better!
The message I received was:  One kind word can change a person's life.  Hello Beautiful!

7/12/11

$50,000 in scholarships and financial aid














Single mom is awarded over $50,000 in scholarships and free financial aid to earn a college degree. 
NO STUDENT LOANS. 

I want to reach back and help others achieve their educational goals…EMPOWERMENT.

I am a single mom that decided to change my life and return to college after the age of 30.  I knew the only way I could afford to attend classes full time and meet my other financial responsibilities would be with scholarships and financial aid.  After preparation, hard work and determination I graduated with a bachelor degree from Indiana University….and was awarded over $50,000 in free financial aid.  No gimmicks. No Tricks….but I definitely developed a system. 

Dream. Prepare.Apply.Succeed.

Introduction: Apply to win


I want to help others achieve their higher education goals….without racking up thousands of dollars in student loans.  I am living proof that it is possible!


ScholarshipAdvisor is my attempt to "Pay it Forward".  I offer advice, consultation, organizational tips, resources, and ANSWERS.  If I do not have the answer I know where to find them.  I love the research! 


However, I do not do the work for you.  I only work with people who are determined and serious about the pursuit of scholarships for the purpose of achieving their educational goals.  The process of applying for scholarships is work.  But with organization and preparation the process can be simplified like an assembly line.


Scholarships are out there!  But it is like the lottery…if you don’t apply you can not win.

Purpose...

I want to help others achieve their higher education goals….without racking up thousands of dollars in student loans.  I am living proof that it is possible!

Scholarships are out there!  But it is like the lottery…if you don’t apply you can not win.

So start dreaming… picture yourself walking across that stage in your cap and gown…earning your degree. 

If you are willing to put forth the effort it will take to find, apply, and use the scholarships….you are almost there.  Most people are not willing to do the work… so that leaves more scholarship money for you!
I can help you along this journey…  so that you can achieve your goals and reach back and help someone else.