By Susan - Monday 29 Dec 2:00 pm
You have graduated from high school and are looking towards your future college degree, but what are your options and where do you head from here? You are presented with two main options right off the bat: electing to enrol in a two year college degree or a 4 year college degree. Although 4 year college degrees receive a lot of hype and attention, they are not always the most suited for your personal requirements. There are pros and cons to each college degree and you will need to equip yourself with the background information on each one to decide for yourself which college degree is made for you.
Four year college degrees usually entail that students complete very general background subjects for the first two years, and then concentrate on their majoring subjects for the final two years. Those opting for two year college degrees go straight into their majoring subjects and complete their degrees in less time, although with a slightly lower level of recognition.
Pros of Two Year College Degrees:
- They are the cheaper alternative, resulting in you having less debt to pay on your college loan or perhaps no debt at all due to the overall reduction in fees
- They are quicker than 4 year college degrees allowing you to start working much sooner upon completion
Pros of Four Year College Degrees:
- These college degrees are highly recognized and rewarded worldwide in terms of employment opportunities
- Highly commendable on and off campus learning opportunities in the form of lectures, cultural events, honor societies etc on campus, and study internships, field trips and education programs off campus
Cons of Two Year College Degrees:
Cons of Four Year College Degrees:
- The four year college degree option is extremely expensive, and will more often than not require that students take out a large college loan to pay for it. This could result in a substantial amount of debt needing to be covered after graduation
- You can only start working two years after your counterparts who opted for the two year program
Some students might not have the option of being able to study a four year college degree due to financial reasons, but they shouldn’t worry about it or feel that they have started out with a disadvantage. There are many jobs available to two year college degree holders, and many equal opportunities too. On the flip side of that coin are the advantages of studying a four year college degree if it is a viable choice for you. Some may choose to upgrade from a two year to a four year along the way once more funds have become available. Just because you have committed to one, it does not mean that you are stuck with your decision until completion. There is a lot of flexibility within both choices to change your college degree to suit your personal growth.
Posted in: College Degrees
By Susan - Friday 26 Dec 10:05 am
Accounting degree graduates have a wealth of job opportunities as their field is one of the most popular to enter into. With attractive opening salary offers from businesses around America, many students choose to enter into the Accounting degree program, hoping for their own personal profitable opportunity.
The America job markets offer numerous entry level positions for accounting degree holders, intending to employ them from the start of their careers so that they can grow and learn with the company. Company ethics and morals as well as principles and methodology become ingrained in the accounting degree graduates, building them into one of the team players.
According to Salary.com’s website there are some cities that are more suited to employing entry level accounting degree graduates than others may be. For those graduates that are not tied down to a particular city, it could be a good idea to research these options, ensuring a better chance of receiving top class employment after completing their accounting degrees.
The 5 best cities for entry level accounting degree graduates are taken from the article on Salary.com that can be found by clicking here. They have been listed below:
- Plano, Texas – Accounting degree graduates will be sure to find job availability here as it is a thriving metropolitan area bursting with financial businesses. Not only listed as on of the prime areas for entry level accounting degree holders, but also for anyone wanting to do business.
- Aurora, Colorado – Aurora has a booming economy where accounting degree graduates will happily settle into the bustling life of the 3rd most populated city in Colorado. Their key areas of growth and advancement are biotechnology and aerospace.
- Omaha, Nebraska – Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska offering a wealth of opportunity for accounting degree graduates and regular job seekers alike. Top industries in this area include banking, transportation, telecommunications, insurance and construction.
- Minneapolis, Minnesota – Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota with a strong economy based on commerce, finance and health care. Accounting degree graduates will also find employment within the sector of transportation, which is also fairly prominent in Minneapolis.
- Albuquerque, New Mexico – Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico and is placed in the middle of the New Mexico Technology Corridor. Accounting degree graduates can find entry level positions in the growing fields of technology and high tech research.
Accounting degree graduates need not be in a panic about finding their own entry level positions, as even outside of these cities listed above there is always opportunity and job availability for accounting degree holders. If you imagine that every company need to have their books written up and their company accounts done, then it is easy to understand why the accounting degree is so popular.
Posted in: College Degrees
By Susan - Tuesday 23 Dec 2:00 pm
It is no secret that accounting degrees are well received and attended because of the fabulous monetary benefits that accountants enjoy. CNN Money has voted Accounting as one of the top career choices in terms of stability, salary and accessibility. Read the full article by clicking here. Everyone needs an accountant, everyone works with money, so everyone will need the services of an accounting degree graduate at some stage or another.
There are numerous entry level positions that accounting degree graduates can enter into, and from here growth and development can lead you to your ideal career choice. The experience necessary for maintaining a high power position in accounting will be acquired through formative years in an entry level position, building up to the eventual position that you set out for as an accounting degree graduate.
As an accounting degree holder, you want to make the correct decisions right off the mark, so opting to enter into a career where you can grow and advance into your dream career is imperative. Here are the 5 top careers for accounting degree graduates. From these positions, career advance is highly likely.
- Public Accountant – As an accounting degree graduate, you will be able to enter into most companies as a Public Accountant. You are basically a general accountant with no specific responsibilities other than the basic accounting functions. From here you can evolve into many different positions, as your foundation is so broad.
- Management Accountant – A management accountant works with one specific company or a few companies and does all the accounts and books for them, even if working within a large firm. Accounting degree holders in this position would be assigned a company to work with and would focus solely on their accounts.
- Internal Auditors – A career in internal auditing will cover the audits for the company you work for and only them. Your accounting degree will assist you by providing you with the knowledge needed to carry out constant investigative functions to ensure that your company is not committing fraud or wasting money and that they are compliant with government regulations and laws.
- Government Accountant – Your position would be the same as that of a Public Accountant except you would be working for the Government. Your accounting degree will ensure that you are able to audit companies, ensure that revenue is collected and allocated correctly, keep up to date with the taxation of companies and individuals etc. Plus a government career can offer you stability as well as certain benefits.
- Banker – A great entry level for any accounting degree holder is as a banker. There are numerous tasks that need to be carried out on a day to day basis within the banks, and new employees will get the chance to move through most of them unless they specialize in something specific. From here a leap to investment banking can be made, ensuring a more attractive salary.
Posted in: College Degrees
By Susan - Friday 19 Dec 2:00 pm
Accounting degrees offer a lucrative future in terms of appealing salaries and the promise of future growth in your field. Accountants will always be in employment, no matter what the situation of our economy. Books will always need to be done, in fact companies depend on accountants to keep their financial status in check. Accounting degrees are therefore one step in the right direction towards being employed within a reliable and economically viable field.
There are certain industries within the accounting field that are more competitive in terms of the salaries they offer. Having your accounting degree can assist you in breaking into one of these niche industries and making your way towards a leading accounting position and impressive salary.
The 5 best industries and salaries for those with accounting degrees are as follows:
- Accounting Firms – Obviously accounting degree graduates will benefit hugely from accounting firms who’s sole focus is on supplying accounting services to various companies and business establishments. Depending on where you work, you could receive a starting salary of $30000 – $55000 per annum, $40000 to $85000 after 3 – 5 years and between $50000 and $110000 after 5 – 7 years of service.
- Law Firms and Legal Enterprises – Law firms deal with a of of money coming in and going out. The accounting department needs to be on it’s toes in order to keep everything in balance and to ensure that accounts are paid. An accounting degree more than qualifies you for this job, but the pressure may be high. Annual salaries will be similar to that of the accounting firm listed above.
- Contract work in all Industries – Although you may not be guaranteed that you will have work for the next two years, you will be able to demand a higher salary for your contract period. Accounting degree graduates would be able to take advantage of this, although it is advisable to have some working experience first before promoting yourself as a solo flyer. Salary can start at $50000 on an annual basis.
- Government – Although Government have strict budgets to adhere to, they reward thir employees hugely with impressive salaries as well as incredible benefits. Accounting degree graduates would find it to be extremely beneficial working within government accounting offices. Average annual salary starting at $50000.
- Private Healthcare – Private healthcare operations offer attractive packages for anyone that is employed within their workforce. Accounting degree holders will find themselves to be decently remunerated for accounting services rendered in this domain. Average annual salary starting at $43000.
All salary information was obtained on Payscale.com and further information regarding this subject can be found by clicking here. By referring to their guide of expected salaries, accounting degree graduates can decide for themselves which industries would be the most profitable to enter into.
Posted in: College Degrees
By Susan - Monday 15 Dec 2:00 pm
Federal college loans are the optimal choice for students looking for college funding that is affordable and easy to apply for. Although all federal college loans through separate institutions are very similar, there are some banks and financial providers that can offer you benefits and special offers that are slightly more appealing than others. Read more…
Federal college loans are government funded and federally guaranteed, and can offer students and parents of students extremely competitive interest rates that somewhat relieve part of the burden of college loan debt. All federal college loans will offer you a lower interest rate than private loans, and are offered to people with financial need.
If you are searching for the best deal in your federal college loans and the most service orientated banks to make your application through, then you might want to consider one of the financial services providers listed below. They all offer federal college loans, but each one has a little something extra to offer over and above that.
- Chase Bank – One of the front runners in the supply of college loans to students and parents of students. Their website offers detailed advice on the differences between private and federal college loans and has a link to the Free Application For Federal Student Aid, which needs to be completed for all would be applicants.
- Sallie Mae – This financial services provider is the leading supplier of college loans in the country. Their federal college loans are divided into Federal Perkins loans and Federal Stafford Loans, one of which will need to be selected. Accounts can be managed online 24/7 for better convenience.
- Wells Fargo – With Wells Fargo as well as most other federal college loans, you can qualify to have a certain portion of your loan subsidized. Wells Fargo have loan specialists constantly on standby to assist you with any federal college loan queries you may have.
- Next Student – Next Student have a wealth of helpful and useful information to help guide you through your college loan application process. Their website has numerous tools and applications to assist you in calculating what exactly you will require and how much it will set you back. Also known to be reliable and ready to assist.
- Citibank – One of the benefits of signing your federal college loan with Citibank is that you could receive a further .25% reduction in interest charges by making your payments automated. This reward for you is extra security for them, so everyone wins.
Although the above mentioned federal college loan providers are industry leaders, there are many more that are worth your interest and investigation. Each one might be federally guaranteed and made possible by government funding, but the individual service providers all need to stand out in some way by offering you the best college loan deal there is. Take your time to explore the pros and cons of each one before making this huge commitment towards your future.
Posted in: College Loans
By Susan - Friday 12 Dec 4:06 pm
Veterans need not be excluded from going to college, applying for college loans or scholarships. There are options available for every individual, especially for Veterans, and these options are inclusive of college loans and scholarships.
By serving the country during your military career, it is felt that the country is indebted to your service and it is thought that the opportunity to study might not have presented itself to you before as time was spent in service of your country. For this reason, Veterans are highly eligible for college loans and scholarships, and there are benefit programs in place that Veterans and their families can take advantage of. Scholarships are more frequently offered to veterans than college loans are.
There are numerous college loan opportunities that are funded by the government, but also state funded college loan and scholarship programs. In addition to this, there are many private institutions that will offer veteran college loans and scholarships, but at a slightly higher interest rate. These rates are determined by the individual institutions and should be confirmed before an application for your college loan is made. Scholarships and benefits are also made available to the children of military Veterans.
Application forms for government funded college loans and scholarships as well as for privately funded college loans can be obtained from the colleges or schools that you are planning to study at. These forms can be handed in at the school’s reception and will then be submitted to the Department of Veteran Affairs by the registrar of the school you are applying at. You can apply for your college loan or benefit directly to the Department of Veteran Affairs by clicking here. Veterans have 10 years from the date of being released from duty to take advantage of their education benefit.
Sallie Mae has teamed up with Veterans Advantage to offer a competitive college loan available only to military veterans. Veterans Advantage is a portal that offers veterans incredible rewards in all spheres of retail, financial, health, entertainment and many other dimensions of day to day life. College loans are another dimension that offer veterans an opportunity they might not have received during their service. Sallie Mae has a few options available for veterans, and VA (Veterans Advantage) card holders can use their membership cards to log into the Sallie Mae College Answer website to find further information on college loans specifically tailored to suit their needs and financial situations.
Standard government funded college loans (FFELP) are probably the best place to start when applying as a veteran. Alternatively, college loans can be applied for with private institutions provided the applicant is willing to pay a substantial amount more in interest charges than as would be with federal college loans. By shopping around for college loans, you will become familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of all available college loans, and you will be able to make an educated (excuse the pun) decision.
Posted in: College Degrees, College Loans
By Susan - Thursday 4 Dec 2:17 pm
Selecting to apply for a college loan is a responsible direction to choose and one that requires a certain degree of personal initiative. Once you have crossed that bridge and are opting to apply for your college loan, then the steps to having it approved are fairly simple. Not much effort will be required on your part, but it is important to carry out all the steps and to understand the process of college loan approval. Provided you have no drug convictions against your name, and do not presently owe any money on a college loan, then you can proceed further with your application.
These 10 steps to being approved for your college loan will help you to identify with the procedure taking place that could unite you with the future that you always dreamed of.
1. You will need to be applied to your college before you can apply for your college loan. You don’t, however need to have been admitted to the college, but will need to have admission to receive approval for your college loan.
2. Determine your dependency status by completing the Dependency Status Worksheet on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid website on www.fafsa.ed.gov.
3. Confirm or investigate the school code that is applicable to your college so that you are positive you have the correct information before applying for your college loan. Some codes change from year to year.
4. For federal loans you will need to apply for a pin on the www.pin.ed.gov website that will give you access to your college loan specifics and allow you to make binding legal obligations.
5. For federal loans you will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) eligibility form to verify whether or not you may apply for a college loan through federal means. This can be located at www.fafsa.ed.gov
6. You will need to have your social security number, high school diploma or equivalent and your parent’s tax information in your possession to submit for application. For private college loans you will need to submit all the requirements for a credit check. These may vary from one institution to the next.
7. When submitting your FAFSA form for application to your college loan ensure that you print out your confirmation report as it includes a confirmation number and the date and time that your application was received.
8. Submit your application for a college loan, no earlier than the 1st of January and no later than the 30th of June of the year you are applying for entrance, although some colleges may have different dates for applications so you should check this with the relevant college.
9. Try and apply early enough so that there are still funds available to supply you with a college loan.
10. Follow up by logging into the FAFSA website using your pin for federal loans to check the status of your college loan application. For private loans, each institution will have their own methods of communicating for you to be able to gauge progress on your college loan application.
Posted in: College Degrees, College Loans
By Susan - Thursday 4 Dec 2:10 pm
The internet is always a hive of activity and source of information with regards to any and every topic. College loans and the information thereto are no different. You can find virtually anything and everything you want to know about college loans and the application process, eligibility requirements, funding available and frequently asked questions. But some sources that offer this important information are better than others.
We rate the Top 10 websites for information pertaining to college loans and application for college loans, based on the amount of valid information they store and the usability factor.
1. Sallie Mae (www.salliemae.com) – Not only does Sallie Mae provide excellent and popular resources for college loans, both private and federal, but the information contained with regards to these topics is vast and well thought out.
2. Chase (Chase) – Also a leader in providing federal and private college loans, and offering an extensive portal of information with frequently asked questions and a user friendly structure
3. Next Student (www.nextstudent.com) – Offering information for before application for your college loan, during application and during study time and then after. Including extensive FAQ’s and thorough background on the internal processes
4. Astrive Student Loans (www.astrivestudentloans.com) – Although not offering college loans at present due to fluctuations in the financial markets, they offer excellent advice on where to take your applications and the processes involved in applying for a college loan
5. E Student Loan (www.estudentloan.com) – Comprehensive information from all the basics to understanding the different types of college loans available. Actual college loan applications are outsourced to a financial services provider, this is purely an information portal, although it is linked to the loan provider
6. Simple Tuition (www.simpletuition.com) – A wide range of resources, tips and helpful information for students and parents requiring college loans of either a private or federal nature. Affiliated with a number of well known money lenders
7. Lending Tree (Lending Tree) – Contains many useful guides and articles for would be students seeking information regarding their future college loans
8. American Education Services (www.aesuccess.org) – In depth information regarding college loans, but also planning guides, money management, college loan comparisons, grants and scholarships and many more topics
9. US Bank (UsBank.com) – A portal for online college loan applications, but also containing valid and up to date information regarding the technical specifics of college loans. Included is a section for counselling is also included which is quite pertinent when dealing with such a stressful responsibility as money lending
10. Wells Fargo – (Wells Fargo) – Another online portal for applications that is inclusive of all the background information that you need to know before applying for your college loan
Although these websites are listed in an order, they are all helpful and useful in their own ways. In order to be 100% positive about what is required and what is entailed with an application for a college loan, it would be a good idea to check them all out and be fully equipped.
Posted in: College Degrees, College Loans
RSS FEEDS
