10 Scholarship Websites

The Fall 2016 is almost over and a new semester will begin. If you haven't already looked into scholarships for alternative funding to loans, this is the best time to do so.  Below is a list of 10 websites in which you may benefit from.

1.  Chegg
2. Fast Web
3. Unigo
4. Peterson's
5. BigFuture by College Board
6. Scholarship Monkey
7. Niche
8. Scholarships
9. FinAid
10. YCL Scholarship

Keep Calm, You're a HS Senior!

Class is back in session and seniors will soon start to apply to colleges for the 2017-2018 school year. Endless questions will certainly over-flood their minds; Community College or University? Dorm or Commute? In state or Out of state? This all may seem very confusing and overwhelming.Although decisions still need to be made and  situations may get a little stressful, there are a few things you can do to make the experience  go a little smoother.

1. Visit your guidance counselor at the beginning of the year and frequently through out the the remainder of the school year. By doing this you prevent missing any critical deadlines for graduation and college applications.

2. Get a notebook and label it "College Process". Write down important deadlines for college applications, FAFSA and scholarships. Also include a check list of  things that you need to get done and update it regularly. You may also want include important websites and contacts that are crucial for your success during your college process.

3. Go check out a few college campuses (if accessible). Get a group to go and make it a fun trip to hang out with friends. Explore the different campuses, it may help you decide which college environment fits your needs best.

4. Begin asking for recommendation letters, ask for them to be generalized( if possible), and ask for a few copies. This will ensure that you have compatible letters for those last minute applications. 
 
5. Get familiar with websites such as College Board, Common Application, Petersons, Federal Student Aid, and  of course The Young Christian Leaders Scholarship.

This year is going to be a year of decisions but don't forget to enjoy all the pep rallies, senior activities and senior trips. Spend time with friends and make lasting memories. Congratulations on making it this far, make this year a year to remember!

Back To School Supplies

School is almost in session and its time to get prepared!Are you looking to get the most bang for your buck this school year? Whether its school supplies, dorm furniture or dorm accessories  this list of the  websites and stores will help you get all your back to school needs.

Online:

1. www.Amazon.com 

2. www.Groupon.com

3. www.Ebay.com

4. www.Ocm.com

5. www.Dormco.com

In Store:

1.Walmart

2.Target

3.Kohl's

4. Staple's

5.Dollar Tree

6. Five Below

7. Office Depot

8. Bed Bath & Beyond

9. Marshall's

10. TJ Maxx

If there are other great places to shop for back to school that you know of, please tell us in the comments below! 

     

Note: We are not affiliated with any of these companies.

 

Productive Summers

Summer vacation is almost here and most of us can’t wait to hit the beach. Although for college students or those soon to be, you may be thinking of how to make your summers more productive. Tanning, the beach and outdoor actives are great too but below are 5 ways to make the best of your summer and prepare for your future career.


#1. Take Classes

Taking summer classes can help, speed up your degree. The best part is you can choose to take them at a community college for less money. This also gives the advantage of take electives that may not be offered at your current college .Just make sure you check with your college to make sure the credits are transferable.

# 2. Intern:

Internships are a great way to be productive during summer months. They provide experience that will look great on your resume and also builds connections with the internship provider and people already in the industry you’re thinking of entering. Some even offer stipends through out, or at the end of completion so they might make you a few shekels. Opportunities like these can help establish an on going internship throughout the years and even potentially lead to a job when you graduate college.

#3. Get a Job:

Getting a summer job is a great way to gain experience. It is also a great way to save up for text books for the upcoming fall semester. Check your local camps, YMCA, civic, or municipalities for openings. These are great summer jobs since they only last through the summer months and can be an ongoing gig for the next few summers.

#4. Volunteer:

Volunteering is an easy way to gain experience. This is a great opportunity because you can volunteer at multiple places, experiencing different environment while testing out how you will enjoy working in potential work environments. So if you get bored easily and like to change things up this would be great for you. It is also a great way to help out and give back to your local community.



#5. Go on a Mission Trip:

If finances allow, meaningful mission trips are a great experience. If your future career doesn’t allow time for month long mission trips, this is the perfect time to do so. This gives you an opportunity to use and learn different skills to help those who need it the most. For example if you are great at woodwork, teaching, first aid, and innovation etc., this might be a great opportunity to use those skills.

Overall, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the warm days this summer, plan ahead and make the best of your time. Like they say, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Visit the Campus Before You Choose!

      Choosing the college you’ll attend is a lot like buying a new house: it’s an expensive investment and it will be your home for the next few years. Surely you’d want to feel comfortable in a new home and be certain that it meets all your needs. The best way to do that would be to visit the house to check it out in person. If you’d do that for a new house, shouldn’t you also do it for your potential college?

      Of course, not everyone will have the opportunity to go to the college campus prior to enrolling. But if it’s within your means, you should certainly make a visit. Actually stepping foot on the campus before you submit your deposit will help make the decision a lot easier. You want to reduce the chances of enrolling in a college and not liking the environment there.

     By making a campus visit, you get a first-hand look at the campus, the classrooms, and the dorms – a college brochure or website can’t show you these things in detail. In addition, you’ll get the opportunity to talk to current students, professors, and admissions faculty, who can give you personal answers to important questions. Before you go, be sure to make a checklist of specific things to be looking for and questions to ask. By doing so, you give yourself the best chance to find the college of your dreams.

Getting Through Finals

The last few weeks of school are the most anticipated yet dreaded days to come ahead for college students. The excitement of finally getting a break after a long and hard year, gets seized by the nerve wrecking thoughts of taking final exams. It becomes even more gut wrenching when you realize that maybe taking on a heavy credit load was overestimating your mental capacity. Fortunately, you have come this far and the end is near. For that reason we have compiled a few tips on how to get through those last restless days so your long awaited break can begin.

Prioritize: There are some subjects that we struggle more with, begin studying with those first that way you have more time to prepare for the exam.

Rewrite notes: According to researchers, writing and rewriting your notes will help with remembering the information. So rewrite your notes from the semester to help you refresh your memory. Also, if your professor has handed out a study guide, you may also want to rewrite the entire guide with the answers.

Flashcards: Create flashcards where you write questions on the front and answers on the back. These are great because they incorporate writing notes to help memorize, they help you reinforce what you don’t know and can be used in groups.

Acronyms:  Do you remember “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” (M.V.E.M.J.S.U.N.P)? Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Nine, Pluto. When you have a list that you need to remember, create a sentence that uses the first letter of each word. This will help you remember how many words you need to remember, what letter they start with and what order they belong in.

Verbalize: After you have all your notes gathered, grab a study partner and verbalize your notes as your partner confirms your accuracy. This will not only help you check where you need extra studying but will also reinforce what you already know.

Study Groups: Create a small study group of 2-5 people. It is best to keep it small so there aren’t excessive distractions. You will also want to study in a group that isn’t full of close friends. This will minimize distractions because friends tend to divert conversations and minimize the productivity of the group.

Seclude Yourself: If you study better on your own, go to a quiet place where you can study such as the library, school or local Park, coffee shops or your town’s waterfront area etc.

Stay Healthy: Although it may seem like an insignificant reminder, remember to stay hydrated and eat well. This will help your body and mind take on the stress, if not your body will wear out quickly. So drink plenty of water and don’t skip any meals due to studying. For the all-nighters, try to keep some healthy snack bars on hand instead of junk food, your body will thank you later.

Save BIG on Textbooks!

       

 

As a College student, one of the first things that catches your attention is the dreadfully high cost of textbooks. Quickly we begin to reminisce on our high school days when our teachers used to hand us our textbooks the first day of class with the only clause of returning it at the end of the year. As we slowly drift back to reality we can’t help but to think of how we could possibly afford such an expensive textbook when we have 4 more to buy.

Fortunately, there are alternative options to purchasing textbooks from your school bookstore. We asked college students their sources for college textbooks and compiled a list for you*. This way you can get back to reminiscing on the good ol’ days.

1. Amazon- A great place to find new and used books, and also there is the option to rent and even sell your books back.
2. Chegg- Known for their great renting prices but is also a great place to buy new and used books. They also give you the option to sell them back.
3. Knet Books- Rent and also sell books back but no purchasing options.
4. Half (Ebay)- They have a large stock of books sold by many vendors. You have the option to buy, rent or sell.
5. Valore Books- A newer site where you can also buy, rent and sell your textbooks, with very competitive prices
6. Barnes & Nobles- Not only are they a great site but have many store front location. They also have the option to purchase new or used books, rent or sell.
7. Text Book Rush- Great site that has rental, purchasing and sell back options.
8. Alibris- A lesser known site but with great prices on used and new books with the option to rent and sell.
9. School Bulletin- Most schools have bulletins where students will post their book for sale. This a great way to meet students and buy books for good prices.
10. Borrow from a friend- Ask a friend, they might have the book that you can borrow or buy, if not, they may know someone who does.

Remember, we are called to be good stewards of our finances, that includes everything college related. So choose your textbook source wisely and enjoy the rest of your semester.

*Please be aware we are not affiliated or endorsed by any of these vendors.