Scholarship Application Examples

Each day scholarship evaluation boards receive thousands of applications from students. How do they decide who to award the scholarship to? Figuring out that one seemingly simple thing, may significantly better your chances of being chosen as the beneficiary.

The fact is that the evaluation committee takes a lot of different factors into consideration while considering the applications. Academic profile and the economic background usually hold paramount importance and the next, but equally vital part of the application process is the scholarship application cover letter.

The cover letter is your presentation to the committee explaining why you are more deserving than the others who have applied. And that’s where it is easy to go wrong. You may have the most fluent dialect, and flair with language, but it guarantees nothing.

Contrary to what most people think, there is no formula to follow either. That’s what you will notice when you download ‘winning scholarship application examples’ from the internet. No two samples look identical. Each has their unique way of presenting the application to the committee.

Having said that, there are a few ground rules or ‘best policies’ (if we can call them that) that you can follow while creating your application that can help you make your application a success. Here are some of them.

The Explanation

The gist of the scholarship application letter is to outline your career goals, your plans to achieve them and your strengths that will help you get there. It should also explain clearly why you should be selected and how you will benefit from it. But even before you begin to type the letter out, you need to keep one word in mind, ‘Identity.’ The letter is about you, your story and how passionate you are about the subject. There is no better way to explain this than being yourself. You can use scholarship application examples as a reference, but never imitate or copy anything.

The Requisites

Adherence to deadlines and organizational skills are highly valued in any educational program. So, you must ensure that you read the requirements in detail and construct the application in a way that it makes it easy for the committee to evaluate it. Attach any items that were requested, in the exact specific order that they were listed. If there were instructions not to add anything extra, do not do it. This makes it appear that you cannot follow instructions. If no such directives were mentioned, then feel free to add extra items. But don’t overdo it.

The Tone

A scholarship application letter must have a formal tone with a very natural and well-structured flow. It goes without saying that there must not be any grammatical or typographical errors. One of the best ways to ensure that the letter is concise and crisp is to make someone else read it. It helps to spot small errors and remove redundant information that is unnecessary.

The Thank You Cover Letter

The Thank You Cover Letter is an expression of gratitude that lets the donor know that you appreciate the chance to be considered for the scholarship, irrespective of the outcome. It is usually very well received by the donors.

Dear Ms. Johnson,

I am writing this letter to introduce myself (Your name) and also express my gratitude to be able to participate in the scholarship program (Name of Scholarship). I have been inducted in the College in the Fall 2016 term.

I would like to thank you for granting other college-bound students and me this financial assistance through the scholarship program that will allow me to concentrate on my studies without worrying about the financial burden. Enclosed herewith, you will find my application details, academic transcript, recommendation letters and other relevant information.

Once again, I would take this opportunity to thank you for this generosity and continued support. I promise to work to the best of my ability.

Sincerely,

John Doe

The Extras

As we mentioned before, if there are no restrictions on adding extra items to the application, then this can be an excellent tool where you can add weight to the application and be creative with it. You can start with a Scholarship Essay on your career goals or your educational goals. A lot of people spend an enormous amount of time perfecting their scholarship essays. To an extent, it is entirely justified because a well-written essay can have a huge impact on the chances of being awarded the scholarship. But you must ensure that you limit it to one or two pages at the most.

Additional documents that show your skills and aptitude for the subject are always a welcome addition. For example, a letter that congratulates you for displaying leadership skills and impacting the local communities through an awareness program that you conducted. Or, just a congratulations letter for being one of the top 3 students in the class. Both these attachments reveal a side of you that the original application cannot cover.

One of the most useful extra attachments that you can make to a scholarship application is acceptance letters to colleges. Unless the scholarship is meant for one particular college, you can use it at any college of your choice, if awarded. Attaching the acceptance letters shows that you are serious about this. It does not, however, limit your choice of a college. All you need to do is inform the scholarship about the college that they need to send the award to.

The Letters of recommendation

Personalizing the letter of recommendation to the recipient is a very effective way to show that you went the extra mile to address this directly to them. The person writing the letter for you may not be too keen to write ten or twenty letters if you have to submit multiple applications. So, volunteer to write it for them and personalize it so that they only have to sign on it. As a rule of thumb, do not attach more than three to four letters of recommendation with an application.

Last but not the least, do not send out the application without proofing it. It must be formatted, neat and proofread.

That’s all that there is to it. With some effort and after reading a few scholarship application examples, you should be able to draft a great one. Good luck!

Scholarship Application Examples

Scholarship Application Examples

How to become an Uber Driver

With taxi-hailing services reshaping the transportation industry, newer avenues have opened up for anyone with a will to make a living and a few various details of course. On the forefront of this change is Uber, leading from the front with its streamlined App that has taken the world by storm.

Uber’s rise in a world dominated by large-scale Taxi corporations who often ruled the roost and held, both the driver and the customer to ransom with exorbitant prices and poor employee policies, has been a refreshing change.

One that has been met with a phenomenal response by the general public. Rides are cheaper, faster, and the driver gets to choose their work hours. In a recent report, Uber announced that the median income for an Uber driver in New York is $90000 a year. That send the world into a tizzy.

Following this report, the demand for work as Uber drivers has skyrocketed. And why not? What other job offers the kind of flexibility and exposure as this? But a quick search on the otherwise almighty Google does not reveal much about the process to sign up as an Uber driver.

If you too have been groping in the dark and looking for information on how to become an Uber Driver, then you are at the right place. Here’s our nifty little guide to take you through the sign-up process with all the details that you need to know.

Applying to become an Uber Driver

You must be aware of the many categories of cars that are registered with Uber. There’s Uber X, XL, Select, Black, and SUVs. The application criteria for the first three are identical whereas it changes slightly for the other two. We will, of course, review each one in detail.

The requisites for UberX, XL, and Select

The requirements are pretty straightforward.

1- You must be at least 21 years of age

2- You must own or have access to any 4 door Sedan that can seat at least 4 passengers other than the driver and is not older than 10 years in most states. The exceptions to this rule are Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco where the car can be a 2001 model, New York where it must not be a model older than 5 years and Chicago where it can be as old as 15 years.

3- You must have an in-state driver license that has been valid for at least one year in the United States. If you are younger than 23, the company may demand that you have at least 3 years of experience as a driver. If you have relocated from another state where you were a driver, then please keep the out-of-state driving license with you.

4- You must have an in-state driver’s license and an in-state car insurance in your name.

5- You must have a Social Security Number

6- You will be subject to a background check which you must consent to and is usually carried out by Accurate Background (who recently acquired Hirease) or Check (Information as on Sep 16^th 2016)

The Background Check

The background check is a part of Uber’s attempt to maintain a clean employee pool. As potential drivers, this is a phase that makes everyone jittery. But unless you have something to hide, you have nothing to worry about. The background check is a routine process to assess your previous driving history and criminal records if any.

1- The company will check for records in County and Federal courthouses in every country that you have resided in for the past seven years

2- The multi-state criminal database will be checked

3- A social security trace will be originated

4- Motor vehicle records will be checked

5- Last but not the least, the national sex offender registry will be checked

If all these criteria are met, then the next set of requirements are related purely to your driving history

1- A clean Motor Vehicle Report that does not show more than 3 incidents (suspensions, revocations, accidents, traffic convictions or other violations) in the last 3 years

2- No reckless driving cases or DUI

The requirements for Uber Black and SUVs

Uber Black and SUVs form the company’s luxury car service and the drivers who qualify for it take home the cherry with the pie. They earn considerably higher than their X, XL and Select counterparts.

The requirements, however, are equally stringent, the main difference between the two categories being a high-end vehicle, a commercial license, and commercial insurance. The application will also be subject to a vehicle inspection, may require an Airport permit in select cities and photos of the car will need to be submitted along with the application.

Even if you qualify for all the above criteria, you may still not be able to join as an Uber Black driver if Uber is not accepting new drivers in the category, at the moment.

The Car Inspection

Another mandatory part of the application is a mechanical inspection where you will need to take your car to any Uber-approved auto shop or an activation center in your area. The inspection is free at the activation center and will cost you approximately $20 at the auto shop. It is pretty basic, and the safety features (brakes, belts, tires) of your car will be checked in detail.

What if the application gets denied?

As grim as it sounds, there is a possibility that an application may be denied. What’s worse is that neither Uber nor one of the background check companies is very forthcoming about the details of the rejection. You will mostly receive a very generic email stating that your application cannot be considered any further. The best you can do is call Uber customer care or send them an email requesting them to provide some clarity about it. The chances you were getting any reliable information is bleak, though. In such a situation, the best course of action would be to look at alternative companies like Lyft.

Despite sounding like a tough process, the Uber application to become a driver is very easy, and the company is very supportive of new drivers. So, good luck with your application and I hope that this article helps you understand the requirements completely.

How to become an Uber Driver

Become an Uber Driver

Fseog grant

If you are a student who needs help paying for college, you may have been told to apply for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant or FSEOG. This grant is awarded to undergraduate students in need of financial assistance, and unlike a college loan, it does not need to be repaid. A student who is awarded this grant can receive an amount between $100 to $4,000 per year and the amount is determined by the severity of his or her need for financial aid.

To be considered for an FSEOG, you need to be eligible for a Pell Grant. (We will talk more about the Pell Grant later on in this article.) The applicants need to demonstrate that they have a dire financial need, and they should have one of the smallest Expected Family Contributions (EFC) of those who are recipients of the Pell Grant.

The EFC is a number that the federal government determines to be the amount that your family can contribute to your college education. The factors that are taken into consideration when calculating the EFC include assets, household income and the number of individuals in your family who are currently attending college.

All Pell Grant applicants receive funding, but this is not the case with the FSEOG Grant. That’s because this grant is only limited to the amount of funding that is given to a particular institution or college, and once the government has distributed the funding to the schools, it is the school that decides who will receive the funding and for how much. The government covers 75% of the funds, while the school contributes the remaining 25%.

How to Qualify for the FSEOG

Perhaps the most important question that students ask is, how do I qualify for the FSEOG?

To find out, you first need to fill out the FAFSA, or the Free Application for Student Aid. You can do this online by going to this page. You must be able to demonstrate the great need for financial aid, which means that your family’s contribution to your college tuition is zero.

That’s not all. Other requirements need to be met so you can be eligible for this grant.

1. You must be a United States citizen.

2.Your GPA must be above 2.0.

3. You must be an undergraduate currently enrolled in your first Bachelor’s degree program.

The FSEOG Application Process

If you meet the requirements we’ve listed above, you can go ahead and begin the application process.

Step 1: Apply to a college of your choice and be admitted to a program that is eligible for the FSEOG (Bachelor’s degree program).

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA online. You’ll need to provide your social security number as well as that of your parents (if you’re their dependent). Your tax information will also be required, as well as your parents’ (if again, you’re their dependent). Balances of savings and checking accounts, untaxed income, investments and other financial information will also need to be provided.

Step 3: If you’re awarded the grant, the funds will be used to pay for your tuition directly. If you have no outstanding balance, then you will be given a check for the amount of the grant.

The grant works on a first come first served basis, and there is no set amount to be awarded to the student. Once all the funding budget has been given for the year, the school will no longer be able to offer further financial assistance. Another important point to keep in mind is that even if you are awarded the FSEOG for the year, there is no guarantee that you will still receive it next year or the year after that. That is why you need to update your FAFSA annually to ensure you will continue receiving financial aid through this program.

What is the Difference Between the FSEOG and the Pell Grant?

Earlier we have mentioned the Pell Grant. It is one of the leading products that college financial aid officers and guidance counselors rely on so the school can provide financial aid to students in need.

The Federal Pell Grant is not a loan, so you don’t need to pay back the amount awarded to you. It is, in fact, the first step in obtaining extra funding, and this is why it is often dubbed the foundation of federal student financial aid. How is this so, you might ask?

Let’s explain. For a student to receive other grants, they first need to be eligible for and be awarded, a Pell Grant. The federal government shoulders the entire cost of the financial aid so that means schools will always be able to extend financial assistance to all eligible students.

Students given the Pell Grant also need not worry about this aid affecting other grants they may be entitled to. But it does have an impact on the enrollment status of the student. If the student is not enrolled for the whole academic year, he or she will not be given the same funding as someone who is enrolled for the full year. The same goes for students who are enrolled in college part-time.

When this grant has been awarded, the student can still seek further financial assistance if they can demonstrate a strong financial need. They can apply for the FSEOG which are granted by the school. Schools are given funds every year, and they need to use the whole amount. Otherwise, they could face a reduction of the FSEOG funds or worse, elimination in the following year.

Students should first qualify for a Pell Grant before they can apply for the FSEOG. They cannot get any FSEOG funds unless they are given the Pell Grant.

The differences between the two types of funding may seem very basic however the amounts given to a student can vary widely depending on their financial situation. The student and their family should do their best to get the Pell Grant amount finalized so they can determine if pursuing an FSEOG application is necessary. This is critical because as mentioned above, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant funds are given on a first come, first served basis.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Educational Opportunity Grant

Car Insurance Questions And Answers

You will get informative car insurance questions and answers when you continue reading.

What Is Car Insurance?

An auto insurance is a legal agreement between the motor vehicle owner and the insurance company wherein the former pays the latter premiums (i.e., cash fees) and, in exchange, the latter pays the former for covered losses in the event of accidents. The covered losses may include property damage, third party liability, and medical expenses with emphasis on the applicability of the terms and conditions stated on the insurance policy.

In the United States, most states require vehicle owners to have auto insurance with the minimum requirements varying by state.

Why Should You Buy Car Insurance?

You are well-advised to secure auto insurance for these reasons:

1. Your state will most likely require auto insurance as part of the lawful use of your vehicle on public and private roads. Otherwise, you will face penalties including monetary fines that will probably be greater than the insurance premiums.

2. You will appreciate the protection that auto insurance providers in case of accidents, either involving just yourself or with other motorists and pedestrians. Even a small accident can be financially challenging when its related expenses are paid out of your pocket, much more so when it involves another person and property.

3. Your prospective lender will require auto insurance as a requirement for your loan. This is because your lender has the assurance that the loan collateral has insurance coverage in case it becomes damaged. Otherwise, your car can be repossessed by the lender.

The bottom line: The premiums paid for your insurance policy will go a long way toward your protection and peace of mind.

What Are The Types of Coverage?

You have several choices in insurance coverage: Liability, which covers injuries sustained by others and damage to their property in case you were the cause of the accident

1. Medical payments, which pay the medical bills for you and your passengers but only up to a pre-determined limit regardless of who was at fault

2. Collision coverage which pays for the damage on your car due to the accident

3. Personal injury protection, which ensures payment of medical bills for you and your passengers even when the accident was not your fault as well as payment for other losses including lost wages and burial expenses

4. Comprehensive coverage which pays for the damage to your vehicle for non-accident causes or its theft

5. Uninsured and underinsured motorist, which pays for damages due to an accident caused by an underinsured, uninsured, or hit-and-run driver

Many of the insurance policies also come in two major types, namely, individual and commercial. You can also request for add-ons to a basic insurance policy, such as emergency roadside assistance and the free rental car in case your vehicle is being repaired after an accident or replaced after a theft.

With so many types of coverage, you should not hesitate about engaging in a more detailed car insurance questions and answers discussion with your policy provider. You will be able to choose the best coverage for your needs in this manner.

Car Insurance Questions And Answers

Insurance questions and answers

Benefits Of Filing For Bankruptcy

If you are dealing with serious debt issues, such as credit cards, house mortgage, and car payments, declaring bankruptcy can be a cost-efficient and efficient strategy. You must make sure, however, that you have an experienced bankruptcy advisor by your side to help you maximize the benefits of filing for bankruptcy.

Wipe Out Your Unsecured Debts

Keep in mind that bankruptcy covers only unsecured debts; unsecured debts are debts wherein the creditors don’t have a lien on any property and, thus, cannot repossess any of your assets in case of failure to pay. Except in the event of a special “secured” credit card, all of your credit card debts, among other unsecured debts, will be wiped out.

But it must also be emphasized that it will depend on the type of bankruptcy filed. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your obligation to pay the balance on your credit card debt will be erased upon the successful completion of the case. But there are exceptions, such as in the event of fraud, which emphasizes the importance of good faith in a bankruptcy filing.

In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, or a reorganization bankruptcy, you have to repay your creditors your debt, either in full or in part, for 3 to 5 years. Any unsecured debts remaining after completion of your repayment plan will be liquidated.

Stop the Harassment and Collection Activities of Creditors

Keep in mind that debt collectors are not allowed by law to harass debtors, such as repeatedly calling at unreasonable times (before eight a.m. and after nine p.m.); using obscene or profane language; using or threatening to use violence; and claiming your incarceration or threatening property seizure, among others. When filing for bankruptcy, you have the benefit of its automatic stay, which immediately goes into effect.

With an automatic stay, most of your creditors are prohibited from continuing their collection activities. But there are several exceptions to the automatic stay, not to mention that creditors also have the right to ask the bankruptcy court to remove it – and the court may allow it in certain circumstances.

Remove Certain Kinds of Liens

A lien, which refers to a creditor’s right to seize some or all of the debtor’s property, will usually survive bankruptcy unless certain procedures are invoked during the case. You can use lien avoidance to eliminate these liens, but there are exceptions to the rule, too.

In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your secured debt has two parts, which are treated differently:

1- Your personal liability is wiped out with the assumption that it qualified for discharge (i.e., the creditor cannot sue for collection in the future); and

2- Your creditor’s legal claim on the debt’s collateral will not be automatically eliminated by your filing of bankruptcy unless you take additional steps in eliminating or reducing liens on collateral.

With these benefits of filing for bankruptcy, you should seriously consider it now instead of finding alternative – and more expensive – ways of liquidating your debts. Your trustee in bankruptcy will be able to discuss your options in this matter and, hence, provide the best way out of your debt issues.

Benefits Of Filing For Bankruptcy

Benefits Of Filing For Bankruptcy

]]> http://jobsamerica.info/benefits-of-filing-for-bankruptcy/feed/ 0 1355 http://jobsamerica.info/are-there-loans-for-people-with-bad-credit/ http://jobsamerica.info/are-there-loans-for-people-with-bad-credit/#respond Mon, 30 May 2016 13:32:28 +0000 http://jobsamerica.info/?p=1346

Loans for People with Bad Credit

Most people go through a financial crisis at least once in their lifetime. Consequently, having a bad credit standing can sometimes make loans inaccessible for them. However, with the changing banking, financial, and insurance landscape, there are now more options when it comes to loans for people with bad credit history.

Personal Loans

There is now a growing industry that offers personal loans or salary loans to consumers with all types of credit rating. These loans are offered on a short-term basis, and the requirements are usually easy to accomplish. Best of all, the applications can sometimes be done over the Internet.

Companies that offer personal loans generally set a limit to the amount that a person can loan. The loanable amount can be used to solve short-term financial turmoils such as the daily expenses and for quick debt consolidation. Anyone who is interested in applying for a loan may fill out an on-line form and send a copy of their employment ID. Within 24 hours, the amount can be released either via check or direct bank deposit.

Loans for Small Business

When you are planning to take out a loan for business, banks would usually turn down those with poor credit standing. However, there are now some lending companies who are willing to do just the opposite. Examples of these loans are the cash advances for merchants and those which are commonly referred to as business term loans. These loans are usually granted to those who aim to develop companies, improve machinery or equipment, or boost the productivity.

Mortgage Loans

Although this is too good to be true, mortgage loans are now possible for people whose credit scores are not favorable. There are companies that assist clients in finding the best or appropriate mortgage providers for them. These companies also offer debt consolidation services so as to help you improve your credit standing, and eventually, be approved for a mortgage loan.

Repayment Schemes

For guaranteed personal loan approval, repayment is also expected to be done within days . You can, of course, pay earlier from what has been agreed. For business loans, payment terms can be made within 12 months. Repayment can be done directly in the office of the lender or through a bank deposit. In case of non-repayment, the company may opt to collect them through any method that adheres to Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Apart from the repayment scheme, you also need to double check the renewal policy of the company. Some automatically renew loans when there is non-repayment of the loan. This would result in a bigger interest rate. When this happens, your lender can offer you other options so you can settle your debt with ease. However, you can also expect additional charges.

While it is helpful to know that there are now existing loans for people with bad credit, it is still highly recommended to make an effort on repaying them within the timeframe given so your credit rating will improve over time.

Loans for People with Bad Credit

Loans for really bad credit

Auto loans with bad credit

Loan Payment Calculator

Are you searching for a way to go about dealing with Payday Loans and Lenders, or how to find other low-cost Personal Loan Products that have appreciable interest rates? Then sit tight and make sure you read to the end because, in this article, I am going to feed you with information on how to find low-cost Personal Loan Products and also provide assistance to complete the Payday Loan Cycle.

COMMUNITY BANK OR CREDIT UNION

I advise you to make sure you call your Local Credit or Community Bank before getting a Payday Loan because many of these lenders offer financing products directly to consumers. Also, make sure you do not use a primary lender like big banks. Open an account with your Local Credit or Community Bank if you do not have any, and apply for a low-interest rate Credit Card, Small Loan or Stretch Loan.

Many Community Banks and Credit Unions do not always advertise small dollar or low-interest rate loans but most of them offer these services to their members, and it is often called Stretch Pay Loans. It may interest you to know that borrowers pay much lesser when they use Community Bank than when they use National Lenders, and the interest rates are much smaller than using Payday Lenders, ranging from 10-15%. I want you to know that a Cash Advance or Small Personal Loan on a Credit Card from a federal government authorized the Credit Union cannot be more than 18% interest annually. Make sure that you keep a Credit Card with borrowing capacity from these banks in case of emergency expenses. Also, make sure the Credit Card is used only for emergencies, and endeavor to pay off the balance as soon as you could.

BORROWING FROM FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS

Another way to get a Low-Cost Personal Loan is to ask family members or friends to lend you money. The best method to go about this is to make a written agreement with them, in which you agree to pay them back. Spell out the terms in the agreement so as to avoid misunderstanding and disagreement. If you do it right, this will be beneficial to both of you because, when you receive a Personal Loan at a lower cost, your friend or family member receives some additional money from the interest you pay him or her.

CREDIT CARD ADVANCE

Though this option may not be the best, the Consumer Federation of America said using Advance Credit Card is better that using a Payday Loan. I will advise that before embarking on this venture or signing anything, make a broad range of comparisons to get the cheapest card with the lowest interest rates to make sure the fees are reasonable. Look for the Credit and Cash Advance that is the least expensive. Also, take far-reaching note of this, before signing any loan contract with a Credit Card Company or commit yourself to incurring debt, make sure you do research, and compare the annual interest rate (APR), percentage rate, and finance charge in dollars.

Be informed that, except bank overdraft loans, the federal government regulations and law require all sources of credit to quote credit costs the same way to enable you to compare costs between different companies and their various loan services.

Credit Card Debts Compared To Payday Loans – Loan Payment Calculator

Let me elaborate more on the use of Credit Card Advances and the differences between the cost of Credit Card Cash Advance and a Payday Loan. Although Cash Advance is by no means having low cost, it will still cost a fraction of what Payday Loan will cost you. For instance, let’s assume your card has an average 20.23% APR Interest Rate, 3% Cash Advance Fee with a $7 Minimum Fee, and no Grace Period. In this case, if the Cash Advance on your Credit Card is $500, and is repaid in four months, it will cost $48.86. But on the other hand, a $500 Payday Loan that is pre-paid in four months may cost somewhere from $500 to $700 if the rate is $8.75 for each $50 borrowed.

ALTERNATIVE level COST LOANS

1. Military Service Membership

Most military bases partner with Non-profit Credit and Debit Counseling Agencies, which offers tips on various loan services that are not expensive, they advise consumers on the best way to rebuild their credit and help them reduce debts over the long term.

Consumer Federation of America recommends that, if you are a military service member, you should contact a Local Military Charity or a Relief Society for your branch of the service where you may get free financial help and resources for emergencies and unexpected expenses. Even if you can’t get a direct financial assistance, you would, at least, get a low-cost Personal Loan Service that will be appreciable.

2. Personal Loan From A Small Loan Company Or A Signature Loan Company

It is true that Small Loan and Signature Loan Companies charge from 24-48% annual interest rates on their Personal Loans and allow installment payments for several months, yet, it still costs less than a Payday Loan. Let me illustrate this for the sake of clarity. Let’s say you went to a Signature Loan Company and borrowed $500 from them at 36% annual interest rate and repay it by monthly installment for four months; it will amount to $38.04 total interest costs. Whereas a $500 Payday Loan renewed every two weeks for the same period of four months will amount to a surprising total cost of $700 with a rate of $17.50 for each $100 borrowed.

3. Overdraft Protection

This system enables you to transfer money from your Savings Account, Checks that overdraw your account, Bank Credit Card, or a Line of Credit that you may have to cover Debit Card transactions. This system may not be the ideal type; nevertheless, it is less expensive when compared to borrowing from a Payday Lender, and paying for a bounced check fee at your bank. To obtain this plan, go to your Local Credit Union or Community Bank.

You have to be very cautious to avoid any courtesy overdraft programs that your bank may offer you because they are much more expensive, and you will be charged an expensive bounced-check fee for overdrafts. At some instance, they may allow you to overdraw at the Local ATM or with Debit Card purchases, which may lead you in a difficult financial situation.

LOANS THAT YOU SHOULD AVOID

After all, that has been said; I will not forget to let you know that some Personal Loan Products may be more expensive than Payday Loans. Don’t be surprised; it’s a reality. An example of these includes Car Title Loans or Pawn, and Income Tax Refund Anticipation Loans; that is why Credit Counselors advise consumers to avoid sources of High-risk Credit and High-Interest Rate and Cost. I have an alternative you need to consider, which is; Stretch Pay Loans.

STRETCH PAY LOANS

Some Local Community Banks and many Credit Unions have started offering this product to their customers, and some are even offering it to the public and those who are not their customers. Stretch Pay Loan is a competitive product with interest rate and fees that are much lower than Payday Loans and Lenders. Therefore, this product is an excellent alternative to Payday Loans. This loan product offers better APR rate and a longer payback term than what Payday Loan Companies offer their customers. It allows various lenders to pool their loan loss reserves.

1. Stretch Pay Loans As An Alternative To Payday Lending

This product is specially created to help those who need some short-term cash. Many consumers are suing it to pay for short-term bills and unexpected expenses without being abused by greedy lenders or high-interest rate Payday Lenders. This program is a real alternative to many products in the market. This plan helps members of Credit Unions and Banks with a small-dollar loan that would carry them until their next regular scheduled paycheck. It serves as a short-term financing to consumers.

2. How Stretch Pay Loans Work

It is clear that the various Lenders that offer Stretch Pay Loan slightly vary regarding interest rates and how the program runs. In general, the loan is designed to make it easy for consumers or Credit Union Members to obtain cash to pay bills and expenses. Just like I said earlier, it allows consumers to get short-term credit, but before another advance is permitted, the customer or borrower will have to repay all the outstanding balances of the loan with a reasonable but slight amount of interest.

3. Advantages Of A Stretch Pay Loan

The benefits of a Stretch Pay Loan include the following:

It’s a cheaper and more economical alternative to Payday Lending.

Fees and interest rates charged are much lesser than Payday Lending.

It helps build a positive credit history

Help put the borrower on a long term financial stability

Allows borrowers the ability to access additional credit in the future

Hope you found this article useful in obtaining a Low-Cost Personal Loan.

Loan Payment Calculator

Loan Payment Calculator

Loan Payment Calculator Before You Sign

How to select a college

Choosing a college can be a very personal and at the same time, extremely stressful decision that not only teens but even their families need to make. However, the process on how to choose a college need not start and end with the name brand schools and institutions. In fact, there are a lot of schools out there for you to pick from, some of which are less known and others are known, all of which are worthy of your interest and attention. To help you out, here are a few pieces of advice that can guide you during your search for the perfect school that will work best for you.

Start with who you are and why you will go in the first place

You have to examine yourself first and the reasons that you have for going to college before you proceed with your search. Why will you go in the first place? What strengths and abilities do you have? What about your weaknesses? What do you expect out of life? Is it something intangible or a tangible one? Discuss these things with your family, friends, as well as the high school counselors while asking these questions. Those who know you well are the ones who can help you best when it comes to these crucial situations.

Bigger is not always better

Many of the good colleges hold a population of less than 4,000 for an excellent reason. College is that time when students will want to explore, and a much smaller community can be more conducive to the coveted internal exploration. What matters is not the number of people, but everything lies in the people themselves and the type of community where you will learn. Most of the bigger universities have their established honors colleges for similar reasons.

Your success cannot be guaranteed with a name-brand college

Consider the people in your life who are fruitful and happy and ask if and where they attended college. Inquire about the famous people. For sure, you will discover that life’s success has less to do with the chosen college compared with the opportunities and experiences encountered when in college, combined with personal traits and qualities.

Graduate schools and employers are after the most outstanding experience and skills, not the college pedigree. When it comes on how to choose a college, you need to ask about the student outcomes and you will be surprised to learn that most colleges outperform the name brands and the Ivies even if you have not heard of them in the past.

You need to be fit to go to college

The most important but usually overlooked factor to consider on how to choose a college is if you qualify for it. Picking a college only for the reason that it is where your best friends are going or because it has a high rank on the list does not mean who you are and who you are going to be. College is a match that you need to make based on what you want to be after you graduate, not a prize that you have to win. Looking for a good fit will require lots of time and sheer thoughtfulness.

Take into account these simple tips on how to choose a college in order to find the best school that will help you achieve your dreams and goals in life!

How to Choose a College

How to Choose a College choosing

Choosing a college

University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities: There are many educational institutions in Minnesota but out of all the choices there is, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities remain to be the top choice for most students and their families.

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, founded back in 1851, is a public institution with a total enrollment of undergraduate of 34,351. It has an urban setting and the size of its campus spans for about 1,204 acres. The university makes use of a semester-based academic calendar.

It’s ranking during the 2016 edition of the Best Colleges in National Universities is 69th. It has in-state fees, and tuition of about $13,560 in 2014 to 2015 and the out state charges, and tuition is around $20,810 in the same academic year.

As the pride of the place, the University of Minnesota stretches across not only one major city but two to be exact. St. Paul and Minneapolis, popularly referred to as the Twin Cities, are widely acclaimed for cleanliness, volunteerism, and sports.

The school has a campus that can be found in both cities, although the Minneapolis site is regarded as the primary campus of the University of Minnesota. The freshmen are not required to live on the campus but over 80% who choose to can live in the typical residence halls or choose out of the more than two dozen Living Learning communities. In the campus, you can also find over 600 student organizations that include over 30 sororities and fraternities.

The school’s Minnesota Golden Gophers compete in NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference as well as all of the athletic events that are being held in the Stadium Village neighborhood located on the Minneapolis campus. The official mascot of the school, Goldy Gopher, acts as the energizer of thousands of students while they are chanting “Ski-U-Mah,” which is a rallying cry meaning “Victory UM.”

Under the university’s Four-Year Graduation Plan, University of Minnesota Twin Cities makes sure that all of the necessary classes are going to be made available for their students to be able to complete their chosen degrees right on time. If the courses are not available in the four years of schooling of an undergraduate, the university is the one that will pay for the additional credits.

The Law School, College of Education and Human Development and the Carlson School of Management are all ranked highly. This public research university starts engaging their students at the undergraduate level. Several of the university applicants are going to be ensured of the chance to research once they receive their acceptance letters, and the undergraduate researchers are being paid for the work that they have done. As for the off-campus experience, the Gophers can choose to study at one of around 200 other schools found in the United States and Canada through their National Student Exchange program or they can also venture out of the country with the help of the extensive international study program of the University.

Some of the most notable alumni of University of Minnesota Twin Cities include former Vice Presidents of the United States, Walter Mondale, and Hubert Humphrey, journalist Rick Sanchez and pianist Yanni.

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

University of Minnesota football

The University of Minnesota

How to Be a Real Estate Agent

You have to take some pre-licensing courses if you want to become a real estate agent. However, the requirements to take these courses differ from state to state. So get in touch with the real estate commission of your state so that you can find out more about these requirements for licensing. Since some real estate agencies require specific courses, you might need to take additional courses over time. Many universities and colleges also offer bachelor’s degree in the important field of real estate, while others offer some graduate level courses. Your local library is the place to visit to find out which universities and colleges have courses on real estate.

Brokers

Contact an agent before finishing your training course, as this is a requirement you need to meet. A broker is just a real estate office or agency that you have to work in so that you can further your education and qualifications in the real estate landscape. In fact, you need three years of additional training. Reputation and size are important factors you need to consider when looking for a broker out there. Use the Internet to find out more about the company, and you can also ask your friends and neighbors about them. During the interview make sure you ask questions on years of experience, client base, commissions, and more. Not only can you work as a real estate agent for a broker, but also as an office assistant, rental or listing agent, assistant in a large real estate enterprise, or even in the mortgage office of any bank.

License, Budget, and NAR

To get your real estate license, you have to pass national and state exams. They might even perform the necessary criminal background check. Though prices tend to vary from state to state, you might have to shell out up to $200 to get your license over time. Talk about the budget. You might spend up to $2000 to start out in the real estate field, as you will have to spend on advertising, association fees, signs, business cards and further education. Remember that you need to set aside some dough so that you can get by for some months before doing your very first real estate transaction.You must also register with the NAR or National Association of Realtors to get the advantages that come with this type of membership.

Endless Opportunities

A mentor will allow you to take your real estate career to a whole new level by giving you the advice you need in a time of need. The real estate field is full of opportunities for ambitious people just like you. For instance, you can pursue a career in the real estate appraising field where you will be determining the value of any property. Another example. You can even become a property manager. Your job will be maintaining a property in good condition while producing the highest possible return on investment for investors. Now that you know how to be a real estate agent take bold action and make things happen.

How to Be a Real Estate Agent

Requirements to be a real estate agent

Young real estate agents

Being a real estate agent