By now, undergraduates are making their final preparations for school: deciding on class schedules, arranging housing and finalizing financial aid awards. While some lucky students have received enough aid and grants to see them through the semester or maybe even the school year, others may be taking on additional work hours to help pay for their college expenses.

Some undergraduate students who have already used all their available resources like grants, student loans, scholarships and federal work-study may still find themselves falling short on their college expenses. These students may want to ask mom or dad to consider taking out a credit-based Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students, otherwise known as PLUS loans.

A PLUS loan may be a good way for parents to meet their child’s educational financing needs, according to NextStudent, a leading Phoenix-based education funding company.�

The Ins and Outs for Mom and Dad

With a PLUS loan, parents can borrow money for dependent children who are undergraduates enrolled in college at least half time. Either parent can apply, and because the PLUS program isn’t a need-based aid program, it doesn’t matter how much mom and dad make. But parents do have to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Creditworthy
• Not in default on any federal student loans
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Have a valid Social Security number

The Ins and Outs for Students

For their parents to be able to take out a parent PLUS loan with NextStudent, students must also meet certain guidelines. Children of parent PLUS applicants need to be undergraduates attending a Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) school, have their Student Aid Report and meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Under 24 years old
• Single with no dependents
• Not in the military or a military veteran
• Not a ward of the court
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Have a valid Social Security number

One of the great things about PLUS loans is that the amount a parent qualifies for is based on the entire cost of attendance, which isn’t just tuition and room and board, but also includes a reasonable allowance for other education-related expenses, like student fees, books and educational supplies. Each year, qualifying parents can take out up to the PLUS limit, which is the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid their child receives.

Some parents who take out PLUS loans may find there’s money left over after tuition and on-campus housing payments are met, which they can use to cover their children’s other educational expenses. With a Federal PLUS Loan from NextStudent, both parents and children can have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that college, plus those extra college-related expenses, are taken care of.

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and we are dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding simple. Learn more about Student Loans, Private Student Loans and Student Loan Consolidation at NextStudent.com.

Jeff Mictabor
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/plus-loans-may-help-parents-offset-college-costs-196677.html

Many working adults and professionals interested in getting ahead in their careers consider getting a college degree online. After all, whether you are working towards your first degree or towards a second, or even third degree, going online to do your schoolwork has many benefits. It will give you the opportunity to pursue an exciting new career.

Students in online classrooms often enjoy lower tuition fees, since schools do not have to charge for classroom use. Plus, some students enjoy using online class materials that save them money on textbooks. Students who pursue their education online also have complete control of their school schedules. They can work when they can, and still pursue a family life or a full-time job while they work towards their degree. Students don’t have to move across the country to a cramped dorm room to get a higher education; they can simply work online in their own homes.

Getting a college degree online allows students who otherwise could not pursue higher education to pursue a degree. Since the online option disrupts a student’s life very minimally, a determined student can pursue a higher education while also holding down a job or raising a family. This makes an online degree the perfect option for someone thinking of entering the workforce or changing careers. No matter where you live, you can pursue an education if you have access to a computer and have the willingness to learn. Many online schools and courses even have many of the same benefits as in-classroom education. They offer financial help for students, access to libraries, and even one-on-one virtual time with professors.

Despite all these advantages, though, many would-be students worry. Some students have misconceptions that hold them back from pursuing a better quality education. For example, some students are under the mistaken impression that getting a college degree online is somehow less prestigious than getting a degree from a classroom-based learning environment. This myth may be perpetuated by some less-than-honest academic options online. After all, the Internet is home to diploma mills, which simply send fake diplomas to anyone who applies for them. Cyberspace also boasts some so-called schools that offer degrees that require almost no work. It’s important to remember that while the Internet may have its scam artists, though, there are many legitimate opportunities for students online.

In fact, many of the top schools across the country offer online degree programs and options for students. Virtually all employers and schools are more than happy to hire someone with a quality degree, whether that degree was earned in the classroom or online. The trick is to pursue a quality degree that is recognized by employers and schools alike.

Students interested in pursuing a college degree online should not let myths stop them. There is no difference between pursuing a degree on campus or in cyberspace. However, students interested in the online option should do a little extra research to ensure that the degree they earn will really help them get ahead.

First, students should look for online education options only from accredited schools. Accredited means that a school meets certain requirements and is recognized as a learning institution. Secondly, students should research a school’s reputation and should look for a degree that offers good benefits. For example, students will want to make sure that professors conducting online courses are respected in their field and are available for help when needed. Students should also make sure that courses are challenging and require assignments and tests.

Finally, a good school should offer resources and help for students. This can include scholarships, online learning resources, and other assistance. The more a school and a degree offers, the better the chance that a student pursuing a college degree online will have a good learning experience and a bright future.

Andy West
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/getting-a-college-degree-online-counts-138418.html

As high school seniors diligently work their way through their first Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), parents should be monitoring where their children are in the college funding process so they can help plan accordingly.

NextStudent, the Phoenix-based premier education funding company, offers a wide array of online financial planning tools to help students and their families wade through the waters of college financial planning.

Financial Aid Calendar

The first step in the process is to be aware of what is expected of you as a student and as a parent. Even though itâ??s April, check the Financial Aid Calendar (http://www.nextstudent.com/financial_aid_advisor/financial_aid_calendar/financial_aid_calendar.asp) to double check where you are in the process and keep on track. This also is the perfect time for high school seniors to get a jump-start on next year and see what will be expected of them as college-bound seniors.

Search for Free Money

The college funding cycle begins with the search for scholarships, or â??Free Money.â? Local and national scholarships are an important avenue to explore because they can help cut the costs of financial aid that has to be repaid. NextStudentâ??s FREE Scholarship Search Directory (http://www.nextstudent.com/directory-of-scholarships/) has a total of 2.4 million scholarships from 42,000 funding sources with total awards of $3.4 billion.

Financial Aid Guided Tour

For another in-depth look on what to expect when applying for financial aid from a NextStudent Financial Aid Advisor, take NextStudentâ??s â??Financial Aid Advisor: The Guided Tour (http://www.nextstudent.com/financial_aid_tutorial/financial_aid_tutorial.asp)â?.

Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions

If students and parents have specific questions regarding financial aid and their best options, find the answers in NextStudentâ??s Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.nextstudent.com/tools_and_resources/faq.asp).

Budget Calculator

As high school seniors all across the country begin receiving their acceptance letters and have completed their FAFSA forms, they will begin to receive â??Award Lettersâ? from each of the schools to which they have been accepted. These letters will explain the type of aid and amounts for which they qualify.

At this time, students and their parents should begin work on or revisit their college-budget and just how much they will be responsible to pay in the coming year. NextStudentâ??s FREE College Budget Calculator (http://www.nextstudent.com/tools_and_resources/calculators/college_budget.asp) can assist in refining the college budget and establishing how much additional money students will need.

Both Stafford student loans and Parent PLUS Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) are available through NextStudent. Because individualized service is a top priority at NextStudent, every customer is personally assigned an Education Finance Advisor to guide students through the student loan process from start to finish. If students and parents find that there is a gap in their education funding, NextStudent also offers private student loans with borrowing limits of up to $40,000 annually.

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and it is dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding simple. Learn more about Student Loans, Private Student Loans, and Student Loan Consolidation at NextStudent.com.

Jeff Mictabor
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/nextstudents-web-tools-make-college-loan-planning-easy-134803.html