Online Banking for College Students

Many college students will open their first bank account just as they leave for campus.  Others have had bank accounts since they were kids.  Student banking may be a new concept to you, or you may have had a bank account for quite a while. Either way a student bank account is essential for managing your money and for the transfer of your grant or student loans funds. There are a number of key aspects to think about when choosing your bank and how to use it effectively. Read more for all you need to know about banking.

What are the typical considerations for Student Banking or when opening a new account?  There are many.  The first place to start would be by asking an adult, counselor or financial aid officer.  Otherwise, visit a number of websites offering online banking services.  Once you have some general information, walk into your local bank and ask for advice from there team.

In general, most student simply need a checking account.  If you have savings or additional cash, you may consider a savngs account which will earn you interest on the amount deposited.  A CD or Money Market account might pay you more interest on your savings but may also have some string attached.

For more information, visit: Student Banking from StudentPlatinum.com

View the original article here

Student Loan Options for Canadian Students (and CanHelp)

For foreign students, searching for loans to attend American universities can be difficult. In previous years, students could apply for the CanHelp student loan, but unfortunately, CanHelp loans were discontinued in 2008. Instead, through the Canadian Student Loan Program, students have the option to apply for a Smart Option loan through Sallie Mae.

The Canadian Student Loan Program allows students to take out a loan up to the cost of education. What’s great about this loan is that there are no early repayment penalties and students don’t need to start repayment until 6 months after they graduate. However, it’s important to note that any student who wishes to apply for a loan, must have a US cosigner.

Additionally, StudentScholarshipSearch has a number of scholarship listings for international students and would be a great place to search for a little extra money for school.

>>To apply for a Canadian Student Loan, visit InternationalStudentLoans.com.

View the original article here

Accepted Students Day

First of all, congratulations on getting into college! The stressful waiting is over, but now you have that life-changing decision of what school to choose. For many students, this is chosen based on financial aid awards, but picking the perfect school may not be so clear for everyone. Either way, attending a school’s accepted students day (or weekend) can be extremely beneficial. Read on to learn why…

Accepted students days are designed to help students choose a college. These days include programs, events and activities to help you get to know the school better. These activities might be mock college classes, or lectures from top faculty from various departments. (Read more about events at accepted students day by clicking here.) Depending on your school’s specific agenda, they can help students get more familiar with the college layout, faculty, and class styles. It’s also a great way to meet other future incoming freshman (should you decide to go).
While everything mentioned thus far is an important factor in the college decision process, perhaps the most beneficial aspect that many colleges offer is financial aid workshops (especially for financial aid newbies). These can play a crucial role in a student’s decision, which is why I’m here to help guide you through it. If your school offers a financial aid workshop, this is an excellent way to learn more about the financial aid package you were awarded. You can find out things like appealing your award amount or how to go about receiving a loan. Having the opportunity to chat with a financial aid officer is HUGE! But first, make sure to do your research. Learn as much as you can about basic financial aid like Direct Stafford loans and private student loans before you go, that way, you’ll have time to ask the not-so-obvious questions. (Find a list of suggested Financial Aid Questions to Ask by clicking here.)
So what if you cannot attend your schools’ accepted students days? Don’t sweat it. You can still get answers to all of your questions about paying for college. Some schools allow you to make appointments with financial aid officers to go over your award, or you can compile some questions to ask over the phone. Many schools also offer pages on their website dedicated to providing similar information for accepted students, which is worth checking out. If you have questions on financial aid, you can also post a question on the Financial Aid Forum, or see if it’s already been asked!
View the original article here

Hey Students, Need Scholarships?

ScholarshipPoints.com just announced the winner of the March $10,000 Free Scholarship sponsored by HowToGetIn (Read more about HowToGetIn’s Annual Scholarships). Paolina Engibegian from Glendale Community College was the lucky winner! HowToGetIn’s next sponsored scholarship is the October $1,000 free scholarship, and students can enter starting October 1, 2011 (the winner will be drawn on November 1). There will be another $10,000 scholarship drawing on ScholarshipPoints on June 15, 2011. To sign up to win visit our page on “How to win scholarships.”

View the original article here