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Education News and Views
Archive for November, 2009
Saturday, November 28th, 2009
Lumina is awarding the seven states the grant so that they can implement policies that can help Americans complete college. They expect other states to follow suit so that by 2025 the rate of college-completion in America is up to 60 percent.
(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 28, 2009 ) New York, NY – Will other states emulate policies of the 7 States to increase college-completion rate up to 60% from a low of 39%? The Lumina Foundation for Education recently announced that they have set aside up to a total of $9.1 million which will be awarded to seven states in an attempt to achieve its goal of increasing college-completion rates. The seven states which will be receiving the grants are those adapting and revising their policies in order to improve productivity in their colleges and universities. Lumina’s goal is to increase the number of American adults with college degrees by a staggering 60 percent from the current low of 39 percent. They wish to achieve their goal by 2025. Lumina’s strategy is well calculated, Sheila Danzig, Director of Degree.com notices. She says that Lumina wishes to stimulate new policies in the seven states which can then act as ‘role models’ to the other states and thus such productive policies be implemented in most if not all states. The states receiving the grants include: Arizona, Indiana, Maryland, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas. According to Jamie P. Merisotis, president of Lumina, the policies which need to be implemented by the seven states include: • Those which issue state aid based on performance of colleges on graduation and other measures that indicate completion of diploma or degree programs. • Those which can provide measures of saving college overhead and operations costs, channeling the savings to already devised ways of improving undergraduate education. • Those that provide models for making higher education cheaper and accessible to state residents. The funds will be disbursed to the states over a four-year period and they will only receive the full amount by demonstrating efforts of gearing towards meeting the agreed upon milestones. The states are expected to report publicly and periodically, common metrics that indicate their progress. the seven are mandated to report: data on the number of programs completed and degrees awarded per 100 students enrolled, revenue and spending per full-time-equivalent student, and the extent to which shifts in revenue and increases in spending have led to tuition increases. Mr. Merisotis said that the states have for a long time known that they have need to implement such policies but they have not been willing to take the risks and that is why Lumina is providing the financial backbone to propel innovation which may soon be applied nationwide. New York, NY Lumina officials have reported that some other states have tried some of the plans on the ‘to do’ list of the seven states, such as adopting financing formulas based on the numbers of graduates; they are all the same positive that they will gain remarkable momentum in the seven than they have with predecessors. Other ideas are very new, like Montana’s plan to create online community colleges by packaging degree programs and training personnel from existing campuses and making those online courses available statewide. As the seven states embark on revising policies to receive full awards by the time four years are over, they should make it easier to earn a degree online so that other states follow suit irrespective of whether they are funded by Lumina or other foundations or not. Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com, www.degree.com/ is offering a free online review copy of THE BIG BOOK OF COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION at http://www.degree.com/free-downloads.htm for students to find as much financial help as possible.
Tags: college degree, degree, degree programs, education, education resource, online courses, Sheila Danzig, www.degree.com
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Thursday, November 26th, 2009
Amid the economic turmoil that America is going through, the best we can do to uphold the integrity of our education system is to consider the goodness of Online degrees.
(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 26, 2009 ) Los Angeles, CA – In the wake of economic and employment turmoil, one thing that never changes is the American standard of competitiveness and hard work. The truth is there’s no possible way that anyone can make a comfortable living –or a living that correlates with the so-called “American Dream”– if one doesn’t take the proper measures to ensure his success. As of November 2009, the American education worldwide ranking has dropped from #1 to a devastating #10. There’s no question about it; better education increases our credibility and our competitive edge over other nations who educate their citizens longer throughout the year with more challenging degree programs.
The true enemy is the deplorable amount of money charged those who want to seek higher education but haven’t the means to do so. The numbers don’t lie: virtually hundreds of thousands of college-bound high school graduates do not seek higher education because the cost is unrealistic. Even more sobering, some 40% of those who do manage to attend a university do not finish. President Barack Obama has made it very clear: “All along that education pipeline, too many slip through the cracks. It’s not only heartbreaking for those students; it’s a loss for our economy and our country.”
However, there is an alternative to the overpriced and underfunded programs of traditional university settings. Seeking an online Associate degree, online Bachelor’s degree, or even online Doctorate degree in a number of diverse fields not only costs a fraction of attending a traditional two- or four-year University, it allows anyone the chance to create their very own path to unparalleled success.
As the standard for excellence increases, so does the necessity to achieve the highest academic merits. Though it may have been acceptable to get a job with a high school education 10 years ago, in this day and age it’s nearly impossible to imagine that an honours degree from any high school is enough to suffice for a respectable job. In 2008, Harvard Graduate School of Education conducted a study to find out the rate at which those with higher level degrees managed to find and maintain employment: 46% of those with masters and doctoral degrees received an offer; 25% are receiving between 40 and 49K salaries; 23% are receiving between 50 and 59K salaries. As fashion trends change, so do standards in education. A bachelor’s degree is the new high school diploma; a master’s is the new bachelor’s. One must throw away any notions of mediocrity in this society in which everything is bigger, better, faster, stronger.
At Degree.com, http://www.degree.com/ the Premier Internet Portal for distance learning and on line studies, the focus is to get you back on track to making those dreams of grandeur come to fruition. There are a plethora of online degree programs that one can choose in order to ensure that the path to success is a smooth and fortuitous one. Professor Sheila Danzig, Director of Degree.com, focuses on online degrees to further the student’s market potential. Degree.com has actively sought to help those who desire a degree in order to give them all the information they need to not only help re-establish their academic and economic credibility.
Tags: bachelor degree, degree, education, online associate degree, online Bachelor’s degree, online degree, online Doctorate degree, online study, Sheila Danzig, www.degree.com
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
Online Study is cheaper and faster than brick and mortar college but how do they stack up otherwise?
(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 25, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL – “How competitive is an online degree in the job market compared to the traditional degrees?” This debate has been going on for far too long and that is why the United States Department of Education conducted a study to put to rest the curious minds of many. Results from the 12-year study revealed that online degrees which are as a result of online classes and examinations are somewhat more effective than the traditional degrees which are as a result of face-to-face tuition. Online classes are convenient, interactive, interesting (due to the audio, video etc materials used in teaching) and the fact that one has direct access to an assigned professor or lecturer makes it far much more effective than traditional face-to-face classes.
Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com, http://www.Degree.com, the Internet’s premier online study portal states that many people have been skeptical as to why it is cheaper yet more convenient to get an online degree than traditional ones; the answer is simple — all you have to pay for is tuition and study two hours a day when you are free. Other implicit costs such as accommodation which take the largest share under ‘fees’ are scraped off the total you are supposed to pay because you operate from the comfort of your home.
Other advantages of on line studies (and classes include):
- Students can work from any location and at convenient time – this is commonly referred to as the JIT (Just-In-Time) benefit.
- Easily updated – The sessions are especially easy to maintain as relevant and up-to-date material are just uploaded onto the server.
- It is self paced – The e-learner is able to read a certain topic several times so as to grasp the concept before moving on to the next.
- Lead to better grasp of subject area – Due to the various content of e-sessions like; video, charts, graphs, one is able to commit to memory better and recall with ease.
The truth is that online degrees are not considered lesser degrees in the job market compared to traditional degrees. In some fields, e.g. IT degree, online degrees are considered as having much more value. Studies have shown that they are being accepted world wide as comparable to brick and mortar programs as long as they are fully accredited.
Tags: college, degree, education, IT degree, on line studies, online degree, online study, Sheila Danzig
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
College costs are rising and students are turning to “riskier loans” with variable percentages. This can have a drastic effect on their future.
(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 24, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL With the ever rising college costs, students are turning to “the riskiest way for paying for schooling”, as dubbed by an education organization: private student loans. They have been termed as “risky” since they are likened to credit card debt.
The danger with private student loans is the fact that they have a variable interest rate. For instance, a report submitted by the group called The Project on Student Debt found that undergraduates who took out these loans in the academic year 2003-04 at 5% interest ended up securing the same loans at 14% in 2007-08. The group reported that the worst thing was that over two-thirds of the people who borrowed privately did not exhaust their options of applying for what is regarded cheaper and safer – the federal loans.
Most students graduate with the a degree in the subject of their choice but a very few percentage of them get into the job market all smiles. A good example is Kristin Schlaud (with a law degree from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in commercial real estate from John Marshall Law School) who wonders whether her degrees were worth what she is going through currently. Three years down the line she is broke and in debt, owing almost $250,000.
College students need more protection, said Lauren Asher, president of the Institute for College Access & Success, the mother organization for The Project on Student Debt. She said that the federal government ought to prevent students from taking unnecessary private student loans; especially after the federal loans have been made so affordable – effect from July 1.
Apart from the fact that it is difficult to discharge the private student loans on claims of bankruptcy, they are cumbered with more disadvantages: the students who take out private loans are not eligible for payment deferments, loan forgiveness programs or income-based repayment options that federal loans offer.
If you know what is best for you or your spouse, avoid private student loans. Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com, http://www.degree.com/ the premier Internet Online Study and Distant Learning portal offers a free review copy of her book THE BIG BOOK OF SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION at www.degree.com/free-downloads.htm/ This is a limited time free offer and the book is available for sale at Amazon. In addition Danzig reminds us that on line study are generally less expensive than attending a brick and mortar college.
Tags: degree, distance learning, education, higher education, online degree, online degree programs, online study, Sheila Danzig, student loans, www.degree.com
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Monday, November 23rd, 2009
Tuition protests are for good reason. College costs are soaring but all is not lost.
(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 23, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL – Currently, many families are financially handicapped and the lack of job security isn’t doing much to help with the situation. With the ever rising college costs, parents and students alike seem to have nowhere to turn to.
In the midst of the global economic recession, various factors have led to the drastic increase of tuition fees. Some of the reasons include: increased student enrollment, increased college endowment valuations and lack of state funding, among others.
The College Board did a study and released a report which stated that tuition and fees at 4-year private colleges rose 4.4% per annum while at 4-year public colleges, rose 6% amounting to $7020 for in-state students and $18548 for out-of-state students.
From the above statistics, there is no question as to why there has been a rampant increase in the number of students applying for need-based financial aid. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) has reported that in this year, 9 out of 10 colleges have recorded an increase in the number of applications for financial aid.
If that isn’t enough to get you convinced that college costs have gone through the roof, try this. There is a record high in the number of students appealing for their initial rewards. Close to two-thirds of the colleges have recorded a 10% increase in “professional judgment” appeals.
In a nutshell …Budgets are stretched to unbelievable levels, financial aid officers are busier than ever and therefore in order to secure financial aid, you need to get your forms in as early as possible and meet all stipulated college deadlines pertaining to financial aid to increase your chances of getting money for that degree.
Here’s what you have to do: get ahead of time. This November and December are your months of performing strategic financial aid and positioning. This gives you a great head start since priority deadlines for financial aid are in February and early March. When done this early, the colleges are in a better position to be generous since they have not received too many applications, This entitles you to more grants and less student loans.
Some colleges have recently created an “adverse economic circumstances funds” which is set aside to help families which have been hard hit by this uneventful economic crisis. However, if you don’t send in your application early enough then the funds may be used up when you decide to send it in “at your own time”.
This is the time to act.
Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com, www.degree.com/ the premier internet portal for distant learning, online study and online degree programs, offers a free review copy of her book THE BIG BOOK OF COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION at http://degree.com/free-downloads.htm This is a limited time offer.
Tags: college, education, online study, Sheila Danzig, www.degree.com
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Monday, November 23rd, 2009
Behind the chaos of Obama’s health care reform bill, significant changes in the handling of health records are about to begin, affecting employment rates, economic climates and educational focus, as well as the medical field.
(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 23, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL – Health care reform in the US is a hot-button topic these days. According to a recent New York Times article, Americans are divided evenly in number as to their feelings about the issue. Though the debate over the issue is likely to continue for a while, action to implement a nationally networked health record system was put into place in February 2009 with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. With or without Obama’s health care reform bill, revolutionary changes in the medical field through information technology are right around the corner.
Known as the ARRA, terms of the final bill that is now law calls for $19 billion to be directed towards health information technology in general. Additionally, another $500 million is to be distributed through the Department of Labor for the training of a workforce to implement the new technology. Combined with the Obama Administration’s vigilant pursuit of post-secondary education reform and increased access to education, it is possible that the time has never been better to advance your career or train for a new one in health information technology.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs in the health information field will go up almost 20%. Experts say that, even now, the number of people trained in electronic medical coding and health information management is not sufficient to fill the need. Compliance with the new law will require at least an additional 30,000 workers specially trained in universal medical coding and how to implement it electronically.
Training for a career in health information management spans a wide range of possibilities, but ultimately, employers will be searching for the candidates who have earned certification through the American Health Information Management Association, or AHIMA. Generally, completion of a two-year health information management course from an AHIMA-accredited school is required to be able to take the certification exam. The organization also offers coder certification, which requires only 9-12 months prior training.
Educational programs in health information technology will most likely increase as the demand for training increases. At present, a good selection is available to those persons who are looking for a degree or degree programs in the field. Many of the institutions offer accredited distance learning programs in the way of online courses. So many, in fact, are offering the programs online that, according to Sheila Danzig, director of www.degree.com, enrollment numbers in these courses have been growing yearly by at least 10%.
As the dismal financial climate persists worldwide, survival depends on the willingness to adjust to change. As health care reform becomes more imminent, it may be worth noting that some changes, though painful, can provide more solutions than might be immediately apparent. With the increased availability of funding for education, easier access to educational programs, and the shifting of national economic focus, health care reform is in our future, and in fact, is already here.
Tags: accreditted distance learning, Advance your career, college, degree programs, education, healthcare, online courses, Sheila Danzig, www.degree.com
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Friday, November 20th, 2009
Environment-related jobs, or green jobs, are expected to triple in the next 10 years, especially with President Obama’s incentives for development of jobs in this field.
(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 20, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL – Those looking into starting a career or changing career paths might be interested to look into “Green Jobs” which are expected to triple in the next 10 years, according to a study released last year by the United States Conference of Mayors.
According to the United Nations Environment Program, green jobs or green collar jobs are “work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute(s) substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality. Specifically, but not exclusively, these include jobs that help protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high-efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollution.”
With President Obama’s new economic stimulus, which allocated $50B as incentives to encourage job creation in green initiatives, the projected three-fold increase in green jobs is not far off.
Last year there were around 750,000 green jobs in the United States, 55% of these jobs were in Engineering, Legal, Research and Consulting, which are considered support or indirect green jobs which help lead the country toward energy independence. Renewable power generation, the next largest category, accounted for 16% of “green collar jobs”.
Renewable power generation holds a lot of promise in the development of new jobs as America looks to remove its dependency on fossil fuels. Wind Power in particular is expected to create more than a quarter of a million new jobs by the end of 2010 if the full effect of Obama’s stimulus funding is realized, this according to a recent study done by the Democratic Leadership Council.
The same study said that jobs in the solar energy sector will grow by 110,000 by 2010 and employment in biofuels production and development could expand to 94,000 by 2016.
Other than generating “green energy”, the reduction of energy consumption through energy-efficient engineering is another aspect of this trend of going green. Retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficient materials and technologies will employ architects, carpenters, electricians, engineers and designers which are also expected to add significantly to the number of green collar workers.
Colleges and universities are ready to fill in the demand for new green jobs by adding courses like environmental studies in their course offerings; likewise, traditional courses such as architecture, engineering and management have included “green subjects” to their curriculum.
According to Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com, one way for adults looking for a “green” career change and taking advantage of the expected boom in green jobs is by taking online courses from online universities such as those found at online education portal www.degree.com. By earning a college Degree online with online study, busy career men and women can maintain their current jobs while improving their career outlook by supplementing their academic credentials.
Tags: college, degree, education, online course, online courses, online study, Sheila Danzig, www.degree.com
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Thursday, November 19th, 2009
President Obama’s Job Summit needs input not only from the “experts” but from the people who are looking for jobs.
(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 19, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL
Dear President Obama,
Degree.com strives to help students, especially those re-entering college because they have lost their jobs, earn a Degree in areas that are hiring and pay well. We welcome the Jobs Summit and your desire to grow jobs. However we urge you to listen not only to the “experts” but to the average person – the people who will be affected by the decisions made at the summit. To this end Sheila Danzig, the founder of Degree.com http://www.degree.com the premier Internet online college portal, has created a discussion page where everyone can post what they believe can help our country add jobs. With all due respect to the “experts” they are not the ones pounding the pavement looking for employment, a process that in itself can make someone an expert.
President Obama, Degree.com invites everyone to join in at www.degree.com/jobs and tell us how we can solve this problem and we invite you and your experts to please read the suggestions from the people who are hurting the most from the economic downturn.
Tags: degree, employment, jobs, jobs summit, online college, Sheila Danzig, www.degree.com
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
Despite studies proving the benefits of merit-based aid for the financially-disadvantaged, and the increase in federal, state and institutional aid for needy students, majority of aid recipients receiving aid are not necessarily those that need it …
(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 18, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL – Several studies show that enrollment rates and persistence of financially-disadvantaged students improve with the availability of Federal and Institutional aid. However, pressures from various sources are causing colleges to divert aid funding from the needy to students who do not really need it. Students looking to get a college degree and in need of financial assistance also have better chances of persisting with their studies with financial aid.
In a paper presented this month at the 34th annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Higher Education in Vancouver, BC., Nicholas Hillman, a Doctoral Candidate for Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at Indiana University, showed that despite the growth of institutionally-funded financial aid over the past decade, merit-based aid has significantly reduced the amount of need-based aid available for the disadvantaged.
Mr. Hillman cited that “market-oriented preferences” such as SAT scores and non-resident enrollment are generally the primary factors that determine the availability of institutional aid for students. Merit-based aid which generally does not scrutinize financial capability is commonly used to attract high achievers and prestige-garnering students.
This trend of “buying” high-achieving students, without regard to financial sensitivity, is not only prevalent in private colleges and universities but public educational institutions as well. “The extent to which colleges target aid away from the most price-responsive students suggests that institutional aid programs are working against public policy goals of expanding access and improving affordability for the nation’s financially-needy students.” Mr. Hillman said.
A study on the effects of institutional aid and student persistence done by Indiana University’s Gross, Hossler and Ziskin mentioned that “institutional financial aid may be going disproportionately to students who are more likely to persist overall.” Majority of institutional aid are in the form of merit-based aid.
A short-lived program in New Orleans for low-income students showed that persistence improves significantly among the disadvantaged when need-based and merit-based aids are used simultaneously. Participants in the program proved that students were more likely to enroll in college fulltime, passed more courses and earned more course credits, and had higher rates of registration compared to recipients of federal need-based aid only. The program called “Opening Doors” was developed to help low-income students attending college cover more of their expenses and also provide a financial incentive to make good progress. The program was discontinued after hurricane Katrina, and is yet to be restarted.
A study conducted by Bradley R. Curs for the University of Oregon on “The Effects of Institutional Merit-Based Aid On the Enrollment Decisions of Needy Students” showed that a $1000 dollar raise in merit-based aid increase the likelihood of enrollment in the University of Oregon by as much as 8.4% for in-state students. This trend can be of great help for enrollment management as merit-based aid can be targeted towards specific students and is unique for each institution. According to Mr. Curs, “It is important for enrollment managers to target those students for which their financial aid dollars will have the largest effect. Merit-based aid is an attractive enticement for needy students.”
The same study likewise showed that need-based grants such as Pell grants have no bearing on the likelihood of college enrollment, as it is student-specific and can be activated after the student is enrolled. Mr. Curs is an assistant professor of educational leadership and policy analysis at the University of Missouri.
According to Sheila Danzig, Executive Director of online degree portal, degree.com, “Adults with jobs can get an online education through distance learning degrees or by taking online courses from many of the featured online schools on our website. An online degree provides a good alternative to going to a traditional brick and mortar college as it allows one to learn at your own pace and at the convenience of your own home.” Danzig continued, “Degree.com offers a free review copy of a THE BIG BOOK OF SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION at http://www.degree.com/free-downloads.htm
Tags: college, degree, financial aid resource, online degree, online degree programs, online education, Scholarsip, Sheila Danzig
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Monday, November 16th, 2009
American education worldwide ranking has dropped from #1 to #10. Can we get back on track in an ailing economy?
(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 16, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL – As the 09/10 academic year commences, President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan, have been tirelessly devising ways to make American higher education remain very lucrative and competitive in the 21st century economy – perhaps due to the fact that in the past 10 years the US has dropped from the first position to the 10th among nations producing graduates. Among others, the Obama – Duncan duet have plans underway to lengthen the academic year, matching the time other nations spend educating their citizens. Degrees are needed to move ahead and finding funding is more important than ever.
While speaking at the Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY in mid September 2009, the President raised the following concerns briefly:
“We know that the nation that out-educates us today will out-compete us tomorrow. The ability of new industries to thrive depends on workers with the knowledge and know-how to contribute in those fields. Yet, today, our primary and secondary schools continue to trail many of our competitors, especially in key areas like math and science. Hundreds of thousands of high school graduates who are prepared for college do not go to four-year or two-year schools because of the high cost of doing so. And roughly 40 percent of students who start college don’t complete college. All along that education pipeline, too many slip through the cracks. It’s not only heartbreaking for those students; it’s a loss for our economy and our country.”
Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com http://www.degree.com the Internet’s premier online education portal, said that looking on the brighter side, the House of Representatives recently passed the ‘direct student loan program’. According to reports on ‘Congress Matters’, Obama’s plans include:
* Investing $2.55 billion in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions to provide students with the support they need to stay in school and graduate.”
* Investing $3 billion to bolster college access and completion support programs for students;
* Investing $40 billion to increase the maximum annual Pell Grant scholarship to $5,550 in 2010 and to $6,900 by 2019;
* Keeping interest rates low on need-based – or subsidized – federal student loans by making the interest rates on these loans variable beginning in 2012. These interest rates are currently set to jump from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent in 2012;
* Making it easier for families to apply for financial aid by simplifying the FAFSA form;
* Providing loan forgiveness for members of the military who are called up to duty in the middle of the academic year.
* Strengthening the Perkins Loan program, a campus-based program that provides low-cost federal loans to students.
Education watchers, among them, Bill Clinton and Randi Weingartner have praised the Obama plans and await their implementation.
Funding may not be the only issue observers state. The delivery system of the higher education itself seems wanting and may need overhauling owing to the large number of American students dissatisfied with the quality of education from the exorbitantly priced private institutions. Most of them would rather attend a cheaper state college with proven quality teaching techniques and avoid graduating with a huge debt when they receive their degree. Most of the students do not see the need of graduating from a prestigious private college having gained ‘nothing’ and exiting with a killer debt. Online degrees offer a less expensive option to education and has been growing rapidly. Online study can be an answer worth looking at.
The Washington Monthly has recently published a new college ranking – which has no resemblance to that of the traditional U.S. News and World Report. According to Washington Monthly’s ranking, the top three are all state universities and include: University of California at Berkeley, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Their metric system for determining rank position is based on: Pell Grants per student, number of students performing national service, and other less traditional measures.
In these times of recession, public (state) colleges may prove to be quite expensive for the average family. The New America Foundation has an asset-building program that has insight and invaluable analyses for families which are experiencing the full effects of the economic crunch.
An excellent starting ground for such families to start improving 529 college savings plan is to ensure that the states offer an array of traditional investment options. Examples of such inlcude: capital preservation investment options, such as a money market mutual fund, and age-based funds that start out more aggressive but automatically and seriously become more preservation focused as the child approaches college age.
Another step towards improving the college savings plan is ensuring full disclosure which is straightforward and easy to understand. This allows the families to have a very good idea on what they are investing in and the amount of risk involved in undertaking such an investment.
Obama finds Higher Education in America worth saving – it can be done!
Tags: American education, college degree, degree, degree programs, degrees, education, higher education, online degree, online study, Sheila Danzig
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