Monthly Archives: October 2013

The Hebron YDRC is currently recruiting international interns for the year 2013 – 2014

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in:  Internships   |   15.10.2013 


Deadline: no deadline ( we recruit interns all over the year)

Open to: Everyone with good command of English language and ability to help with public relations, fundraising and reporting and using media ( more details in the attached file).

Venue: Hebron YDRC premises , Hebron – Palestine
Description ( more details in the attached file)

Hebron YDRC has internships available in various departments throughout the year that provide interns with experience through working in a real work space. Hebron YDRC will provide Interns with Lodging, please click here to view our premises and venues.

We are currently looking for different interns to assist in PR, Fundraising and Reporting, English teaching and Media and Photography.

Eligibility
Interested applicants are expected to meet one of the following positions below:

PR, Fundraising and Reporting:

·         Editing of all English-language reporting and communication material, to ensure accuracy  and consistency with quality standards.

·         Assist in organizing events and oversee logistics, fundraising, and PR events, including invites, venue, materials, presentations and press coverage.

·         Work closely with the different YDRC departments to help craft and implement communications and fundraising strategy, coordinate publicity and maintain consistency in organizational messaging.

·         Responsible for proposal management, including researching funding opportunities, and writing proposals for timely submission.

·         Prepare and update a database of potential donors, including requirements and funding opportunities; register with available donors, apply for available pre-qualifications opportunities.

·         Establish guidelines for best practices in grant applications / proposal submission to be used by management for reference.
Media & Photography:

·         Assist the Media Department in preparing English press releases, pitch letters, feature stories and other press materials as needed.

·         Assist the Media and Management team in developing and preparing content for periodic reports, monthly newsletters and quarterly staff newsletters.

·         Assist in designing advertisements, brochures, flyers and additional marketing materials as needed.

·         Assist in managing all website content.

·         Develop email campaigns and E-newsletters to enhance awareness of organization activities.

·         Establish guidelines for best practices in communication and reporting to be used by management for reference.

·         Assist in designing advertisements, brochures, flyers and additional marketing materials as needed.

 

English Language Teaching

·         A native English speaker is needed to conduct classes in English to students.

·         Candidate must be able to prepare class work, plan classes and mark and correct work handed in.

·         Arranging extra-curricular activities for students and getting involved in social and cultural activities such as sports competition, dinners and excursions.

Costs
Interns will be provided with lodging, while they are supposed to cover then own food and other expenses they may need.( there is no cost to participate in the internship)

Application
Interested candidates are requested to contact us at: info@ydrc.ps to begin working on the application form. Please attach your up-to-date resume and a cover letter in your email.

Deadline for submitting the application is:

There is no deadline, The next cycle of accepted interns are set to begin in November 2013.

 

For any questions which you might have please contact Anas Alsarabta at e-Mail: asarabta@ydrc.ps

For more information please check the website at www.ydrc.ps

 

Hebron YDRC Internship 2013-2014

 

Hebron YDRC Internship 2013-2014 by ELgün F. Qurbanov

The Hebron YDRC is currently recruiting international interns for the year 2013 - 2014 Open to: Everyone with good command of English language and ability to help with public relations, fundraising and reporting and using media ( more details in the attached file). Venue: Hebron YDRC premises , Hebron - Palestine Interns will be provided with lodging, while they are supposed to cover then own food and other expenses they may need.( there is no cost to participate in the internship) Read more : http://www.edu-active.com/internships/2013/oct/15/hebron-ydrc-currently-recruiting-international-int.html

5 Tips for Filling out the FAFSA

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Dear College Made Simple Reader,

For so many families with college-bound students, understanding exactly what the FAFSA is, and how it works, can seem daunting at first.

It is true that the college financial aid formulas are complicated. Our goal, though, is to make it easy, and make it worthwhile.

For starters, every single college-bound student should make use of the FAFSA (which is just the acronym for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.)

Doing so opens the door to federal student loans, grants, and even – in some cases – college work-study programs.

Now let me give you 5 important insights into filling out the FAFSA… including how you can use it to reduce your overall college costs.

– Scott

#1: File early and on time.

Financial aid is given out on a first come, first serve basis. Those who submit the FAFSA form on time and correctly are placed in the front of the line for any eligible aid.

Priority filing dates vary by state but typically fall around February 15th of the year your student will be filing for aid.

#2: List at least 5 schools on the FAFSA.

The problem with listing only one school? That lone school that receives your FAFSA information sees that you are not applying to other schools.

This gives your (one) school less of an incentive to give your more aid. Make sure and include at least 5 schools on the FAFSA form.

Even better, make sure to include at least several schools that compete for the same type of students.

3: Highlight any unusual circumstances.

After submitting the FAFSA, families should let the colleges know if they have any unusual circumstance. Examples include a layoff, divorce, salary reduction or expensive medical bills.

The college will then determine that the unusual circumstance merits an adjustment, and may revise the student’s award offer. Keep in mind you will need to provide documentation, such as a copy of the layoff notice or unemployment benefits.

By the same token, if you’ve had an unusually good year financially (for example, a large bonus or a lot of overtime pay) you can write to the college’s financial aid office to explain that income was “unusual” and unlikely to recur.

#4: Fill out all additional forms.

For example, many schools use the CSS Profile form as a supplement to the FAFSA. Many times it is to determine non-federal financial aid, such as scholarships and grants.

Keep in mind a few things: it’s very important that you are consistent with your information on all forms. And also know that there is a $25 fee for filling out the CSS (and $16 for each additional school).

#5: Everyone should fill out the FAFSA (even high-income earners).

We see this mistake all the time. Many families think they make too much money – this is very common.

Yet there is money available for kids who don’t qualify for aid. But the only way to prove you don’t qualify for traditional need based aid is through the FAFSA form.

Plus, a family’s financial situation could change and make them eligible for aid. By having the FAFSA already on file, it is very easy to then get a “change of circumstance” form filled out, submitted, and then get a financial aid package based on the new and reduced income number.

To your successful college pursuits,

Scott Weingold
Co-founder, College Planning Network, LLC

Publisher, College Made Simple – The Free Educational Resource of College Planning Network, LLC

Training for young film critics

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International Film Festival Rotterdam welcomes applications for the 16th Trainee Project for Young Film Critics taking place during its 43rd festival edition (January 22 – February 2, 2014).

International Film Festival Rotterdam supports film making, film producing and journalistic talent on several levels: the main festival section Bright Future (including competitions for both features and shorts) presents recent works by first and second time filmmakers; Rotterdam’s Hubert Bals Fund contributes to film projects in developing countries and co-production market CineMart organizes a trainee project for young film producers (Rotterdam Lab) in close collaboration with its partner organizations. Recognizing the important role of film criticism to the perception of independent cinema, IFFR organizes a trainee project for young film critics.

Project description
The IFFR Trainee Project for Young Film Critics is a talent development program that offers up to three young (under 30 years), motivated and talented professional film critics from outside the Netherlands a chance to travel abroad to cover a major international film festival, to get acquainted with the Rotterdam film festival in particular and the broad range of independent cinema it offers.

The project was created in 1998 to open up opportunities for young and upcoming film critics to explore and sharpen their knowledge and views on independent and experimental cinema – and the festivals, like International Film Festival Rotterdam, that present it.

Trainee program
The program of the Trainee Project includes contributing to the festival’s newspaper Daily Tiger by exploring an assigned part of the festival; publishing a blog on IFFR’s website; taking part in expert meetings with experienced film critics and reporting about the festival for own affiliation(s).

What to expect
– Complimentary IFFR 2014 press accreditation

– Budget hotel accommodation in Rotterdam from January 23 – 30, 2014

– Partial refund of travel costs when traveling from outside Europe

– A full schedule. IFFR wants its trainee film critics to really participate in the festival and interact with other industry professionals. The trainees will form a team, hosted by the IFFR Press Office and the Daily Tiger editorial staff. You get to explore all aspects of IFFR (screenings, exhibitions, Q&A sessions, and debates) as part of the program and to cover for your own media

– If your participation is successful and you have published reports that meet IFFR standards (in both quality and quantity) you get the opportunity to visit the next edition of the festival as an accredited journalist

Criteria for application
– Age under 30 years

– Fluent command of the English language (written and spoken)

– Demonstrable experience in film criticism (print or online media)

– Not yet established enough to profit from facilities as attending international film festivals outside your country

– Have agreement(s) with relevant print and/or online media to publish reports on International Film Festival Rotterdam 2014

How to apply
Your application should include digital versions (Word, jpg or pdf) of the following documents and information:

– A motivation letter to support your application: explain why this project and the Rotterdam festival appeals to you and what you can offer the festival

– Your resume (CV) including your contact details and date of birth.

– Up to three proofs of recent work you published on (independent) film or film festivals. If not in English, provide the original articles with English translations to demonstrate your command of this language

– Information about your affiliation(s): title, name of chief editor, postal address, phone number, email account, periodicity, circulation, web address, estimated unique page views per month.

– A recommendation letter (on company letterhead) of your principal affiliation’s chief editor assigning you to cover IFFR 2014 and confirming that your report will be published.

– Please send in your application by e-mail to press@filmfestivalrotterdam.com or by land mail to IFFR Press Office, PO Box 21696, 3001 AR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The deadline is Friday November 1, 2013. You will receive notificiation on the selection Friday December 6 at the latest.

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Please note: if you are selected and participate in the IFFR Trainee Project for Young Film Critics, you agree that your work produced as part of the project may be published by IFFR in print or online in the festival’s publications and on the FIPRESCI website.

 

 Frequently Ased Questions ( FAQ ) 

Do you want to participate at international conference?

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Model OSCE Conferences in Vienna/Belgrade

in:  Conferences   |   08.10.2013

Deadline: 24 October 2013
Open to: citizens of the 57 OSCE countries age 18-30, fluent in English and interested in international politics
Venue: 14-17 January 2014 in Vienna, Austria; summer/autumn in Belgrade, Serbia; and 4-5 December 2014 in Basel, Switzerland

Description

Switzerland will assume the Chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2014. In accord with the leitmotif “Creating a Security Community for the Benefit of Everyone”, Switzerland pursues three overarching objectives:

  1. fostering security and stability in Europe,
  2. improving people’s lives, and
  3. strengthening the OSCE and increasing its capacity to take action.

As part of its third objective, Switzerland wants to strengthen the voice of young people and enhance their involvement within OSCE structures. To achieve this goal, Switzerland will organise a Model OSCE series in which one delegate from each of the 57 OSCE participating States will be invited to participate. The participating delegates will be involved in the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship throughout the entire presidential year: By means of simulations of two specific OSCE decision-making bodies, the delegates will get familiar with OSCE structures and -themes. The participants will have the opportunity to acquire and develop various skills in diplomacy and negotiation, public speaking, communication, problem resolution of international issues, and critical thinking. They will improve their team-work and leadership abilities and meet other young people from the 57 OSCE participating States.

The first Model OSCE event will be held in Vienna from Tuesday, January 14, to Friday, January 17, 2014. The delegates will step into shoes of their own countries’ ambassadors to the OSCE and kick-off negotiations on a “Youth Action Plan”.

The second simulation will take part in summer/autumn in Belgrade. The delegates will continue their negotiations in the role as “foreign ministers” of their own countries and conclude them by taking a decision on their “Youth Action Plan’s” content.

During the OSCE Ministerial Council organized by the Swiss Chairmanship taking place in Basel on December 4-5, 2014, the 57 delegates will have the opportunity to meet the foreign ministers of the OSCE participating States and present their “Youth Action Plan”.

Between the two simulations, the delegates will reach out to their own networks by consulting preliminary results of the draft-“Youth Action Plan”. For that purpose, they will include wider groups of interested young people and raise awareness of OSCE themes.

The preliminary schedule for the first simulation taking place in Vienna will be sent to the delegates in December 2013.

More information about the OSCE is available HERE.

Costs

All costs related to the Model OSCE (costs of travel, board, lodging, and participation) will be covered by the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship.

Eligibility

They strongly encourage young people aged 18-30 to submit their applications. Participants must be citizens of one of the 57 OSCE participating States (see list HERE), fluent in written and oral English, interested in international politics, and ready to engage their time and ideas in the framework of this project throughout the year of the Swiss OSCE Presidency.

One delegate will be accepted per OSCE participating State. The simulations will be held in English, and no translation into other languages will be provided. After selection of participating delegates, they will soon be invited to provide initial input regarding the content of a “Youth Action Plan”.

Application

Model OSCE registration is open until October 24, 2013. After October 24, registrations will only be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Please complete the application form AVAILABLE HERE and attach your CV and motivation letter. Your motivation letter should contain the following information:

  1. the reason why you want to participate in the Model OSCE,
  2. a description of relevant experiences in the field of international youth politics,
  3. the contribution that you would bring to the Model OSCE personally.

Further information on the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship can be found on the Swiss OSCE-Chairmanship Webpage HERE.

For any additional questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Fanny Charmey at fanny.charmey@sajv.ch.

The official website is AVAILABLE HERE for further details.

What the College Board’s 2013 SAT Report Just Revealed

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You are receiving this email as a part of your free subscription to College Made Simple.

Dear College Made Simple Reader,

In this letter I’ve written about countless ways and reasons to be financially prepared for college.

After all, without proper financial preparation, students and their parents can easily be saddled with decades of debt.

That said, a recent study came out about academic preparation for college that turned my head.

It was the College Board’s just-published annual report on college and career readiness…and the first paragraph alone pulled no punches about what’s in the rest of the report.

– Scott

Why Are National SAT Scores Languishing?

Here’s the first paragraph from the report…

“The College Board’s 2013 SAT ® Report on College & Career Readiness reveals that fewer than half of all SAT takers in the class of 2013 graduated from high school academically prepared for the rigors of college-level course work. This number has remained virtually unchanged during the last five years, underscoring a need to dramatically increase the number of students in K–12 who acquire the skills and knowledge that research demonstrates are critical to college readiness.” (emphasis by the College Board)

Not only has it been bad for the past five years, it hasn’t even improved.

Let’s take a closer look into the numbers.

  • 57% of SAT test takers did not meet the benchmark for college and career readiness. That number has remained the same for three years, and it’s slightly up from five years ago when it was 56%.
  • Those who met the SAT benchmark were far more likely to enroll in a four-year college or university (78%) than whose who did not meet the benchmark (46%).
  • Those who did meet the SAT benchmark were five times more likely to earn an A grade average during their first year at school.
  • Those who met the SAT benchmark were twice as likely to complete college (57%) than those who did not (27%).

There were some bright spots. Specifically, more minorities took the SAT exam last year than any year, and SAT scores by minority students continues to rise.

But overall, the numbers aren’t good.

I point this out for two reasons. First, the report is actually very constructive in its tone. It offers many ways individuals and institutions can increase SAT scores.

Second, while SAT scores are trending down, SAT prep courses are becoming more and more popular.

Now, first let me say that I’m not blaming the abundance of SAT prep courses for stagnant and declining SAT scores. There are a lot of courses out there, and some of them play a big role in helping students increase their SAT scores.

But far too many SAT prep courses waste students time with filler materials taught in an overcrowded classroom. And the price tag for that can reach four digits!

And therein lies the intersection of financial and academic preparation for college.

If you worry that your child may be one of the 57% of students whose SAT scores indicate they are not fully prepared for college, I highly suggest you read the College Board’s report.

And if you worry about choosing the wrong SAT prep course, here are a few ways to measure the best SAT prep courses from the hundreds out there…

  • Track record of how much students have improved after taking the course (This is the main benefit).
  • Efficient time spent in the classroom. No filler or wasted class time.
  • Convenience. Many courses now run obscurely timed class schedules that make it very difficult to make. Other classes won’t even give you a make-up class if you miss. Some of the very best SAT prep courses are self-study, and require no class time whatsoever.

Also, don’t be shy to ask a SAT prep provider some tough questions. After all, you’re shelling out a lot of money for a very important cause.

Ask providers how courses are taught and by whom. Ask them about class size limits. Ask them about results – how much better do students do on their SAT after taking their prep course?

One more thing – Ask if they offer a guarantee.

Those are just a few tips. We’ll cover more on the subject in future College Made Simple stories.

To your successful college pursuits,

Scott Weingold
Co-founder, College Planning Network, LLC

Publisher, College Made Simple – The Free Educational Resource of College Planning Network, LLC

Have a plan for changing the world? It’s time to learn how to DO it! Realize your start-up plan with this online course.

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About this course

 

Taking your great ideas and making them a reality is never easy. The Start-Up Lab helps you stop dreaming and start DOing, introducing you to the crucial steps necessary to get moving. This course is designed for people who have a concrete start-up idea as the course supports the actual implementation of relevant first steps. We help you focus your idea to have broader social relevance. The course provides resources and knowledge from inspiring leaders in the start-up community and offers insight into the learning experiences of other emerging social entrepreneurs. It challenges you with questions that every entrepreneur has to answer in the early phase of starting up and gives you key opportunities to exchange and discuss your ideas with other course participants who are also implementing their social ventures. This course is focused on helping you maximize on the impact you can create with your start-up.

DOing it!

The course consists of seven chapters divided into 3-5 units each. These units cover key steps social entrepreneurs need to tackle during the first months of establishing a new venture:

  1. Your idea: Add relevance and value.
  2. Your plan: Manage your project.
  3. Your legal context: Start on the right foot.
  4. Your finances: Build a strong sustainable business case.
  5. Your organization: Design your structure and operations.
  6. Your communication: Reach your target market.
  7. Your network: Build successful collaborations.

How does this work?

The course is hands-on and best suited for participants who have a concrete plan for a social venture that they want to kickstart. While you participate in the DO School Start-Up Lab, you’ll be simultaneously implementing your venture. As you work through each chapter, you’ll be experiencing the course material first hand, and make real decisions affecting the future of your start-up. Peer discussions will support you during this process.

Who is teaching?

The course is developed and taught by members of the DO School team who are working daily with emerging social entrepreneurs from around the world to create positive change. Some of the world’s leading entrepreneurs and practitioners will be interviewed and share their experiences. Moreover, a range of case studies give you insight into the learnings of DO School Fellows and alumni who started out their ventures just like you do. Online peer discussions and feedback complete your learning experience.

FAQ

Who should take the course?

The DO School Start-Up Lab is geared towards participants who already have a concrete plan for a social venture that they want to kickstart. We are focused on incubating projects with a strong social component, whether they’re businesses, non-profits, arts initiatives, or campaigns. While we’ll help you focus your social goals, this is something you should be interested in from the outset.

How much time will I need to participate?

Implementing a real social venture takes commitment and time – the more of both you have, the higher your chance to succeed and leave a positive impact on your society. It will take between 2 and 3 hours per week to work through the latest chapter and you will want to devote extra time discussing your ideas with peers, doing on the ground research and actually implementing your social start-up offline.

Will I get a certificate? Is the DO School accredited?

A course certificate will be awarded to participants who become active peer discussion participants, reviewing other people’s work and regularly handing in their own worksheets and progress documentation for peer review. In the end, your up-and-running social venture will be the best measure of your learning success.
The DO School community

Successful participants who gain the course certificate will get the opportunity to join the DO School Fellow and alumni community and become part of a global network of social entrepreneurs.

 

ENROL WITH EMAIL

International awards that celebrate innovation in the field of English language teaching

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ELTons 2014 – Call for Applications!

in:  Contests   |   04.10.2013

The British Council is accepting applications for the ELTons 2014 awards from 2 September 2013 until 22 November 2013. The ELTons, sponsored by Cambridge English, are the only international awards that recognise and celebrate innovation in the field of English language teaching (ELT).

Categories to apply for this year are:

  • Excellence in course innovation
  • Innovation in learner resources
  • Innovation in teacher resources
  • Digital innovation
  • Local innovation
The Macmillan Education Award for New Talent in Writing is also open to aspiring ELT authors who have not yet published any of their work. The winner receives £1,000 and the opportunity to publish their work.
Applications are judged by a panel of ELT experts. The shortlist is announced in March and the winners are announced at an awards ceremony held in London in May 2014.
The deadline for applications is 22 November 2013.
Find out more about the categories and how to apply on the ELTons web pages.
Any queries should be addressed to eltons@britishcouncil.org

Sending your best creations for Scholastic Award

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Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Invites Entries From Creative Teens

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing the most talented teen artists and writers in the United States and Canada, has launched a call for entries for the 2014 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Creative teens in grades 7-12 are invited to submit work in one of twenty-eight categories, including film and animation, video game design, sculpture, photography, fashion design, poetry, journalism, humor, dramatic script, and science fiction.

Student submissions are judged on the regional level by the alliance’s affiliates, with the top winning works then presented to national panels of creative leaders to determine which will receive the highest honors. Fifteen graduating high school seniors will be awarded with Portfolio Gold Medals, which include a $10,000 scholarship. Additional scholarships are made available to Portfolio Silver Medalists and through sponsored awards and stipends to summer arts programs.

To be eligible, students must be in grades 7-12 in a public, private, parochial, home-school, or out-of-school program in the U.S. or Canada, or in an American school abroad.

Deadlines for submitting work vary by region and generally range from December 15, 2013, through January 15, 2014.

For complete program information, entry guidelines, and regional deadlines, visit the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Web site.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Primary Subject: Arts and Culture
Geographic Funding Area(s): International, National

Our 4 Strongest Tips for the College Essay Process

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Dear College Made Simple Reader,

Right now, all over the country, college-bound seniors are working their way through the college application process.

For so many, the process is all-consuming, especially when it comes to the personal essay (which many times can be 3-5 pages long).

After all, it can come down to the essay to literally make or break your chances of getting into the school of your dreams.

Whether it’s the Common Application or the school’s own application (the Universal Application doesn’t require an essay), a good essay could get a student over the hump into the school; a bad one could hurt the chances of an otherwise strong candidate.

So how does your student get their college essay to stand out from all the others? Keep reading…

– Scott

Our 4 Strongest Tips for the College Essay Process

1. The Essay Format

The opening line in the introductory paragraph is your make-or-break opportunity with the admissions counselor. Capture his or her attention with an interesting thought… and close the lead paragraph with a statement that opens up the essay’s main point.

The next few paragraphs or so are the example copy: the specific, vivid details that illustrate the essay’s theme.

Close the essay with a single paragraph: a conclusion of insights and takeaways.

2. Intellectual Curiosity

Specificity matters. Rather than state academic interest in English and the classics, explain your specific interest in The Great Gatsby, for example.

To be even more specific – and to be distinguishable from the competition – draw some parallel between the book and an observation your child has made.

3. The Right Way To Edit and Proofread

The normal college essay contains many unnecessary words. After your student has taken his or her mind off it for a few days, read back through the essay and remove any words and statements that don’t need to be there.

Also remember that “meandering” statements are admissions killers. Why use 30 words if you only need 10? Proofreading: Spell check the essay, then ask someone with a better knowledge of grammar than you to read the essay… red pen in hand.

4. Be Honest

Be aware that colleges are increasingly using plagiarism checking technologies to monitor essays turned in by prospective students.

In fact, one such technology sniffs out essay plagiarism on the internet well enough that it’s being used in schools all over the world.

Best of luck on your students’ essays…

Scott Weingold
Co-founder, College Planning Network, LLC

Publisher, College Made Simple – The Free Educational Resource of College Planning Network, LLC

The 3-step Process That Can Drastically Cut College Costs

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Dear College Made Simple Reader, No question about it – figuring out how to pay for college is a major stress for so many families. It’s not just the ever-rising tuition costs, either. There’s all the attached spending and “hidden costs.” Plus, if you have two or more children in school at the same time, the costs of going to top schools can really appear prohibitive. Today let’s take a 3-step process than can drastically reduce your overall college costs – and make even the best schools more affordable. – Scott

1. Go to the Schools “Where You’re Wanted” What I’m talking about here is matching up your student’s particular skill, interest, or background with a school that needs it. It’s not just about star athletes, either. It might be that your child is involved in an extracurricular activity that’s highly valued at a particular school… or at a school that’s grossly under-represented in that field. In some cases, schools could be looking to enroll students from regions where they simply don’t have enough students. The point is, most college admissions are driven by a desire for diversity as much as by quality screening. And if you spend the time to identify what your star qualities are, and where they’ll be most appreciated, you’ll find that colleges are willing to pay top dollar for these attributes. That means bigger financial aid rewards for you – and a stronger bargaining position, if it comes to that. Which brings us to the second point…

2. The Financial Aid “First Offer”: Take a Moment… Many families don’t realize that financial aid offers often aren’t the end of the discussion. They can simply be the starting point of a negotiation. Now, to be clear, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes a school has a set formula, and won’t stray from it. Sometimes the school will have a plethora of applicants with your star qualities, and thus won’t extend themselves to keep you in the mix. At times, though, a simple letter explaining why you think you deserve greater help can result in a better offer. You’ll need to do your homework. Research what your school’s average financial aid package is, and see how yours stacks up. If yours is smaller than average, you’ve got a great bargaining chip. Likewise, if another school has made a stronger offer, you can use that as leverage. In this instance, a safety school offering a full scholarship isn’t as effective as a school of similar rank offering a better package. And, while it doesn’t need to be mentioned in any letter challenging your financial aid package, it will always help if you know you’ve got the star qualities the school seeks. (By the way, as a client of College Planning Network we would address this negotiating process in an appeal to the school.)

3. Cut Down On Your Years in College The best way to cut down on college expenses is to cut down on the time you spend in college. How can you do that? Most schools accept AP credits in lieu of college courses. That means, if you take the AP test and school above a 3 or 4 (out of 5), you’ll get credited as if you’d taken the relevant course at the college. This can reduce the number of classes you need to graduate – thus reducing the amount of time you need to spend in college. Each school treats AP credits slightly differently, so make sure you know how your preferred university rewards AP credits. Don’t want to graduate early – prefer to have the full college experience? AP credits can still come in handy – you might be able to attend your senior year part-time, for instance, and save nearly as much. The important thing to remember is this: most colleges charge by the course credit. The more credits you have in the bank heading in, the more you can save. Follow these three steps, and you may be able to save thousands on the total cost of college. To your successful college search, Scott Weingold Co-founder, College Planning Network, LLC