Student Loans and Bankruptcy

Another compelling reason to apply for scholarships is that student loans are NOT automatically discharged in bankruptcy.  So, the moral of this message is don't rely on student loans to get you through college.

I know a gentleman, who has a daughter in college and a son in high school, whose student loans were $50,000 when he finished his master's degree over 25 years ago.  Now with interest charges compounding on a regular basis, the loan is $70,000.  He has a bachelor's degree and a master's  from two very prestigious colleges, but his financial situation is bordering on bankruptcy.  He is stuck.  The $70,000 is not going away.  If anything, it will grow bigger. 

Simplify Your Life -- Tip #4

You know it's time to get rid of clutter if you just purchased your third book on how to get organized and you can't find it.
--  Elaine St. James

Scholarships for Unique Situations/Fastweb

Do you qualify for any of these?

• Scholarships for Adopted Students
• Scholarships for Bilingual Students
• Scholarships for Students Who Are Children of Single Parents

Scholarships for Age 13 and Under

Taken from Fastweb bulletin:

• National Spelling Bee
• National Geography Bee
• National History Day Contest
• Jif  Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest
• Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
• Christopher Columbus Community Service Awards
• Dick Blick Linoleum Block Print Contest
• Gloria Barron Prize for Your Heroes
• Patriot's Pen
• Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Simplify Your Life -- Tip #3

Figure out what is complicating your life right now, then figure out how to make it simpler. 
 --  Elaine St. James

Beware of Scholarship Scams

Taken From a Fastweb Bulletin:

• If you have to pay money to get money, it is probably a SCAM.
• Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information about scholarships or to apply for a scholarship.
• Nobody can guarantee that you will win a scholarship.
• Do not give out personal information like bank account, credit card or Social Security numbers.
• Beware of the unclaimed aid myth.  The only money that goes unclaimed is money that can't be claimed.

Most Generous Scholarships

• Intel Science Talent Search
• Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology
• NIH Undergraduate Scholarship
• Elks Nat'l Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition
• Davidson Fellows
• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
• Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships
• Collegiate Inventors Competition
• Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarships
• Gates Millennium Scholars
• Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship