Tuition 101 Paying for College and Graduating Debt-Free
SUDOKU BREAK Solution on pg. 4
With a rise in employers demanding higher education and skyrocketing tuition costs, finding ways to pay for college can be some of the most important decisions you make. Government and private loans are always available, but there are alternatives that help students avoid debt. Learn about some options below! Scholarships Scholarships are monetary gifts given to students by donors, and they can be supplied through colleges, high schools, organizations, and the government. Anyone can qualify for an infinite amount of scholarships, including those in foster care, students with disabilities, residents of communities, athletes, club members, and high-achieving students. There is no harm in applying, and gifts of hundreds of dollars can go a long way toward tuition. According to Clark Howard, FastWeb.com hosts more than 1.5 million scholarships that provide more than 3.4 billion dollars in funding. All you need to do is create a personal profile on the site. Collegeboard.org, Niche.com, Scholarships.com, MoolahSPOT.com are other sites that hosts many scholarships. Additionally, the following companies provide support for finding scholarships: Sallie Mae, Scholarship Monkey, Cappex, Chegg, Unigo, Peterson’s, and the U.S. Labor Department. Work Study Awork-study program can be a lucrative option for students who qualify. This federally funded program allows students to work in various departments on campus while earning money toward tuition. And the payoff can be huge. In addition to making tuition payments, students gain valuable experience in various disciplines, including office management, writing, organization, and customer service. Usually students are paid the federal minimumwage by the hour. Check with your school’s financial aid office to see if they participate in this federal program. Cooperative Program Co-op programs allow students to be placed in jobs related to what they are studying. Students alternate working one semester and going to school the next semester until they graduate. Although this prolongs the education experience, it gives students an opportunity to graduate with little or no debt and with work experience in their field of study. My father, Phil Gingrey, took advantage of this opportunity at Georgia Tech. He was able to start at Tech because he was awarded a scholarship by a local bank in his hometown. But he only had enough money for one quarter. The co-op programwas a gift that allowed him to get the degree he wanted without racking up crushing debt. Grants Different from scholarships, grants are specifically awarded by the state and federal government, and unlike governmental financial aid, grants do not have to be paid back. Awardees are determined through each student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which the federal government uses to determine the level of monetary aid a student needs. This aid can be in the form of grants or loans. For example, a student with divorced parents may qualify for significant grants from the government in addition to federal loans. 529 Plans If your child hasn’t started college yet, it’s not too late to start a 529 plan for their higher education. This is a tax-advantaged college savings plan that is offered and regulated by states under the federal tax code. Each state varies on what it allows, and in Georgia, the Path2College program allows savings on tax-free money for students to use at any stateside or abroad university or college. Learn more at Ost.Georgia.gov . Paying for college is more expensive than ever, but at Phyllis Law, we have 13 years of experience helping clients with their financial dilemmas. If you’d like more guidance combating student debt, call us at 404.514.3397.
Pasta Primavera
Inspired by Food Network
Ingredients
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12 ounces pasta, ideally fusilli 1/2 pound broccoli florets
2 carrots, shredded
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano-Reggiano Kosher salt, for pasta water and to taste 1. In a large pot, liberally salt water and bring to a boil. Add fusilli and cook according to package directions. Add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper during the last 2 minutes of cook time. 2. Drain the pasta and veggies, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. Return pasta and veggies to pot. 3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil to me- dium heat. Add garlic and cook until translucent and golden, 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until tomatoes are wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in reserved pasta water. 4. Add tomato mixture to pasta pot, stirring to coat evenly. 5. Divide into bowls, top with Parmesan cheese, and serve. Directions •
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