Volunteer? Overseas?? Me???

Along with travel, volunteering is a traditional part of most student's experience on Planet College. Combining these two traditions has also for a while been integral to college students experience. The most widely known American institution which provides both of these aspects is the Peace Corps. This government program is not limited to students but does require a degree among other things to qualify. The United Nations also has a volunteer component but these too are only available to experienced professionals. What about students, professionals in training? For one example Geekcorp places volunteers internationally in positions requiring technological expertise.
When seeking overseas volunteer positions bear in mind you will be required to pay at least part of the expenses involved. Also volunteer positions usually require a time commitment, at least three months often more. Finally if you are seriously considering volunteering overseas you will no doubt need a valid, up to date passport and possibly such immunization as your destination country may require.

Spring Broke

If your entire building went skiing on Party Mountain and you stayed back because you said you had to study you are to be commended. If you studied. If, what is more likely, it costs a dime to go around the world you still couldn't go around the block then you are spring broke. Penniless. Flat don't have it, financially speaking.

This condition is serious but not fatal. In fact if you actually resisted something as tempting as round the clock partying because you just couldn't afford it you may be growing up. If partying at all costs is becoming a part of your past you may be subtly subjecting your self to emerging maturity. Eventually it catches up with almost everybody on Planet College much as many resist it. It isn't exciting, it isn't sexy, it isn't even particularly appealing. But growing up happens and you may now be noticing some signs of it in yourself.

Admitting anything is the first step in incorporating it into your awareness. And an expansion of your awareness, organized and otherwise, has been the overall purpose of your Higher Education.
Becoming aware of your skills, talents, likes, dislikes and even your limitations is the basic necessity of your continuing growth during and after college.

So, if your spring broke and you know it give yourself a quiet hooray. Adulthood happens, happy Spring

Back To The fafsa.

Mid-year often calls for adjustments on Planet College. Moving, changing majors and even changing schools, these types of things. In order to keep up with your fast changing life on Planet College it is probably important to keep all of your forms up to date. Particularly your fafsa.
Your aid this year has been based on the information you provided winter a year ago. Just like this calendar year the deadline last year for whatever school you were intending to attend or attending was probably something like March Second. Things may have changed for you financially for this school year.
This is important.
If you are not continuing to recieve assistance that you had counted on for this year your next step might be revising your 09-10 fafsa. This is the first step before you go to your schools financial aid office seeking further help. This means for this year. Students are often unaware that when circumstances change for the current school year they may be in a position to ask for more help.

If this is true for you stop by your schools financial aid office and talk it over with an advisor.

On Planet College it pays to ask for help.

Notice your credit card bill lately?

Up until recently it was possible to skip a payment on your credit card bill- well , OK, not skip it but- pay late. Of course, as most students on Planet College have at this point realized, there have been hefty fees for paying late. Still, as long as some payment was made the credit would continue, you could use your card.

Not so anymore. Due to what is generally known as a credit crunch students have found payments declined when the most recent payment due was not made and made in full. Failing to make the payment due and on time could result in the card being frozen or even cancelled.

This might be helpful in the long run as it may discourage frivolous spending. Spending which must be paid back with interest. So for now make sure you get your payment in. Right away.

More with less, can you do it?

Can you do what you need to do with the resources your have? Resources, your resources, can be generally reduced to two essentials: money and time. How much do you have of each. Right now, chances are you have less of both. You are probably spending more time to get the same amount of money. Which means less time for -what? Well OK. What? Less time for friends. Less time for studying. What are you now trading your time for now? If your priority is getting back to earth from Planet College then you have the time to spend on that effort. Friends can become a study group. A text book brought to work can be useful on breaks and lunches. Less time because of work? Use what time you do have efficiently. Make it count towards your graduation.

You can do more with less.

Roommate Wars, How to avoid them.

Roommate disagreements happen. Even among the best of friends. The best way to avoid roommate disagreements is to get everything in writing. Ok. You can't think of everything. But up front, even before you move in, get as much as possible written down.
Finances first. Who pays what and for what. House rules, that's housekeeping, i.e. who cleans what and when. These can be printed and posted. Usually that is in the kitchen and the bathroom. These are the "common" areas where the most common problems occur.

Stay over rules are something else again. Whose friend(s) and when. And when does a guest become another roommate.

You're thinking,"Yeah like this is practical". Well, no, you just can't think of everything that might come up. And no one ever thinks they will have a disagreement with their friend. But. Here are the two most common areas of human disagreement. Love and money. Yup. I'll bet if you think back to the major and minor disagreements of you life. They were about either love or money. The rules of love aren't generally written down. But. Money can be determined and divided up easily.

So to keep a roommate as a friend get stuff in writing. If you've already moved in and especially if "stuff " is coming up take some time to talk about it now. Now, before disagreements become a war. And there are no winners in that one.

Fee Infestation

Fees are everywhere on Planet College. Materials fees. Lab fees. Late fees. Library fees. Planet College is infested with fees. No matter how careful a student is fees occur. They add up over the term and fees must be paid. Fees represent a slow leak in the ever flattening tire of your financial bicycle wheel. Sometimes the best you can do with your limited finances is slow the leak.

The real key to financial management is keeping as much of your money as you can and fees maybe an opportunity to do so. Specifically the fees that your bank or credit card company charges at ATMs for withdrawals. (You can check that flimsy little booklet you got with the card to see what the policy of your financial institution is. That is if you still have it.)

Without even checking you are probably aware that there are some fees involved almost every time you use one of your bank cards. But some places charge far more than others. Specifically, the ATM outside your schools bookstore may charge as much as two dollars for a withdrawal. This is in addition to your bank's charge for not using their atm. Inside the bookstore is a different story. Many large retail institutions, drug stores, grocery stores and even your school's book store do not charge a fee for your credit, check or debit card use. Thus going inside the student store purchasing a pack of gum or some paper and asking for cash back may save you money. Real money. Your real money.

Remember this when you need a quick twenty bucks.

What the (bleep) is an emancipated minor.

This is not a site devoted to legal advice. For all questions regarding legal terms you should contact a qualified attorney. Yet, Planet College recognizes that many terms are bandied about with some quasi-legal opinions attached to them. One of the most persistent of these is "emancipated minor." This term was originally developed to identify and legitimatize individuals who, though not yet legal age, were responsible for themselves. You may use your favorite search engine to find definitions and interpretations of this term. But before you do Planet College advises you to read on.

Students on Planet College having a general idea of the implications of this term attempt to apply it to themselves. The argument usually is, " Well I've been responsible for myself since I graduated from high school, so . . . ." This argument is always presented in reference to the student's financial status. Essentially it is seen as a means to get more money for school. It is often presented by students of whatever age who are getting or have gotten no financial help from either parent.

The thing you need to know is that the United States Department of Education does not recognize the term " emancipated minor". It has no meaning, no validity for that Department. Since that is the Federal Department which oversees Financial Aid in the United States, seeking to be designated an emancipated minor will do nothing for your Financial Aid status.

However, if, in fact, you are recieveing no outside support for your education a visit to your school's Financial Aid office might be beneficial. Tell the worker that you would like more help. Tell her why.

Couldn't hurt.

What About A Money Buddy?

Most students are familiar with the term "study buddy. " It is common to have friends or other students who become friends to study with. This is a very effective strategy for getting through your courses. If you don't have any study buddies and are toughing it out alone think it over.

Now here is another Planet College suggestion. What about a money buddy? Finances are such a crucial part of higher eduction they are practically a required subject. In fact, if you think about it Higher Education Finance has been a required course for you since you started your college education. Probably since day one on Planet College what has been going out has consistenly exceeded what has been coming in. Although probably a clear solution would be more money that is rarely possible. A solid second choice is more effective management of what is actually there. Without much experience for this type of management help could be useful.
So, again, know anybody who is financially capable?

It doesn't have to be a close friend and we are not suggesting someone who you can consistently borrow money from. A money buddy can be anybody, as we have said, who is simply fairly proficient at handling their own personal finances. Know anyone who regularly balances their checkbook, isn't often flat broke, can consistently afford what they need? Ask them how they do it. Just that. How do you remain financially unstressed? See what you can learn from them.

If you don't know anyone like this try talking to someone who actually works in finance. Not necessarily a big shot, either. Maybe a teller at your credit union or a worker in the Burser's office. Even one of the counselor's in the Financial Aid office. Ask if they can help.

If you can find someone you can trust to look over your finances you will probably need at least copies of your bank or credit union and credit card statements. This are available on line and can be easily printed out. Bring copies to meet with your chosen money buddy. Remember, you are looking for a few simple things. Essentially doing more with what you have because what you have is very, very limited. Most financial distress results at least in part from a kind of fogginess. The kind of fogginess which is a combination of busyness and inexperience. Taking time to go over your finances can produce some clarity about your spending versus your income or available resources. This clarity can be useful as a stress reliever.

Remember Rule One on Planet College whenever you have a problem, issue or a concern, or just want to learn something: Ask for help.

Money for College/ HR

On Planet College Average Students are almost constantly seeking money. Grants, loans, work, borrowing, the sources can be numerous but the quest is always the same. Money, more money. Here is a source you may not have explored.

The Human Resources office of any of your employers. Most students with more than one employer never think that each of these concerns is organized as a business. Part of the organization is almost certainly a department which administers hiring and benefits. That department, probably referred to as HR, Human Resources, may be a resource for money for school. Many companies even modest-sized companies have educational assistance programs for their employees. Ask your supervisor at work, check the employee handbook find the HR 800 number and ask. Call and ask. "Hey, I'm a student,do you have any money for me?" See if they can help. Make the call, fill out the form, do the follow up. Do the follow through and maybe, get some money.

There's more.
You may be eligible for help through one of your parent's employers. Same deal. One large national pharmacy chain with thousands of employees administers a scholarship program for the children of their employees. Even if you are a full grown adult who hasn't lived at home for some time you may still be eligible of such a program. Ask either on or both of your parent's if you can check out their employee handbook. As stated above call the company. Ask about any programs they may have. There may be more money in it for you. Good luck.

What is help?

Because most students on Planet College feel that by this point in their lives they ought to be able to handle anything, often even recognizing the need for help is difficult. Basically is there something in your life which is overall distracting you from completing your current term with passing grades? If you can identify something which you can't currently manage you may need help. Often these are seemingly trivial things which gradually have gotten out of hand. Noisy building, difficult instructor, unreasonable manager at work, these types of things are common, but, over time each, any or all of them can become stressful. Large things, end of a relationship, failing grade in a required course, cancellation of financial aid are major stressors. Major stressors are easily identified.

Whatever is the cause, events leading to a feeling of helplessness are usually a sign that you could benefit from help.

Now that we know the general outline of when help seems necessary, we need to learn what help actually is.

On Planet College we have a slogan about help. This slogan comes in the form of a riddle. The slogan is : What is Help? Then answer? Help is help. That is what help is. Any resource even remotely bearing on the subject can be considered help. Some times its obvious. When you're building gets too noisy talking with your RA couldn't hurt. Any other instructor might be able to help you see your way clear through a course with a difficult instructor. Difficult managers at work are often something that simply needs to be endured. Still talking with someone, anyone, about work can help.

Larger things, which usually involve sudden loss, call for help but on a more comprehensive scale. Help can be found through individual counselors or group counseling both of which are often available on campus and often at no costs.

What ever the cause there often is not any better help on Planet College than talking things over with a friend.

Then next thing we need to look at is how to ask.

Staying off of The Paycheck Loan Wheel

Remaining off of the Paycheck Loan wheel usually requires some help. Initially, you may be unable to pay the outstanding balances on the paycheck loans. As suggested below contact the lender and discuss re-payment possibilities. It can be very helpful if you have a plan and even can make a payment, however small. If you do arrange a re-payment schedule be vigilant about sticking to this plan.

Now, as a student who works, you may still be borderline poverty stricken. You may not be aware that there are often sources of cash available on campus for students. Some colleges have emergency loans for registered students. Some departments have similar programs. At one campus locally these amount to $200.00 for part-time students and $400.00 for full time. Additionally, campus clubs and organization sometimes have a few bucks available for members. These funds are almost always loans. So, once again remember these loans have to be paid back.

There is more. Staying off The Paycheck Loan Wheel takes maintenance. This maintenance includes diligence and support. Clearly as a student you are almost always in need of money.
If you have survived The Paycheck Loan Wheel you have paid for an expensive lesson in personal finance. Recognizing this can assist you in developing an awareness of your spending habits. Since money management has now become a priority some assistance might be useful.

Locally, maybe even on your campus, there are groups and sometimes even individuals who can offer help to students with money management. Sometimes this help is a support group. Sometimes this help is counseling. Maybe even a friendly talk with someone on campus, a finance instructor, a financial aid worker, someone you know in the Bursur's office, could provide clarity.

Just to review; avoid any further short term debt. Arrange a realistic payment schedule for that debt which you have. Explore campus sources for short term cash help. Survey the campus community for individual or group financial management support. This help could be a class, a group or individual counseling.

And one final Planet College Tip. When ever you get any money, paycheck, gift, tip, grant, loan or whatever put some portion of it into your own personal savings account. No matter what and no matter how small, even if it is only a dollar, whenever you get any income at all put something into a savings account. This simple habit will definitely help your own money security factor.

That's it. Get off the Paycheck loan wheel through a doable re-payment plan. Stay off the Paycheck Loan wheel by getting help. Finally, Whenever you get any money at all put some in a savings account.

You know how hard you work. So you know how hard money is to get. Now you know money is even harder to keep than it is to get.

The Paycheck Loan Wheel: The Solution Starts

The solution to the frustrating paycheck wheel habit starts with stop. Don't do it. No matter how desperate you are - and especially if you have several of these working at once- don't do another one.

Next step, remain in communication with those from whom you have borrowed money. There is nothing more annoying to a lender, and that is what these places are really, than not being able to contact people who owe them money. Going to them first when you can't make the payment will demonstrate your good faith in eventually paying the money back. It often helps to tell them your are a student, that you are working as well as going to school. If you have already missed a payment or even several it is wise to prepare a plan to repay the past due money. It is also helpful to bring a friend with you for support.