The High Cost of Hip.

Nate e-mailed Planet College about his latest frustration. Among other things he says;

My latest frustration, and perhaps my motivation for writing this, is the growing movement amongst my friends to drink “good” beer. It goes against everything the first few years of college taught me. I’ve drank all the crap beer in large quantities, spent under four dollars for twelve packs (Hobbs-don’t drink it- It’s not worth it), and even developed a legitimate fondness for Keystone Light. Until now, I was doing what I was supposed to: getting hammered on 30-packs you could buy with a twenty and still have enough for a Deli News pizza.

Now, a single bottle of “good” beer costs 8 bucks and that’s what real men are supposed to drink. That’s an hour’s work for this grocery bagger.

Nate continued in a good natured and humorous style about how he now feels left out of conversations with his friends since on his weekly wage he can not savor the 'aromatic hops' really good beers should have.

Planet College thanks Nate for pointing out what often happens in the social circles of college. Upper class men, Planet College veterans, not wishing to appear as 'un-hip' as freshmen refine their taste. And this refinement cost money. Plenty of money.

The company of classmates you've been partying with for many semesters is desirable and comforting. When they change, or their taste change, or their spending habits change it can be decision time. Continuing to drink Keystone while every one else is jovially swigging Red Witch, or Ol' Dity Bastard may call for a decision.

Planet College has no advice only the observation that, as Nate has pointed out, college offers opportunities for many different types of decisions. Ultimately, they had been summed up by a fictional college student on leave to attend his father's funeral. Hamlet, or his creator William Shakespeare, said it very well, "To be or not to be." This applies to hip, trendy or cool, and ultimately it says, "Can you afford to be or not to be." As always it is up to you.

Deferred Pay

The increasing difficulty of finding any kind of employment sometimes leads students on Planet College to consider other sources of finance. Some which have begun appearing with increasing regularity are offers of work for 'deferred pay". This means that you will work now and possibly be paid later. Possibly.

Money is hard to get and even harder to keep. The possibility of additional finances even working now for some money later is alluring.

But if your time energy and talent are worth anything at all they are worth being paid, paid real money, in a timely fashion, a lot closer to Now than Later.

Deferred pay, often contingent upon some payment to the concern that 'hires' you, is not a promising source of funds. Not promising at all.

No matter how 'lean' things are, and right now that is pretty lean, deferred pay will put no money in your pocket now and possibly none ever.

Those ads for 'deferred pay" ? Skip 'em.

The Devil In The Details

Phrases become cliches in popular usage because they express some essential fact or situation concisely. "The devil is in the details" is a popular term which may be another way to say, "Always read the fine print."

When Josh, a film major, returned to campus this term he was surprised to learn he had a balance due, which meant he owed money, on his campus account. Early last spring Josh had completed his financial aid application as well as his registration for Fall and thought no more about it. One of the courses Josh enrolled in was an on-line course. It was offered through the department in which Josh was majoring and would be three upper division units. Josh figured with everything on line he could complete the course work on his own schedule. This could leave more time for other things like work, friends, well, other things.

Thoroughly confused and more than a little annoyed, Josh went to the Student Accounts office where he learned a large portion of his financial aid had been cancelled. After a fit of frenzied diligence Josh learned the on-line course he had enrolled in was not eligible for financial aid. Because this was an ineligible course Josh's financial aid dropped below the minimum units for full time aid.

What were Josh's choices right now? More important what would yours be. Get more time at work to start paying on the balance due? Do a late add on an eligible course? Call the Bank of Mom and Dad for another emergency loan?

The wisdom of hindsight points out that this situation could have been avoided had Josh read the fine print in his school's annual catalogue. Somewhere in there in fine print it says "Not all on-line courses" are eligible for financial aid. The on-line course Josh had signed up for was one of those ineligible courses.

If you, like Josh, did not or do not read or don't even know your school has a course catalogue then here is today's Planet College Headline. Your school does have a course catalogue. The catalogue contains the guidelines, requirements and essential information you need to know about courses, registration, eligibility and graduation. There is a lot of fine print and it reads like a legal document because it is a legal document. There are probably still some paper ones around the admin building but if you ask the librarian she can help you find it on line. It is there. It contains the rules and at some point you will need to know them. Not knowing can cost you. The cliche is a cliche because it is accurate. Don't be 'deviled' by the details.

Oh and Josh? He found a Professor he knows in his department who signed him up for three units of Special Studies and his financial aid was restored.

Welcome back, and good luck this term from Planet College.

The Job Fair.

You're slouching through the student center tastefully slobbed out in the same jeans and hoodie you've been wearing for the last three years. There, before your eyes, are rows of folding tables with company literature carefully displayed and the dressed-for-success company representatives on the cheap folding chairs that go with the tables. There, also before your eyes, are students at least some what neatly dressed, distributing carefully composed resumes and conversing earnestly. Whoa. The Job Fair. On your campus is it coming or has it gone? Or do you know? Campus job fairs are another staple on Planet College as the term grinds on. They are usually arranged by The ASU or sometimes Student Services to facilitate students getting to the point of their education. Work. Full time work.

If you like thousands of others, OK, hundreds of thousands of others on Planet College have, up until now, taken a totally casual approach to your future back on Earth it is quite possibly time to kick your career planning up a notch.

Here's a few ideas. First, if you do happen to accidentally wander through The Job Fair go ahead. Stop and talk to a few of the company representatives. Pick up business cards and send them an e-mail, "Thanks, I enjoyed talking with you."

Also, look around for a campus organization which even generally relates to careers you may be interested in. Some of these groups may be volunteer. Some of them may even have their own Career Fair or what ever they want to call their job deal. Even if you are not a member of their respective society you are probably still welcome to attend the fair. These experiences are basically informational right now but they can be inspirational in the sense that you may come across a field in which you are actually interested.

Also these events function as that time honored approach to job getting, networking. The more people you know the more likely you are to get work.

Living in Your Department.

Summer on Planet College is the time most students earn most of the money they will need for fall term. Two jobs, three jobs even four not at all uncommon- even with squeezing in a summer school class or two. The advantage to working more than one job is you have that much less time to spend the money you are earning. This can lead to an opportunity you may not have considered.

At some point in the perpetually discouraging life of every student on Planet College there comes a time to declare and act on it. That is declare a major and do what is necessary to fulfill the requirements. This usually entails more than the average attendance/attention expended so far in your courses.

Making an outrageously serious effort to actually get somewhere in your education requires time, commitment and application. And money. If now you are strenuously involved in accumulating as much money as possible for Fall consider this.

This fall take as many courses as you are permitted in your major. Be in your department for every event, every course you need, every guest speaker and every major related program offered. This is often referred to as "Living in the department" and, as you've seen ,some devoted majors do actually end up sleeping in the hallway. Student's who have made this exceptional effort often report experiencing an unexpected lift when grades are issued. Spending one full term concentrating on nothing but your major will upgrade your assessment of your self as a student. It will also put you significantly closer to actually graduating.

Living in the department takes a special effort and is of course dependant on your finances. If working during the regular term is a necessary priority then living in your department may not be possible. Still, if you can save enough money from all those work hours this summer, then, you may be in a position to really make a move this Fall.

Dollars Not Just For Scholars

Back on Planet College for the first term this calendar year, money is on every student's mind. Searching for funds is a necessary but exhausting pursuit. Many students feel discouraged when they believe they must have a superior GPA to qualify for funds. This is not always so. Although an outstanding GPA is not doubt helpful, however, average students can also qualify for college money. Gifts, stipends, scholarships and fellowships can be had by C students. Often the qualifications are minimal. It simply takes diligence on your part to locate and obtain money for your schooling. Keep trying, ask everyone and good luck.

Do you really need your car this term?

Most students on Planet College will be heading back to campus soon. Some will fly. Some will catch a ride with a friend and some will take the bus across town. Many will drive. This post is about just what it says. Do you really need your car this term?

For most students the recession or The Recession, which ever you prefer, is hardly news. Living in pretty nearly a permanent economic drought is something students on Planet College deal with annually. This is why it might be time to consider: Do You Really Need Your Car back at school?

The expenses are obvious, gas, insurance, parking fees, maintenance, etc. They occur daily and they add up. The benefits are clear. Your car offers valuable personal opportunities. As evidence of autonomy and symbols of personal expression cars are unsurpassed. You can drive to The Summit to ski next weekend and you can drive to Padre Island next break. You can pick up friends at the airport and chauffeur most of your crew to a concert.

Benefits vs. liabilities. Ultimately it costs you money. Without your car you would depend on public transportation, your bicycle and friends. You would still be spending money but probably not in such volume.

So, once again, Planet College is about choices: Do you really need your car this term?

The Census is coming! The Census is coming!

Are you ready? The 2010 census is coming. This is a chance for you to be counted. Maybe your first.
So make sure you are included.

Also and even better right now. The Department of Commerce is hiring, right now, census workers. True you won't be employed until next year. But. There is a good chance you will need employment next year. It looks like the pay isn't too bad and the applications are online. Why not sign up now?

Are you a student who works or a worker who goes to school?

Most students work at least one job. Many workers attend school. At some point the question becomes are you a student who works or a worker who goes to school? The reply to this question is a matter of emphasis. And emphasis can be quantified by time. Simply put, what do you spend more time on, work or school? During summer the answer is simple. For the most part you spend time at work. You are a worker.

During the rest of the year what do you spend most of your time on? The time you spend will tell the tale. One handy reference is if you spend more time on work than school you are a worker who goes to school. There is a simple but subtle difference here. And it is this difference which may explain your frustration with your college progress so far. Specifically, if you look over your schedule for the past three semesters you might see how much time you are actually spending on work. With this simple formula you may realize that your resources have been allocated to working. Had you put this same emphasis on school you might be progressing faster. But you can't because you need the dollars that work generates. To restate, your time resources are being traded for the money it takes to survive and hopefully finish school.

With this awareness you can make informed decisions. For example you may revise your projected graduation date more realistically. You are going to make it, but it will take longer than you thought. So, press on realizing that you are trading your time for your education. Somewhat indirectly but eventually your efforts will pay off with the degree you seek. Press on.

Account Balances?

Summer offers lots of options for students. Few of them, other than summer school have anything to do with school. Mostly it is either kick back or work like crazy or both. With this in mind it might be a good idea, in fact, a very good idea, to check your account balances.
If you don’t know you have an account at your school then you probably don’t know that you have a balance. In this case some basic Planet College orientation is due.

When a student is admitted most colleges create an account for the new student. This account is administered through an office usually in the administration building. This often is called the Bursar’s office but it might be titled Student Accounts. Whatever. But either way you as a student have an account.

This account works somewhat similarly to other accounts you may have. Checking accounts or savings accounts at your bank or credit union or bank are common examples. In your schools system charges such as tuition, housing, fees, library fines etc are applied to your account. When payments are received they are applied to your account. When the payments applied to the account equal or exceed the charges the account is usually said to be balanced.

Payments are often made through the financial aid office. When Financial Aid funds are received they are applied, also known as 'credited' to your account. Payments are also made by students with a check or a credit card. Some times payments are made by parents directly to the school which means they are applied 'to the students account.

However the payments are made the simple fact is you do have an account and the school wants it balanced. More simply they want the money.

When charges to your account exceed payments you have a negative balance. If this condition continues for a period of time you may receive a notice from your school concerning payments past due. This condition can seriously affect your ability to register for your next term or even continue at your school it bears careful attention.

Since summer for many students means no thought of school this situation can arise unnoticed only to become troubling when fall arrives.

Right now as always vigilance is your friend. If your student account is available on line or by phone before you got to the beach check it. You don't want any surprises come this fall.

Student Accounts Part Two

As explained above you have an account at your college whether you know it or not. Also this time of year few students want to think about school beyond the easy A, slam-dunk summer school class they are taking with the really cool TA who doesn’t even take roll.

With all of this as a background Planet College strongly suggests you contact your school’s student accounts office (or Bursar’s Office) to check the status of your account. This is why. In the end of the semester frenzy to just-get-the- heck out of here student’s often overlook really simple but fee-related things. Things like turning in the residence hall key, locker key, library books etc. Now. These simple oversights always result in fees. Key replacement fee, library fee, lab breakage fee, stuff like this. The fees are usually in the range $10 to $50. And. These fees are applied to your student account.

Students are sometimes but not always notified of these fees but students notoriously ignore such notifications.

Ok? So. Here is the totally important point of these two posts. Unpaid fees can affect your ability to register. If you haven’t gotten your Fall classes yet you are probably waiting for your registration date. In case you don't know it some schools will put a block on your registration until the outstanding fees are paid.

Sucks huh? Well what does this tell you? Go on line right now or call the bursar’s office and check you account balances. If there are any outstanding fees make sure they get paid. You don’t want some weenie lab fee interfering with your ability to get the classes you want. So go do that right now.

College Student Available.

Of course you are looking for work because you are always looking for more money. More money means more work and this usually means employment of some kind.

Well, if some employers are asking for college students doesn't it make sense to make as many people as possible aware that you are a college student?

Whatever means you are using to get additional work be sure every application, every notecard on the church bulletin board or local laundromat, every on-line posting includes the phrase College Student available.

As often pointed out on Planet College the term College Student carries some significance beyond the typical Partyer-Gone-Wild connotation. Most of the population has respect for individuals who are attempting to better themselves especially through education. You can use this general impression to your advantage. So remember, what ever the media, remind them " I'm a college student."

How much is your time worth?

Most students who work do better in school? Did you know that? Small consolation,huh? Still when you work you are trading your time for money. Money which never goes far enough. But how much money in reality do you get for your time? Ever look at your check, I mean the actual amount paid to you. Depending on where you work, some is paid to the government. Some is sometimes paid for retirement. Some is paid for health care. Some is paid for union dues. How much do you actually get that you can use? I figure it is about 8O% of what your quoted salary or wage is. Like if you were hired some place and they said,"OK this job pays ten bucks an hour." Maybe you were off of school on break or something and you can work forty hours a week. If you got paid every week what would your check actually be, $400.00? No, not likely. More likely it would be closer to around three hundred and twenty dollars. This would be your total after everyone else gets theirs. Bearing this in mind the next time you go to buy something like a CD think. Is this really worth the amount of time I spent to earn the money it costs?

Do I have to have a FAFSA?

Hopefully by now you are familiar with the FAFSA. If you aren’t the government has help on line here http://www.fafsa.edu/ for filling out this essential document. This document is so essential that even if you were not a financial aid student I would recommend filling out and submitting a FAFSA on an annual basis while you are in college. Check your school’s financial aid office for filing deadlines. Realize however that even if you are past the dead line for your schools financial aid you still may benefit from other sources. These sources will no doubt require a fafsa. So, first thing, right now, if you haven’t already done so, go fill out and submit a fafsa.

Loan Management

On Sunday, July First, 2007 in a finance column a student asked about a loan to finish school. The student explained that he (or she) had already taken a small loan for their eduction. They were currently working full time as they had been for most of their college life. This student said that at this point they were finding it difficult to concentrate on school. This was mostly due to their work hours. Thus they were considering a small loan to lighten the load and free up some time to concentrate on graduation. Yet they felt anxious about any more loans which would come due after college. The advisor in the column advised them to take the loan. This exchange brings up a few points about Planet College that are worth noting. First, it was wise of this student to even ask someone about this loan possibility. Often an outside source can cast a light on your situation. This applies to many things but money is so critical that it is almost always a good idea to talk to someone about what is on your mind. Second, this student is following a basic rule of successfully completing your time on Planet College. Keep your loans low. You don't want to return to Planet Earth with too much debt. But in this case this student is aware of the toll that stress working full time is taking. The columnist advised the student to strongly consider the loan. I agree. In this student's situation the loan will help. It will also not add considerably to the students eventual debt.

Something to consider while your on Planet College.