The Ultimate College Guide Financial Aid FAQs, Getting Into A Competitive College,

Picking a Major, Study Tips

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Preparing For Your First Day Of College

Chapter 2 – Preparing For Your First Day Of College

Chapter 3 - All About College Financial Aid

Chapter 4 - Federal Financial Aid Grants & Loans

Chapter 5 - All About PhD Degrees

Chapter 6 – Finding A Job In The Real World

Chapter 7 – All About Business Degrees

Chapter 8 – Useful Apps For College Students

Chapter 1 – Getting Into College

Getting into a competitive college isn't just about top grades; admission officers are also looking for extracurricular activities and volunteer efforts. Here are a few ways to make your efforts stand apart from the rest.

Take AP Classes

Most applicants at top universities took AP classes at the high school. level These advanced placement classes are weighted which means it can bump your GPA up significantly if you do well. The course load is also a lot more fast paced and challenging than at the regular college prep level. Course material is on par with actual college classes and students can skip the same class in college as long as they pass the AP exam. Taking challenging courses at the high school level shows admissions that you are hard working and can keep up the pace with a college curriculum.

Get Involved

Top grades by themselves aren't enough; keep in mind that just about everyone applying to a competitive program most likely took AP classes and is at the top of his or her graduating class. Get involved in a campus club or organization that you are interested in. Pick something that you are passionate about; languages, volunteering, math or perhaps debate. Get involved in the community and causes that you believe in. Colleges are interested in students who are well rounded individuals.

A Stellar Essay

The essay portion of the application is where you can truly make yourself stand out from the rest. The essay doesn't just allow you to show off your English and perfect grammar skills; this is where you show admissions what makes you unique and different from every other applicant. Maybe you had challenges that you had to overcome or perhaps you started a new charity organization that you're proud of. Personalize it and make sure to have a friend or teacher proofread it for errors.

Chapter 2 – Preparing For Your First Day Of College

The first day at a new campus full of strangers can be anxiety provoking but there are a few things you can do to make your day much smoother.

Map Your Classes

Find out where your classes will be held ahead of time and look at a map in order to plan your trek from one class to the next. Try to arrive early on campus and walk from your first class to the next in order to get familiar with the surroundings. This will help make it less stressful to find your classes

Make sure to bring a print out of the campus with you for reference in case you get lost.

Pack Ahead

Lay out your clothes for the day, books, keys and book bags out the night before. This will make it a lot easier to get organized the next morning and ensure that you don't forget any important essentials. Make sure to include a folder and notebook paper since some professors will lecture on the first day.

Getting There

Are you planning to drive, walk or take public transportation? If you are driving make sure to have a parking pass in place; most colleges will require a fee for a pass. If you're taking public transportation make sure to allow for sufficient time for travel and transfers. Students who attend online programs (such as at http://www.trident.edu/) will need access to a computer or laptop in order to access their courses. Make sure to have everything set up before your class starts.

Planning ahead will help make your first day at college much smoother so get prepared and don't forget to enjoy yourself.

Chapter 3 - All About College Financial Aid

What Lenders are available for Federal Student Loans?

Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year (July 1, 2010), the primary federal student loan program will be the Direct Loan Program. The United States government is the lender for all Direct Loans.

Will federal financial aid cover ALL of my tuition expenses?

Even if you are eligible for federal student financial aid, such aid MAY NOT cover ALL of your tuition and other education-related expenses. You may need to seek to supplement your federal student financial aid by applying for veteran's education assistance, military tuition assistance (TA), or sources of aid for which you may be eligible, in order to help defray costs of attendance.

What is the Enrollment Agreement and Disclosure (EAD)

The EAD is an agreement between you and Trident, which you accept responsibility for paying any and all tuition and fees in connection with your enrollment and attendance if your financial aid is unable to be awarded and/or disbursed. Signing an EAD postpones payments on your tuition until your federal financial aid funds arrive, if you remain eligible.

What things should I know about the Federal Title IV Financial Aid process?

The Financial Aid Department cannot award federal financial aid to an eligible student until the student has been admitted to degree program and has completed required documents. The FAFSA, Trident financial aid application, and any required verification documents enables Trident to develop a financial aid package based on your eligibility for federal financial aid and expected contributions from other sources. The information provided on the application is compared to other documents presented to the Financial Aid Advisor. It is imperative that students submit all documentation timely and provide accurate information or corrections may need to be submitted to the Department of Education for processing and may delay the awarding and disbursement of federal financial aid funds.

Receiving an award letter verifies a student's Title IV grant will be processed and/or Title IV loans will be certified. If you need assistance in understanding your award letter, please refer to the sample award letters below:

Note that funds will not be received until it is determined the student is meeting satisfactory academic progress and module 1 has been completed. In addition to those requirements, if a student is a first-time federal student loan borrower, the loan funds will not disburse until the student has been in attendance for 30 days. Students who are receiving federal student loan funds (not Pell Grants) will receive an

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Notification via email from the Bursar's Office when loan funds are received notifying them of the loan amount disbursed and other pertinent information.

What is Verification?

The U.S. Department of Education 'ED' may select your file for a process known as 'verification.' If you are selected for verification, the Trident financial aid application will prompt you with a request for additional information and/or documentation and ask you to confirm data reported on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Verification documentation must be received prior to awarding and disbursing of any aid.

Chapter 4 - Federal Financial Aid Grants & Loans

Federal Financial Aid Grants & Loans

Federal Pell GrantA Federal Pell Grant, unlike a student loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded to eligible undergraduate students with financial need who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. Pell Grants are considered a foundation of federal student financial aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added.

How much may I receive if I am eligible for a Pell Grant award?

The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2013-2014 award year (July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014) is $5,645. The maximum can change each award year and depends on program funding. The amount you may be eligible for will depend on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation, which is determined by the Department of Education upon completion of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If I am eligible, how will I receive a Pell Grant?

Your school will receive the Pell Grant funds from the Department of Education and may apply Pell Grant funds to charges on your student account. If a credit balance exists, your school can remit remaining to you by check or hold the funds on your student account to cover any additional charges you may incur. Your school must tell you in writing how much your financial aid award will be and when your funds are expected to disburse. Schools that do not use semesters, trimesters, or quarters, like Trident University, must disburse federal financial aid funds twice per academic year.

More information about university financial aid

Chapter 5 - All About PhD Degrees

Statistics show that Phd graduates earn significantly more than those with a Bachelor's degree. According to Payscale PhD degree holders can expect a starting salary near the $52k mark within a year of graduating. Students who graduate with a non MBA degree receive average starting salaries of the mid $49k range. This is just the beginning; Phd candidates can expect to earn significantly more over the course of their career.

Career prospects are numerous for Phd holders and may include working for universities and the government. From their fifth to ninth year in the workforce graduates can expect to earn over $73k while the average salary for those with ten to nineteen years of experiences reaches over the $102k mark.

Job specificity plays a significant role when it comes to salary. Assistant Professors earn on average $56k a year while a tenured professor can expect to earn $87k. Salaries tend to be higher in large metropolitan areas. Phd holders in Los Angeles earned on average $75k while those in New York earned on average $86k. Earning a Phd can take up to five years or more and may require a significant time and monetary investment

Information about Online Phd Prgrams

Chapter 6 – Finding A Job In The Real World

Technology has changed the job search process; more students are using the internet social media to seek employment than ever before. Despite the changes, traditional job seeking methods such as networking and attending job fairs still hold merit. Here are a few methods that can be utilized in order to find employment.

Many students are utilizing websites such as Indeed, Monster and even Craigslist can be used to seek employment. Listings are updated daily and can be sorted by category and location site. It's a good idea to review job listings and apply multiple times daily as new notices are posted.

The social networking site LinkedIn can also be a great resource for job seekers. The site allows users to set up a profile with information such as previous job history and skills allowing prospective employers to view your details. The site can also be used to network and connect with professionals in your field.

Your university can be a great resource for finding a job. Most have a career center where you can look for job postings. Some colleges organize job fair events where future graduates can meet with potential employers. Find out in advance when the fair will be held and polish your resume and job interview skills.

Last but not least is word of mouth. Quite a few people get their jobs through social networks and references from friends or professors. If you've excelled in a class you can try asking the professor for a letter of recommendation or referral. Let all your classmates and family know that you are actively searching for employment; you never know who may give you the tip leading to a job.

Chapter 7 - All About Business Degrees

Are you considering a degree in Business Administration? If you have solid communication skills, are math proficient and have strong analytical skills then it might be a good fit for you.

Job Outlook For Business Degrees

A large number of careers in the business sector exceed the average 14% projected job outlook. Professions in the business field with a projected growth rate include; cost estimator, financial analyst, logisticians and management analysts.

Communication Skills

It's common for students in business classes to have to work together on projects and problem solving strategies. It's not a field like computer science where it's possible to work solitary for extended periods of time. Social skills and effective communication skills are necessary professionally in order to interact with associates and negotiate deals.

Crunching Numbers

If you have a knack for math then business may be right for you. Advanced math classes including Calculus are generally required for a business degree. Professionals working in the business sector may

have to analyze data, statistics and economic formulas in order to increase profits.

Analytical Skills

Have strong analytical skills? Most business degree programs focus on problem solving skills and critical thinking abilities. Individuals will need to be sharp in order to deal with unpredictable day to day situations in business environments.

Graduate School

Some students choose to further their education even further by obtaining a MBA or even PhD (example http://www.trident.edu/phd/business-administration). Salary projections are generally for graduates with advanced degrees who may end up working in executive and managerial positions.

Chapter 8 – Useful Apps For College Students

Looking for apps to further the learning process? Here are a few apps designed to make life easier for college students.

Dictionary.com

One of the best features of this app is that you don't need internet access in order to access the database. Users get acess to the entire Dictionary.com database and thesaurus. Definitely a very handy tool if you are working on an essay for English class.

Wikipanion

This app allows for immediate access to Wikipedia and lets you search the main site quickly and efficiently which can be useful when conducting research.

Evernote

This app lets you take notes in written, scribbled or verbal form. These notes can be turned into study notes and sunced across all of your devices.

Wolfram Alpha

This program offers detailed explanation and graphs for complex Math problems making it unecessary to carry around formula notes. The app costs $2.99.

Khan Academy

Prefer learning at your own pace? Want to explore a subject for fun? Khan Academy allows you to learn about various subjects including Science, Humanities and Math.

Science Glossary

Having trouble in Chemistry or Biology? This app is a database of vocabulary words commonly used in Science and also provides detailed information about each entry.