Book Description

The dramatic rise in university tuition costs is placing a greater financial burden on millions of college-bound Americans and their families. Yet only a fraction of the additional money colleges are collecting—twenty-one cents on the dollar—goes toward instruction. And, by many measures, colleges are doing a worse job of educating Americans. Why are we spending more—and getting less? In Going Broke by Degree, economist Richard Vedder examines the causes of the college tuition crisis. He warns that exorbitant tuition hikes are not sustainable, and explores ways to reverse this alarming trend.

Vedder's research demonstrates that America’s universities have become less productive, less efficient, and more likely to use tuition money and state and federal grants to subsidize noninstructional activities such as as athletics. These factors combine to produce dramatic hikes in tuition, making it more difficult for Americans to afford college.

Vedder believes that competition from for-profit universities (the fastest growing sector in higher education), computer-based distance learning, and nonuniversity certification of skills can be a powerful force for needed change. He suggests that possible solutions to the tuition crisis include modifying tenure, increasing teaching loads, paring administrative staffs, increasing distance learning, and cutting costly noneducational programs. He also suggests even more dramatic changes, including transforming state grants to universities into student voucher programs, as well as other steps to increase privatization of state universities. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Bringing accountability to higher education
Dr. Vedder's book and insights reaffirm the issue facing both our system of higher education and our state and local governments - how to pay for the growth of our post secondary education system and prepare students to become productive and qualified workers.

With less than 20% of college costs being covered by tutition, on average, in the U.S. and graduation rates at 4 year colleges (over a 6 year period) in the 50% range and at 2 year colleges (over a 3 year period) below 30%, it is hard to see how the public can continue to subsidize a system that fails to acknowledge its obligation to educate students, not build organizations and infrastructures that are uneconomic.

Unfortunately these issues were clearly oulined in 1998 in "Straight Talk About College Costs And Prices", Report Of The National Commission On the Cost Of Higher Education, January 21, 1998, (...)

Where the Commission said:

"This Commission, therefore, finds itself in the discomfiting position of acknowledging that the nation's academic institutions, justly renowned for their ability to analyze practically every other major economic activity in the United States, have not devoted similar analytic attention to their own internal financial structures. Blessed, until recently, with sufficient resources that allowed questions about costs or internal cross-subsidies to be avoided, academic institutions now find themselves confronting hard questions about whether their spending patterns match their priorities and about how to communicate the choices they have made to the public"

Over the next several years this topic that will start to show how little our politicans understand about one our country's most prized assets and also highlight the fact that our university professors and administrators care much more about their own quality of life that that of their proported customer, the students. ... Read more

Book Description

Cash For Grad School

Learn the secrets of experienced scholarship winners!

Cynthia and Phillip McKee have created the sourcebook on finding scholarship money that includes more than 2,500 entries representing over $2 billion in scholarships and grants! But this book is more than just a compendium of scholarships. It is also a step-by-step road map through the entire financial application process. The McKees explain how to create a sparkling résumé, write persuasive essays, obtain recommendation letters, negotiate the financial-aid maze, avoid common pitfalls, and learn the useful shortcuts that can pave the way for success. Sample letters, schedules, and charts show you how to prepare your strongest application and stay on top of deadlines. A comprehensive index helps you find all the scholarship opportunities for which you may be eligible.

Book Description

Book Description

This is the first and most-acclaimed guide to private-sector scholarships, grants, and loans published in America, and this new edition-complete with an expanded table of contents and the latest research-offers more scholarships than ever before. It also includes helpful tips on determining one's qualifications for awards, writing application essays and cover letters, avoiding scholarship scams, and finding useful web sites.

In addition, The Scholarship Book 11th Edition CD-ROM features thousands of direct Internet links to the home pages of private-sector sources of financial aid, as well as a search function that directs you instantly to the financial aid sources that match your qualifications. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you're graduating from college and considering pursuing an advanced degree, chances are you already know the value of a little research. Cynthia Rold's Guide to Graduate and Professional School breaks the process into concrete steps that reduce the feelings of graduate-school trepidation and help you plot a sensible, comfortable, fiscally sound plan.

Section 1 is entitled, logically enough, "Where to Start." It provides an overview of various types of graduate and professional schools (delineating law school, business school, medical school, and the differences between masters and doctoral programs), then goes on to cover some basic issues of self-assessment and goals, which traits you'll need for success, and the whole slew of standardized tests you'll need to negotiate in order to apply. The book further addresses the details of application and admission, how to deal with stress and social issues once you're in, how to get the best out of financial aid (detailing the variety of scholarship, grant, and fellowship opportunities that exist, plus work programs, loans, and repayment concerns), and how to choose a school that's best for you. And finally, Rold's guide considers the job situation after graduate school and what your various options are, depending on what sort of degree you earn.

With a great compilation of resource pages on tests, financial aid assistance, and professional associations, and a CD-ROM that allows you to access the information with even greater ease, this is a fine and reassuring reference to start with when you're considering an advanced degree. --Stephanie Gold ... Read more

Reviews (1)

HELPFUL BOOK!
I recently decided to go back to school and received this book as a gift. I cannot imagine trying to get through the admissions process or the loan application process without this book. Great information and easy to read. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Make your educational dreams come true!

Worried about how to pay for college? Afraid of drowning in a sea of student debt? Sure, Ben Kaplan once felt that way too. But that was before he discovered that there are billions of scholarship dollars out there for students with all types of interests, skills, and backgrounds. After winning enough college cash to cover virtually the entire cost of his dream school, he's written an indispensable guide that shows you how to stake your own scholarship claim.

Now in this fully revised and updated edition, Ben distills his proven step-by-step game plan that positions you to win big money for college -- regardless of your age, GPA, financial situation, or family background. With humor and insight, he reveals insider secrets for successfully finding, applying for, and winning lucrative scholarship awards -- empowering you with the information, inspiration, and know-how to afford the college of your choice and realize your educational dreams.

Special Note: As a valued reader of this book, you also receive access to the Coach's Locker Room at Ben Kaplan's ScholarshipCoach.com website. The Coach's Locker Room provides a wealth of bonus material, updates to information contained in How to Go to College Almost for Free, question and answer postings, and other helpful resources.

Reviews (59)

Perfect for Seniors
I can't say enough good things about this book. What I like best about it is that its useful no matter how much time you have left until a scholarship application is due. As a high school senior, I have some applications due in a couple weeks, some due in a couple months, and others I'll apply for when I'm in college. The author shows you how to package you application in a short amount of time for those coming deadlines, expand upon what you've done for those medium-term deadlines, and employ "content strategies" to position yourself for those long-term applications. This book is a really, really good starting point for any student serious about winning scholarships.

Not bad...It's a pretty good book.
Well, umm...This is a pretty good book with some good advice. The best part of the book is probably the first chapter, in which Ben Kaplan does a good job explaining the differences between the types of sources of funding for college students. Some of the other tips he gives on searching for scholarships are pretty good too. And he really seems like a great guy- he's really professional and sweet and funny, plus he's good-looking. Hmm, I wonder if he's still single. (You can just sense the "however" coming, can't you?)

However, a lot of the advice he gives is just common sense. Such as: be sure to apply for a large number of scholarships instead of just a few; construct one essay and adjust it slightly for several scholarship essays; don't pay for an online scholarship service, ask your teachers for help. There are a few innovative "Guerrilla Tactics" he points out, though, such as you can go to a high school/college other than your own and look on their scholarship database. I guess I'm just giving the whole book away here, aren't I? My point is, you don't necessarily need to read this book to help you find good scholarships. You can just go to a good online schol search engine, such as FastWeb or Mach 25, which are 100 percent free. FastWeb is especially good b/c it features articles that contain much of the same advice that is found in this book. Don't forget to fill out the FAFSA every year, which is also free.

So it would be best to save the 19.99 that you would have spent on this book (or 7.95 if you're buying it used, etc.) and just do scholarship research on your own and be sure to get crackin.

From A-Z, a battle plan for getting scholarships
When I saw the title of this book, I began salivating uncontrollably. Imagine, having someone else pay to send your kids to college. That may have been an overreaction. Surely anyone else that has college-bound kids should sympathize.

The book is well organized and written on a level that will not challenge a high school student. However, there are tips for a wider audience including the very young, older returning students, graduate students, and students that fit into special groups.

Clearly, the competition for scholarships can be intense, but with a logical game plan engaged in consistently, an applicant's effectiveness can be increased. The one consistent theme in the book is that a steady approach will lead to success.

I will take issue with a combination of techniques mentioned in the book. Kaplan suggests that students get their recommendations in electronic format so that they can print them out as needed. He also suggests that you solicit "small" changes to recommendation letters to make them "great" letters. I feel this may present many an ethical challenge to some applicants. To be clear, he does not suggest manufacturing recommendation letters.

He also provides access to his companion web site to add extra punch to the process.

In the final analysis, it is hard to argue with his success, and Kaplan was very successful on his own behalf. He interviewed many of the people involved as applicant and administrators and their tips appear in the book.

Could I give it TEN stars?
This is really a great strategy book. It helps you get your thoughts in order, takes the mystery out of financial aid and puts it in your hands where you feel like you have more control. I went ahead and applied for financial aid for my community college...and I got awarded $2600! :O I can pay for the summer semester without having to work!

I currently go to school full-time and work part-time at $7hr. But now, I have money for tuition, books, and other school expenses -and - I have been awarded $900 in work-study. None of these are loans! I can't believe it!!

Every night I read through this book, I make notes in pencil, I put yellow sticky notes on the most important pages for myself. Tonight I went to an office store and bought some materials for organizing my financial aid plans for the future. I am really MOTIVATED!

This book is worth every penny. As they say: If you think going to college is expensive, try ignorance! LOL! I am planning on going all way - Ph.D or Psy.D. The book has many pages in it, but it's light-speed reading, not intimidating in the least, and is frequently illustrated with humourous cartoons. I recommend it to anyone interested in empowering themselves better in seeking financial aid, no matter what your socio-economic status. ;)

too much fat
This book has some good information but you have to wade through the fat to get at it. It may be written mainly for aspiring college students, but I feel it is not complete enough or deep enough for parents. There are many other better books out there on the subject (notably Fiancial Aid for Dummies and Discounts and Deals at the Nations best 360 colleges). ... Read more

Book Description

The first in-depth guide to the nation's best, most accessible scholarship opportunities!

A true insider in the world of tuition financing, Ben Kaplan has helped tens of thousands of students attend colleges and universities they never thought they'd be able to afford. Now he takes his expertise one step further in this behind-the-scenes tour of America's top scholarship programs.

Based on hundreds of exhaustive interviews with scholarship judges, administrators, and past winners, this easy-to-use scouting report highlights the essential scholarships you must know about and helps you better address each scholarship's "hidden" judging criteria in your application.

If you think the college of your dreams is out of your financial reach-or that your scholarship search has to be an overwhelming and frustrating process-think again: Ben Kaplan wrote the guide that will help you focus your search, position your scholarship candidacy, and ultimately afford the college of your choice.

Special Note: As a valued reader of this book, you also receive access to the Coach's Locker Room at Ben Kaplan's ScholarshipCoach.com website. The Coach's Locker Room provides a wealth of bonus material, updates to information contained in The Scholarship Scouting Report, question and answer postings, and other helpful resources. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great for Undergraduates & High School Seniors
This is not a scholarship book for Graduate students - only 3 listed. However, I am pleased to pass along to my niece. Very well written in easy to understand, consise language. Wish me luck!

My best advice
Ben Kaplan's book is not only useful and valuable, but enjoyable. This is something every college seeker should go through. Also read Norman Thomas Remick's "West Point" for a surprising (and enjoyable) eye-opener on what the full-scholarship West Point is really about. As a teacher and board member, I recommend both books. That's my best advice.

I just love Ben Kaplan!
I just finished reading the Scholarship Scouting Report, and I found it amazing! Not only does Ben Kaplan explain the top scholarships, he makes reading about them fun. (Just reading the sample scholarship essays from past winners makes this book enjoyable.) Ben Kaplan also puts his own personal touch on this book, with his lively comments. It's truly motivating -- unlike any other scholarship book I've read. ... Read more

Book Description

College savings plans, 529 Plans, Qualified state tuition programs, QSTPs, Prepaid tuition contracts, Educational savings accounts.They go by many names, but they all represent the same thing: a REVOLUTION in the way families with children are investing for the future.

What other type of program allows you to invest over $100,000 in a professionally-managed tax-deferred account for each child without regard to age or income level?Where else does your state offer significant benefits for investing, including tax deductions, income exemption, and even scholarship money.What other mechanism allows wealthier parents or grandparents to immediately reduce their taxable estates by hundreds of thousands of dollars without gift tax, and without giving up control of the assets?

The answer is that no other IRS-approved program provides the combination of benefits that a Section 529 state-sponsored college savings plan does.Investing for future college expenses will never be the same again.And forget what you may have heard about these plans.You are not limited to the plan in your own state, and you do not have to send your child to an in-state college.You can even set up an account for yourself!

In THE BEST WAY TO SAVE FOR COLLEGE: A Comprehensive Guide to State-Sponsored College Savings Plans and Prepaid Tuition Contracts, Joseph F. Hurley CPA describes how 529 Plans work: the tax rules, planning strategies, impact on college financial aid.He compares them to other alternatives such as the Education IRA, savings bonds, and mutual funds.And he describes the best and worst features of each state's plan, along with an exclusive "5-Cap Rating".The various state plans are not created equal.Learn which ones to use and which ones to stay away from.

You've heard about them.Now it's time to learn about them.Whether you are a professional planner, a college financial aid officer, or a careful investor, you need to have all the facts.[Note:This book appears to be the FIRST comprehensive book describing 529 Plans, and 529 Plans are bound to become extremely popular, as evidenced by articles over the past six months in SmartMoney, TIME, Newsweek, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Wall Street Journal, and others.] ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Very Useful Book
No doubt, a very useful guide to methods of financing a college education. Also check out "WEST POINT", by Norman Thomas Remick, which clues you in about West Point, the college at which everyone is there on full scholarship paid by the government.

The best book ever written about saving for college!
This book unlocks the secrets of saving for college like the 401k plan did for saving for retirement. A real must for all families to understand. Makes a great present.

A fantastic summary of 529 plans
This book should be read by anyone planning to send a child to college.After reading this book, I started college savings accounts for my daughterin New York and New Hampshire. This is definitely the "sleeper" tax break which everyone should know about. Forget the pitiful Education IRA. The 529 plans are where it's at!!

Terrific guide to a new way to save for college.
Highly recommended. This is the first comprehensive analysis that I've seen of an extremely important and relatively new way to save on a tax-deferred basis for your children's or grandchildren's college expenses. It's well-written, comprehensive, and objective, and it gave me enough data to make an informed decision. Before I opened the book, I had researched New York's plan through another source; I was delighted to see the discussion in this book present all of the plan's features (pro and con) that I had discovered--and more.

I haven't met the author (Joseph Hurley). But when I e-mailed a question to him at the address published in the book, I received a thorough and helpful answer later the same day. That's great service from the author of an exceptionally valuable guide. ... Read more

Book Description

Comprehensive directory to more than $5 billion in aid—more than 1.6 million awards available from private sources, including foundations, corporations, religious organizations, civic organizations, and more with details on eligibility requirements, application procedures and contact names and addresses. The guide also contains a Quick Reference Chart of awards that offer the highest dollar amount, an easy-to-use index organized by sponsor name and advice on dealing with scholarship scams. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

this book is a time-sucker
This book would have been much better as a pay-to-search web site, or a searchable CD-ROM. Here's how to book is set up: half is by subject you will be studying, and half is by other criteria, such as ethnic background, religious affiliation, state of residence, etc. Since I have a major that doesn't translate exactly to a subject area, I had to wade through most of the first half of the book. Also I've been wading through most of the second half of the book as well. This book is nearly 800 pages, and I'm on page 600, and I've located MAYBE seven scholarships for which to apply. The biggest problem is that I'm going into a grad program, and a great many of these scholarships don't cover me. Another problem is that I'm not a minority, a third is that I have no military affiliation and a fourth is that many of the scholarships NOT in the state-specific category are indeed state-specific, or worse.

This seems even more problematic than it sounds. For example, I would find scholarships for the subject I will be studying, BUT wouldn't qualify because of ethnic, residence, or military reasons. ugh!

Had this book been an online database or something, I'd have vastly cut my search time. I'd check off grad school, non-minority, non-military and specified my state of residence, and I would have had a mere fraction of potential scholarships to sift through.

On the flip side, this book does have a few scholarships that the free online search engines didn't have, so it's not entirely worthless.

Probably five stars if you are an undergraduate minority, though.

From A Teacher
I recommed that you read this book to get the full sweep of freebees, and be sure you also check out West Point (which is the best kept secret in full scholarship educations where you also legally get paid) by reading "West Point: Character Leadership Education: Thomas Jefferson" by Norman Thomas Remick and, essentially, by Thomas Jefferson, one of the greatest educational philosophers the world has ever known. ... Read more

Book Description

Are you ready for your next research project? Really ready? In today’s increasingly technological world, it's becoming harder to find the information you want. Do you have the skills and strategies you’ll need to get the job done?

With his concise, understandable, witty manner, librarian William Badke shows you that research doesn’t have to be painful. You’ll learn the skills that are essential to the success of any research project so that you can take control of the research process and make it work for you.Research Strategies is as friendly as a puppy, as informative as your friend's diary, and as helpful as a personal valet. Don't go to a library without it! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Fog is Lifting
As an academic librarian, I found this book to be incredibly useful. It is well-written, easy to read, and covers a hosts of topics for the average library user. This volume will be extremely useful during library orientation for new students. As libraries are experiencing the information revolution, research strategies and resources are changing drastically. Mr. Badke has done a superb job of guiding patrons through new and uncharted territory. ... Read more

Book Description

With access to higher education more important than ever, low-income students of all racial and ethnic groups continue to lag in participation. What can be done to ensure that more low-income students have adequate financial aid to attend college? That disadvantaged students are academically prepared for college and can persist to graduation? That selective universities are open to students of all economic backgrounds? As Congress prepares to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, a group of widely respected scholars proposes a number of provocative ideas in this volume.

Chapters include "Low-Income Students and the Affordability of Higher Education," by Lawrence Gladieux, a former official with the College Board; "Improving the Academic Preparation and Performance of Low-Income Students in Higher Education," by P. Michael Timpane of the Aspen Institute and Arthur M. Hauptman, a higher education consultant; and "Socioeconomic Status, Race/Ethnicity and Selective College Admissions," by Anthony P. Carnevale of the Educational Testing Service and Stephen J. Rose of ORC Macro International. The volume also includes an appendix, "Pell Grant Recipients in Selective Colleges and Universities," by Donald Heller of Pennsylvania State University. ... Read more

Book Description

Demystifies the scholarship selection process

Write winning essays and get financial aid

Need money for college? This simple, straightforward guide shows you how to find scholarships, grants, and other "free money" to use toward your college expenses. You get expert advice on applying for federal grants, participating in state tuition plans, competing for scholarships from private organizations, and more – with tips on avoiding scams, completing your applications on time, and finding financial aid from unlikely sources.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Book Description

A fact-filled directory of awards available for both male and female athletes at more than 1,500 four-year colleges and universities. Learn what it really takes to earn an athletic scholarship. Whether you’re interested in Division I, II, III, or NAIA, this directory provides you with the resources to get the money you deserve while playing the sport you love. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good Introduction, Outdated Scholarship Information
This guide has great introductory information for athletes who are not NCAA Division I/II scholarship material, but could easily win scholarships at the Division III or NAIA schools. But, don't let the book's publication date fool you... the information in this book is outdated from 1998-99. The listings include had outdated contact information and has sports that have long ago been dropped from intercollegiate competition to "club" status. With the changes in the college sports scene brought on by the gender equity rules, the men's sports programs listed in this book include more sports than are actually at most colleges. Conversely, the women's sports programs listed here show fewer programs than are now available. This book is outdated terribly and misleads readers about what sports programs are at which schools and where the scholarship monies are currently.

A "Howto" book without the "to"!
A very good uptodate book listing schools that give athletic scholarships for major and minor sports. This compilation is upto date and seemingly very complete. It is a invaluable tool for writing schools and inquiring about sport scholarships. HOWEVER, the schools do not have the addresses listed, only the name and city with a zipcode. This is highly disappointing. It tells you how but not to...lame. Would probably try a less complete book with the address of athletic department and just supplement the schools I could not find. A great resource tool made into mediocre.

Free Information!
This type of scholarship book is Free for everyone at your local library! The 800 or more pages is mostly a listing of colleges addresses and phone numbers. All high school counselors will have a book similar to this in their office. Its good information to have, but you can get it for free! ... Read more

Book Description

A PROFESSIONAL GUIDE TO PLANNING FOR COLLEGE FUNDING

A properly designed college savings plan is key to providing a college education as well as the best way to avoid any surprises. Yet many parents fail to realize how much time, money, and commitment are needed to accomplish this goal. As an advisor, you must guide your clients through this process with poise and confidence, and J.K. Lasser Pro New Strategies for College Funding: An Advisor’s Guide with its companion CD-ROM will help you do just that.

Filled with expert advice, real-world case studies, and invaluable tools, techniques, worksheets, and checklists, this comprehensive guide will allow you to connect with your clients and plan for their children’s college education in the best way possible.

Organized into three complementary sections, J.K. Lasser Pro New Strategies for College Funding will help you:

• Quantify the college problem for your clients and communicate effectively and motivationally to each of them by using tools such as The College Savings Calculator™, The Financial Aid Test™, and The College Funding Integrator™, as well as spreadsheets that allow you to calculate exactly what clients need to save on a monthly basis
• Choose the tools you need to implement the plan–Coverdell Education Savings Account (formerly the Education IRA), Qualified Tuition Savings, Prepaid Tuition Plans, Savings Bonds, and much more–while balancing income tax strategies, financial aid strategies, and control of money issues
• Put the plan together and build in appropriate exit strategies to give your plan the flexibility it needs

And this is just a sampling of the expertise this book provides. Pick up J.K. Lasser Pro New Strategies for College Funding and find out how to create and implement a successful college savings plan that is right for each of your clients’ personal needs and goals.

Please visit our Web site at www.jklasser.com ... Read more

Book Description

The Financial Aid Answer Book provides Hispanic parents and students with "must have" financial aid content about all forms of postsecondary education. It is adapted to suit the needs of the Hispanic market and shifts the emphasis from savings plans and focuses on the ins and outs of federal aid and financial aid.In addition to up-to-date information about the financial aid process, FAAB includes "insider advice" from financial aid experts. The book covers general information about loans, grants, and scholarships. ... Read more