Masters Degree

20 Incredible Sites for Tips on Paying Off Student Loans

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:27:53 +0000

It is no secret that getting a master’s degree is no easy task. Many students at all levels often encounter massive expenses with limited time and means to accommodate them all. There are several ways to reduce the cost of earning a degree, and one of the most common is by taking out a student loan. On graduation or even if a student drops out, the loan needs to be repaid, which can take many years and cost hundreds of dollars a month.

For those who are in or are approaching their student loan deadlines, there is no cause for alarm. There are many ways to repay a loan that cost nothing or next to nothing. To help connect you with even more resources, we have gathered 20 incredible sites for tips on paying off student loans below. They include guides for everything from which student loan to choose to how to live your best life even in the midst of student debt.

Incredible Sites for Paying Off Student Loans

Stafford Loan
These student loans are supported by federal money and can offer great rates and terms. Those who already have student loans can also look into their Student Loan Consolidation plan to help pay off existing ones. They also have loans for private students, graduate students, and even parents.
Perkins Loan
Students who come from low income families can qualify for these government backed loans. They also include many options for those who have trouble paying off loans. You can even apply for their $50,000 scholarship while you are having a look.
PLUS Loan
If your parents are part of your plan to pay off student loans, stop here. The PLUS loan is specifically targeted to help parents help their children pay for a higher education. There are also answers to many common questions, such as interest rates and comparison, on their site.
Tax Deduction
Did you know that just about every student loan qualifies as a tax deduction? It is found on the common 1040 or 1040A form, so you don’t even have to itemize deductions to get a credit, which can help pay off your student loans. William Perez of About.com has more on how to specifically do this.
Student Loan Borrower Assistance
Need the latest information on paying off a student loan? Then stop by this site for the latest updates on student loans. Hot topics currently include bankruptcy, consolidation, and public service forgiveness.
Loan Consolidation
Have several loans you need to pay off? Check out the benefits of consolidation here. The official site for the federal government shows you the three essential steps to applying for and receiving loan consolidations.
Student Loan Consolidator
If you need just the facts, stop here. Simply scrolling down can tell you what the savings will be after consolidation on any loan from $30,000 to $100,000. There are resources for both federal and private student loans.
Sallie Mae
They have been billed as the Fannie and Freddie of student loans. They have tons of options for those looking for a student loan and even credit card and banking options. There is also help for after graduation and even saving plans.
Fin Aid
This is one of the largest private sites on financial aid for students. With a special section for loans, you can get the low down on everything from federal to private loans. Be sure and scroll down to check out the latest facts and figures for students and loans.
Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that in some cases student loans can be forgiven? Those who choose to do volunteer work can receive loads on stipends and other forgiveness resources. Other options include military service, teaching, legal, and medical studies.

Incredible Sites for Tips on Paying Off Student Loans

Studenomics
Their tagline is “kill debt, have more money now, enjoy life.” The blog is full of tips for doing just that, including a special section on reducing debt. Articles of interest include “10 Ways to Speed up the Repayment of Your Student Loan” and “Debt Consolidation Services – What You Need to Ask.”
Student Loan Blog
Getting and paying off student loans is the focus of this blog. In addition to many posts, they also have resources on loans and scholarships, as well as career success. Be sure not to miss their videos and reviews with more.
Poorer Than You
Stop here for money issues for college students and twenty-something’s without being boring. Topics range on everything from being frugal to student loans. A recent entry was a guide on how to rebuild your credit.
Thousandaire
Kevin McKee used to be a struggling student with loan troubles. He now offers this blog with tons of tips for young people on how to manage their finances. Most popular posts include “Don’t Pay Off Your Student Loans” and “How to Interview When You Don’t Have Experience.”
Life After College
Jenny Blake urges her readers to live big after college. Her blog helps them do just that with this special section for money. There are also tips for career, goals, relationships, and happiness.
Spilling Buckets
Ryan and Leslie started out their lives together with some serious student debt. Their blog shows how they are paying it down, in addition to accomplishing goals such as establishing an emergency fund, getting married, and buying a house. Best of all, the stories of how they did it are all contained on the blog.
The Student Loan Down
Get a blog about financing college and managing debt from the experts at Wells Fargo here. They take on everything from different kinds of loans to life insurance. There is even a section where you can send in a question to one of their professionals.
Money Smart Kids
At first glance, this blog may seem like a choice for parents who give their kids allowances. However, Janet Bodnar of Kiplinger does a professional job of teaching young people about money, even those who are in college. Recent articles include “How to Limit Student Loan Debt” and “What College Students Need to Know About Money.”
Student Loan Library
Still can’t find what you’re looking for in the above? Then stop by this virtual, online library with every student loan topic imaginable. You can research the newest developments or check out popular items such as financial aid and loans with bad credit.
Mint
Unlike the above, this is an online tool for those who need help managing money, such as students trying to pay off loans. The site pulls all your financial accounts into one place, allowing you to set a budget, track goals, and more at no cost. There are even free mobile apps here.

Although the above 20 incredible sites for tips on paying off student loans are useful, use caution whenever making major financial decisions, such as taking out loans or consolidating debt. You should also be aware of the various financial aid and scholarship scams out there.

25 Most Sought After Masters Degrees

admin — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:56:37 +0000

Whether you want to enter the workforce at an advanced level or are looking to build on a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree can open the doors for both opportunity and pay in a big way. But with hours of studying time and thousands of tuition dollars at stake, it can be difficult to choose a master’s degree that’s right for you. There are many reasons to get one, but there are even more individual master’s degrees to choose from.

To help give you a better understanding of what is out there, we have gathered the 25 most sought after master’s degrees, including the well-known and more uncommon choices. With both options for earning an online master’s degree or more traditional one, they are sure to help narrow down the choices in what you should look for.

Popular Most Sought After Masters Degrees

Master of Business Administration
The MBA is one of the most popular and sought after degrees and has only grown in popularity. Students learn the theory and application of business and management principles along with the knowledge that can be applied to a variety of real world business situations. In fact, the MBA is so popular it comes in a variety of sub-categories including entrepreneurship, global management, and human resources.
Master’s in Computer Science
These are the students that can make the iPad a thing of the caveman. Named “best high tech master’s degree” by Forbes.com, they report that enrollment rates are rising. The video has more on who studies, what kind of jobs they can get, and what they pay.
Master’s in Civil Engineering
A long respected master’s degree, engineering has always been a sought after choice, especially civil engineering. Jobs taken after graduation include project engineer, structural engineer, and many others. It was even listed as one of Forbes best paying master’s degrees, with an average median salary of $98,700 per year.
Master of Arts in Education
An MEd is a popular degree and practically a must for teachers. However, many to choose a master’s in arts in teaching or education to give them an artistic background while studying education. There is even this special blog for the degree over at USC.
Master of Public Administration
The MPA is a professional degree that can lead to a career in nonprofits, government agencies, social enterprises, private businesses, financial institutions, and more. Coursework is in between the MBA and a Master of Public Policy, which also makes it a sought after degree. The blogger at Find What Works has more.
Master of Information Technology
With everything and everyone needing IT at some level, it is no surprise that this is one of the most sought after master degrees. Topics of study include programming languages, networks, software engineering, and many others. The degree also often qualifies students to take and earn popular certifications in information technology.
Human Resources Master’s Degree
This degree is similar to the one above in that just about every company requires some form of HR. Various jobs can be taken with this master’s degree including payroll supervisor, counselor, director, and even executive. The Human Resource Blog also has more on the degree and profession.
Masters in Finance
Learn all about the bears and the bulls in this degree. Financial analyst, business analyst, portfolio manager, and many other related careers are available with this degree. It is such a popular master’s degree, there is this site entirely devoted to it and all the schools available.
Masters in Physical Therapy
If looking to become an official physical therapist, the master’s degree is usually the way to go. There are many certified schools out there offering degrees all over the nation. There are also special programs for those looking to become physical therapy assistants.
Master of Pharmacology
Want to work in a pharmaceutical capacity? Then this master’s degree is a requirement to become a licensed and practicing pharmacist. Because so many pharma students asked, the blogger at The Angriest Pharmacist wrote this post all about the education.
Masters in Veterinary Medicine
This degree is for those interested in treating and caring for animals. Veterinarians can have all sorts of education from an associate’s degree right up to a doctorate. The About.com expert in Veterinary Medicine has this list of vet schools and universities that is full of information.
Masters in Psychology
Be the kind of doctor that has a couch in their office with this degree. Entry level positions in the field include counselors and social workers, which can be held with a master’s. Kendra Cherry of About.com has more on the career and the field.

Uncommon Most Sought After Masters Degrees

Master’s in Physician Assistant
Want to work in a doctoral setting without the M.D. degree or medical school, residency, etc. that follows? Then see why this is one of the most sought after master’s degrees. It allows graduates to work as a physician’s assistant, often doing similar work to a doctor.
Master’s in Math
If your favorite subject in school was mathematics, why not choose a master’s degree on the subject? In addition to teaching, graduates with a mathematics degree can also become actuaries and statisticians. According to Payscale, the average annual salary is from $47,000 to $137,000 per year.
Master of Public Health
If looking to work in an administrative capacity in the healthcare field, this degree will be one of the choices. Possible positions include health management analyst, director of programs and services, and even research scientist. The master’s degree is often the standard in public health and this site has more on the topic.
Master’s in Physics
Gravity, force, and much more take center stage in this degree. The fact that the career prospects are so intriguing also makes this one of the most sought after degrees. According to the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, the median annual earnings of physicists are $102,890 in the United States.
Master in Economics
This degree is an option for those studying for a master’s in finance or MBA who want to focus on the economy. Careers include many positions that can often include predicting and forecasting on the economy. The MBA Podcaster even has a special episode on the difference between the three degrees.
Master’s in Geology
If you really love rocks, earthquakes, and related scientific areas, this is the master’s degree you should seek. Geologists study the earth, the materials you can gather from it, and the future of our planet. Also making the Forbes list of best master’s degrees, the average annual salary for geologists is $90,100.
Master in Criminal Justice
Want to work in the legal arena but not as a lawyer? Then learn more about this master’s degree. Careers can be sought in corrections, homeland security, forensics, and much more.
Master’s Nursing Programs
Many think you just need an associate or specialty degree to become a nurse. While this holds true for most RN’s, many continue on to get a master’s degree in nursing, which prepares them for advanced practice nursing. The AACN has more on the degree here.
Master in Biomedical Science
Biology and medicine combine on this degree. Biomedicine draws from the fields of both human veterinary medicines to come up with new innovations in health. It differs from traditional medicine in that it looks at it as a whole along with its practical applications.
Masters in Accounting
This is another degree that can have graduates working for a variety of employers, as everyone needs accountants. A master’s degree is usually the preface to getting an accounting certification. It was even named one of the best careers by U.S. News.
Master’s in Kinesiology
This degree prepares students to become professional trainers, coaches, and related work. Graduates can go on to become individual or team trainers. Josh Leeger recently earned his and blogs all about it.
Masters in Toxicology
If ready to take your love of forensics to the career level, check out this master’s degree. It is the study of chemicals that can be harmful to people. The Society of Toxicology reports that the most common degree for toxicologists is the master’s, with 73 percent of graduates entering the workforce.
Master in Dental Hygiene
The dentist may not be the only one in the exam room with a graduate degree. Many dental hygienists often seek a degree at the master level. The American Dental Hygienists Association has more, including which programs they approve of.

And the above 25 most sought after master’s degrees are just a few of the choices out there. When narrowing down the choices of what you want, it is important to beware of diploma mills and avoid financial scams.