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In 2013, nearly 70 percent of graduating seniors left college with student-loan debt, debt that averaged nearly $30,000 per grad. Most young people can’t finish college without financial aid. If you are amongst those who need monetary assistance for your education, you first have to decide where to get it. Federal student loans offer an attractive option, but many students go with private college loans. Here’s what you need to know when comparing federal and private student loans.

What Is a Private College Loan?

The federal government offers regulated loans for students who need help paying for college and university tuition. Either the government or the school serves as the lender. A private college loan comes from a traditional financial institution, such as a bank or credit union. It’s not much different from a car loan or a mortgage except that you use the funds for tuition rather than a vehicle or a home. Federal student loans and private college loans share two things: both require you to pay back the loan and both allow you to defer payment until you graduate. Why, then, should you choose one over the other? Let’s touch on some deciding factors.

Interest Rates

Most students are attracted to federal student loans because of the low interest rates. Even though they have to pay back the money, they don’t have to pay much on top of the principle. Private college loans, however, sometimes charge much more in interest. Your interest rate, however, depends largely on the risk you represent to the lender. If you or your parents have excellent credit, for instance, you might qualify for a private loan rate that equals (or betters) that of a federal loan.

Information Disclosure

To receive federal student loans, you must complete the FAFSA form. This document requires lots of data about you and your parents, including your bank statements, income, tax records, and other personal information. A private college loan might not demand this level of disclosure if you have a solid credit history. This could save you time and hassle while keeping sensitive information more private.

Spending

Federal student-loan programs limit the potential uses for the money you receive. Most programs allow you to use the money to pay for on-campus housing but not an off-campus apartment, for instance. If you need to get more creative with your student loan money, a private loan might prove more practical as it allows more choice and flexibility.

Flexibility

A federal student loan will offer more flexibility in terms of repayment and deferment. In rare cases, the federal government discharges or forgives loans based on specific circumstances. Additionally, you can defer your payments for a period of time if you meet certain criteria, such as long-term unemployment, returning to school, or serving in the military. You shouldn’t count on catching any of these breaks (and remember that deferred does not mean erased) but you should be aware of them.

Neither a federal student loan nor a private college loan represents the ideal choice for every student. When deciding how to pay for college, submit applications to multiple lenders and evaluate the response of each based on your needs. Get as many viable funding options as possible and sit down with your family (and anyone else involved in your college finances) and compare the pros and cons of each offer head to head.

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Most young people entering college have little idea of how to achieve their dream jobs or even what might be available to them in terms of courses, majors, and careers. Ask any college grad and he or she will have plenty of “I wish I’d known then what I know now” advice for you, not least of which is about what he or she could have pursued in terms of a degree. The bottom line is that you have more options than you think and just because something is unusual or out there doesn’t mean that you can’t major in it and find a related job. Here are some quirky majors to help you better understand what’s available and where and what to do with it.

1 Strangest Majors

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Your parents might still picture you as their little one all dressed up as one of the then-fashionable Disney characters and toting a plastic jack-o’-lantern filled with sugary treats, but you’re in college now and you want to have age-appropriate Halloween fun. Here are some ways in which you can have fun, stay safe, enjoy treats, and avoid tricks.

Find Your Best Options

In the days leading up to Halloween, the campus organizations that host Halloween parties and events will post flyers and online notices to advertise their events. When something catches your eye, make a mental note to consider it for Halloween night. As the day gets closer, review all your options and choose one (or more!) that sound most appealing. You might want to spend Halloween with a group or organization you have joined on campus. If you’ve gone Greek, for instance, you’ll probably attend your house’s party (or a related house’s event).

Throw Your Own Party

If you want to design the festivities yourself, consider collaborating with your suite-mates and hosting your own bash. Just check with your RA and make sure to follow any rules. If you want to make fast friends and secure your status as the go-to guy or girl for parties, make your Halloween bash as unique as possible. Come up with a Halloween theme such as the zombie apocalypse or a murder-mystery game. Plan the details like food, beverages, and contests with your pals. Don’t overspend. Focus on the friends and fun rather than breaking the bank on decorations and props.

Design Your Own Costume

You can always hit the local big-box store or party shop to find a ready-made Halloween costume, but where’s the fun in that? Exercise your college-educated creativity and make your own costume. Put a twist on a traditional costume idea or come up with something that represents your personality or favorite things. If you’re feeling like you’ve been in a rut lately, consider stepping outside your comfort zone with a wacky or daring costume that shows your friends that you’re anything but predictable. And don’t be afraid to turn to current events for inspiration. Halloween 2015 is just begging for guys to put on a suit and rock the double comb-over in order to go as Donald Trump.

Stay Safe Out There

When you were little, your parents warned you about taking candy from strangers, they reminded you to stay in a group, and they urged you to come home before it got too dark. Now that you’re in college, don’t drop your guard. People can get a little crazy on Halloween so you’ll want to avoid events that look conducive to making bad decisions or are hosted by organizations or individuals with bad reputations. Stick with your friends all night and watch out for each other. Nothing ruins a fantastic Halloween night like an actual brush with danger.

Keep It Casual

If Halloween creeps up on you and you find that you don’t have any plans, you might want something low-key and easy. Consider watching horror movies in your dorm room with friends or invite your pals over to tell ghost stories or decorate Halloween cookies. You don’t have get in full-on dressed-up party mode to enjoy the spirit (ahem) of the holiday.

Remember that college is the perfect time to release your inner child on Halloween. You might not trick-or-treat around the neighborhood but college campuses offer excellent alternatives. Plus, no parents to make you pace your candy consumption.

 

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The financial decisions you make in college can impact the rest of your life. You have at least some financial independence and you’ll be creating habits that last well beyond college. If you want to start your post-graduation life on the right foot, follow these tips to help you make sound financial decisions in college.

Keep Track of Your Cash

Sign up for a bank account that offers online access, gives free checking and a debit card, offers plenty of ATMs, and doesn’t charge a lot of fine-print fees. Check your balance daily to track changes and set up account alerts so you’ll know if your balance dips below a certain threshold or if the bank notices suspicious activity. Learn to balance your checkbook, too, and do it immediately after every transaction lest you forget to enter something and find yourself overdrawn later. It’s a more active way to track your activity than just checking numbers on a computer screen and it forces you to think about every payment you make.

Start Saving Now

When you apply for a checking account at a physical bank or one that is online, open a savings account at the same time. Every month, transfer a few dollars into that account and forget about it unless you encounter an emergency. Over time, it’ll become second nature to sock away cash in preparation for the proverbial rainy day. Look into savings accounts that require no/low monthly balance and accrue some interest.

Be Honest With Yourself

If you know you’ll run up the balance on a credit card as soon as you call the number on the back to activate it, say “no” to credit until you get older. Opening a credit card and using it wisely can help you build a credit history, but not if you can’t handle the temptation that comes with “buy now, pay later.” The same goes for other financial commitments. Sure, you want a new car, but can you really afford the payments? Force yourself to wait seven days from the moment you decide you want to make a big purchase. Think about the potential fallout before you sign on any dotted lines.

Stay In/Scale Down

You’d rather hit the town with your friends than lock yourself in your dorm room to study, but if your cash situation won’t support the cost, decline the invitation. Create traditions with your college friends that don’t require anyone to spend money. Organize a movie night in your dorm rather than going to the movie theater, host a potluck rather than going out to eat, and get creative with having fun on a budget. And trust us, that $5 mocha latte tastes much better when it’s a once-a-week treat rather than a daily norm.

Look For Discounts

No matter what you buy, look for ways to save money. Can you go online to find cheaper textbooks or download a coupon for your favorite clothing store? Does that museum you want to visit over winter break offer a student discount on admission? Each time you shop the clearance rack or swipe a coupon, you put money in your wallet and set up great financial habits. Wherever you go and whatever you buy, ask if there is a student discount. Often there is but it’s not well publicized.

Seek More Financial Aid

Each time a semester ends, you can apply for new financial-aid options that might reduce your financial commitment next term. If you can avoid student loans while you gain your education, you’ll graduate with less debt and better prospects. Visit your college’s student-services office to ask for help. And remember that the better your grades, the better your chances for scholarships.

Have fun during your college years, but don’t give your bank account an unnecessary workout in the process. Instead, take time to think through spending decisions and use available resources to save money whenever possible. When in doubt, err on the side of saving and caution and always ask “Do I really need this?” before buying.

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While spring break gets most of the attention, you don’t have to spend fall break huddled up in your dorm room with your nose in a book. It’s called a study break for a reason — it’s an opportunity to clear your head, de-stress, and indulge with your friends. If you’re planning a fall-break trip, consider one of these epic destinations.

New York City

If you can’t wait to cut loose over fall break but you don’t want the complete absence of cerebral pursuits, New York City offers the perfect combination of entertainment and education. Spend your days visiting the city’s amazing museums or touring the impressive art galleries, then get dressed up at night for the theater or a few of Manhattan’s hottest clubs. Book an inexpensive hotel room and share it with a few friends. Eat great food, take long walks in Central Park, and take mad selfies in Times Square. If you get the chance, don’t forget to give Lady Liberty a wave while you take a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry.

San Francisco

If you’re stuck in a city where winter comes early every year, break out and get a dose of mild weather and spectacular scenic vistas in San Francisco. Tour the Bay Area from a cable car and take a gander at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Eat something sweet at Ghirardelli Square then walk off the calories as you tour the winding hilly streets full of fascinating history, architecture, and people.

South Padre Island

Hitting South Padre for spring break can mean expensive airfare, costly hotel rooms, traffic-clogged roads, and crowded beaches. If you visit during fall break, however, you’ll still enjoy the crystal-clear water without the extra hassle. Take a kayak out on the water or sunbathe on the sand. Every night, local bars, clubs, and other entertainment venues come alive. You’ll meet more locals than travelers, which means a more authentic experience.

Las Vegas

Even if you aren’t old enough to slide a coin into a slot machine, you can find plenty to keep you entertained in Las Vegas. The shows alone make a trip to the Strip worthwhile, especially if you love music or magic. When you need a long walk to clear your mind, the minimalist desert landscape offers the ideal retreat.

Carlsbad

For students who want a more low-key fall-break destination, Carlsbad New Mexico delivers in more ways than one. Visit the caverns themselves to explore subterranean havens that allow you to forget about the world above. The national park offers plenty of outdoorsy adventures to keep you occupied, while Sitting Bull Falls is the perfect place to meditate and relax.

No matter how you imagine your perfect fall-break escape, one of these destinations will satisfy your needs. Call your pals, book the flight, and pack your bags — school will still be there when you get back, refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the semester.

 

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If you can escape college without a War and Peace-length list of regrets, you’re luckier than most. Everybody makes mistakes in college, but you can avoid some of those errors in judgment if you take advice from people who remember their own university experiences. Here are some things we’re passing on as a result of our own — ahem — “missteps” while at university.

Not Knowing Isn’t a Bad Thing . . . But Only If You Seize the Opportunity to Learn Something

When your roommate casually mentions a term you don’t recognize or your professor makes a confusing point during a lecture, don’t just nod and smile as though you understand. Instead, ask questions or hit up a dictionary or reference website and capitalize on some new knowledge. It’s kind of why you’re in college.

Go. To. Class.

It’s really tempting to look at a syllabus, see that the professor allows three absences, and to take that as a go-ahead to miss three classes. Don’t do it just because you can. Skipping class not only means that you miss the lesson (and no, getting the notes from a friend isn’t the same as being there), it also creates and reinforces bad habits. It’s a slippery slope and pretty soon you’re missing more classes and finding yourself in danger of failing at midterm as a result of absences or being lost in the material for which you were not present.

Your Professors are More Than Just Talking Heads

A professor does more than educate and grade you in the classroom. He or she can recommend you for an internship, help you get into grad school or find a job, introduce you to influential people, and generally steer and support you. Introduce yourself to your teachers at the start of each term. Participate in discussions and visit professors when you need guidance (profs have office hours for a reason). These relationships can be the stuff of professional development and lifelong mentorships down the line.

Use Student Loans as a Last Resort

It takes time and effort to apply for scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid. However, that work pays off when you graduate without a tremendous debt hanging over your head. Many college students need student loans to pay for school but they seek other financial help first. Even if you only cut your debt by a few thousand dollars, you’ll find your first few years in the working world are easier to manage when you aren’t paying off all of that interest.

Grades Matter, So Does the Larger Experience

Looking back with as few regrets as possible is all about balance and avoiding extremes. In college, of course grades matter, but so do friendships and life skills and experiences. You’ll want to devote plenty of time and energy to your studies, but don’t miss out on things like dating, day trips to a nearby city, joining an intramural team, and exploring beyond campus. On the flip side, don’t get so into these other experiences that you neglect your studies. Find your balance and you’ll hit your sweet spot for college and looking back.

Finally, although you’ll enjoy college more if you keep the above truths in mind, you’ll still make mistakes. Embrace them, learn from them, and devote yourself to enjoying the college experience. That way, you’ll look back on your college years as both informative and gratifying.

 

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Eating well — that is, eating food that is healthy, tasty, environmentally responsible, and affordable — is a challenge anywhere, but it can be downright difficult and intimidating for college students who are limited by on-campus options, small kitchens, lack of cooking experience, and other constraints. Whether you live on campus or off, you’re actually better equipped than you might think when it comes to meeting the challenges of eating well while at college or university. Here are some facts, figures, tips, and tricks that will help you balance nutrition, flavor, and your budget.

Eating Well on a College Budget

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From worries about the so-called “freshman fifteen” to the temptation of constant parties to the stress of late-night cramming sessions, college students often fail to balance the conflicting aspects of their lives. In fact, College Parents of America reports that 85 percent of college students experience daily stress. The solution lies in maintaining a healthy balance.

Set Aside Time Just For You

Whether you read a book in a local coffee shop or take a morning jog through campus, carve time out of every day for yourself. This is particularly essential for introverted college students who crave time away from the hustle, bustle, and din of campus life. If you can’t isolate yourself physically, bring an MP3 player and a set of headphones or visit a place on campus where you don’t know anyone. It’s all about finding your spot.

Create a Circle of Friends

Finding your tribe on campus helps you integrate into the school’s culture and find like-minded peers with whom you can exchange mutual support. Make a standing date with your pals so you stay connected even when course schedules and extracurricular activities pull you in opposite directions. Maybe you’ll go dancing every Friday night or have lunch on Wednesdays, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s a beneficial active done together and with some routine.

Pay Attention to Your Diet

Resist the temptations to skip meals get by on fast-food lunches and ramen noodle snacks. Instead, actively choose healthy alternatives when possible. Go for a salad instead of pizza in the dining hall or a bag of baby carrots instead of chips with your favorite dip. You’ll have more energy and feel more confident if you eat healthfully for most of your meals. If fellow students take part in unhealthy pursuits, including drugs or alcohol, steer clear of them. You are what you put into your body. Don’t fuel yourself with junk.

Find Your Ideal Study Zone

Do you study best while alone in your dorm room or surrounded by peers in the library? Do you remember more information after a morning cram session or a late-evening date with the books? Develop consistent study habits based on your learning style and preferences. Carry study gear, such as a small notebook and a pen, so you’re ready to make and check your notes or read the material on the spot and without delay.

Drop Classes If Necessary

New college students sometimes take more classes than they can manage. If you discover you’ve loaded yourself down too much, drop a class early in the semester. You can always sign up for it again next year. This doesn’t make you weak; it shows you can recognize your limitations and that you’re smart enough to adjust.

Learn to Say No

If the other kids in your dorm want to party on the night before a big test, feel comfortable saying no. Don’t overcommit socially or take on responsibilities you can’t fulfill. If you do, you’ll drown in obligations and burn yourself out very quickly. You don’t have to make up excuses or apologize for not participating. You don’t even have to give a reason, simply politely decline. During college, you must learn to take care of yourself first, especially since your college performance can impact your professional future.

Developing a healthy life balance in college might not seem essential, but it informs your entire education experience and your adult habits going forward. Whether you’re a brand-new student or a returning campus veteran, create sustainable habits that unite work, play, and rest.

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You graduate high school, have an awesome summer, and then head off to college for four years, right? Not always. Today’s colleges host students of all ages and backgrounds. What accounts for the changing face of college and what unique challenges do these non-traditional students deal with?

College’s Shifting Demographics

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), “In recent years, the percentage increase in the number of students age 25 and over who enrolled in degree-granting institutions has been similar to the percentage increase in the number of younger students . . . Between 2000 and 2012, the enrollment of students under age 25 and the enrollment of those age 25 and over both increased by 35 percent. From 2012 to 2023, however, NCES projects the rate of increase for students under age 25 to be 12 percent, compared with 20 percent for students age 25 and over.”

In some schools, students over age 25 already dominate the classrooms. During the 2013-2014 school year, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN; Northcentral University in Prescott Valley, AZ; and Charter Oak State College in New Britain, CT all had student bodies that were mostly comprised of people over 25.

Why Is the Shape of the Campus Body Changing?

There are several factors that contribute to the rising average age of college students:

  • Online programs make it easier for adults to fit an education around their everyday schedules.
  • Many schools have affordable financing options and online resources offer deals on textbooks and other supplies.
  • A rapidly changing job market impels some professionals to look for a new career.

It isn’t just older students that benefit from a return to school. Younger students can learn from their older peers’ life experiences and professionals who go back to school represent a golden networking opportunity for their fellow learners.

Challenges for Older College Students

Whether older students enroll in college because they want a career change or because they just finished military service and are eager to embark on civilian life, they face unique challenges. The Seattle Post Intelligencer listed some of these challenges:

  • Social interaction: While it is true that students over age 25 are increasingly populating campuses nationwide, older learners may still feel a little odd when they walk into an English 101 class that is full of people who could be their children or grandchildren.
  • Academic level: Some older students, thanks to life experience or personal learning, will be steps ahead of their peers. Other older students, however, may need some extra time to get back in the groove of an academic routine.
  • Schedule: Online programs make it possible to juggle a work schedule, school schedule, and family life, but some students will take a while to adjust to a routine that includes college courses and homework.
  • Confidence: Everyone faces some jitters on the first day of school, even students who obtained their high school diplomas decades ago.

College is no longer the sole domain of people in their late teens and early 20s. Schools across the country welcome older learners as more and more people realize that it’s never too late to go back to school and it may even be necessary.

 

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Have you ever wondered which subjects are most popular in terms of undergrad degrees? How about which career fields are most closely connected to those majors? Or what starting salaries are like? How about where your own interest/major stacks up and what you can expect to do in terms of work? We’ve got the scoop on all of that and more.

Majors2