Archive for November, 2009

Five Tips to Help Parents Cut College Costs

Who isn’t feeling the economic crunch? College funds have dwindled, investments have taken a hit, and job layoffs continue to add to feelings of economic instability. Parents with children headed to college this year or next are wondering how to cut college costs. It has led some families to discourage their children from applying to schools they don’t feel they can afford, even with financial aid and scholarships. Paying for college is a real concern.
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Here are twelve tips to help parents cut college costs-

1. Encourage high school students to study hard and make the best grades possible in challenging classes. Students should also try to get the best SAT and ACT scores. This may require test prep or tutoring, but it is worth the money. Often times merit scholarships are based on grades and test scores.

2. Start searching for scholarships early in high school. Many are available to students from 9th through 12th grade. Look into organizations that sponsor scholarships such as Rotary Clubs and the Elks. Even if the scholarship is a small amount, it may help to pay for books and supplies. This helps cut college costs.

3. Make sure students meet all deadlines for signing up for the SAT and ACT as well as for college applications and scholarships. Don’t incur late fees or lose out altogether. Those $16 late fees add up and don’t help to cut college costs.

4. Look at schools where your student can graduate in four years. Most students take five or six years. This can add two additional years of tuition and living expenses. Schools that are committed to seeing their students graduate in four years can save you a lot of money. This may cut college costs more than anything.

5. Help students find schools that are a good match. Transferring to another school can lead to lost credits and additional expenses. Educational consultants are experts at helping students find schools that are a good fit and where they will want to spend four years. To find qualified consultants in your state, go to www.hecaonline.org.

Massage Therapy Schools and Colleges offer you

It has become well known that a career in massage therapy can be very rewarding, and with over 80 types of massage therapy techniques and careers available there may be one that is of interest to you. With the many options of massage therapy specialties like chair massage, infant massage, medical massage, sports massage, and more, opportunities for a career in this trendy field are abundant.3927463448_785c6b93b2
In recent years massage therapy has become widely recognized as a certified profession, and it is often recommended by medical professionals for a range of medical problems. There are a number of professionals including chiropractors, reflexologists, and holistic nurses that choose to obtain certification in massage to enhance the care they provide to clients. It is because of this recent recognition that there has been an increased interest and demand for massage therapists.
With over 80 different types of massage therapy more people are now using therapeutic massage as part of their healthcare regime. Massage techniques include, but are not limited to Aromatherapy, Hot Stone Massage, Prenatal Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, and Swedish massage. Massage therapy courses offer a wide variety of techniques that can be utilized in private practices, clinics, rehab centers, salons, spas, and health clubs, to name a few.