May 1st Deadline - College Decisions Due

If you are planning to attend college this Fall then you know that May 1st is the big day in the college admissions process. Students must decide within the next few days whether to accept or reject an offer of admission and what college they will be attending. Maybe you got into your first-choice college and have no decision to make at all and already have started packing your bags. But, maybe your college choice is a little tougher than that. You could have been wait listed, received more than one acceptance letter or didn't get the scholarship you had hoped for to help pay for the private university tuition. Or maybe, like so many others, you just don't know what school you should choose.

This decision is a difficult one for many. The next four years are an investment in your future and how do you know if you are making the right choice. Should you go where you feel most comfortable? Should you choose the school where your friends are going? Should you choose your parents alma mater? Below are some factors you should consider when deciding if a school is a good fit for you. Take a look at these characteristics in order of importance to you and see how well each college matches up to each other:

* Academic
o Take a look at the professors at the school, their research, awards and backgrounds
o Review the course catalog online to get an idea of the types of courses and major programs offered and if they match your academic pursuits
o Sit in on classes - how big or small are they and do they teachers know the students on a first name basis?
o Talk to alumni regarding life after graduation - did they feel prepared in their chosen careers?

* Social
o Go visit the school in-person if you have not done so already - some schools will even let you stay overnight or for the weekend with another student. Can you picture yourself there - do you and the school click?
o Meet the current students to get a real sense of the school - where are they from and what are their backgrounds?
o Look at the extracurricular activities, sports, Greek life - does this school offer everything you are interested in?
o Look at the school's Facebook or twitter pages, read the college newspaper online - see what the admissions counselors aren't telling you

*Financial
o Can you, or your parents, really afford this school?
o Review not only the tuition, but the costs for housing, meal plans and transportation. Will you need to fly, take the train/bus or drive home on breaks?
o Compare the financial aid packages, scholarships, loans, gifts, grants and any work-study opportunities

This week you'll make one of the biggest decisions of your life. If you still have questions, talk to your guidance counselor, a favorite teacher or your parents who know you both academically and personally. They might be able to help you evaluate the pros and cons. This decision is a personal one and the final choice should be made yours, but it never hurts to ask for advice from people who know you well and care about your future.

Return to School Grant - A New Hope For Moms

A lot of women give up their education when they become pregnant. Most of the time, these women may not have the chance to go back to school simply because the money allotted for their education is already spent on their child. However, with President Barrack Obama's Return To School Grant, there is a new hope for these single mothers, working mothers and all other mothers to continue their education.

Financial Assistance

Also known as the Federal Pell grant, this scholarship offers financial assistance for any mother who wishes to go back to school but does not have the capacity to pay for the fees. As long as the mother is within the suitable bracket of having a low income, then she is eligible to apply and finally be granted of the scholarship. As soon as the mother is granted with the scholarship, she can then pay for a college degree in almost 5,400 accredited institutions, colleges and universities in the United States.

Factors Considered

The Return To School grant has its own set of prerequisites and factors for mothers to be accepted as candidates. Things such as their EFC or expected family contribution and the cost of their college degree in their chosen institution or university greatly matter in evaluating all the applicants. Moreover, it would also matter if the applicant would be studying part time or full time or if she would be attending the college for one whole academic year or not.

This kind of scholarship is definitely one step closer into fulfilling the dreams of mothers who have given up much of themselves simply to take care of their children. With such a grant which promises a lot to these women, they may finally have the chance to pursue their academic dreams and build a better life for herself and her family.

Merritt College Offers Complete Online Courses

Brief History

Initially the college was opened as a general campus back in the year 1954 and named as the Merritt School of Business. Present Laney College also functioned alongside with the name of Oakland Junior College. It started functioning as the Merritt College from 1971 in the present campus.

Campus

Original campus of the college was at Grove Street of University High School during 1923-43 at 5714 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. It shifted to the present campus in the year 1971 after a bond was issued establishing a new downtown Oakland campus building for Laney College and founding of College of Alameda.

Programs Offered

Occupational programs like nursing and other health professions are offered by the college. Community social services, substance abuse counseling, computer information, landscape horticulture, environmental hazardous materials technology, environmental management, restoration technology, and paralegal studies are also offered. One year Microscopy certificate is one of the novelties among the programs.

Special Programs

Instructional programs offered include allied health, insurance, communication, radiological science, real estate and legal administration. Degrees offered include Associate Degree in Nursing; Associate of Arts in Child Development; and Associate of Science in Radiological Science. However, the highlight is the online education and completion of courses online with only occasional academic meeting.

Admission

The college is open to all students that have completed diploma from secondary schools or equivalents. Applications can be filed online or by FAX and telephone. An assessment test is mandatory. Orientation can be scheduled with the help of a college counselor. Dual credit and career placements are the accepted credits for admission.

Accreditation

Merritt College has been accredited by the Commission for Community and Junior College of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Financial Aid and Student Support

Merritt College offers multiple financial aids for eligible students using FAFSA. One can visit the state university website for details of the aids, scholarships and loan facilities provided. College provides remedial services, PT cost defraying employment, academic and career counseling, on campus day care and career placement as student services

The Secret to Scholarship Success

With rising college costs, continuing inflation, and narrowing job markets; students all over the U.S. are seeking a variety of options for college financing. In many cases, the attainment of a scholarship is the difference in whether a student attends college or not. Scholarships are available from many sources,
but knowing how to qualify and be selected as the recipient of a specific scholarship is the big question
for most students and parents.

The key to winning college scholarships is through proper planning and taking the appropriate actions
at the right time. Some tips for being successful are as follows:

Start Early to ready yourself. Building academic and personal credentials takes time. Transcripts
reveal academic achievements from the 9th to the l2th grades, so the 9th grade is a good starting
point for high grades and test-taking success. Yet, acquiring a foundation for learning begins
earlier in elementary school. The higher the G.P.A. and the higher the SAT/ACT scores the
better your chances for scholarships.

Get Involvedin school and community activities. Good grades are important, but college and
scholarship committees have many applicants with outstanding G.P.A.'s and test scores. Leadership,
involvement, and community service show a student's potential, diversity, and concern for others.

Find Scholarship Sources. Securing sources for scholarships is much easier today because of computer technology. Go to college web sites, on-line web sites, high school guidance offices, college financial aid offices or libraries. These sources are readily available at no cost. However, sources are just sources. A source is only as good as the person using it. Seek professional guidance help, if needed.

Showcase Yourself with a Resume. Resumes show your personal credentials, academic achievements, honors and awards, school activities, community service, leadership, special skills, and career objectives.A well-balanced and eye-appealing resume catches the attention of scholarship committees and gets you invited to interviews.

Let Your Application Show the Best of You. Follow directions exactly, complete the application fully,
adhere to proper grammar and spelling, and show extreme concern for neatness. Applications can have
a positive impact.

Reference Letters are a vital part of scholarship success. Notice that scholarships usually require
references. Remember that you determine the content of your reference letters. Your character,
manners, and reputation allow a person writing the reference letter to acknowledge your strengths
to scholarship committees. Also, your selection of people who write the letters is as important as the
reference letters.

College Essays are often the winning edge of a college application or scholarship competition. Essays give you a chance to shine and let you introduce yourself to decision-making committees. A great essay gets the attention of the reader and leaves a lasting impression of you.

Remember that it takes time and hard work to secure scholarships. Finding scholarship money and
keeping yourself out of debt is well worth your time and energy.

If You Want College Scholarships, Apply Early And Often

Traditionally speaking, school starts in late August or early September, but with colleges these days, students are starting almost any time. For students who are preparing for next semester at college or for those high school seniors looking to be in college within the next year, the writing on the wall is: Apply Early and Often.

As an example of a California high school who advocates doing exactly that, the Poway Unified School District was awarded a total of $13.7 million in scholarships this year, and the graduates from Westview High School were awarded $7 million of that. The graduating class was only 527 students strong.

With the cost of college rising every year, students need to pay more attention to getting those college scholarship applications filled out. It is getting to the point where very few students can get through college without some type of student loan of financial support, and without any scholarships, it is money that needs to be paid back, and will put a severe dent in the family finances or the student's budget after graduation, even with tremendously attractive interest rates on federal student loans.

According to various studies, the cost of average tuition and associated fees increased approximately 6% over the past year. Currently, that means that the average annual cost (that means every year) is almost $13,000 for students who are enrolled at four year public colleges, and over $22,000 for the equivalent four year private colleges. By comparison, the cost of attending a college like Stanford or Harvard is almost $50,000 per year.

The number and variety of scholarships available today is almost staggering. But even more staggering is the fact that across the country, a good number of scholarships actually go unawarded each year, simply because nobody applied for them!

There are several options for those in financial need, which include the federal Pell Grants, but many universities, corporations and various organizations also offer merit or academic based scholarships. The amount of each scholarship varies widely also, such as $150 scholarship from the local bicycle shop to a $10,000 scholarship from a corporation such as Nordstrom's or Macy's.

Some students think that they should only apply for the big-ticket scholarships, but that is simply untrue. Any student can apply for and be awarded many scholarships. If a student is awarded 10 $500 scholarships, is that any worse than being awarded a single $5000 scholarship? No, it is almost exactly the same.

Last year, a Florida high school senior spent almost every waking hour over the course of two months completing scholarship forms for any scholarship he could find and meet the eligibility requirements for. By the time he started college that fall, he had been awarded over 36 different scholarships, which covered more than 90% of his total college costs, including tuition, books, and housing.

It is important to note that not all scholarships require you to have a financial need or an exceptionally high grade point average. While it is certainly important to read the eligibility requirements before completing the application, there are many scholarships available to just about anyone.

The bottom line is to apply early and often! Fill out as many college scholarship applications as you can find, and when you've done that, find some more. The cost of college is certainly not decreasing, and you will need the financial help, and hopefully be able to graduate from college being debt-free!

Doctor's Hoods

The doctor's hood is not with rank the sort of velvet colors listed on the top, the correct velvet color for all PhD hoods is dark blue, in place of the mastery of the order of scholarship attested to by the giving of the Ph.D. On the other hand, the correct velvet color for all non-PhD doctorate holders would be that of their exacting field. To income that while a Doctor of Education would get light blue velvet, but a PhD in English would receive the dark blue velvet. Similarly a non-PhD Doctor of Science would receive Gold velvet, but a PhD in Science would receive the dark Blue Velvet. A non-PhD Doctor of Engineering would get Orange Velvet, but a PhD in Engineering would each get the dark blue velvet.

To avoid confusion, it is very main, therefore for all doctors the order of academic hoods must be clearly state whether they are a PhD and would be receiving the dark blue velvet regardless of their field. For that reason, we offer the choice of new piping on our PhD gowns and hoods as a stoles for graduation, for example light blue piping for a PhD in education; scarlet piping for a PhD in divinity.

Doctoral tams are obtainable in your option of four, six, or eight corners and in your pick of either a gold silky or gold metallic jumbo doctoral tassels. We keep doctoral tams in stock in customary black velvet, and can also create them in your choice of colors such as Red or Blue. Most faculty members choose six or eight sided tams for the faculty regalia.

In addition to your doctoral gown, most people will need to purchase a doctoral hood. Luxurious doctoral and PhD hoods are obtainable with or without piping. If your doctoral gown has piping, then you will almost certainly wish to order matching piping for your hood. The satin lining of your hood normally represents your school's colors.

Though not generally required, most faculty members who have doctoral degrees choose to purchase tams to differentiate themselves from students and non-doctors who normally wear mortarboards. If you do not wish to purchase a tam, then we will be happy to send you a mortarboard as a stole for graduation.

In recent universities, the idiosyncratic mark of a degree is the hood, which in its initial form was simply an article of clothing. Because the churches and sermon halls of European universities were cold, drafty places, scholars wore hoods as head coverings, attached to a cape or worn unconnectedly. The college colors make up the lining and the trim color vary depending on the field of study. The hood supposed to be placed so that it drapes off your shoulders and over the back of your gown. The border trim should be positioned on the outside of the hood. Be sure the hood lining is showing.

Summer Scholarship Programs

Home schooled children have the best of both worlds - they can attend summer high school programs abroad or locally, whether they are home schooled full-time or not. Cities across the country are now offering summer scholarship programs for high school students and graduates. Students are eligible for funding while completing their courses at home, as well as after they receive their diplomas. Additionally, home schooled students have the flexibility to extend their summer high school programs abroad, because they are not encumbered by specific school calendar. For instance, knowledge of a foreign language is almost always required for most undergraduate programs, especially if you plan a career in the humanities or sciences. What better way to reinforce whatever you have learned at home in the U.S. with a trip abroad? Now, the catch is, if you are looking for scholarship money, you must be registered in a U.S. college or university, even if the courses you take will not be on U.S. soil.

For example, the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has scholarships available to graduates of its public high schools. However, this does preclude a home schooled child from applying. The funds are made available to state-run universities or the Community College of Philadelphia. The Philadelphia scholarship programs are limited to students in their freshmen year only. The grant awards are calculated after financial aid and outside scholarship money is taken into consideration. However, this does not mean that you are limited to taking a course in Philadelphia. It may be possible to qualify for free summer high school study abroad by attending a school that has an agreement with the Community College of Philadelphia.

If you live in Tallahassee, Florida, scholarship programs are available to students in grades as low as the ninth grade. CARE, (the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement), has established a summer scholarship program that helps youngsters learn about the college application process as well as ways to maximize their financial aid package. These scholarships are offered during the summer and after school. CARE begins to recruit children as early as the sixth grade. They target minority and low-income students from local public schools in Tallahassee, Florida. The scholarship program was initiated by Florida State University in 2000. If your child is home schooled, he or she may still be eligible to attend, especially if they have aspirations of attending college.

As part of their package, FSU will relax its admissions standards for low-income, first-generation students provided the student agrees to participate in the CARE program no later than the summer before entering college. The summer program lasts for seven weeks and helps students learn how to do well on the SAT and ACT exams. Part of the scholarship program includes a weeklong orientation, which is followed by a six-week residence hall experience. Upperclassmen counselors supervise the residence hall.

Similar summer high school programs abroad as well as stateside programs are now being offered all over the U.S., so if you intend to send your child or children to college in the near future, it would be quite beneficial to check into summer scholarship programs in your area or state. Remember, the application process may take a while, so it's best to search for scholarship programs at least a year ahead of time. This is true especially for children who are being home schooled.

Top 15 Strangest Scholarships

Thousands of soon-to-be students are hunting for extra financial assistance for college tuition. Without a perfect SAT score or the ability to run a sub 4.5 forty yard dash, you might find your chances of securing a scholarship aren't looking too bright. However, you might not realize that your odd talent or hobby may make you the perfect applicant for one of these 15 strange but real scholarships.

Oink, Oink

Has your room been compared to a sty? Are you comfortable living in a messy habitat? These aren't requirements for a scholarship, but they are attributes of the creatures you care about - pigs! If you're interested in creatures of the bovine persuasion, this is the scholarship for you; the International Boar Semen (IBS) Scholarship is available for those interested in swine management. For more information, visit piggene.com/IBS/ibs_home.htm.

The Next Generation of . . . Klingons

Trekkies, leave your capes, figurines, posters and other memorabilia behind. Just bring, well, yourself! Klingon Language Institute, in an effort to promote language study, awards one lucky winner a $500 Kor Memorial Scholarship-but don't worry, fluency in Klingon is not a requirement. Check out the requirements for this scholarship at: kli.org/scholarship/.

Think Tall Thoughts

You've got Michael Jordan's stature but you're about as agile as a water buffalo. That's okay with Tall Clubs International! Males over 6'2" and females above 5'8" are encouraged to apply. The reward is no small (pun intended) amount either; Tall.org awards a whopping $1,000 scholarship to the winner. Find more info at: http://www.tall.org.

Yo, Shorti!

For the vertically challenged, the Billy Barty Foundation offers scholarships to students of "short stature". Similarly, the Little People of America awards students - and their families - scholarships. To join, members must be 4'10" and shorter. Scholarship amounts range from $250 to $1000. Read all the requirements at: lpaonline.org.

More Trans fat, please!

Say goodbye to the cabbage soup, grapefruit only, or south beach diets! The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance encourages "fat" people to apply for one of their two merit-based scholarships. The scholarships, offered to already-existing NAAF members, awards $1,000 for first place, while the second place prize is $500. For more fat-friendly information regarding the scholarships, go to: naafa.org/newevents/shcolarship.html

For the Herbivores

Calling all veggie-lovers around the world! Two health-conscious winners will be awarded $5,000 in scholarship money from the Vegetarian Resource Group. But be forewarned: unless you love your legumes, this scholarship is not for you. Eligible applicants must not only exemplify a healthy lifestyle, but also promote vegetarianism within their community too. For more information visit: vrg.org.

Sk8 through School

Thanks to Tony Hawk and a few scrapes, bruises, and breaks, your skateboarding skills may have finally paid off. The Patrick Kerr Skateboard scholarship program awards four different scholarships each year. One applicant will receive a $5,000 college scholarship and three others will receive $1,000 awards. And your mother thought skateboarding would never get you anywhere! Requirements include maintaining at least a 2.5 out of 4.0 GPA, be a graduating senior, and a United States citizen. Be sure to read all the requirements skateboardscholarship.org.

Bit of the Bubbly, Please

Finally, your weakness for wine might serve another purpose-besides the pounding morning-after headache. The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (AASEV) awards multiple students for enrolling in science fields relating to the grape and wine industry. The scholarship amount is not predetermined; it varies year to year. To read other requirements for this scholarship, go to: asev.org/scholarship-program.

Bowling for Dollars

Though those middle-school years of loitering around bowling alleys have ended, your talent for earning turkeys may finally be cashing in. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) offers a range of scholarships, including the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow that offers a $1,500 renewable scholarship for distinguished male high school bowlers and the Alberta E. Crow Star of Tomorrow that also offers $1,500 in renewable scholarship funds for great female high school bowlers. Read more at: bowl.com/smart/locateState.aspx.

Got Milk?

The Scholar-Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year award is given to twenty-five graduating high school seniors who have what it takes to sport the famous milk mustache; winners receive $7,500 in scholarship funds. If that's not enough, winners receive a special ad that runs in USA Today. If that's not enough, winners receive an all-expense trip to an awards ceremony at Disney Wide World of Sports' Milk House in Orlando, FL and an induction into the Milk House Hall of Fame. Check out applications at: sammy.bodybymilk.com.

Offer an Organ

You signed up to be an organ donor when you received your license. Put that heart on your ID to use! The Students for Organ Donation Youth Leadership award one or two $500 to $1,000 scholarships to full-time high school or undergraduate college students. Successful candidates actively promote organ donation and transplantation. More criteria to apply for this scholarship can be found at: studentdonor.org.

Tee It Up

You've seen them trudging up and down the greens, toting thirty pounds of iron on their backs, and offering tips to improve swings, distance and posture. Finally, they're due their recognition; Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, founded in 1949, offers anywhere from $1,500 to $7,500 per year to caddies. Eligible applicants must have served at least two years as caddies, helpers in the pro shop or course superintendent operations at a club in Massachusetts. Read more information: ouimet.org/scholarships/

Color in the Lines

Did you meticulously color in the lines of your coloring books as a child? You may have graduated from crayons to acrylics, but the concept is the same: you're an artist at heart. Established in 1983, the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrator of the Future contest awards both quarterly and annual scholarships, ranging from $1,500 to $4,000. Read more : writersofthefuture.com

Hot, Hot, Hot

You've heard it, those three little words...in case of a fire: stop, drop and roll to safety. Earning a scholarship from the American Fire Sprinkler Association is almost just as easy; AFSA offers ten $2,000 scholarships per year to graduating high school seniors. Requirements include reading an essay and taking an online (and open-book) test. Read more about this sizzling offer on: afsascholarship.org.

Giddyup, cowboy!

The Arabian Horse Foundation offers an annual scholarship of $2,500 to one eligibly equine enthusiast. The scholarship, named in remembrance of William Zekan, is offered to horse lovers that demonstrate financial need, are currently either a high school senior or college freshman and can provide two letters of recommendation. For more eligibility criteria: arabianhorsefoundation.org.

Ways to Pay For College

Scholarships

The high cost of attending college is something that young people of every generation have to deal with. However, with the costs of college increasing exponentially every year, students without means are having a harder time getting a college education. One of the best ways to pay for college is through a scholarship. Most people are aware that colleges offer football scholarships to the most promising players, but what if you're not athletic? Don't give up hope. Academic scholarships are routinely available for those with high GPAs in high school. Also, special scholarships are normally available based on family need. Another thing to consider is an ROTC scholarship that will pay all your room, board, tuition, and books in exchange for a military commitment.

Grants

The federal government is kind enough to give money away free to students attending college. These usually come in the form of cash payments directly to the student's college. The maximum grant right now is just over $5,000 for a year, an amount that can help. Depending on where you attend college, the Pell Grant may decide whether or not you get to go to college at all. Other grants are available depending on your locality. For example, some states award profits from lottery revenue to students' tuition costs.

Loans

No one really likes the idea of amassing huge amounts of debt, but sometimes it is a necessity if you want to have a good life. While you are still in college, you don't have to pay on these loans, but once you graduate, the payments start, so you should have some plans for your post-college career. A variety of student loans are available through private sources as well as through the government.

Work

It's hard to go to college full time with holding a full time or part time job, but sometimes it's necessary if you believe in what you are doing. Granted, it's hard to pay for all of college this way, but if you can get your yearly costs paid down to $10,000 or $20,000, working a job will be a feasible way to close that remaining gap.

Government Grant Program To Aid Minority Students

African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and other promising minority students intent on pursuing the agricultural field as a career option can attain their goals with a government grant.

Sadly, many minority Americans are finding it difficult to enhance their academic potential due to financial constraints. Fortunately, the government is exerting extra effort and allocating funds to enable bright, young minority students to fulfill their dreams. One such initiative is the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program that aims to assist promising students from marginalized backgrounds excel as agri-science or agri-business specialists. This minority grant provides much-needed student financial aid to undergraduate minority students funneled through colleges and universities that offer a variety of agricultural courses. In essence, this scholarship grant provides a valuable window of opportunity to diversify the work force in the field of food & agricultural science, forestry, natural resources and other related agricultural fields. More than $900,000 has been estimated to be earmarked for 2008 to benefit minority Americans, with grant funds ranging between $20,000 to up to $80,000 to be awarded.

Aside from education assistance, a typical grant search will yield thousands of sources of non-repayable grants that are awarded for virtually any worthwhile purpose. Citizens should take advantage of these funds to improve their present situation in the areas of housing, medical assistance, transportation, employment, and so much more. Millions of dollars of grant money is left unclaimed each year since many Americans are not aware of such or have no idea where to look. The Multicultural Scholars Program though is available that will greatly benefit poverty-stricken minority undergraduates seeking well-deserved professional careers.

What Do All the ESL Acronyms Mean?

Every industry has its acronyms and Teaching English is no exception. If you are new to the world of language teaching, you may very well find these a tad confusing. Let me run through most of the acronyms you are likely to come across in ads for teachers and education articles:

ABE: Adults Basic Education (Canadian version of GED).

ACT: The ACT is America's most widely accepted college entrance exam. It assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.

CAI: Computer-Aided Instruction (like CALL but not necessarily for teaching the English language).

CALL: Computer-Assisted Language Learning (using computers to teach English).

CELTA: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (Cambridge). Very popular in Europe and accepted elsewhere as an alternative to TESOL, particularly if the school follows a British curriculum or uses British teaching materials.

Certificate IV in TESOL: This is the Australian version of the TESOL certificate. See below for the definition of TESOL.

CELTYL: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners is Cambridge's version of TEYL. See TEYL below.

COTE: Certificate for Overseas Teachers of English (British course for non-native English teachers). This has been replaced by ICELT. See below.

DELTA: A diploma program from Cambridge that takes CELTA to a deeper level.

EAL: English as an Additional Language (where people already know two or more - such as in Europe).

ECE: Early Childhood Education (You need this to work in a day-care facility).

EFL: English as a Foreign Language (People have usually had little or no exposure to English. More a European term.

ERIC: Educational Resource Information Center in the USA (great online resource for teachers).

ESL: English as a Second Language (People have usually had some exposure to English).

ELT: English Language Teaching (or Training).

ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages (usually interchangeable with ESL/EFL).

ESP: English for Special Purposes (English for New Immigrants/Survival English, Academic English, Business English, English for Accounting and Finance, Legal English, Medical English, Technical English, English for Tourism and Hospitality).

GED: General Education Diploma (High School diploma for mature students primarily in the USA).

ICELT: In-service Certificate in English Language Teaching. This is a new course offered by Cambridge ESOL to replace COTE. See above. It is for experienced teachers who perhaps do not have as much basic training as they should, want to deepen their understanding of the teaching process or who have been away from language teaching for some time.

IELTS: International English Language Testing System. This is a British-based English test used primarily for college and university entrance. It is popular in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. They are making inroads into North America. The test is receiving criticism in Canada because the British accents used in the Listening test are so different from Canadian accents. IELTS recently launched a USA site so hopefully the accent issue is being addressed and that will spill north across the border.

K-12: Kindergarten through Grade 12.

KET: This Key English Test from Cambridge is a basic English test poplar in overseas schools at junior high school level. Students will usually be at the Elementary ESL level. PET follows it. See PET below.

PET: The Preliminary English Test is a Cambridge test for ESL students at the intermediate level. Often given in schools the year following the KET.

P/SAT: PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test(TM).

RSA: Royal Society of Arts. Cambridge University took over administration of their RSA course and renamed it CELTA. See CELTA above.

SAT: Scholastic Aptitude Test. US Colleges use this as an entrance test. It tests English language skills, reasoning and math problem solving.

TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language

TEFLA: Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults

TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language

TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (usually interchangeable with ESL/EFL)

TESP: Teaching English for Special Purposes

TEYL: Teaching English to Young Learners (combines ECE and ESL). Now, Cambridge have brought out their version called CEYTL

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language (Used for university entrance for foreign students primarily in North America)

TOEIC: Test of English in International Communications (used by companies primarily to test the English of new employees)

WALL: Web-Assisted Language Learning (using the Internet to teach English)

Did I miss any? I did but I tried to give readers the main ones. If there are more you think should be added to my list, let me know and I'll add them in.

Mothers Are Getting $10,000 From the Government to Go Back to School - Qualifying is Super Easy!

Mothers are special people for everyone; and the new government of Obama is aware of that. That is why the government is providing all the necessary help to get the mothers educated to the highest level. The government has created a scholarship plan that will give large sums of money to all mothers who enroll to get higher education. Each mother who qualifies will receive ten thousand dollars as financial support.

The money should be spent on supporting oneself through the period of study. It should help pay for tuition, for accommodation, transport and anything that is required to make life easy for academic work. Because it concerns mothers, they are allowed to spend the money on the up keep of their children as they themselves are in school.

Taking care of children can be one of the many reasons why mothers will not want to leave their family for studies. Keeping this in mind, there is provision that mothers who are not willing to leave their families completely can enroll for a part-time or an online program.

The application procedure is very simple. You can apply online just as you will sign up with any service on the internet. There are no complex demands on the individual. You need to be American at least 18 years or older. That is the basic requirement. No one who applies after enrolling for a course will be denied funds from the program. If you are a mother in America, and you wish to study, this is the chance for you to get your share of government support.

Free Money for College Students

There are several ways to gain access to free money for college. Academic performance is probably the most common. Anyone thinking of entering college should check with counselors about scholarships that are based on academic accomplishments. You may be surprised that most schools offer these types of scholarships.

Parents should check with their employer to find out if they offer some time of college assistance for dependants of employees. More and more companies today are moving toward this type of benefit. Many times this not only benefits the employee but, may also encourage the young person to pursue employment with the business after graduation.

You may also want to contact a trade organization, some of these organizations will fund 100% of your school costs and provide a place of employment after you graduate. On a personal note this type of program worked great for my brother. As a matter of fact he is still employed to this day with the organization that helped him with his school expenses.

In most cases their will still be a need for more money than these programs will provide. In these cases there are stafford loans that will fill the gap. Stafford loans are low interest loans designed for students. The payments are deferred until 6 months after graduation. This allows time for you to go to work before you begin repayment.

Scholarships For Moms - Know the Procedure to Apply For Financial Aid

Scholarships for moms are great news as they can get back to college and satisfy their dreams. There are several companies offering scholarships to moms, and this is very satisfying as this seemed to be a distant past.

Moms, who had discontinued owing to various reasons such as just married or are on the family way or some other reasons such as preferring to stay single or are staying single due to recent divorce, regardless of the reasons, desiring for a college degree and pursuing a career with the support of scholarships is encouraging.

Things that seemed impossible or were quoted as unfulfilled dreams have become available due to financial aid offered targeting the benefit of moms. There are endless colleges linked with awareness projects on education, and many more projects working with the main objective of offering free scholarships to single as well as working moms. You can search the internet and if you think you deserve, do not hesitate. Applying for financial aid will assist you in fulfilling your career.

Many colleges offer extensive ranges of degree courses and programs online to facilitate moms. Online programs are very helpful as they help in studying on a schedule and attending classes at your convenience. Education offered online provides maximum flexibility for moms to stretch their time towards education and household activities without any trouble.

Working and single moms are apprehensive about their eligibility even in applying for free scholarships or financial assistance. The simple part is that this application does not demand you to be an exclusive mom to acquire a scholarship of $10,000.

The applications for mom's scholarships should include certain details such as the current working status, past working history, the school or college attended last, information about extracurricular activities, prior academic background and present financial condition. Any applicant receives grant, if they are found to be eligible.

College Aid Comes in Many Forms to Meet Many Needs

It doesn't have to cost a bundle to pursue a bachelors degree. Financial aid is available in different forms and can pay the difference between online college tuition and what individuals and families can afford. Some financial aid offerings are based on financial need, while others reward academic success or are designed to help specific demographic groups or those pursuing or furthering careers in certain fields. Financial aid for online college classes and pursuing an online degree is available in the form of loans, work study programs and scholarships, fellowships and grants. Scholarships, fellowships and grants for college specifically are near-outright gifts of money that can help make online college class enrollment and pursuing an online degree more of a reality.

The federal government is considered the largest financial aid provider. This year, the government expects to distribute more than $116 million in taxpayer money for college tuition assistance, according to the U.S. Department of Education Web site. Government assistance is offered through loans, work study programs and grants for college that are based on financial need. And this assistance can be available for telecommuting students planning to take classes that are part of recognized certificate or degree programs, a U.S. Department of Education brochure notes. Experts recommend ensuring that an institution is accredited, and many online colleges are.

Individuals interested in enrolling in online college classes and pursuing online degree programs can also look toward veterans, civic and non-profit organizations, large companies and labor unions that provide scholarships, fellowships and grants for college. A major soft drink manufacturer, through its Scholars Program, each year awards $3.4 million in academic-based stipends and scholarship grants for college to graduating high school students and those already enrolled in community college. The non-profit Ford Foundation offers academic-based graduate, dissertation and postdoctoral fellowships for those seeking to teach or research at the college level. The Los Padres Foundation helps Latinos seeking to further studies at the graduate and undergraduate levels. There are also scholarships, fellowships and grants for college for students studying biology, photography, accounting and more.

Scholarships, fellowships and grants for college have maximum per person limits and typically come with stipulations. Some Los Padres Foundation grants for college are primarily for students in the New York-New Jersey area or Puerto Rico. A Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant for college distributed by the federal government becomes a loan that must be repaid by recipients who don't fulfill teaching agreements. And grant money must often be repaid when online college students don't complete coursework.

The best way to determine government financial aid eligibility for online college classes and online degree programs is to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student (FAFSA). The form is available online, and completing it could be well worth the investment in time. The FAFSA results, delivered to applicants electronically, in addition to grant eligibility would advise applicants whether they qualify for loans and work study programs that help offset the costs of online college classes and online degree programs.

Single Mom Firestorm Chat

Single mothers listen up. Here is the same advice my daughter gets, who is a single mother. You become like the people you hang around. If they are at your same socioeconomic level you will never become an accomplished single parent unless you break the cycle. If you want to be a homeowner, hang out with homeowners. If you want to make $100,000 a year get around those people. Dump the friends that are going nowhere fast. This the first rule. You will face alienation and ridicule from the same friends that helped to influence the same behavior that got you in trouble. Break the ties for your children's' sake!

School grants for single mothers are available. Stop being the victim and be the victor. We all make mistakes, but as a single mother, you can change. It takes work and time so be patient but persistent. Find the grant money you need and determine to make the best of it. The internet is a storehouse of information, tools, and opportunity. Ditch the cell phones, pagers, and text messaging. Buy yourself a computer, get online, and make your life happen. There is simply no excuse for crying the blues day in and day out.

Change comes to those who are willing to do what it takes. An excuse is just another word for lazy. Apply for as many grants and scholarships as you can. There is someone out there to give a wanna be single mom achiever a second chance.

Scholarships for single moms are available to those who have the drive and are willing to correct their past mistakes. Before you became a single mom, you probably had all kinds of opportunities to go to school. You were eligible for grants, loans, and scholarships based on your academic achievement. Ask your parents what you were good at if you can't remember. And if they can't give you answer or you don't have that dream anymore, get a new one. Then realign your priorities. Life is a game but you must be prepared to win. Winning involves taking personal responsibility for every aspect of your life.

Financial support and assistance for single moms is designed to give you a new start. I see so many young single mothers using this resource as a reason to do nothing. You can't stay up all night, hang out with friends all day, eat lousy food, drink more than you need or heaven forbid use drugs to pass the time away.

A young single mother is an adult with responsibilities. If your environment is not causing you to stretch and grow then you're wasting your life. Get help from a mentor who is where you want to be. Ask a successful person for advice, they will show you exactly what you need to do. Ask someone who is not where you want to be and they'll offer an opinion. When you get the assistance, you need for school or housing or taking care of life's expenses treat it like you earned it and more will follow.

You don't have time to seek dating as single parent. Your time is too valuable. The person that sees you as an achiever is also an achiever. The dating will come in time. But for now focus on securing your housing, getting the assistance you need, developing your single parenting skills, becoming a successful young single mother and caring for your child. The eligible bachelors will beat the door down to get to know a woman that kind of potential.

A young single mother and the "right" friends will cheer you on, help you keep striving to finish her education, and won't belittle your situation. If this describes your friends, you are on the right path. If not, change your situation and you change your life.

Now go review the resources we've put together especially for you. There is no reason on this planet that you cannot be the person you want and need to be.

Government Student Loans - For When Your College Finances Need A Hand From Uncle Sam!

A student whose home lies within a territory of the U.S. has reason to inquire about loans provided by the territorial government.

In the United States, all government student loans are based on financial need. The student initiates his or her application for the loan by completing a FAFSA.

Any students, who hesitate to complete a FAFSA, perhaps because they fear that they would not qualify for a loan, should go online and obtain a FAFSAcaster.

Determining Eligibility for Government Student Loans

What is the FAFSAcaster? The FAFSAcaster allows a student to calculate his or her eligibility for one of the government student loans. The online FAFSAcaster offers information on the various types of academic pursuits that can be financed by government student loans.

If the information on the FAFSAcaster were to tell a student that he or she qualified for a government loan, then that student would undoubtedly want to know how to get such a loan. Other information on the same website as the FAFSAcaster lists the various sources of the government student loans.

That list of sources might cause a student to have more questions that relate to government student loans. Counselors, who can be contacted through the FAFSAcaster website, stand ready to offer students some helpful answers.

The website with the FAFSAcaster operates under the name "Knowhow2go."

Assessments That Assist Those Wanting a Government Student Loan

Any student who would like to have one of the government student loans can benefit from conducting a self-assessment. Such an assessment usually begins with a search for the answer to this question: "What is your interest?" A follow-up question to that would be this: "What is your learning style?"

Once the student has carefully assessed his or her interests, then that student can study the further questions made available on websites around the internet, designed to help students in all levels consider the advantages of government student loans. These are worth checking out.

These websites explain clearly what classes a student needs to take in high school if he or she hopes to pursue a particular career. If, for example, a young high school girl wants to become a landscape architect, she will find that she needs to take a technical drawing course in high school.

The same website can help any student select a school or group of schools that would be likely to accept their application. Some schools only accept students with a high grade point average, and students who have scored well on their college boards.

Once any student has conducted a thorough self-assessment, then that student is ready to proceed to the next step. After using the tools online a student can better go after one or more of the government student loans.

Physician Assistant Schools

Physician Assistant Schools educate the future physician assistant (PA) to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services under the supervision of a physician or surgeon. The duties of a physician assistant include taking the patient's medical history, examining and treating patients, making diagnoses, treating minor injuries, giving injections, instructing and counseling patients, ordering and interpreting laboratory tests, and performing therapies.

The traditional work setting for a physician assistant is in a primary care office, but the professional PA may find positions in other settings, as well, such as public clinics, schools, hospitals, prisons, and academic medical centers. As the population ages, and health care costs increase, physician assistants are playing an increasingly prominent role in the health care industry. The median annual income is $70,000, making it a very desirable educational path for the health care professional.

Physician assistants are licensed medical professionals, and must complete their education at a school that is accredited by the National Academy of Physician Assistants (NAPA). Training lasts at least 2 years, and 4 and 6 year programs are also available. The majority of physician assistant schools offer a Bachelor's degree as well as a Master's degree.

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant, feel free to research the many options onsite for more information.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com

Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved
Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

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Difference Between a CV and a Resume

However, a resume is more prevalent in the American culture. It is important that you know the difference between these two documents as the job market is no longer restrained within the national boundary. International job market has flourished over the years and people are taking good care while applying for the international job openings.

If you look at both the formats you will not find much difference, but a more detailed review will bring across the differentiation. Though they serve the same purpose yet they vary in length and style. A CV is a complete info of your professional career, while a resume is briefer and to the point. A resume targets the company with the main highlighting points of your career and give a more simplistic view of the applicant. A CV is more detailed and flamboyant. It will not only refer to your accomplishments, but will give detailed analysis of your experience, qualification and achievements. Such a format is quite apt for a technical or finance job or for a medical job.

A CV, as mentioned before is more prevalent in Europe and rest of the world apart from the US. You will find a CV or Curriculum Vitae for an academic position or for seeking a grant or scholarship. Hence, most applicants in the international job market have both kinds of documents and use them as per their requirement. As said before a CV is more detailed and its relevance is felt when you have to provide more detailed information on your career or rather the 'course of life'. In practice a CV can be as long eight to ten pages. The information is provided under subheadings and has different sections for each such subheading. Details like the personal profile, objectives, education, skills and competencies all are segregated separately. The career history is also included. A resume is short and brief and maintains a length of about one to two pages only. Only the information relevant for the job opening is incorporated in a resume. A resume will have much information on the personal details and can even skip the qualification portion, if the same is not applicable.

Considering the difference between a CV and a resume it can be said that you may use the best format which you think is more relevant for your job application. The discretion is entirely unto you. One can be a bit informal while writing a resume, but for a CV you need to be absolutely formal and follow the etiquettes of writing. You can use a CV or a resume based upon the region you reside, but if you have different requirement then utilize the same based on your discretion and consideration.