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Pay4SchoolStuff: An innovative tool for parents and schools

 

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pay 4 school stuff

As a recently empty-nested parent of three Montgomery County Public School children, Jay D. Bass, Ed.D., President Payment Partners, Inc., and his wife have written checks for many years for everything from AP tests, to trips to the Zoo.   Using their children as “fee messengers” had never been a good strategy, as attested by the innumerable lost checks and forms mysteriously “eaten by the dog.”   Writing checks in this day and age is an archaic process and a time-consuming burden on parents.  Collection of these checks (and related forms) by school administrators and affiliated organizations such as PTSAs and booster clubs, is labor-intensive and often is fraught with confusion and lack of coordination.

Clearly, based on this story and others that have (and have not yet) appeared, there is abundant opportunity for fraud, theft, and mismanagement.  Recent estimates for PTA fundraising alone indicate that over $4B changes hands in just elementary schools in the U.S.  Coupled with fees for field trips, tests, membership dues, tickets, sport apparel, and other items, industry experts estimate that between $10-12B changes hands annually within the U.S. school system. Schools such as Thomas Jefferson, which offers a full array of extra-curricular activities, probably processes over $1.5M in cash and checks annually.  That is a tremendous amount of money to be handled in such a cavalier and archaic manner.

Online payment processing systems for schools have been developed to provide a safe and convenient tool for parents to pay for school items.   These systems offer a secure environment for paying, reporting, and administering school payments.  My partner and I, also a parent of three public school children, recognized this need and recently developed an online payment system specifically for schools,

Pay4SchoolStuff.com.  To date, many local PTSAs and booster clubs have subscribed with great enthusiasm.  Why haven’t these systems been more widely adopted?  Why are schools and school systems themselves so reluctant to change?  How many more cases of theft will we read about before the benefits of online payment become obvious to everyone?

Pay4SchoolStuff offers the only comprehensive payment and management platform on the market that allows an organization to customize one payment menu for multiple school groups; eliminate all paper forms and registrations via a form creator; eliminate the need for postage; offer no-cost items to collect needed information in a multi- functional database; e-mail any account holders or create a directory in seconds; and take advantage of date, price and inventory controls. Pay4SchoolStuff is currently used by over 150,000 parents nationwide.

mom approved tips, parenting

Mom-Approved Tips: Inside the mind of a college-bound teen

 

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teen brainThe stress of the college admissions season weighs heavy on your college-bound teen. I read an old article today from a NY Times blog and I felt it was worth sharing to help you go inside the mind of a college-bound teen and see just exactly what they are feeling.

Fear

They may seem fearless at times, but as they approach the final months of high school fear sets in. One teen, Phoebe Lett, 16 talks about how she feels as a junior.

“I fear for my rapidly approaching senior year. Should I really spend nine hours a night on school work? As I rack up as many extracurriculars, community service hours and “beneficial relationships” (college-prep speak for impressive recommendations), I can’t help but think that it’s not good enough. Better grades, higher scores, more varsity letters, more leads in the play: have I been bulking up an application that perhaps doesn’t reflect who I am, but instead just represents what a college wants from me? That is my true fear.”

Pressure

The pressure they feel is of paramount proportions. This pressure will be exhibited in all kinds of emotions from tears, to anger, to denial to frustration. Robin Karlin, 17 felt the pressure of failing.

“Around the application deadline you’re studying for finals, and it’s your senior year. You already have a lot of classes and you have to write essays and you’re already stressed out thinking “what if they don’t want me?’’ And you worry what if you don’t get into any school at all? I’m not from a big city. We have pretty good schools, but I think in a bigger city with more people you have more perspective on where you stand in the nation. I’m not really sure how good I am.”

Rejection

If your student hasn’t experienced rejection, get ready. There’s a strong possibility some of the colleges they apply to won’t offer them admission. Sam Werner, 18, felt disappointment when the rejection letters started arriving.

“Everyone I had talked to, once they heard “perfect SAT,” they said, “You can get in anywhere.” That was the hardest part, having everyone tell me I would and then not getting in. It was a rough few days. The rejection letters and my parents both kept telling me it’s not a case of me not being good enough, but a case of too many qualified applicants. But it’s really hard not to feel like you got rejected….”

What is the cost?

At the end of their senior year it will all be over; but at what cost? Doctors treat teens with headaches, stomach pain, lack of sleep, depression, eating disorders and mental health issues. Some have been thinking about college since 6th grade and by the time senior year rolls around they are spent. Some kids are able to handle it, others are not so lucky.

Relieving some of the pressure

College admission is how students define their success. Years down the road, they will see that some of those rejections probably sent them into better directions. But for now, don’t add to the problem. Don’t pressure them to apply to schools that their chance of acceptance is 1%. Remind them that this is simply one step in their life and there are no failures, only successes if you try.

book reviews, giveaways

Saturday Giveaway: Getting In-The Zinch Guide to College Admissions

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This week’s giveaway is one of my favorite books on college admissions: Getting In-The Zinch Guide to College Admissions.

Getting InI’ve read plenty of books on college admissions. Some are so scholarly heavy that you need a degree to figure them out. Others are so shallow you can find most of the material in your teen’s high school handouts. Zinch’s book is neither of the above. It’s geared toward the student, but is also extremely valuable from a parent’s perspective. Zinch reminds the student that while the college process often involves the entire family, the final choice must be their own. I agree with this whole heartedly. Every parent should grasp this truth.

Since this book is jam-packed with information, it would be difficult to speak about all of it. Suffice it to say that Zinch covers EVERYTHING from beginning to end. It’s an invaluable resource to have for your student (especially at the beginning of the process), because it walks them through admissions step by step.

Following are some of the highlights (and my favorite parts):

  • The Truth About College Admissions-This chapter alone is worth the cost of the book. They debunk the myths about college, college rankings, and tell you the things colleges don’t want you to know. Superb!
  • Behind the Scenes-This chapter goes into great detail about what goes on in a college admissions office. As a parent, this chapter will be an eye opener. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on, Zinch spells it out!
  • College Input-One of the impressive components in the book is the input Zinch includes from actual specific college admissions officers. It helps you see how they think and how they view the process.
  • Social Media-Zinch recognizes the importance of social media and how it can affect the college admissions process. The book talks about your student’s online presence and reminds them that Google never forgets.
  • The Hook-This is the first book that I’ve seen that talks about “marketing” the student to the colleges. Zinch explains how important this is in order for your student to stand out.
  • The Application process-Since this is the most important part of college admissions, the book goes into specific detail about every aspect of the application with step-by-step guides and tips.
  • Three Case Studies-This is my favorite part of the book. Zinch takes three college applicants of different backgrounds and academics and presents their entire application to various colleges for review. The colleges then give their recommendations for acceptance, wait listing or rejection, giving you insight into the “whys” of the decision, along with how they came to their decision. It’s a wealth of information for both students and parents.

Wouldn’t this be a great book to add to your college collection? It’s easy to enter this giveaway. Just follow the directions below and you will be all set for a chance to win this great book.

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financial aid, Scholarship Friday

Scholarships Friday: Merit Aid

 

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merit aidFinancial aid is always on the minds of parents and students, especially when they begin to research college costs and their financial aid statistics. The terms can be a bit confusing and today I want to discuss merit aid and answer a few questions about what it is, how do you find it, and how do you apply for it.

What is merit aid?

“Merit Aid” is the general term for grants, scholarships and discounts that a college awards in the financial aid package without considering financial need. Merit aid is based on several factors: academics, athletics, special talents such as music, where the student lives or other demographic characteristics. Merit aid is different from need-based aid which is awarded based on the student’s economic situation.

How do you find merit aid?

There is more than $13 billion of merit aid available to undergraduate students. Most of that, about $11 billion, comes directly from colleges. The other $2 billion is provided by state governments. MeritAid.com lists more than 23,000 individual merit aid scholarship programs offered by more than 1,800 colleges across the country. Meritaid.com is the largest single source of information about merit-based scholarships.

You can also search on the college’s website. Colleges with merit aid may offer anywhere from a few dozen opportunities to hundreds of individual programs. Some merit awards are well known and heavily advertised while others are harder to find.

How do you apply for merit aid?

In many cases, applying to a school is enough to be considered for the many merit aid opportunities available, assuming you get in, of course. However, some colleges or scholarship programs may have special application requirements, so always check with the college if you’re not sure.

When will I know if I receive merit aid?

Once the college offers you admission, they will follow the offer with a financial aid package. The merit aid they award will be listed in the package. This offer typically comes after the acceptance letter arrives.

Almost everyone qualifies for some form of financial aid, but don’t assume you won’t qualify for merit aid. Check out MeritAid.com for a list of 5 myths about merit aid. Visit their website for the best database on merit aid scholarships.

 

college guidance, how to, Uncategorized

How to find the best college advice

 

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adviceAdvice. Everyone gives it. Most of us don’t ask for it. Sometimes we need it.

The nature of the college beast is that we all need advice. Advice from other parents. Advice from college experts. Advice from the colleges. Advice from the high school counselor. For some it’s freely given, for others it’s withheld until asked. But there’s one underlying truth—everyone needs help and direction now and then, especially when navigating the college maze. But before you set out on this adventure to find the best college advice, beware-it’s a jungle out there!

Books

I gravitate towards books; probably because I’m old fashioned. I assimilate information easier if I can read it and stew on it for a bit. Books are excellent resources for information about college. There are the “big” books that many parents use which contain all the colleges in the United States and extensive lists of scholarships. But the books that seem to help parents the most are ones written to guide them through the college process and answer all of their questions.

My advice? Check out these 10 books that I believe will help you navigate the college maze with confidence and ease.

Blogs

There are websites and there are blogs. You can’t beat blogs for some good parent to parent advice and support. Subscribe to their blog or RSS feed so you will receive an email every time they post. This is the easiest way to stay on top of recent posts.

My advice? Subscribe to these: Dr. Strange College, PocsMom, The College Solution, Smart College Visit, More than a Test Score, Perfect Score Project and Best College Fit. There are hundreds more, but these are my fav picks. I find them to be filled with information and encouragement.

Social media

Believe it or not, you can get advice on social media. With social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Google+ it’s easy to have information overload.

My advice? Follow me on Twitter and you will see I’ve made some lists of the accounts with good college advice: collegeinfo, tutoring, and scholarship info. Facebook is a good way to connect with colleges, other students and parents. Do a little research and find experts like me, University Parent, The College Solution, How to Win Scholarships and more. Pinterest is also quickly becoming another social media source for college advice. Follow me on Pinterest and you can follow my boards: college prep and scholarships. Look for colleges and follow their parent boards as well.

Websites

The world wide web is cluttered with college-related websites. Navigating them can be just a bit overwhelming. You can do Google searches and hope you find good advice and information, or you can trust the experts to steer you in the right direction.

My advice? Narrowing down the field should help a bit and keep you from pulling out your hair over hundreds of search results. Focus on a handful of websites that you consider to be most helpful.

It truly is a jungle out there, littered with all kinds of advice and opinions. Pick the ones who come recommended with an extensive network of experts who endorse them. The best way to find the best is to ask the best—it works every time.

 

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What the Affordable Care Act Means for your Student

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affordable care actThe Affordable Care Act (also known as ObamaCare) has begun to roll out in earnest. While the politics of the bill are certainly something that continue be debated, the fact is that the Act is certainly here today. If you have a student who is in college or who is going to college, you are faced with a very different health care landscape than you were looking at last year. The major differences are in the types and cost of coverage available, as well as who will pay for that coverage.

Longer Coverage

Perhaps the best-known provision of the Affordable Care Act was the increase in the length of time that a single college student could remain on his or her parents’ insurance. The new limit is 26, which is enough time for most students to finish an undergraduate degree as well as a Master’s program. This gives parents a chance to make sure that their children maintain coverage even after they head off to college, and it gives most students a better level of overall insurance coverage than they might be able to afford on their own. The coverage is not indefinite, but it does help to fill in the gaps that many experience in their 20s.

Required Care

The longer coverage period will be quite helpful, since your student will now be required to have health insurance. Many schools have already required some form of coverage for their students (the SUNY system in New York is a notable example), but the new government regulations will apply a tax penalty to adults who are not covered. It seems likely that more major universities will require some form of health care for students to attend, though this is only conjecture at this point. What is important, though, is that all students will be required to have coverage or to pay the tax penalties at the end of the year.

Continue reading What the Affordable Care Act Means for your Student →

scholarships, Sponsored posts, Uncategorized

Potential Scholarships for Engineering Students

 

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engineeringEngineering is a great college major. It is a versatile degree and that makes getting a job in a related field right out of college a lot easier. The downside is, even though engineering is a high-paying field, getting the right education is still expensive. One of the best ways to reduce expenses without giving up getting an education altogether is to apply for scholarships. Here are five scholarships for engineering students.

SMART Scholarship

Award: $25,000-41,000

Deadline: December 16

Eligibility

This scholarship is available to United States students who are at least 18 years old and pursuing further education and a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Current enrollment in a college or university and a high school diploma or GED and are required. Applicants must be available for summer internships, willing to accept a job after graduation with the Department of Defense and have at least a 3.0 GPA.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online at http://smart.asee.org/. The scholarship may cover up to 5 years of education.

Maureen L. and Howard Blitman, P.E., Scholarship

Award: $5,000

Deadline: March 1

Eligibility

This scholarship is open to high school seniors who have been accepted into an engineering education program at college or university. The program must be ABET-accredited and applicants must be legal residents of the United States. The scholarship is specifically for those of an ethnicity that is under-represented in the field of engineering. Specifically Native American, Hispanic or African-American engineering students.

How to Apply

Applications can be downloaded at http://www.nspe.org/Students/Scholarships/blitman.html and must be mailed in to the NSPE Education Foundation and received before the deadline.

Lillian Moeller Gilbreth Memorial Scholarship

Award: $10,000

Deadline: February 15

Eligibility

This scholarship is awarded by the Society of Women Engineers. Only women in their junior or senior years of pursuing a an ABET-accredited college or university education in Engineering. Applicants must be full-time students and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

How to Apply

The application must be started online at https://scholarships.swe.org/applications/login.asp. The application and the contact information for your faculty and personal references must be submitted before the applicant deadline. If FAFSA has also been filed, then the Financial Aid representative’s contact information must also be submitted by that first deadline. The deadline for the letters of recommendation is a bit later. The scholarship may be renewed once for undergraduate education only.

Continue reading Potential Scholarships for Engineering Students →

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Staying Safe While Socializing in College

 

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socializing in collegeCollege is an exciting time; it’s a time to meet new people and experience new things. However, it’s important to remain safe while socializing in college. Often, freshmen run into issues, as this is the first time that they are away from the watchful eye of their parents. By keeping their safety and health in the forefront of their mind freshmen are sure to have an enjoyable and safe first year or college.

Robberies

Depending on the campus, nighttime robberies can be a concern. This is why it’s important to travel in twos or more. Traveling in pairs is especially important for women. Sexual assaults and rapes are under reported on college campuses and are a serious threat and danger to young women and men alike. Freshmen, both male and female, should consider carrying a whistle and pepper spray with them in order to ward of attacks and be in a better position to defend themselves and reach help in a bad situation. If stuck in a dangerous situation always remember that your valuables are replaceable and to give them up without a fight.

Alcohol At College Parties

Parties that occur during high school tend to be at parents houses with a relatively small amount of alcohol available. However, on a college campus there is generally an abundant amount of alcohol and many drinks are made to hide the taste of the alcohol it contains. This is where students can get into trouble imbibing too much alcohol. In addition to these hazardous concoctions, college parties can be dangerous because they may often feature students drinking way past their limit and sometimes end up with individuals hospitalized due to alcohol poisoning. While underage students are highly recommended to avoid such social gatherings, if they do find themselves in this situation it is best to take care of yourself and your friends, as well as encourage others not to drink and drive.

Continue reading Staying Safe While Socializing in College →

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5 Tips to Avoid Getting Sick in College

 

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sick studentGetting sick in college can be difficult. It can keep you out of class as well as out of the social scene. And, unfortunately, many college students are forced to deal with illness without access to medical care. If you want to avoid getting sick, you might want to try following the five tips below.

Get Some Sleep

Sleep is often the last thing on a college student’s mind. Staying up until all hours of the night and waking up at the crack of dawn is just part of the college experience. It is also a part of the college experience, though, that might keep you from feeling your best. If you want to avoid getting sick, make sure that you are able to get at least eight hours of sleep each night. This might mean actually going to be on time during the week, but it is more than worthwhile to do this if it means being healthy.

Watch Your Diet

Most college freshmen gain wait – the dreaded freshman fifteen. The reason behind this is actually quite simple: for the first time, most students are able to eat what they want, and the most widely available foods are simply bad for you. Unfortunately, eating these foods may cause you to miss out on getting vital vitamins and minerals that can keep you from getting sick. If you want to stay healthy, make sure that you eat a good balance of proteins, fruits, vegetables and healthy carbohydrates. This will help you to keep the weight off while allowing you to stay healthy.

Continue reading 5 Tips to Avoid Getting Sick in College →

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The Growing Field of Gerontology

 

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gerontologyGerontology is proving to be one of the fastest growing–if not the fastest growing–fields of study in the United States. Look at what this exciting new field is and why making gerontology your field of study or adding gerontology classes to your curriculum will almost certainly benefit your education and earning potential.

Why Gerontology?

The population in the United States is aging. It is not only aging, it is doing it in unprecedented numbers and then living longer on top of that! Between 2000 and 2010, the U.S. total U.S. population grew a little over 9%; furthermore, the population of those over 65 grew at 15%. To put it in graphic terms every day for the last two years and for the next 17 years almost 10,000 people will celebrate their 65th birthday. 79 million baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 are going to need medical care and other special care. Gerontology is by far the fastest expanding facet of medical care, and employment in general, in the United States. It is up to the students of today to get the education to prepare for this huge demand. One short-term projection says there will be a 36% increase in the demand for professionals trained in some facet of gerontology.

Comparing Geriatricians and Gerontologists

Plainly speaking gerontology is the scientific study of aging. Geriatricians are physicians who specialized in treating the health problems of elderly patients. Gerontologists are multi-disciplinary: including but not limited to medical workers, biologists, psychiatrists and psychologists, and sociologists. Medical workers with education specifically in gerontology would range from caregivers to surgeons; accordingly, Certified Nursing Assistants, EMTs, Paramedics, Physician and Medical Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and of course, D.O.s and M.D.s. The common goal of gerontologists is improving the quality of life for seniors.

Continue reading The Growing Field of Gerontology →

Helping parents navigate the college maze