When Congress passed the health care law earlier this year, it also changed the law for student loans. Please be aware of these changes and contact your student financial aid office to find out how this impacts you.

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/studentloansupdate.jsp

This is an inspiring story and one that should show all of us that it’s never too late for college! Enjoy…

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_graduating_at94

So you’ve gotten yourself into college. One goal reached! Now what will you do?

Many adults returning to college already have an idea of what they will study due to the type of career toward which they are working. But many do not. If you are one of those who may feel overwhelmed about the future—and even if not—read on!

Below you’ll find several different philosophies on “setting and reaching goals” because what may work for one person may not work for another. Similarly, each style may be better suited to one situation over another. Feel free to borrow ideas from several methods, combine the tips, and develop ways of your own!

Click this link to read entire article:  http://www.adultstudent.com/student/goals.html

Here is an article by Jennifer Brown that provides ideas for balancing school and children. Click the following the link to read the article:

http://www.back2college.com/timeforschool.htm

That would depend on personal career goals, but in general the higher the education, the higher the salary, and the better the career options and security. According to a recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median annual income for employees with a high school diploma was only $27,915; for a bachelor’s degree $51,206. Individuals with only a high school diploma were twice as likely to be unemployed as those holding bachelor’s degrees. Those without a high school diploma averaged a yearly income of just $18,734.

Individuals who earn a master’s or doctoral degree received an annual average of $74,602 or more. Over a lifetime, the gap in earning potential between the high school graduate and those holding a bachelor’s degree or higher exceeds $1 million, according to the College Board.

Statistics project that 75 percent of future positions are expected to require at least some type of certification or licensure, and professions that require a bachelor’s degree are projected to grow nearly twice as fast as the national average, making a college degree a good investment. Many adults find they need a college degree to enter their career of choice or for increased earning potential or advancement. Others are in career transition or find themselves back in the workforce because of divorce or economic conditions. With advancing technology and changing economic and employment conditions, many adults are experiencing an increasing demand to develop or update their knowledge and skills.

Source: http://www.back2college.com/library/faq.htm

Tax season is upon us! Sometimes this can be good, and other times painful. Either way, filing your taxes serves as a great reminder to do next year’s FAFSA. So… after completing your 2009 tax return, go ahead and knock out your 2010-11 FAFSA… all of the information will be right at your fingertips!

For more information, visit:

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

Excellence – a trait that eludes many people in our society today. Now, I think that excellence is difficult to completely achieve and realize. Rather, I believe it is something we must continually strive for and pursue. But, for some reason, many people are content with settling for mediocrity and getting by with being average these days. Why? I think our society today enables us to get by with doing the bare minimum and taking the path of least resistance. Vince Lombardi said, “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chose field of endeavor.”

Do you desire to be a person of excellence and make more of an impact with your life this year? Following are three basic things you can do to start on the path to excellence this year.

1) Commit to improving your life. In order to actually make a change, you have to first decide in your mind and your heart that you need to change and make a conscious commitment to improve. And it’s not something to enter into lightly. Once you make that commitment, write it down where you will see it every day, and even share it with someone else who can help hold you accountable.

2) Set measurable goals. Most of us set goals. But oftentimes we fall short of our goals because they are too general. Your goals must be specific and quantifiable. Also, they need to have a deadline attached to them. So, instead of saying, “I will lose weight in 2010,” you should instead say, “I will lose 10 lbs. by April 1, 2010.” If you do this it will give you much more focus and a sense of urgency.

3) Create an action plan. You’ve made the commitment, and you have set measurable goals. Now, you need an action plan to achieve your goals and fulfill your commitment. An action plan is nothing more than a series of steps that you deem necessary in order to reach your goals and make them reality. Typically, you should have three or four steps in your action plan, and again you should be as specific as possible. Write these steps down and keep them where you can see them until you achieve your goals.

If you do these three things…make a commitment, set measurable goals, and develop an action plan…you will improve your life in 2010 and beyond. Better yet, you will be an example to others that desiring and pursuing excellence in something that we all should embrace and apply to our own lives.

-Jeremy Couch

1/19/10

Been thinking about returning to college for a while now? It’s time to stop thinking and start doing. Is God calling you to do something great with your life? To make an impact on this world? Perhaps you need to advance your education to achieve these goals that God has put on your heart.

Contact Belhaven University today and find out how we can help you achieve your dreams.

Get your degree. Advance your career. Improve your life.

It’s no secret that there is a lot of concern about the state of today’s economy, and rightfully so. With all of the ups and downs, corporate collapses and mergers, and the infamous “bailout”, who wouldn’t worry? Well, I for one get anxious, but I don’t consume myself with worry. Why? Because I believe strongly in the American free enterprise system and the spirit of capitalism. I believe in the resilience of the American worker and the ability to push through the tough times. It’s what makes this country great.

Because of my optimism that our economy will rebound and again flourish, I think now is the perfect time to return to college and pursue an MBA. By diving in now, you are positioning yourself to get ahead of your competition, many of whom may be sitting on the sideline, waiting for things to “settle down”.  When the job market picks up again, companies will be looking for the most qualified candidates. Wouldn’t it be nice to say you have your MBA or are almost finished with it? I believe the MBA is the most versatile graduate degree out there (so much so that I have one!). Why do I think that? Consider some of the benefits of having an MBA:

• Advance with your current employer into management
• Attract new opportunities with other employers
• Teach college level business courses
• National statistics that show a clear distinction in pay between those who have an MBA and those who do not
• Choose a variety of career paths: management, marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, consulting, economics, or information systems, to name a few
• Start your own business enterprise
• The confidence of knowing you have an advanced business degree

Can you be successful without an MBA? Of course. That’s proven, but it does not diminish the fact that having an MBA gives you options, and that’s what I love about it. When you have options, it makes life easier because you do not feel so boxed in. Rather, you have more opportunities and choices about where to take your career.

In my experience, the adult learner is typically more engaged in and more appreciative of the educational experience…