How Do the PLUS Loans Help in Higher Education!

The financial support through federal loans makes the higher education possible for students who find it difficult to meet the education expenses. There are different types of loans exclusively for supporting the education and these loans help the students to pursue their education without undue stress. The features of each of the student loans differ although the purpose of the loan is similar. PLUS loans are offered to the graduates who are in for professional courses. The loans can also be obtained by the parents of the undergraduates to meet the education costs.

How are the loans processed?

PLUS loans are granted by the government through the education institutions which participate in this particular program. The lender of this loan is the U.S. Department of Education which requires the borrowers to possess good credit record. The borrowers of these loans for bad credit should be enrolled at least half time in the school which takes part in this loan program. The students who need to obtain the loans should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, shortly known as FAFSA. The financial aid department of the school in which the students pursue their education will help the students with detailed instructions related to the loan.

Credit history is the considered while approving the application for PLUS loans. If the applicant has poor credit history, the loan could be obtained with the support of an endorser with good credit history. While the loan application is approved, you need to sign a Master Promissory Note. The interest rates are fixed and there is origination fee for the loan which is deducted from the loan. The loan servicer will keep you updated with the loan status. The loan amount is mostly limited to the financial requirements required to meet the deficiency of funds after getting the grants and awards to support the education.

The loan repayment starts after the full loan amount is disbursed. You can opt for postponing the repayments if your financial condition is not favorable for repayments. However, the interest for the loan keeps accumulating even as the repayments are deferred. The interest accumulated can be cleared gradually or you can prefer to capitalize the interest on the cash loans no credit check. The loan servicer will notify you of your first due towards payment. You can get to know about the available options of repayment and choose the option that is convenient for your financial situation.

If the borrowers of PLUS loans are parents, the loan commitment cannot be transferred to the students for whose sake the loans were obtained. The most impressive feature of the loan is that there is the forgiveness option which enables the borrowers to cancel a part of the loan or the entire loan within a specified period. The loan servicer can be approached to change the repayment plan which can be better for your situation. Though there are various loan offers for students from conventional banks and financial institutions and from private lenders, the federal loans are highly supportive and beneficial with highly favorable features.

Looking Ahead To Retirement - How To Plan Now For The Future

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

It may seem far off in the future, but each day that you work means that you are one day closer to retirement. And while this can seem like a golden age for some people, retiring without the adequate funds can be a detriment to those who aren’t prepared. You don’t want to retire only to discover that you don’t have enough money to live the lifestyle you wanted. This could mean that you end up living maybe even worse off than when you were working. This is probably the biggest problem facing people today as they consider when to retire.

In order to make sure that you are prepared, it’s never too early to start planning for retirement. Here are some tips for how to plan now for the future. 

Have A Budget

Even if you have a job where you make six-figures, that doesn’t mean you need to have a six-figure spending habit. No matter the job or income, be sure that you have a budget that limits how much you spend and save each month. Obviously, the latter should be weighed more heavily than the spending. By not having a budget, many people just try and play the guessing game, which usually results in overspending. But by having a drawn out budget, you can make for more appropriate estimations of how much you need to save in order to have the retirement you want. If you think you need professional help, Air Force Federal Credit Union is a great place to go and get financial advice. 

Pay Off Debt

If you think that once you hit retirement that all of your debts will be forgiven, you are mistaken. And what’s worse is that debts can be harder to pay, once you don’t have an income from working. Whether it’s student loans, house payments, or car loans, do your best to pay off those debts as quickly as possible. Not only will paying off debts get them out of the way, but they’ll also improve that credit score. And an improved credit score may make it easier when looking to buy that oceanfront property you’ve always been dreaming of. Having no debt is also a huge stress relief, and obviously frees up more of the money you worked hard to save to be spent on the things that you want, instead of paying off interest on loans taken out years ago. 

Invest

Obviously there is no place where you can guarantee that your investments will be rewarding in retirement, but there are options that put the odds in your favor. Whether it’s real estate, stocks, commodities or anything else that you feel comfortable, investing is a great way to make residual income in retirement. But rather than waiting until retirement to get involved in investing, start now so you can familiarize yourself with how it works. This will make the ups and downs of investing less volatile, because you’ll still have income from your job. 

Stay On Track

It’s okay to take a family vacation once a year, buy a new pair of shoes occasionally, or do other little things out of the ordinary. However, for the most part, it is important to remember your goals for retirement and to stay on track for those aspirations. Any slight slip-up can lead to having to backtrack and change even more of your plans. Instead, it’s much easier to just have it all lined up from the beginning, and then stay on that course until you can say sayonara to the workplace.

Pete - PASS (Portable Appliance Safety Services) Limited – 3 Reasons why you should have your Portable Electrical Appliances Tested

English: PAT Testing in the Workplace (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While we may spend the majority of our waking hours either at work or at home, these seemingly innocuous places can be the source of both hardship and injury. This is especially true when you consider the rate of injuries at home or in the workplace, which cost individuals and public organisations thousands of pounds every single year. These statistics only serve to underline the importance of taking a proactive approach to safety, as you look to safeguard the interests of both yourself and those around you.

3 Reasons why you should have your Appliances PAT Tested

With this in mind, there are multiple reasons why you should ensure that your domestic electrical appliances have been thoroughly tested. Consider the following: - 

The Importance of Creating a Safe Home Environment

If you have a family, it is crucial that they are able to develop and live in a safe domestic environment. This means that every single aspect of the home must be given careful consideration, as otherwise you could fall foul of the hidden dangers that lurk in each room. Electrical appliances can be particularly dangerous, especially if you have owned them for a while or they operate from a busy mains socket. Having these appliances tested by a PASS certified engineer will help to ensure that they operating safely and according to strict safety guidelines.

The Burden Ownership

While it stands to reason that new appliances will have been thoroughly tested prior to being released onto the consumer market, all electrical goods that are known to experience wear and tear over time or a period of concerted use. Even accounting for the impact that technological advancement has had on improving the efficiency and longevity of electrical appliances, individual items can develop significant faults if left unchecked. To negate this risk, you should consider having appliances PAT tested regularly by a local service provider.

Obtain the Best Possible Value for Money

Whenever you purchase a high value appliance or white goods, you are making a significant investment. It is important that you respect this, initially by buying a product that is fully accredited, high in quality and capable of delivering value for money. PAT testing helps to guarantee that individual appliances are both safe and functional, while it also helps consumers to obtain the maximum value from the purchase price and any additional warranties. In an age where economic growth cannot be relied on, this is a benefit of PAT testing that few home-owners can ignore.

Structured Settlements and the Importance of Factoring

If you have ever been involved in a medical malpractice law suit, an accident or have been awarded a lump sum of money you are receiving a structured settlement. This form of payment, which can also be called an insurance annuity, is a way an insurance company guarantees you your monthly, quarterly, or yearly payment. You, the annuitant, or policy holder is guaranteed to receive the payout over a number of payments.

Structured Settlements are set up as an annuity contract with a single premium contract. They are held by the institution that is responsible to carry out the future payments. The Congress has approved the use of structured settlements as a way to guarantee that the injured parties have the continuing means to support themselves and to reduce the chance of misappropriation of funds that would be caused by a lump sum distribution. Under IRS tax law, structured settlements are encouraged. Each and every payment, including earnings under the annuity are excluded from taxable earnings in future tax returns, according to IRC section 104(a)(1) or (2).

• Finding Funds: All About Structured Settlements

Structured settlements are legal documents designed to protect you and give you specific legal rights concerning your financial dispersements. But like any legal framework you should be aware of the pros and cons of using such an instrument.

One of the most beneficial aspects is that any interest or capital appreciation that happens over the life of the instrument is totally free from paying any income taxes. This benefits you with more money during your contract. When you first begin your settlement you can state the terms that best suit your needs. If you need the payments to start right away or be postponing for a certain amount of time, this stipulation can be put in your contract. You can even set the number of years or payments to fit in with your age or life position. You don’t have to worry about market fluctuation because your payout is not tied to any investment market. Lastly, should the policy owner die, a beneficiary can be designated to receive the balance of the payments.

Naturally with all the good benefits there are a few disadvantages. One being that after all the details of the contract is set, they can’t be changed. If you want to shorten the term or increase the payment, you won’t be able to do it. Even if an emergency arises you will not be able to access your money or change any detail of your contract.

• Selling Your Structured Settlement for Maximum Cash - An Illusion or Reality

As with all legal contracts, you need to be aware of the benefits and the pitfalls. Handling the process alone is not a good idea. You should have legal counsel who specializes in the process. You need to have someone in your corner who can guide you through the pros and cons of structured settlements.

Structured settlements have been a great help to those injured and in need of a continuing stream of money for medical and living needs. It’s a life line that has given many a way to live their lives with dignity. But with all these great benefits there are people who don’t want their settlement and want to convert it to a lump sum payment. The one and most common reason is they have a pressing expense in need of cash fast. But remember any company that would buy your contract is not going to pay you full value of the remaining amount.

The companies that buy structured settlements at a discount are called factoring companies. The amount of discount can fluctuate in a range of between 7 to 15 percent. Your million dollar settlement can turn into $300,000 or less.

Why such a difference? A dollar today is worth more than a dollar 20 years from now. It seems an incredibly small amount but isn’t always a bad decision. But it is a decision that requires needs proper counsel from a qualified advisor.

For Those 50 and Older Starting a Business is the Only Way to Have a Successfull Retirement.

If you are in your pre-retirement years you have many things to worry about. The constant barrage of headlines telling us how bad things will be for those approaching retirement doesn't help much but it has made many reconsider their career choices.

Take your pick, healthcare, Social Security, or just not enough saved; this isn't your fathers retirement. It's true today's retirees are having a harder time making ends meet. We could only wish that those were the only problems. We are also facing taking care of older parents and college age children who can't find jobs. Retirement is being postponed. Never before has so much responsibility been placed on a generation.

The Need is Real

This perfect storm of problems has awoken something that has never been seen before. Today's elder generation has bloomed into a generation of entrepreneurs. This age group has risen to the challenge of not waiting for the government or anyone else to help them, they have stepped up and taken control of their financial lives. 

• Top 7 Mistakes Made by First-Time Business Owners

You won't find this generation playing shuffle board or canasta in the clubhouse. You will find them going to work. Many have realized from the start that a successful retirement means still earning an income. They have decided to not let the increased expense of living ruin retirement. This trend is something completely new for the United States. Sitting at home waiting to collect that Social Security check is not part of their futures.

The statistics are incredible. Americans, aged 65 and older, which number 8 million people, 40% of them own a small business. Less than 10% of these businesses are 4 years old. More than 10% have just started a new business. This is according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These figures apply to those who are still in the workforce not those who are not going to work again. 

Entrepreneurs with Experience

The current retirement generation are Baby Boomers who grew up in the 50's and 60's. They have experienced and lived with parents from the greatest generation. They were underestimated and criticized that they were living off the hard work of the previous generation. The proof is there that they are seeding the rising economy with there small business start ups.

What makes these people so able to be entrepreneurs. In comparison to their younger business start-up counterparts, older entrepreneurs have the advantage. They have more capital to invest in running a new business. They also have more knowledge of their particular industry. They also have one thing that the younger businessman doesn't have, motivation. Of course the younger man has a passion but the older entrepreneurs are highly motivated. They have been in the workforce for so many years they are in a comfortable position and their fear of failure is very low compared to a new entrepreneur.

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

It's not all rosy for the older business man. Over the years they may not have been in a management position. They may not have knowledge of advertising, product procurement, office operation, and even social marketing. I thought about how the older entrepreneurs could come up to speed. It's not like you need to reinvent the wheel. Running a small business is basically the same form and function independent of the product or service the business produces. 

Many business schools teach many ways to overcome the problems of starting a new business. One that I particularly like is taking on a partner. The real success of the company depends on the skills and hard work of the principles. If you think a partner will help why not get someone who has the skills and education to contribute but also has the energy and stamina to contribute. 

If you are nervous about starting a business, remember Ray Kroc started Mcdonalds at the age of 52. If he can be successful so can you. He started with one restaurant and the rest is history.

The Top 10 Most Expensive Colleges

College education is very important. It is the last step in formal education and it is in this step that a student’s future will depend. Though there are cheaper or free colleges, most of them are expensive but of course it will be fully compensated with the knowledge you will gain in return. The best colleges are actually expected to have higher tuition fees.

Here are the top 10 most expensive colleges:

The University of Chicago (tuition fee: $57,711)

The school was established by the American Education Society in 1890 -- four years after a school of the same name has been closed due to financial reasons. It is known for its first man-made self-sustaining nuclear reaction from its Physics Department. It also produced 87 Nobel awards.

The Johns Hopkins University (tuition fee: $57,820)Located in Baltimore, this university is actually a non-profit establishment. It has been rated as the best when it comes to the fields of science, engineering development as well as medical research for about 3 decades straight!







Parsons the New School for Design (tuition fee: $57,910)

If you are aiming to be the best designer someday, then this school is what you are looking for. It specializes in art and design. The school is based in New York and it was established by a great painter named William Merritt Chase in 1896. Being a graduate from this university, you will be labeled as a product of one of the most respected art schools in the world.

The Dartmouth College (tuition fee: $57,996)

This university is one of the 9 Colonial Colleges which was established before the American Revolution. This is the smallest of the nine colleges but it has produced 3 Nobel Prize champions. This school was opened by Eleazar Wheelock in 1769. 

The Claremont McKenna College (tuition fee: $58,065)
This is a private liberal arts University which was established and named as the Claremont Men’s College way back 1946. However, it started accepting women students in 1976. This school is known for its very strict admission procedure; thus, they always end up having the lowest number of students.

Wesleyan University (tuition fee: $58,502)

Like the Claremont McKenne College, this university is also a liberal arts college situated in Middletown, Connecticut. It ranks number 2 as the most productive liberal arts school in the whole country when it comes to the number of undergraduates who are continuing to acquire doctorate diplomas. 

The Columbia University (tuition fee: $58,742)

This university is actually named as Columbia University in the City of New York though it is commonly addressed as Columbia University. This is another member of the nine colonial colleges. It is the first school to grant medical degrees and it has produced a number of remarkable alumni.




The Harvey Mudd College (tuition fee: $58,913)

This is another liberal arts school that was established in 1955. They specialize and excel in the field of general sciences. In fact, anyone who graduated from this school have been considered to be one of the highest paid employees.




The New York University (tuition fee: $59,337)

This university is located in Greenwich Village in New York. It was acknowledged in 1831. This school has a huge population of foreign students because it is usually the number one to come up when a foreign student searches for a school on the internet. The school has produced 36 Nobel Prize and 16 Pulitzer Awards.



The Sarah Lawrence College (tuition fee: $61,236)
The Sarah Lawrence College is the most expensive college in the world. This university was founded in 1926 by William Van Duzer Lawrence. It is famous for its high standard of teaching. Students who are enrolled in the university are popular for their political interest and activism.


These are the top 10 most expensive colleges. Indeed, quality and reliable education demands higher fees. However, just because you can afford the cost doesn’t mean that you can become one of their students because they have a very strict way of screening their applicants. They do not just accept rich students, but those who are also academically capable.

CollegeRag.net is a website filled with nuggets of information that will help and guide you in your journey towards achieving a college education.