Magazine Posts Table of Contents

Student Loans

Posted 2014-11-19 07:59:57 | Views: 1,013

There are several reasons why someone may need to take out a loan. Buying a home, buying a car, emergencies, medical expenses all cost lots of money, money that most people do not have laying around in their bank account. One of the first experiences many people have with borrowing money, is taking student loans. Once an individual has decided to pursue a college education they have to acknowledge the costs that come along with it. There are many ways students pay for college because each student’s financial situation is different. Some people have a fund saved up and are prepared to pay their schooling straight forward, some have received scholarships, and others maybe need financial aid. There are a few different forms of financial aid, student loans being one of them. There is nothing wrong with student loans as long as they can be managed properly.

WHAT ARE STUDENT LOANS?
If you apply for financial aid, you may be offered loans as part of your school’s financial aid offer. A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest (Federal Student Aid). Before accepting any form of loans, the terms must be carefully read through and fully understood. Usually a short online financial counseling session is required before you can even receive the loan. There are a few different types of student loans available. Direct subsidized/unsubsidized loans are offered to undergraduates who may or may not need financial assistance to help cover the cost of their education. Direct PLUS loans are for graduates or professional students and parents to help cover educational expenses. Direct consolidation loans merge all eligible federal student loans into one loan. The amount of money borrowed in student loans varies from around $5,000 to $20,000 a year depending on whether the person is an undergraduate or already graduated. One of the biggest reasons people get student loans opposed to private loans is because the interest rate is very low and the loans do not need to start being paid off until after the person leaves school. There are many perks to getting a student loan, and they are so very helpful for the average struggling college student.

MANAGING STUDENT LOANS.
After getting student loans, it is important to establish a plan on paying the loan back in the future. Obviously a person cannot see into the future and decipher whether they get a well-paying job or not, but one needs to keep in mind once they are done with school the loans, no matter how many are taken out, have to be paid back. This can prevent a person from taking out more than they know they can afford to pay back, along with frivolous or unnecessary spending. Seven in 10 seniors (69%) who graduated from public and nonprofit colleges in 2013 had student loan debt, with an average of $28,400 per borrower (Institute for College Access & Success). Keep in touch with the loan lender, keep addresses up to date, know grace periods, and look into options for loan repayment and forgiveness. All of these things are key in being responsible for loans and keep people out of trouble. People that are having to use student loans should learn to live frugally. Remember, just because loans are there for support doesn't mean people can just not work through college. Stay on top of things and just take the payments as they come. Even though there is a lot of money being dealt with, try to keep it together and do not panic. Tons of student have to deal with loans from college, it is just a part of life some people cannot avoid. Student loans are only bad if one lets them get to that point.

PAYING BACK STUDENT LOANS.
When you make a federal student loan payment, it covers any late fees first, then interest, and finally the principal (Institute for College Access & Success). When it is time to pay back loans, do not put it off! If the money is not paid back it can lead to delinquency and default, which means the entire amount of loans is jacked up and must be paid in full. It can be paid off in time with the lowest payments possible. If a person can afford it, a great way to save money in the long run is to pay more than the minimum monthly payment. This will help pay the loan faster and reduce some of the cost spent on interest. Also, if dealing with more than one loan it is best to pay off the most expensive one first or the one with the highest interest. Loan forgiveness is a program that sometimes pays any remaining debt after a number of years depending on the field the student is now working in.

STUDENT DEBT STATISTICS.
$1.1 trillion: The amount of outstanding student loan debt, which first exceeded $1 trillion in March 2012.
37 million: The number of Americans who have student loan debt.
2: The ranking of student loan debt compared to other types of consumer debt, second only to mortgages.
$101.8 billion: The Department of Education’s estimated profits generated from student borrowers over the last five fiscal years.
Nearly 300 percent: The amount student loan debt has grown over the past eight years.
$26,600: The amount the average college graduate (of the class of 2011) owed in college loans.
40 percent: The share of households headed by someone under 35 that owed college debt in 2010.
More than 80 percent: The percentage of bankruptcy attorneys who reported that the number of their clients with student loan debt increased “significantly” or “somewhat” in a February 2012 survey.
Nearly 1 in 5: The number of households that had student loan debt in 2010 – double the share of households burdened by college debt in 1989!
6.8 percent: The new interest rate on subsidized student loans starting July 1 if Congress does nothing. The new interest rate would be double the current interest rate.
More than 1 in 10: The number of borrowers that defaulted on their student loans in the three years leading up to Sept. 30, 2011.
22.7 percent: The default rate in the three years leading up to Sept. 30, 2011 for borrowers that attended for-profit colleges, compared to a default rate of 11 percent for borrowers that attended public colleges. (Shocking Student Debt Statistics)

Loans can give students an advantage or they can drag students into a stressful ongoing debt. Debt does not need to be a burden carries around for years after graduates finish school. There are both positive and negative outcomes of student loans, the student has to decide what they are going to choose.





















Student Loans
Works Cited
Federaal Student Aid. Types of Aid: Loans. n/d n/m 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. <https://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans>.
Institute for College Access & Success. Puplications: Sate by State Date. n/d n/m 2014. Web. 1 Dec 2014. <http://projectonstudentdebt.org/state_by_state-data.php>.
—. Top 10 Student Loan Tips for Recent Graduates. n/d n/m 2014. Web. 4 Dec 2014. <http://projectonstudentdebt.org/recent_grads.vp.html>.
Shocking Student Debt Statistics. 15 April 2013. Web. 5 Dec 2014. <http://www.fastweb.com/financial-aid/articles/3930-shocking-student-debt-statistics>.
Smith, Kalen. How to Reduce & Avoid Overwhelming Student Loan Debt. n/d n/m 2006. Web. 1 Dec 2014. <http://www.moneycrashers.com/reduce-avoid-student-loan-debt/#wrap>.















pg. 4

Relationship Advice

Posted 2014-11-18 08:48:02 | Views: 979
Paige was so excited after she graduated high school, one step closer to becoming an adult. Next fall she would be off at college having the time of her life. She couldn’t wait to meet new people and explore new places. Concordia was where she would be attending, majoring in physical therapy.
It was the first of August, move in day had finally com. Paige and her boyfriend Garrett were headed upstate from her hometown, looking at the three hour drive they had ahead of them. The trip dragged on as Paige constantly watched in her rear view mirror at Garrett following in the truck behind. Garrett was two years younger than Paige, so he would have to head back home after helping Paige move in. When they had finally arrived at her new apartments she could barely contain herself any longer. Before she knew it she was holding the keys to her very own place! A place that she could do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted, because it was hers. Garrett and Paige went up to the top floor, five apartments to the left, and there it was. Inside boxes started to pile in the empty home as Garrett brought in boxes, Paige unpacked them bit by bit. Finally once all the furniture was placed, the hollow rooms began to look like a living space and Paige and Garrett were thrilled. Garrett made dinner for the two of them and they spent the rest of the evening putting all of Paige’s belongings in their proper places. This was the only night alone they would ever have. The next morning Paige woke up and took a shower, but when she got out she found Garrett distressed. “I can’t do this to you, you need to experience college and have fun,” he said to her. He left her.
All alone in this new strange place that used to be full of promise and excitement, now looked like lonely, lifeless prison that she would remain in for the longest of time. Days went by slowly, in agony she laid in her bed with no desire to ever leave, crying during the night and sleeping few hours in the day whenever her body got exhausted enough to make her stop sobbing. A whole week had passed by and it was time to face the world. Her mother had come to visit along with Paige’s little sister. Her mother had understood what she was going though and tried to help in any way she could to get Paige back onto her feet again. Eventually Paige threw her hands to her sides and let the weight roll off of her shoulders. It was time for this to stop. No more moping around and staying down in the dumps, it was misery.
School would start in just two weeks, and Paige would be so grateful to see some familiar faces. The weekend before school started is when all the rest of the college students had started to migrate towards the area. When the students had arrived, so did the parties. Paige went to enjoy herself and wanted to have as much fun as possible. Is what should have been going on in her mind, instead forgetting him was the number one priority on her list. She had no problem fitting in with the crowd and drinking as much as she could before things started getting fuzzy in her mind. Even the alcohol couldn't keep her memories at bay and she continued to make bad decisions with her new care free attitude. She drunkenly got into bad situations with guys that in softer terms did not like her for her personality. None of that mattered to her of course, Paige just desperately wanted attention and to be loved. Lust is not love.
Even though she was unaware of the fact that she was getting better it was true. She continued to party, but with intentions on having fun instead of getting wasted. She met new people and started having a good time with her old high school friends that were going to Concordia as well. One weekend she was thrown off again and trying to drown her sorrows in alcohol and ended up puking her guts out. Her best friend and another guy rushed to help her and eventually got her to sleep on the couch. The next morning was one of the worst hangovers, so Paige, Blake, and Zach she later learned, headed into town to get Subway. There was a spark between Zach and her. She liked the way he showed her kindness at one of her worst moments.
After a few weeks a new relationship had sprouted. One of the fastest paced relationships she had ever been in, after just two weeks she was going to see his family with him. After two more weeks passed they were staying the night at each other’s places and shopping for groceries together. Paige felt like a whole new person, but happy all the same. Zach was a great guy, he was funny, sweet, and easygoing. They enjoyed spending their time together even if it meant doing their homework in the same room. She felt like her own person again and she had control over her feelings once more.
This of course had to be the time when Garrett came back into the picture. Just as Paige was getting better he decided to let her know how he felt. He claimed he missed her and begged for her to come back to him on a weekly basis. Even though she was content in a relationship with Zach, her feelings for Garrett had not yet submerged and stung just as bad when she started thinking of him again as they did when he left.
Paige was possibly worse now than she was before. With all of these options shoved in front of her face she had no idea witch one was best or cause the least amount to hurt. As if all of this wasn't enough to deal with, there was Austin. A man whom she shared several classes with, took interest in Paige and was sure to let her know. He was quiet yet quite hysterical at times. Austin was honest with Paige, and sometimes they would stay awake for hours just talking. She could say anything to him and he would just listen to her and offer the best response he could give. Even though Austin had strong feelings for Paige, he never let that get in the way of their friendship. He just wanted her to be happy.
Paige’s relationship started to degrade due to all the stress she carried around not knowing what correct answer was. She was short tempered at times and found herself lying awake at night hoping her thought could sort their way through all of it. Paige was absolutely baffled. She had no clue what to do and had mixed feelings for every one of the guys that wanted to be part of her life. Paige never wanted to hurt anyone. She spent her whole life pleasing others and maintaining harmony with others around her, and this made her happy. What she didn't realize was that in order to make everyone happy she was always putting her own feelings last and it was making her melancholy. She needed to figure out for herself what it was that she wanted, and whether or not that answer was the right choice. She needed to be happy again and she knew just what to do…
It was time for Paige to be on her own again. She needed this time for herself and she needed full autonomy to do whatever pleased her. She learned she couldn't carry around her loved ones forever, and it was not her duty to make decisions based upon the people around her. She had a duty to her heart and she had promised herself that day that she would never forget that duty so long as she lived.









Relationship Turmoil
A short story of heartbreak and happiness.

All alone in this new strange place...
forgetting him was the number one priority
She had a duty to her heart
pg. 3

Underage Drinking

Posted 2014-11-18 08:47:46 | Views: 857
 One of the many things that college is infamous for is parties. Students no longer live under the rule of their parents and are excited to be making their own choices. Many people use alcohol as a social lubricant, and in some ways it is. People tend to feel more relaxed and open up to others when they are intoxicated. Parties are also an effective way of meeting new people in college. Before going out and drinking, it would be wise to know a little information on the topic.
 A small survey about underage drinking was created by the author and given to a variety of students on campus. The survey unveiled that most students drank on average three times a week. Most surveyors also reported going to parties almost every weekend. The majority of students that took this survey did just so happen to be under twenty-one, the legal drinking age in the US. A shocking 70% of college student admitted to driving under the influence. Last but not least, two thirds of the students surveyed said they believed underage drinking was acceptable. When asked why they did not think underage drinking was a problem some said, “as long as the person knows how to handle their alcohol” or, “only if the person drinking doesn’t become an alcoholic.” These statements were red flagged, how can anyone know for a fact if a person can handle their alcohol, and when have they gone too far?
 Young people drink less often than adults over twenty-one, but when they do drink, they drink more than adults (NIH). When college students drink on the weekends they typically do not have a drink or two and call it good. For some reason, some people think it is a good idea to drink until they are falling all over the place and vomiting their innards out. When drinking gets to that point it is the body’s way of saying its time to stop, and it is rejecting any additional alcohol that cannot be processed through the liver. Those who only have a drink or two and stop are being slightly more responsible and most likely will not get in trouble, according to some. Little do minors know, if a party is busted and they are caught drinking, the amount consumed will not really matter. The obvious truth is they are underage and it is not legal for them to be drinking in the first place. Binge drinking can be a huge problem for minors. Alcohol poisoning can be caused from drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. This can sometimes lead to death or immediate medical attention.
 One of the easiest ways to get caught drinking underage is getting busted at a party. Multiple minors can be given in a very short amount of time if college students are all drinking together and the police arrive. Minor-in-possession and underage drinking laws enforce punishment in forms of; revocation of driver’s license usually for at least 30 days), payment of fines, enrollment in alcohol education programs, and community service (Bergman). Always be cautious of what is posted online. Pictures of partying can affect education, future job employment, and many other personal matters. There are multiple risks to partying during college, for some people the risks are worth the fun, if they can even recall what happened that night. If intoxicated, remembering what exactly happened can be difficult and sometimes embarrassing. It is essential to always be aware and able to make wise decisions to avoid some major dilemmas that are usually associated with drinking such as rape, drug abuse, and drunk driving resulting in DUI's.
 Driving while intoxicated. Getting into a car to drive after drinking is never a good idea. Getting into a car with someone who was drinking and now driving is never a good idea. If drinking is being undergone, it is best to plan ahead by having a sober driver or a place to stay if going home is not an option. When you drink and drive, your life is not the only one at risk, it is a threat to everyone. In 2010, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. That's one percent of the 112 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year (CDC).
 None of this information is meant to scare people from ever drinking again. For some, this article will be forgotten by the end of the week when it is time to go out and have some fun. Underage drinking is unavoidable, the best thing to do is be smart about it. Drinking can effect college students in good ways as well as bad. As long as people are knowledgeable about their decisions while drinking alcohol, disasters can be avoided. Be safe and be smart!












Underage Drinking
Works Cited
Bergman, Paul. Underage Drinking and Minor-in-Possession Laws. n/d n/m 2014. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
CDC. Drinking and Driving: A Threat to Everyone. 4 Oct. 2011. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

pg. 2
Underage Drinking
College Parties...

College Budgeting

Posted 2014-11-17 10:05:07 | Views: 997
College Budgeting
How to spend your money wisely! Satisfy your needs and wants.

 Setting a budget is crucial for pursuing a college career. As a college student, living away from home for the first time, managing finances is a tricky job. Remember that amazing pair of running shoes on the display, the ones that were calling your name, the feeling that you just had to have them? How about when it’s the end of the month, the realization that you are in fact running low on cash for groceries. As if an education isn't already enough of a financial burden to worry about, now deciphering how to pay for it all comes into play as well. Here are some great tips to guide those interested in managing their spending and help feel less stressed about money!

Write it down.
Keep track of your spending for a month. Write it down, save receipts, log it into your phone. Whatever method you choose, review your purchases at the end of the month to see where your money is going. Be very specific by logging how you spent your money, for example; groceries, bills, entertainment, etc. Going out to eat is different than buying food at the store, because one is a luxury and the other is a necessity. While looking at this list, decide if you are comfortable with what you are spending. Do you need to cut back in some areas so that there is more money to spend elsewhere? Is the current lifestyle in which you're accustomed practical, or is there a need to prioritize? Often times we don’t realize what we are spending if it is part of our everyday routines. This is a great tool to helping you to create a realistic well-balanced budget.

Income and expenses.
Spending cannot exceed your income. Expenditures would be all your variable expenses, fixed expenses, emergencies, loans, credit cards, etc. Variable expenses change from time to time, they are the daily expenses depending upon consumption of products or services. Fixed expenses are things like utility bills, rent, and insurance. When looking at a budget it is typically easier to cut some of the variable expenses because they are unnecessary. The Caribou you grab every other morning on the way to eight o’ clock classes certainly does help, but it would be so much cheaper to fill up a travelers mug with coffee from home. Income is all the money accumulated or earned in one month. A credit card is not a form of income, it will actually work against you by charging interest, and in the end it will only cost more than it would have to just pay for thing immediately. Sometimes credit cards are needed, if used wisely it is an effective tool in financing. The goal in creating a budget is making the expenses equal to the monthly income, or even better, making them less so there is room for comfort or to expand savings.

Creating a budget.
We have elaborated all the expenses and what your income is, now it is essential to incorporate a budget. Categorizing a budget breaks expenses into smaller, more maintainable, groups to manage. First, the two main areas are fixed expenses and variable expenses. Smaller groups would include: charity, savings, housing, utilities, food, clothing, transportation, medical, insurance, personal, recreation, and debt. Incorporating debt into a monthly budget, such as future student loans, is preventative in order to keep from falling behind on payments and set you on the right track and become debt free. Calculate the spending you have logged for a month into these categories, which are listed on most basic budgeting templates. Start by allocating your budget with the fixed categories because they tend to not be flexible. Add in the variable expenses afterwards, since these are flexible, they will differ from month to month. To prevent overspending in any specific variable expense,, set a limit that will cover what you need. After incorporating all expenses into a budget the total amount must be subtracted from grossed income. Whether the number is positive or negative will determine the amount of alterations you need to establish a budget. If the number is positive, perhaps cut yourself some slack in some areas, and spend some money going out with your friends. A knowledgeable decision, would be taking that extra money and putting it in to savings or investments. The money is still there if you need it, with the added bonus of possibly making more money by leaving it there. If the number was negative, cut back in some areas or eliminate them from your budget completely. Being wise when spending, this will leave room to still get what you want and pay less. Coupons, discounts, and sales are always great ways to help save a little extra money. Do not forget leave some extra money to spend on entertainment! Fun is an essential and if you do not allow yourself to have any it is possible to hate budgeting because it keeps you from being happy.

Revisiting your budget.
Once a budget has been established, it does not mean the current budget will be indefinite. Revisiting your budget each month is a smart way to stay up to date with prices and expenses that may change or disappear over time. Debts may be paid off, gas prices may rise, and unexpected expenditures may occur. Revisit your budget and make changes as needed, and don’t forget to make sure that expenses are still less than your income.

pg. 1

Table of Contents

Posted 2014-11-17 10:04:29 | Views: 825

pg. 1 College Budgeting: learn how to keep an eye on you're money and spend wisely

pg. 2 Underage Drinking: the positive and negative affects it will have on your life

pg. 3 Relationships: read a short story about young love

pg. 4 Student Loans

Surviving College

Table of Contents

About the Author

Posted 2014-09-22 10:36:12 | Views: 857
Hello! For all you college students out there, we know the struggle is real. I am a college student at Alexandria Technical and Community College. I grew up on a farm, and went to high school in a small town, population 2,000. After I moved away from home, everything changed and my whole life was turned upside down.
 I was faced with the challenge of buying my own groceries, paying rent, homework, and managing my time! Okay to be honest, it wasn’t that bad at all! There were times that I could have used some help though. I am expected to pay my own way for college which means tuition, books, rent, food, toiletries, clothes, etc. that all adds up quickly. Now, there is no one telling you what to do or how to do it, and that can be either good or bad. Living with someone new, someone you have never met before can be quite the challenge. It was hard for me to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people.
 College was like a new beginning for me, and so far I have had a blast. I am working at a department store, going to school, and managing my social life. It isn't easy, but it is possible. Make sure you are having fun and make smart decisions. Best of luck to you!

-Jess
About the Author
Jessica Lynn Donner

Cover Page

Posted 2014-09-17 10:17:34 | Views: 897
SURVIVING COLLEGE
College Budgeting
Relationships
Underage Drinking
Student Loans
September Issue