Whether you decide to live in an apartment or campus dorm, you will probably be receiving a bill for your college housing. Finding ways to pay for these bills can be stressful and difficult. Try not to fret, because there are many ways that you can save money on your college housing. Here are some of them.
Call up your relatives
Perhaps the best way of saving money on your college housing costs is to ask to live with relatives who reside near your campus. Even if your relatives ask for a rental fee while you stay with them, you will probably still be able to save a lot. Whether or not you have to pay for rent, try to lend a helping hand around the house by doing chores, running errands, and spending time with your relatives.
Hit the dorms
One way of saving is to live in either an on-campus or off-campus dorm. Universities and colleges alike often have their own dorms for students. In general, dorms cost less than apartments, especially in areas around colleges and universities. Living in a dorm on or nearby campus will also help you save on your transportation costs, you may even be able to just bike or walk to school from your dorm.
Off-campus housing with friends
So you are thinking of getting an apartment, but you worry about the costs? Ask your friends or classmates if they want to share an apartment with you. Splitting up rent is a great way to save money. Scout out your options and make the best choice for the group. Try to think of a fair and even way to split up your bills. Living with friends can also help you deal with the transition into your university or college.
Other tips and suggestions
No matter where you decide to stay, try to keep within close proximity of your university or college campus. Not only will this be more convenient for you, but it will also cut down the costs of transportation. Instead of eating at school or at a restaurant, you can go home in between classes to save money on food, as well.
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The American Disabilities Act (or ADA) of 1990 abolishes educational discrimination against students with disabilities by allowing them to enroll in regular schools and be provided with the same education granted to students without disabilities. To learn more about college disabilities accommodations, here is a brief primer containing the frequently asked questions on the subject:
What are college disabilities accommodations?
College disabilities accommodations, as a collective, is a service that colleges offer to comply with the American Disabilities Act of 1990. The said act prohibits public entities from denying services, benefits, and accommodations to disabled individuals. The Disabilities Act also requires public entities to have service provisions that cater to disabled people’s needs.
Who are qualified for the college disabilities accommodations?
The general rule under the ADA is that colleges must admit all eligible applicants with physical and/or mental impairment which prevent from performing as normally as regular students. However, because the degrees of impairment vary from on individual to another, colleges have specific criteria to determine a person’s disability and their eligibility for accommodations.
How does one apply for college disabilities accommodations?
Applying for college disabilities accommodations is done while applying for regular college admission.
One of the requirements that are common to disabled students and students without disabilities is the personal statement or essay. A personal statement is so important that it can either seal the deal or ruin the chances of an applicant from getting admitted. To get an idea of how to write a personal statement, you can check out sample college admission essays which are found online.
The only difference in the application process is that students with disabilities just have to submit extra documents and requirements which will prove your eligibility for college disabilities accommodations. As mentioned, colleges have different criteria for determining the degree of disability and eligibility for accommodations. The documents submitted will be reviewed by the college committee in accordance to their criteria, and will be subject to their approval before you can be granted college disabilities accommodations.
Application forms for disabilities accommodations are downloadable on college websites, or you may also inquire at the admissions office where they’ll give you a checklist of the application requirements.
What are some of the services included in college disabilities accommodations?
The services under college disabilities accommodations also vary depending on the institution. Once your application is approved, the committee will then arrange for specific services and accommodations that cater to the individual’s disabilities. These services and accommodations may include asking lecturers to adjust their teaching approaches and methods, reservation of special dorm rooms, or assigning school staff members to provide mobility assistance to the student (i.e. helping them move from one classroom to another).
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Athletic scholarships provide a good opportunity for financially disadvantaged students to use their athletic skills to get quality college education. However, because funders will be investing in your abilities and skills, the selection process of eligible candidates for an athletic scholarship can be quite competitive. Below are some tips to help you become well-prepared in applying for an athletic scholarship:
1. Do your research.
While it’s true that sports is an important aspect of your life, it’s more important that you focus on the academic requirements and programs that a school offers before you apply for an athletic scholarship. This involves gathering information on the sports standards and GPA requirements of your desired school. Make sure that the school offers athletic scholarships for your particular sport under your desired major or program.
The ability to balance athletics with academics is an essential trait that funders look for. Simply excelling in your sport is not an assurance that you will get an athletic scholarship. Funders also need to know that you’re serious about your college education. This is why most athletic scholarship grants have a clause which states that scholars are required to maintain a specific GPA.
2. Prepare the required application documents.
The athletic scholarship application processes for most colleges are similar to the regular admissions process. This means you need to process and submit documents like test scores, transcripts, application forms, and personal statements. Personal statements are essential application requirements which should be taken seriously. To help you get an idea of how to write one, you can check out free college admission essays which can be found online. Free college admission essays can serve as a guide in writing compelling personal statements.
3. Craft a sport achievement resume.
Applying for an athletic scholarship means you’re confident enough to bank on your athletic skills to put you through college. Showing your athletic capabilities and skills through a sports resume is also a way for funders to see why they should invest and pay for your college education. A sport achievement resume should include the seminars and trainings attended, competitions participated in, etc. Some schools may also require you to submit a video which shows how you play your sport.
For those who want to get professional help in crafting their sport achievement resume, there are assistance and consultancy services available wherein a representative will help you write your resume and market your athletic skills to coaches for a certain fee.
4. Send as much sport achievement resumes as you can.
Basic logic: the more resumes you send out, the more chances you have of getting a scholarship. Just make sure that the coaches you send your resumes to work in schools that offer your desired major. Then wait a couple of weeks before making follow-up calls. You may also seek the help of your past coaches in making phone calls, because they can vouch for your skills and convince the funders to invest on you.
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Making the choice as to which college or university to apply to can be a troublesome task because of the large number of institutions that all offer quality education. For some women, there’s the added problem of deciding whether to go to a co-educational or all-women’s college. To help you make an informed decision on this, here is a brief list of the advantages and disadvantages of studying in an all-women’s college.
Pros and perks of attending an all-women’s college
1. All-women’s colleges foster self-confidence and emotional security among students.
Most women’s colleges are also dominated by female faculty members. Because of this, students feel secure that their professors know and understand both their personal and educational needs. All-women’s colleges also boost the confidence of women by showing them that they can excel in various fields, and that academic excellence is not just for men.
2. All-women’s colleges encourage academic excellence and friendly competition.
One of the best things about all-women’s colleges is that the teaching styles and methods usually take into consideration women’s specific learning styles. Having gender-sensitive teaching methods allow women to learn effectively. Women’s colleges also foster sisterhood, which provides students with encouragement from other women and cater to their emotional needs.
The absence of men also means less academic and emotional distraction and competition. The same-sex environment and spirit of sisterhood allow for healthy competition among students in the fields of academics and athletics.
3. All-women’s colleges provide women with opportunities to practice, and be recognized for, their leadership skills.
A common tendency among some women in co-educational universities is to shy away from leadership opportunities, which in the real world is still largely dominated by men. In all-women’s colleges, women are able to gain vast experience in handling and managing people, which may translate into their capability of holding top positions in the workplace.
Cons and downsides to attending an all-women’s college
1. All-women’s colleges can be a venue for inadequate real-world leadership training.
Because of the absence of men in all-women’s colleges, students have limited interaction with males. This means that although they are provided with leadership training, they may only learn how to lead fellow women and not men, because there is minimal exposure to the mental and behavioral process of men.
2. Some all-women’s colleges have limited social and/or cultural diversity.
While this definitely does not hold true for all-women’s colleges, some colleges are a bit exclusive to a specific social class or race. This lack of diversity limits the students’ overall college experience, and does not equip them with the necessary skills in dealing with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Should you decide to apply for an all-women’s college or university, one of the requirements you need to prepare is your college admission essay. Here you will explain why you chose to study in an all-women’s learning institution. To get a better idea of how to write your essay, you can consult free college admission essays which can be found on the Internet.
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Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher learning established before 1964 and are intended to provide quality education to members of the black community. For those who plan to apply to HBCUs, below is a list of five of the best HBCUs, along with the admission requirements for each institution.
Spelman College
Spelman College is a liberal arts women’s college founded in 1881, and it was the very first historically black college for women to receive its collegiate charter. Spelman promotes academic excellence, environment development, and leadership values among its students. Included in the list of Spelman alumni is Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Alice Walker.
Application requirements: Common Application, two letters of recommendation, personal essay, transcripts, and SAT or ACT scores.
Howard University
Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, co-ed historically black institution that caters to men and women of all races. Included in the list of Howard University’s notable alumni are Nobel Prize for literature winner Toni Morrison, and Hon. Thurgood Marshall, the very first African-American to become US Supreme Court justice.
Application requirements: Application form, SAT and/or ACT scores, transcripts, recommendation letters, and admission essays.
Morehouse College
Morehouse College is a private, all-male college established in 1867 that specializes in liberal arts education. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Morehouse instills spiritual and humanistic values among its students, and has an alumni roster that includes Shelton “Spike” Lee and Martin Luther King Jr.
Application requirements: Application form, SAT and/or ACT scores, recommendation letters, transcripts, admission essays.
Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is a private, non-sectarian, and co-educational institution located in Hampton, Virginia that caters to students of all races. Hampton is known for its liberal arts curriculum and technical education, and offers professional and post-graduate programs as well.
Admission requirements: Applicants need to fill up the application forms which are downloadable from the school’s website, and contain a checklist of other required documents and records.
Fisk University
Fisk University is a private, historically black university founded in 1867 and is known for its slogan, “Success in D.E.T.A.I.L.S. (Diversity, Excellence, Teamwork, Accountability, Integrity, Leadership, and Service).” Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Fink University was the first HBCU to get a Phi Beta Kappa charter.
Application requirements: Common Application, SAT and/or ACT scores, school report form, teacher report form, and a 500-word admission essay.
Most HBCUs will require applicants to submit admission essays. To guide you in writing one, you can check out free college admission essays which can be found on the Internet.
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There are a lot of women’s colleges in the US that offer quality education to those who wish to excel in their undergraduate studies. To help you explore your options better, below is a list of the top five women’s colleges in the US, along with each school’s admission requirements.
Wellesley College
Established in 1875, Wellesley College is one of the oldest and most well-known women’s colleges in the US. Wellesley is known for being one of the first colleges to offer a computer science major and for producing highly educated women like journalist Diane Sawyer and Madeleine Albright, the very first woman to become US Secretary of State. Wellesley College offers one of the best liberal arts programs in the US, and promotes intellectual excellence and cultural understanding in their programs.
Application requirements: Common Application form (which can be filled up online) and the Wellesley College Supplement. Applicants may also request a checklist from the admissions office or download it from the Wellesley website.
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College was established in 1885 and is recognized today for its liberal arts and sciences curriculum. The college aims to instill in their students freedom of conscience and a commitment to making global contributions by aiding in their intellectual development. Bryn Mawr currently offers 36 majors and 38 minor courses, and the college provides students the option of cross-applying to Swarthmore, University of Pennsylvania, and Haverford College.
Application Requirements: Common Application and the school’s supplement, TOEFL, SAT and ACT results, personal statement, two teacher evaluations, school report, as well as mid-year and final reports.
Barnard College
Founded in 1889, Barnard College is affiliated with Columbia University but maintains an independent campus in Manhattan, New York. Barnard is known for its liberal arts curriculum and highly selective admissions process. For this reason and more, Barnard College remains as one of the most prestigious women’s colleges in the US. The college’s alumni include renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead and Jeane Kirkpatrick, the first female US Ambassador to the United Nations.
Application requirements: Common Application and Barnard Supplement, both of which can be downloaded from the school’s website. Applicants will also be required to submit official transcripts and two teacher recommendations.
Mount Holyoke
Mount Holyoke College is a liberal arts women’s college founded in 1893, and is located in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Holyoke is known for their highly competitive admissions process, and offers 49 major courses, as well as a dual-degree engineering program. Mount Holyoke College aims to prepare women for the challenges of globalization through cultural education.
Application requirements: Common Application (which can be submitted online or in hard copy) and the Mount Holyoke Supplement which lists down the other required forms, essays, and records.
Smith College
Founded in 1875, Smith College is a private liberal arts college for women located in Northampton, Massachusetts. Smith College aims for academic excellence and global readiness, and fosters leadership among the students. Notable Smith alumni include Nancy Reagan and feminist-activist lawyer Catharine MacKinnon.
Smith College applicants need to fill up the Common Application and supplement, and submit teacher recommendations, SAT and ACT scores, essays, and reports.
Note: It’s recommended for applicants to women’s colleges to check out free college admission essays to serve as their guide in writing college admission essays.
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