As American enrollment rises at foreign universities, college recruiters from around the globe continue to seek out qualified American students to fill quotas. If you're looking to expand your horizons, meet new people, and experience new cultures, here's what the landscape looks like, and how you can take advantage of study abroad programs without breaking the bank.

According to "Open Doors 2008," a report released by the Institute of International Education, the number of Americans studying abroad has jumped 150 percent over the last decade. In 2006-2007 (the last year for which data was available) almost a quarter of a million Americans headed abroad to study--compared to fewer than 100,000 for 1996-1997.

While increased cross-cultural awareness among college-bound students has contributed to overseas enrollment, foreign recruiters are noticing another contributing factor. This fall, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling conference in Seattle hosted representatives from the University of Waikato in New Zealand, Seoul National University in South Korea, Jacobs University Bremen in Germany, and the University of Limerick in Ireland. Their goal: to fill university seats with qualified applicants.

The Benefits of Study Abroad Programs
If you're interested in studying abroad, you may be wondering how foreign universities differ from colleges in the United States. One difference is a more focused approach to study. American universities emphasize a well-rounded education, which means that if you're studying medicine, you may still have to suffer through a course on postcolonial literature. In contrast, foreign universities sometimes offer early specialization, allowing you to skip the coursework that doesn't interest you. Sam Dresser, a freshman at Scotland's University of Edinburgh, found his niche in logic, psychology, and introductory philosophy courses after reading Sartre and Nietzsche in high school. "My math and science grades were not so good,” says Dresser, “so I loved the idea of only studying what I'm interested in."

While Dresser discovered his path, the Scottish university system still allows for exploration outside of his specialty. English Universities offer an even more specialized approach, generally requiring three years of coursework. If you already have an idea of what you'd like to study, English or Scottish universities might be an ideal choice for you.

Ivy League Prestige--Without the Tuition or Competition
In addition to a narrower academic track, many foreign schools offer international experience and training comparable to the American Ivy League at a significantly lower cost. At Scotland's St. Andrews University, where enrollment of American students recently jumped to 1,230, up from less than 200 a decade ago, many students end up paying tuition comparable to out-of-state tuition at an American public university.

Although competition is tight for students of host nations, Americans often have an easier time landing seats at foreign universities. According to Stephen Magee, St Andrews' vice principal, "Am I wrong to say I don't care if they can't get into Harvard?"

The Value of a Dollar
If you decide to study abroad, the weak dollar means you may have to consider your wallet. For an economical study-abroad experience, there are a few strategies to help you keep your costs down. This might mean considering places outside of Western Europe and the industrialized world. According to "Open Doors 2008," American students are gravitating toward less expensive options.

During 2006-2007, the number of American's studying in China stood at 11,064--an increase of by 20 percent over the previous year. Compare that to the 1995-96 academic year, when only 1,396 Americans chose China for study abroad programs. Asia at large saw an increase of 20 percent, while the number of Americans studying in Africa increased by 19 percent. For Middle Eastern and Latin American programs, the increase stood at 7 percent.

Keep It Short
Although many Americans have elected to go abroad for the full course of their degree programs, financial expediency might make it difficult for you to stay abroad a full four years. All the same, you can still enjoy a richly rewarding experience--at a fraction of the cost--by keeping your study abroad time short. According to "Open Doors 2008," about 36 percent of Americans who study abroad go for only a semester, while 55 percent choose short-term programs. Short-term programs can range from a summer, to a January term, or any program from two to four eight weeks during the academic year. Short term programs serve the largest number of students studying abroad, including students of community colleges, or students with financial needs that prevent them from staying abroad for extended periods of time.

With foreign recruiters on the hunt, enrollment up among American experts, and economical options for study abroad gaining in popularity, you should have plenty of strategies to help you travel the world on a shoestring.

Sources
International Herald Tribune, "Study abroad flourishes, with China a hot spot"
Institute of International Education, "Open Doors 2008" New York Times, "Going Off to College for Less (Passport Required)"

Obtaining a new degree at any age can increase your earning potential and career prospects. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in general the more education you have the higher salary you can earn.

Advantages of Age
Older students may have several advantages over their younger counterparts, including:

1. Work experience. Many employers have programs to aid with tuition for those earning advanced degrees. Relevant work experience can often help you get into more competitive programs.

2. Focus. Unlike the typical college freshman getting used to living away from parental supervision, partying at fraternity houses and juggling extra-curricular activities, you're there exclusively to learn. It can make the workload easier to handle, even if you haven't taken an exam in twenty years.

3. Life experience. Don't underestimate how much knowledge you've accumulated simply through living that younger students don't possess.

4. Enhancing career options. If you're tired of your current career, getting a degree can enable you to start down an entirely new career path, perhaps making the second half of your life even more interesting than the first.

Overcoming Disadvantages
The biggest problem many older students encounter is their own self-confidence. They may be reluctant to go back to school since they're afraid they may not be able to handle it, or that they may look ridiculous in a classroom full of students far younger than them. But many baby boomers upon reaching retirement have decided to further their education, and with 75 million boomers out there you're certainly not alone.

You may find the classes and workload more difficult than other students at first since you're out of practice. The good news, however, is that getting into a rhythm may take some time. So be patient. It can and should get easier.

Programs That Cater to Non-Traditional Students
Online programs often cater to older students. The flexibility of attending classes online at your own convenience can make it much easier to meet family obligations or to continue working. Today's online learning programs are usually just as respectable as their traditional brick-and-mortar counterparts. And you can attend any school you want, anywhere in the world, without having to uproot your life.

In addition, some MBA programs and many medical schools actually prefer older students since they're usually more focused and more mature.

Funding and Scholarships for Older Students
Most scholarships and funding programs typically don't have any age restrictions. There are also several scholarships available specifically for older students, where you must be above a certain age in order to be eligible. In the application essay, it helps to talk about why you want to return to school and what you plan on doing with your degree.

The advantages of returning to school should far outweigh any obstacles you may foresee. Your age shouldn't stop you from going after a degree.

Sources:
Age Specific Scholarships: Removing the Boundaries in Education
Am I Too Old to Go Back to School? What Medical Schools Look for Non-traditional Applicants
Are You Too Old for School?
Financial Aid for Older and Non-Traditional Students
More Education Means Higher Earnings--For Life
The Advantages of Being an Older Student
Too Old for Business School?
You're Never Too Old for School

Evan Carmichael, master of small business motivation and strategies, warns about "The Cage"--a stable, well-paying job that lacks many of the characteristics that translates into a happy professional. If you're suffering from a lack of fulfillment, feel as though you're not being challenged, or that you're sorely undervalued, you just might be a candidate for a job change. But breaking out of the cage requires a delicate combination of audacity and strategy. Simply jumping ship could end in disaster. Recognizing the need for change and then knowing when and how to do it are keys to a successful transition.

When You Feel Like Your Spinning Your Wheels
Familiarity breeds comfort, particularly in the workplace. In fact, you may even be staying with a job you hate just because your subconscious appreciates reliability--a steady, even competitive, paycheck, fixed hours, a short commute, a likeable boss, or team of colleagues. However, something in the back of your minds tells you the grass may be greener. It may or may not be, but you may never know unless you find out for yourself.

Aside from career permanence, excessive stress might also be nudging you towards the door. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, stress may play a more critical role in your desire to change careers than you may realize.

• 40 percent of workers reported their job was very or extremely stressful
• 25 percent of workers view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives
• Three-fourths of employees believe they experience more on-the-job stress than a generation ago
• 29 percent of workers felt "quite a bit" or "extremely" stressed at work
• 26 percent of workers said they were "often or very often burned out or stressed by their work"
• Job stress has a direct correlation to health complaints

When to Change Careers--and When Not To
It can be tough to know if you should listen to the voice in your head telling you that you deserve better. If you've spent the better part of your life specializing in a particular career or industry, pulling the trigger is even more difficult. CNN Money reveals some telltale signs that it's time to move on.

• The Grunt Work. If you find yourself being forced to take on assignments that no one else in the department wants, that could be a red flag
• Clipped Wings. Despite the fact that you have specialized skills and talents, you're excluded from new projects or taking on additional responsibilities
• Continuous Exclusion. You're consistently railroaded from important meetings or decision-making sessions. Your opinion means little to new strategies
• Good Old Fashioned Hate. If getting up in the morning and going to the office summons your gag reflex, a change may be immanent

On the flip side, there are definitely situations where changing jobs or careers can be a step backwards. Understanding where your feelings come from is traditionally vital. The Brazen Careerist contends that, in some instances, working through your problems can be a better solution than just jumping ship. Desires such as ridding yourself of an oppressive boss, looking for more prestige, wanting to meet new people or attaining happiness often can't be satisfied through a job change.

If You're Going to Change Jobs, Do It Right
Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. of QuinCareers offers these common career change mistakes that most people make--and you should avoid.

• Changing Careers without Education. Going back to school and absorbing new information is essential to success in your new role
• Deciding Based on Outside Forces. If you're changing careers based on other's opinions, outside pressures or the money factor, this could sabotage your ultimate goal
• Excluding Self-examination. It might not be the job--it might be you. A fresh perspective on your current position might possibly change your mind

As a final thought, America's Job Exchange encourages you to volunteer in an industry that interests you and return to school for additional training if you're serious about making that move.

Sources
America's Job Exchange, Should You Change Jobs Now?
Brazen Careerist, Five situations when you shouldn't change careers
CNN Money, 8 signs it's time to change jobs
Evan Carmichael, Should You Change Jobs? Eight Things to Think About
NIOSH, Stress in Today's Workplace
Quintessential Careers, 10 Career Change Mistakes to Avoid

If you're looking to change careers or start a new career, you've probably considered heading back to school. But with college tuitions expanding and job markets shrinking, you wonder: is it really worth it? The latest research sheds some light on the tough questions that you should ask before heading back to school.

Many high school guidance counselors may tell you that a college education is worth about $1 million over the course of a working life. While that may have once been the case, a recent study by Skidmore economist Sandy Baum and the College Board estimates the real value of a college degree at about $300,000. While the drop in value is significant, there are good reasons.

According to Baum's research, college graduates on average earn $20,000 more annually than workers with only high school diplomas. Over a forty-year career, that adds up to about $800,000. Since that figure represents lifetime earnings, an adjustment for inflation brings the figure down to about $450,000. Finally, the cost of tuition and books at a public university ($30,000 if you don't qualify for any financial aid or scholarships) drops the figure to $300,000.

If the numbers look grim, don't throw up your hands just yet. Despite the gap between the older and newer appraisals, a college degree may still be one of the wisest investments you can make.

Fringe Benefits
Although you may not end up earning the $50,000 annual salary (according to Baum's research, the average for graduates of bachelor's degree programs), you may find additional benefits that offset your costs. Bachelor's degree holders are more likely to land a job with health insurance--a valuable commodity with rising healthcare costs.

Also, because the job market places such importance on college education, you may have an easier time finding and holding a job with a degree than without. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate among students with a bachelor's degree stood at 2.2 percent in 2007--compared to 3 percent for associate's degree-holders and 4.4 percent for those who only have a high school diploma.

If your career aspirations include advanced degrees (in business, law, or medicine, for example), holding a bachelor's degree is usually the first step to more advanced education, which can mean significantly higher earnings.

Benefits of Not Earning a College Degree
While research suggests college education is important, it would be unwise to bill a college degree as the golden ticket to success--Bill Gates is a shining example of what one college dropout can achieve. The most obvious benefit of bypassing college degree is avoiding the expense. By starting a career right away, you could be $30,000 richer in the immediate term. Many potentially lucrative careers offer paid on-the-job training and apprenticeships, resulting in pay comparable to the average for bachelor's degree holders. A radiological technician, for example, can land a job with a two-year associate's degree. According to the BLS, in May 2007, median annual earnings for radiologists and radiologic technicians were $50,260, right in line with the average for bachelor's degree holders.

Does the Student Make the Degree?
The old argument continues: nature versus nurture. Although some argue that the degree-holder and not the degree, makes the success, recent research suggests that education still plays a significant roll in lifetime earnings. If you maintain that the person who makes the difference between a wise educational investment and a poor one, there are certain trends that can help you make a better return on your investment. For example, students in math, science, and career-related courses tend to make more than art and humanities students.

Even more important than your choice of major, your choice of school can also affect your post-graduation earnings potential. On average, graduates of higher-ranked colleges and colleges with tougher selection standards for potential students earn more than graduates of lower-ranked schools. If you're curious about where your school ranks, check their federal accreditation (available through the U.S. Department of Education), or check it's score on the National Survey of Student Engagement or the Collegiate Learning Assessment.

Of course, when you're deciding whether school is right, it's tougher to decide which school is right. Setting aside concerns about the economy and the rate of inflation, what you get out of your degree may likely depend on what you put into it. After all, if you take into account the value of experience, broadened horizons, and the opportunity to explore what interests you, the value of a college education may ultimately prove beyond estimation.

Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment Projections: Education Pays"
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2007: Radiologists and Radiological Technicians"
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Radiologists and Radiological Technicians"
U.S. News and World Report, "How Much is that College Degree Really Worth?"
U.S. News and World Report, "Is a College Degree Really Worth the Cost?"

They're doing it in Toronto. According to JTA, a combination of Canadian presidents, chairpersons and business officials are going back to school. The goal? To gain additional insights into such meaningful career skills as finance, management, human resources, and conflict resolution. There's a valuable lesson to be learned from this venture and others just like it--going back to school to earn your degree can be essential in creating new opportunities and increasing your salary potential. If you're in a career "rut" and would embrace a chance to do something more, there may be no better way than by earning that college degree.

College is Where the Learning Is
If you're asking yourself why you should go back to school, chances are you probably already know the answer. Simply stated, an increasingly complex job market requires professionals with specialized skills. College degrees are all about specialization. It's the opportunity to combine formal classroom training with your personal talents and abilities to prepare for bigger and better things. Often, the urge to return to college to complete your degree arrives on the tail of what MSN Encarta calls a "trigger event." Such events include:

• The Promo Passover. You didn't get that big promotion that you thought was in the bag and the decision came down to qualifications
• Employment Uncertainty. This can include pending mergers or the threat of a layoff that places generic workers in jeopardy
• Industry Innovation. New processes and technologies are changing your professional landscape--and you have to keep up
• A New Boss in Town. A new manager often attempts to make an immediate impact in your department, which may begin with adding better-qualified employees

Much More Than Just a Piece of Sheepskin
College graduates that do so simply for the prestige are missing the big picture. Formal classroom training can develop you in ways that life experiences and hands-on learning often exclude. According to Reuters, the simple fact is that businesses across industries are thirsting for academically-trained applicants--a resource that is becoming increasingly harder to find. A college curriculum reinforces perseverance, independent study skills and communications abilities, just to name a few. Add these abilities to your own current repertoire of talents to increase your value to any employer.

If numbers are motivation for you (READ: money talks), you should know that a college degree and earning potential go hand-in-hand. US News and World Reports notes that a study in the 1990s of laid-off workers who went back to community college earned about 9 percent more in salary over a lifetime than those who didn't. Also, The Bureau of Labor Statistic's report on Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers: Third Quarter 2008 lists some eye-opening salary trends for full-time employees over age 25.

• Workers without a high school diploma had median weekly earnings of $471.
• High school graduates with no college credentials had median weekly earnings of $618.
• Those holding at least a bachelor's degree had median weekly earnings of $1,131.

Thinking about a Career Change? Earn Your Degree First.
Switching a career or position within an industry can be an especially tumultuous time, particularly for middle-aged professionals. If you've spent several years working towards one goal, it's tough to break into a new occupation without meaningful training in a new skill. However, going back to get that degree can make it possible. In fact, the combination of this new information with what you already know can better prepare you for the transition.

The International Association of Administrative Professionals makes these timely suggestions as you consider your options:

• Employer Tuition Reimbursement. Some employers offer to reimburse your tuition expenses up to 100 percent provided you earn a degree related to your industry and meet various performance requirements
• Online Education Options. If you're not in a position to drop personal and professional commitments to return to school, distance learning should always be an option

Source(s)
BLS, Salary Report: Third Quarter 2008
IAAP, Should You Go Back to School?
JTA, Toronto leaders go back to school to hone skills
MSN Encarta, Top 7 Reasons to Go Back to School
Reuters, Start-ups go back to school to get to work
US News & World Report, Go Back to School for New Skills

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, workers with four-years of college traditionally make about $1 million more during their working life than their counterparts with high school diplomas--but don't let that figure fool you. True, many top-paying professional jobs require four years of college (or more)--but you needn't endure four years of study halls and pub-crawls to land a good job. Here are four excellent careers that can combine paid on-the-job training with classroom work, without requiring a four-year degree.

Radiological Technician
Sure, without a four-year degree, med school isn't an option--but what if you still want to work in healthcare? Healthcare is one of America's fastest-growing career sectors, expected to add millions of new jobs in the years ahead. If you want a healthcare career without a four-year degree, radiological technician might be an ideal career for you.

Radiologists and radiologic technicians work with sophisticated imaging machines to help diagnose patient illness. The job requires you to understand the in and outs of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). While the technology is complex, you needn't spend four years at university to land a job. In fact, two-year associate’s degree programs are typically the most common credential. If you already have healthcare experience, enrolling in a one-year certificate program may be all the education you need to land an entry-level position. You can find training through hospitals or colleges. You may learn human anatomy and physiology, radiation physics, medical terminology, and patient care and positioning.

The job offers the opportunity to work with patients, and, like many other healthcare careers, is highly portable. You can also earn a competitive salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median annual earnings for radiologists and radiologic technicians stood at $50,260 in May 2007. The highest-paid workers made as much as $71,600.

Electrician
Looking for a truly high-powered career? Consider working as an electrician. Electricians keep the juice flowing in private homes as well as commercial buildings and large industrial complexes. Although learning the requisite skills--everything from electrical theory, blueprint reading, and mathematics to electrical code requirements, safety, and first aid--takes time and effort, a four-year degree is usually not necessary. Most electricians learn their trade through apprenticeship programs which combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction.

As a skilled trade, electrician jobs offer the opportunity to make a comfortable living. According to the BLS, in May 2007, median annual earnings for electricians stood at $44,780, while those in the top 90th percentile earned up to $76,000. Excellent job prospects for workers trained in a wide range of skills (including voice, video, and data wiring), make electrician an attractive choice. The BLS predicts the number of electrician jobs should jump by seven percent, or 52,000 between 2006 and 2016.

Plumber
Although you might think of unclogging drains as unglamorous work, there's far more to a plumber's job than you might think. Plumbers install, maintain, and repair entire pipe systems--including the piping that allows nuclear power stations to churn out megawatts of electricity, and the valves that oil refineries use to process crude oil into gasoline.

If you're attracted to skilled trades, plumbers are expected to see job growth over the next several years. Because the number of open positions should exceed the number of qualified applicants, your job prospects should be excellent. Finally, let's not forget your wages. Median annual earnings for pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters stood at $44,090 in May 2007. The highest-paid percentile of workers made as $75,070.

Although typically you may not need a bachelor's degree for a career as a plumber, the training can take up to five years. However, the extended apprenticeship program offered by unions or non-union contractor agencies allows you to earn money while training on the job. At the same time, you may take as much as 144 hours of classroom study per year, learning drafting, blueprint reading, physics, chemistry, safety, and building codes.

Auto Mechanic
It's every motorhead's dream job. If you've ever dreamed of restoring classic muscle or working on economy imports, a career as a mechanic can help you marry your passion to a livable wage. Median annual earnings for automotive mechanics stood at $34,170, according to the BLS, while the highest-paid mechanics earn as much as $57,650.

Although advancing automotive technology has complicated training required for a job as a skilled automotive mechanic, a four-year degree is usually not necessary. You can earn an associate's degree in two years through a combination of hands-on practice and classroom study. If you decide to take an accelerated course, you can earn a certificate in six months to a year. If you decide to go for an associate's degree, most likely you'll spend between six and eight weeks alternating between full-time work for the automotive service department of a participating business (generally under the supervision of experienced mechanics), and attending classes.
Of course, these are just four of a thousand other rewarding careers that dispense with the four-year degree. Whether it's checking out your local community college, browsing certificate programs online, or speaking with your local union representative, there's no limit to the places you can go. No degree? No problem.

Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics"
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Electricians"
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2007: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics""
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2007: Electricians"
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters"
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2007: Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters"
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2007: Radiologists and Radiological Technicians"
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Radiologists and Radiological Technicians"
U.S. Census Bureau, "The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of Work-Life Earnings"

Employment is expected to grow faster than average over the 2006-16 period as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy. Many States require formal training and national certification in order to practice massage therapy. This occupation includes a large percentage of part-time and self-employed workers. Find a massage therapy school.

The financial crisis and economic recession have made quick work of an expected gradual evolution in our economy. In the next few years, it could look very different—a shrunken Wall Street will force bankers to find jobs in other industries, a massive green-energy effort could create jobs that are barely on the map today, and an expanding healthcare sector could offer new opportunities for a broad swath of workers. So whether you're out of work or you're gainfully employed, you should keep on eye on the changing nature of our job market. Read more...

If you're on the hunt for scholarships, student loans, or grants--beware! Scam artists are on the prowl for vulnerable students. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself. Here are some common college loan and scholarship scams, and how you can avoid becoming a victim.

According to FinAid, a Web-based nonprofit resource for college students seeking financial aid, victims of college scholarship scams lose $100 million annually to scam artists posing as legitimate grant foundations, scholarship matching services, or government agencies. Here are three of the more common ways con artists use to trick students.

Scholarship: Application Fee Required
Any scholarship application promising impressive results that requires a fee should raise a red flag. Even if the fee seems nominal in comparison to the potential return, don't be fooled. The most common schemes charge an application fee running anywhere between five and thirty-five dollars. Applicants fill out the application and send a check. The scholarship never materializes and the check disappears. Even for a poor student, thirty-five dollars may seem a small loss. To the scammers, however--who receive between 5,000 and 10,000 applications at a run--those "nominal" fees can add up to a big haul.

The Advance Fee Loan
The Advance-Fee Loan is another common scam. In this game of bait-and-switch, scammers pose as lenders, offering a student loan package with an impossibly low interest rate. The only catch? Before disbursement, the lender requires you to send in a "processing fee." Other phony lenders may ask you to pay the tax on your loan up front. Don't be fooled. If you mail off a check, you're unlikely to get anything in return.

You've Won! Bogus Scholarship Prizes
Imagine this scenario: you open the mailbox one day to find you've won a scholarship worth thousands of dollars! True, you can't remember entering the contest, but you're overjoyed. As you scan down the fine print, you discover that a disbursement fee is required before you can collect the money. An uneasy feeling comes over you: the prize is substantial, certainly a modest fee is no big deal, right? Wrong. Remember, small fees, multiplied by thousands of victims, can add up to big bucks for con artists.

The variations continue. Some insurance companies or brokerage firms offer purported financial aid "seminars"--in reality, nothing more than shady pitches for insurance or investment products. Other scammers bill themselves as scholarship search services and boast money-back guarantees. At best, they may send you a list of qualifying scholarships--more likely, they'll take the money and run.

How to Protect Yourself
By now, you've probably noticed the common thread: if you have to pay for money, it's probably a scam. The most legitimate, high-quality scholarship matching services, for example, are usually free and available on the Web. Reputable student lenders never require a fee to look at your application.

If you suspect something might be a scam, report it! If you're still in school, bring any suspect scholarship or loan paperwork to the attention of a teacher or guidance counselor. If you're an adult, you can lodge a complaint with the National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Don't count on anyone else to report it for you: even modestly successful scams can turn a profit for years before anyone catches on.

Legitimate Financial Aid
If you know where to look, you can find more than enough legitimate avenues of funding for your higher education. Check out Federal Student Aid (FSA), for reliable resources of college financial aid. An office of the U.S. Department of Education, FSA provided $83 billion in new aid to 10 million postsecondary students between 2007 and 2008. Among their most important services, FSA can provide you with a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA), the fundamental qualifying form used for federal and government-assisted commercial lender programs (the FSA processes 10 million FASFAs every year).

In additional to federal loans, you may also qualify for federal grants. Grants are typically reserved for undergraduate students, and are based upon need. While the government has deep pockets, you may also be interested in private loans. Just remember, when applying for a loan, be sure you're banking with a legitimate lender with some recognition.

Ultimately, the best defenses against college loan and scholarship scams are good information, common sense, and clear thinking. Remember the basic rule of thumb: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Sources:
Federal Student Aid
FinAid, "Common Scholarship Scams"
FinAid, "Protecting Yourself From Scholarship Scams"
FinAid, "Reporting Scholarship Scams"
FinAid, "Scholarship Scams"

The debate over the long-term value of a pricey private-school education is heating up, especially in this tough economy. Sure, everyone knows that by sticker price alone, public schools are a sweet deal, with out-of-state tuition and fees that run about 30 percent less than most of their private rivals—and in-state fees running up to three-quarters less. Read more...

Most employers and graduate schools use a 3.0 GPA as a cut-off point for applicants. Once it's above that, the exact number usually becomes less important. If your GPA is below the 3.0 threshold, you may wonder about the negative effects your GPA can have on your career or graduate school applications. However, there are ways to overcome a low GPA and minimize its possible damage to your future employment prospects or graduate education opportunities.

Do I Have to Tell Employers My GPA?
Yes, and you should be honest with them. If you don't put your GPA on your resume, particularly for your first job after graduation, you can expect to be asked about it during the interview.

The trick is where you put the emphasis. If your GPA within your major is higher than your overall GPA, tell them: 2.9/4.0 major GPA, 2.2/4.0 overall GPA. Likewise, if your GPA has improved you can emphasize that: 3.3/4.0 since fall 2008, 2.5/4.0 overall. Finally, if you had to work while studying, employers may take that into account, so it's worth mentioning: 2.5/4.0 GPA, worked 20 hours per week throughout school year.

How Low Can My GPA Go?
While many employers may 3.0 as their cut-off point, some may be more flexible than others depending on your skill set.

Yet, when asked to rate the qualities employers find most important in a candidate, in the 2007 Job Outlook Survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), GPA was ranked number 17 of the top 20. This means a low GPA isn't necessarily insurmountable--you have 16 other qualities you can enhance to overcome it.

The top 5 most important skills to employers are, in order:
1. Communication skills
2. Honesty/integrity
3. Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
4. Motivation/initiative
5. Strong work ethic

Best Way to Overcome a Low GPA
Written and verbal communication skills have consistently been ranked as the number one quality employers seek since 1999. However, they have trouble finding candidates with those skills, as they also ranked good communication the hardest quality to find in job applicants.

Graduates who can express themselves clearly, both orally and on paper, may have a significant advantage over the competition. You can prove your communication abilities both on your resume and in the interview, giving you two chances to shine.

GPA and Graduate School
Graduate schools do put significant weight on your undergraduate GPA, but again it's not the only factor they consider. First of all, not all graduate schools look at your overall GPA. Many only look at your GPA from your junior and senior years, while others only look at your GPA in your major.

The weight each graduate school puts on your GPA also depends on several variables, including:
• The competitiveness of the graduate school
• Whether the school places greater value on work experience, internships, or a portfolio of work
• The undergraduate school's reputation: a student with a lower GPA from a highly ranked university may get accepted over a student with a high GPA from a lower quality school
• Strong test scores.
• Excellent letters of recommendation

The bottom line is that while employers and graduate schools traditionally look at your grades, mitigating circumstances and strong skills in other areas can certainly help you overcome a low GPA. So put your energy into the other areas they find important.

With over 100 million users, Facebook is one of the most popular Internet social networking sites in the world. If you're already on Facebook, you know how much fun it can be to read status updates, find long-lost acquaintances, and send cyber gifts. If you limit yourself to just the fun side of Facebook, you could be missing out on one of the most effective aspects of this powerful networking tool--it's potential to further your career.

It's a widely-accepted truth that the more people you know, the greater your chances of finding a job or encountering a professional opportunity. As recently as five years ago, jobseekers hoping to grow their professional networks relied on phone calls, emails, or formal letters to make contacts in their field of choice. The development of social media sites such as Facebook marked the beginning of a new age of communication. While it used to take hours to contact everyone in your address book, your message can be broadcast to an audience of hundreds in a manner of minutes on Facebook.

The immediacy and breadth of this technology make it a highly effective professional resource, when used correctly. Take a look at the following tips to help you begin to harness the professional power of Facebook.

1. Be yourself, tastefully.
Think of your Facebook page as an introduction to both friends and potential employers. Most career experts advise caution when selecting photos to post or deciding how and when to express yourself. Would you offer a job to someone who was always online during office hours or constantly degrading their current boss? Photos of your drunken weekend in Vegas might be best shared with a limited group of friends, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the security settings so you can be in control of who can access your profile.

2. Update your page regularly.
Try to monitor your Facebook site weekly to ensure that friends haven't written inappropriate comments on your wall or posted photos you'd rather not show the world. Firefox offers a Facebook toolbar which can help notify you when there's something new on your page. Share your interests and talents online, by creating links to your blog or uploading photos. You may be surprised by the opportunities and connections that could be triggered by a simple posting about your current hobby or latest interest.

3. Give and you shall receive.
Just as in the professional world, the old adage of "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" is true on Facebook. Spend time reading and responding to the posts of others in your social network. Answer questions when you can and help connect your contacts to one another when appropriate. Your efforts to help others will be remembered when it's your turn to reach out for a favor or some important career information.

4. Use Facebook with discipline.
As any Facebook user knows, it's a slippery slope once you start exploring all the possibilities this site has to offer. It takes discipline to be an active participant without whiling away hours of your time taking quizzes or watching YouTube links posted by your friends. Consider giving yourself a time limit for each session to avoid letting this site take over life. As with the Internet in general, there are plenty of apps on Facebook that are addictively fun and could easily gobble up half your workday. If you hope to use this site as a professional tool, try to minimize the games and silly apps you add to your page.

5. Join groups that are associated with your current (or future) profession.
There's a group or cause for everything and anything on Facebook. Do some research to find and join the ones associated with your career and interests. Can't find the group you want? Create your own and spread the word. Once established, the contacts in your group can be a valuable resource for career advice, support, networking, or event organization.

6. Continue to grow your network.
You never know who could help connect you to your next opportunity. The longer your list of friends, the better the chances that someone will be able to help when you're looking for a physical therapist to shadow or a job in fashion design. If you are unsure about accepting friend invitations from certain acquaintances, consider creating a limited profile for these people to access.

With Web developers constantly creating new technologies, the possibilities for users on Facebook should continue to increase. Explore the site and don't be afraid to experiment to discover how it can best work for your career.

It's not the college fantasy of your average suburban teenager. There's no sprawling green campus. No dorms. No gym. Classes are four or five hours long. But what ITT Educational Services offers through its 103 ITT Tech schools is a no-frills, career-oriented education. More than 60,000 ITT Tech students are now working toward bachelor's or associate degrees. Degree areas are information technology, electronics, criminal justice, drafting, and design, business and health sciences. Read more...

With higher education fast becoming a global commodity, universities worldwide — many of them in Canada and England — are competing for the same pool of affluent, well-qualified students, and more American students are heading overseas not just for a semester abroad, but for their full degree program. Read more...

The economy continues to recede, leaving massive job losses in its wake. But while layoffs are widespread, they are not across the board. Some industries are thriving -- and hiring. The Labor Department reported that 533,000 jobs were lost in November, which puts the year-to-date layoff total at a whopping 1.9 million. And with the unemployment rate now at 6.7%, job seekers face the worst job market in 15 years. But it's not all doom and gloom: A range of industries are posting gains in employment figures. Here's a look at them: Read more...