If you have been denied financial aid, did you know you can appeal to your college's financial aid office and explain why you need financial help? Christopher Penn, founder and host of the Financial Aid Podcast, says an appeal has a better chance of succeeding if you can prove that you need aid for one of the following three reasons:

1. The student's cost of attendance is higher than the college figured, perhaps because of expenses like child care or unusual transportation needs.

2. There has been a loss of income due to the student or parent losing a job or taking a pay cut.

3. There has been a special circumstance. This would be a recent divorce or medical emergency.

Article by, College Parenting Expert, Dr. Debi Yohn, whose advice on successfully getting college students through college with an emphasis on graduation and rewarding employment is sought by parents from around the world. Now for the first time, she reveals 27 Winning Strategies for Success - a guidebook geared to parents of new college students. Get her free e-Book now at http://www.collegeparentsadvice.com/ and improve your child's chances of a successful college experience.

Posted by Candice Arnold on September 25, 2009 at 11:23 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Around this time last year, I wrote an article about Solvay Pharmaceuticals' annual SolvayCARES "Thriving Student Achiever" scholarship contest, which has been helping students with Cystic Fibsosis - an inherited, chronic disease of the lungs and digestive system - to realize their dreams of going to college for the past 17 years. This year, it seems Solvay has found a way to make everyone a winner.

In addtion to all forty finalists receiving $2,500 to use during the academic year, Solvay also awarded $500 scholarships to every qualified applicant, so no one went home empty handed. To honor the contest's 17th anniversary, Solvay will award this year's scholarship winner with $17,000 to pay for college expenses.

This year, the students wrote an essay entitled "My dream for the future is ..." in addition to submitting works of art such as poems, photographs and original songs.

Voting, which began on September 15, 2009 and will conclude just before midnight on October 15, 2009, can be done online at www.SolvayCARESScholarship.com, by calling 888-305-9808 and following the instructions, or by texting VOTE1, VOTE2, etc - depending on the finalist chosen - to 30364. Only one vote per phone number or email address will be accepted; however, a person can vote once online, then once again either by phone call or text message for his/her favorite finalist.

Click here to learn more about voting and contest rules.

Posted by Candice Arnold on September 18, 2009 at 10:39 AM | Leave a Comment (0)