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Can E-Books Make Textbooks More Affordable?

By Mark Kantrowitz via filife.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:42:00 -0700

Ebook readers work well for pleasure reading, but need some improvements in usability before they will be able to replace textbooks on a widespread basis. The potential cost-savings are more limited than most people expect.

I am an early adopter of technology and gadgetry. I purchased two Sony PRS-500 Readers when they first became available: one for my wife and one for me. We replaced them with the Kindle 2 earlier this year. I also own a Kindle DX and the Kindle application for the iPod Touch.

(I have not, however, tried ebook readers from other competitors to the Kindle such as Irex and Plastic Logic, or the Sony Reader Touch Edition or Sony Reader Daily Edition. I expect that the touchscreen adds a more natural page-turning experience, like the iPod Touch application, but also has the same problems with fingerprints.)

These devices are great for pleasure reading. It is possible to achieve total immersion in the text, even on the small screen of the iPod Touch. They are lightweight and have a large capacity so you can carry hundreds of books with you. I often read books on the Kindle on airplanes (except during takeoff and landing when the flight attendants insist on turning off anything with an on/off switch).

Amazon has also made it very easy to buy books. The wireless download and the streamlined bookstore help feed our addiction to reading. We're buying and reading twice as many books with the Kindle compared to the Sony Reader or previous print purchases. Amazon brings the bookstore to you, making it more convenient to buy books.

Kindle DX as an Etextbook Reader

But there are still a few problems with using an ebook reader as a textbook replacement, which may interfere with widespread adoption. The Kindle DX comes closest to solving these problems so far.

The Kindle DX has a high resolution full-size screen display with native PDF support, which is important for textbooks and a much-needed improvement. The higher resolution is very easy on the eyes, as readable as print publication. I don't find the page-turning flicker to be much of an annoyance, one quickly gets used to it. But the Kindle doesn't support as many alternate ebook formats as the Sony Reader and the larger format still has a sluggish screen refresh. Converting and transferring documents to the Kindle is a little inconvenient. It would be better if there were a "print to Kindle" option or if the email transfer were free.

Color would also be beneficial since some textbooks use it to good effect in diagrams and charts. But I don't think the lack of support for color will make or break the adoption of etextbooks.

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Note-Taking Limitations

Note-taking capabilities are main problem with using the Kindle DX with electronic textbooks. Most people can type at a rate of 20-40 words per minute, even hunt and peck typists. Proficient typists can reach speeds of 60 to 100 words per minute or more. On the Kindle the speed drops to 15 words per minute (20 words per minute using a personal shorthand), with the sluggish screen update quite annoying. Even the thumb keyboard on a Blackberry is faster. Contrast that with the 20 to 40 words per minute speed of handwriting on paper, and you can see why many people will still prefer print textbooks. Most people speak and read at about 150 to 200 words per minute, so even handwriting is slower than the speed of thought. The Kindle DX is just not sufficiently effective for taking notes in class in real time.

When I was in college I found that transcribing my notes nightly was an effective approach to improving my comprehension of the material. It also helped because my handwriting became unreadable after it fermented for a few days. Even with the Kindle DX I would still want to take notes on paper and transcribe them later. Perhaps Amazon could provide tools for reading and annotating etextbooks online?

The annotation software on the Kindle also lacks maturity when it comes to highlighting passages of text, cross-referencing other documents, making notes in the margin or flipping through dog-eared pages of the text. You also can't draw diagrams or arrows pointing to particular passages. There's no facility for sharing notes with other students.

The Kindle has yet to take full advantage of the opportunities for interactivity. For example, an etextbook could include interactive end-of-chapter exercises and tests and dynamically provide supplemental content as needed to enhance student understanding.

Lack of Static Page Numbers

The lack of static page numbers on the Kindle makes it more difficult to cite sources or coordinate reading assignments. The Kindle needs to have a means for displaying and jumping to a static page number in addition to the location numbers. The length of location numbers makes them a little less convenient to enter. While the concept of a page changes depending on the font size and formatting, one could still report a static page number for a given "page" of text by identifying the static page number associated with the first word on the page. Page numbers do not need to have a one-to-one mapping to be useful.

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Cost Savings

The cost of printing a book on paper is a small part of the cost of publishing a book, typically less than 10% of the total price. More than half the list price of a book goes to the distributors and booksellers, who often offer slight discounts. Authors get 5% to 10%, with publishers retaining the rest.

So the real savings from electronic textbooks will not come from eliminating paper, but by cutting out the middlemen. (Eliminating paper, however, does provide a net benefit to the environment if you read more than a dozen ebooks a year.) Textbook publishers will be able to cut prices in half by selling direct to consumers. However, this savings will be more apparent than real, since students cannot sell the etextbooks back to the college bookstore at the end of the semester to recoup some of the cost. Some publishers will program the etextbooks to self-destruct after an expiration date, providing the equivalent of textbook rental. (If the etextbook evaporates, what happens to the student's notes?)

Publishers will also save money because etextbooks can be delivered on demand instead of requiring minimum print runs to be economical. This will enable the publication of niche textbooks in smaller quantities.

Ultimately etextbooks will enable publishers to become more profitable by eliminating the used textbook marketplace and by cutting costs. This will encourage more publishers to offer electronic versions of their textbooks. A critical mass of textbooks is essential for widespread adoption of etextbook readers like the Kindle DX. (The Kindle DX is also useful for business documents.) There may be some cost savings for consumers (probably a little better than breakeven), but most of the benefit will be realized by publishers. Competition from ebook readers with open formats, however, may help drive down prices.

Etextbook readers like the Kindle DX will also facilitate self-publication. Professors will be able to publish their own textbooks at lower cost directly to students and still earn a bigger profit. They will also be able to put together seamless custom collections of papers and book chapter excerpts with added commentary.

Section 112 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-315) mandated a variety of disclosures about textbooks, such as the inclusion of ISBN numbers in course syllabi and the availability of alternate less expensive formats. While this puts pressure on colleges and publishers to reduce costs, it does not otherwise facilitate the adoption of etextbooks.

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Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:56:00 -0700

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Join the Conversation on FastWeb's Discussions

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:53:00 -0700

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Social Media Do’s and Don’ts for College Students

By UniversityParent.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:02:00 -0700

With the popularity of social media websites for college students, comes usage warnings and advice for best practices. In addition to the typical warnings college students hear, many are also getting lectured on the risks of internet postings, particularly on popular social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.com. This article explores best practices for college students using social media.

With any social media tool, managing the time spent “socializing” is imperative for college students. Facebook, prevalent amongst college students and boasting over 200 million registered users, is a particular focus. Properly rationing time spent online communicating with friends and family versus time spent studying is critical.

While the increased online exposure can be useful if handled properly, social media can also lead to unwanted consequences if a student does not fully understand their potential online audience. The attention colleges are devoting to the topic is an indication of the exploding popularity of online networking on campus and, more importantly, the time and energy administrators have spent dealing with the fallout when students post things that become more public than they intended.

Students should keep in mind that photos showing illegal activity, such as underage drinking, can be used to implicate them in a situation. Most colleges or law enforcement don’t have time to actively patrol online profiles to look for evidence of wrongdoing, but they are obliged to respond to complaints.

Students should also consider future career aspirations and the accessibility of the information they are posting for future employers to view. Students should avoid having arguments on a social media website, as they risk presenting themselves as combative or confrontational to others. Additionally, students need to be careful about what photos and videos are posted online. A good rule of thumb is to avoid posting images that a student would not want you or their professors to see – let alone a future employer.

Despite a few negative consequences of bad social media practices, students should absolutely use and enjoy these tools - find old friends, form study groups, network and more. Click here to learn more about invaluable social media sites that every college student should leverage.

Sources:

http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=37171&CFID=6140105&CFTOKEN=79761683

http://www.employeeevolution.com/archives/2009/01/08/5-reasons-every-college-student-should-start-blogging-in-2009/

http://www.helium.com/items/677674-facebook-dos-and-donts-for-college-students

Article courtesy of University Parent Media. www.universityparent.com

How the New iPhone 3.0 Can Make You Smarter

By Sandra Guy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:40:00 -0700

If you haven't downloaded the iPhone 3.0 version to your iPhone, do it now. Students with the iPhone can now use the gadget help them study. And, what's more, some schools are even giving them away to students-- for free.

Just released today, the 3.0 iPhone version offers cut, copy, and paste capabilities, MMS, an improved calendar, and many other updated features.

You may have known that the iPhone can help you study with test prep applications and language class podcasts. But what you probably didn't know are the other ways the iPhone can assist you on campus. Some schools are using iPhones to send out homework alerts, answer in-class surveys and quizzes, give directions to professors' offices, and allow students to check their meal and account balances.

Looks like the iPhone could turn out to be your very best study partner.

And what started with a Duke University program is now catching on elswehere: some schools are offering up iPhones to students for free -- for study purposes. Keep reading to find out if your school is one of nearly 10 colleges that are now jumping on the iPhone bandwagon.

iPod Invasion-- How it Started

Duke University’s Duke Digital Initiative (DDI) was one of the first to sponsor programs for iPod use by instructors and students. Duke offers its students discounted iPods and has iPods available for term-long loans for students in DDI-approved iPod courses. During the Spring 2007 term, DDI supported approximately 1350 students and 86 faculty members in more than 50 courses. The DDI is also experimenting with the use of digital content, tablet PCs, podcasting and other new technologies to determine their effectiveness as learning tools.

Duke’s faculty and students produce podcasts and listen to podcasts produced by others as a way to expand their own expertise and to learn from outside experts, says Lynne O’Brien, director of academic technology and instructional services at the Duke University library. For example, students have been assigned to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language via a podcast and create short movies showing scenes they imagine from a Jane Austen novel, O’Brien says. Duke also makes podcasts of guest speakers that students may want to hear for a second time or that they have missed, as well as worldwide experts who never set foot on campus. “There are all kinds of wonderful materials available for podcast by prominent speakers, ranging from the arts to the sciences,” O’Brien says.

In spring of 2007, Apple introduced a free podcast hosting service for educational content, including lectures and interviews. The service, called iTunes U, is located in a dedicated area of the iTunes store and was created with the collaboration of colleges. It lets students download content, like course lectures and language lessons, any time to their PC or Mac, or transfer the content to their iPods.

Dan Schmit, instructional technology specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said podcasting has become a “new movement” for learning. “In this age of assessments, testing and standards, students who create podcasts and multimedia can show what they know about a topic in a richer way,” says Schmit, author of “Kidcast: Podcasting in the Classroom.” Students who produce classwork, documentaries, mock radio programs and other types of podcasts learn how to research topics, work with each other and gain a sense of value that others want to hear their voices, Schmit says. “When students create a podcast and realize that hundreds of listeners are hanging on their every word, it’s very motivational,” he says.

Podcasts also are helping students with special needs, such as those who are learning English as a second language, and students in special education who can view images instead of reading text, Schmit says. Teachers must take care to teach students when it is appropriate to use their iPods, however, so that they don’t become a distraction in class, he says.

Is YOUR school giving away free iPhones?

See Page 2 to find out! >>

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Technology for Test Prep-- The Evolution

Established SAT and ACT test-preparation companies are moving from cell-phone services to podcasts. Kaplan continues its program of letting students download games, quizzes and practice tests to cell phones and hand-held devices. But now, Kaplan offers SAT prep programs that students can download from iTunes onto their iPods and iPhones.

The programs, at a cost of $4.99 each, focus on the SAT’s three graded sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing. The programs let students take timed and untimed quizzes and see their quiz score progress on charts and graphs.

Princeton Review offers SAT tips, tests and questions that can be downloaded to cell phones and hand-held devices, as well as free podcasts. One of the podcasts, “The Princeton Review Vocab Minute,” uses catchy tunes to teach vocabulary words. Princeton Review will launch a new podcast this fall on test-taking strategies.

Kristen Campbell, national director of SAT and ACT programs for Kaplan, says students can create their own quizzes from the downloadable podcasts, so they can focus on the topics they most need to study. “There are more than 1,000 questions a student can create customized quizzes with,” she said. Podcasts help students study during their incredibly busy schedules, Campbell says. “As a rule, we know students are busy. They’re on the go all the time -- going to baseball practice, band practice and summer jobs. This gives them a convenient device. If they have 15 minutes to spend, they can create a quick quiz.”

Podcasts are great for helping students eliminate silly answers, but they cannot cover every strategy and are designed for specific goals, says Princeton Review Publisher Rob Franek. “When it comes to a standardized test, the key is to practice, practice, practice,” he says. “That’s hard to employ in a podcast. The students have to take some practice exams.”

iPhone Invades College Campuses-- Is Your School One of Them?

In 2008, Abilene Christian University in Texas announced that all incoming students would have the option to receive either an iPhone or an iPod touch completely free. According to an ACU press release, students on campus "will use an iPhone or iPod touch to receive homework alerts, answer in-class surveys and quizzes, get directions to their professors' offices, and check their meal and account balances - among more than 15 other useful web applications already developed."

Other universities are hot on their heels, according to Gina Hughes with Yahoo!Tech, who specifically points out Harvard, Yale, MIT, Duke, Stanford, Oxford, Princeton, and UCLA.

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Ways for your College Student to Spend Summer Break

By UniversityParent.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:14:00 -0700

For college students, summer break is a chance to get caught up in coursework, earn money for the next semester, prepare for their career or simply relax and reconnect with friends and family. There are many available ways to spend summer break – and it depends on your student and what year they are in, as to which direction is best for them. Besides video games, hanging out with friends, Facebook and Myspace, there are some productive ways for your student to stay busy over summer break. While some fun and downtime is encouraged – students should find ways to continue towards their goals, whether it means getting a job, finding an internship, taking extra classes, or traveling. If your student has just finished their freshman year, it isn’t necessary to expect them to know what their career path is going to be, but they can certainly begin to consider areas to explore. Whereas, if your student is further along in their college career, summer break is a perfect opportunity for them build experience or training in their selected field.

If your student’s most important goal for the break is to earn money, encourage them to find a decent paying summer job or one that they can work additional hours to earn more. It’s always great if your student can find such a job in their chosen field of study, gaining invaluable experience. But keep in mind, if they’re still early in their college career, specific experience may not be as important as earning money during summer break so they’ll have more time to study during the academic year.

If your student has limited time to earn money during their summer break due to other plans, they can leverage a few hours online for additional resources. Students can use their summer break to search for and apply for scholarships, set up a www.gradefund.com account to earn money for academic achievements, or line up on-campus jobs for the following semester.

Students should also spend some time over summer break to review the requirements for their major or field of interest. Students benefit from ensuring their class schedule is conducive to their lifestyle, location of residence, proximity to other classes and activities, etc. Taking a few extra minutes to prepare and plan, before the hustle and bustle of school starts again will help them have a successful semester. They can use extra time during the summer to look into post-graduation options, such as obtaining a graduate degree or pursuing a career path.

Other summer break options include traveling, studying abroad, taking extra classes, volunteering, interning and much more. While they need to relax, they certainly don’t need to start a new semester after three months of doing nothing – they’ll have a much harder time getting back into the swing of school. Whichever way your student decides to spend summer break, make sure they balance productivity with a little enjoyment.
Article Courtesy of universityparent.com

Source:
http://encarta.msn.com/college_article_summerbreak/how_should_you_spend_your_summer_break.

Nomination of Sonya Sotomayor Inspires Hispanic Students

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:26:00 -0700

On May 26, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor for appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed, Sotomayor, who is of Puerto Rican descent, will be the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice and only the third female justice. And yet another glass ceiling will have been broken.

The nomination of the first Hispanic to the Supreme Court is inspiring Hispanic students nationwide.

Hispanic students at Washington D.C.'s Cesar Chavez Public Charter School told the local Channel 8 News that Sotomayor's nomination gives them hope that they can excel to a level they never thought possible.

"Look at her story; if she can do it why can't you,” a student, Brenda Balcarcel told Channel 8. “Yeah, it's hard, but if you want something you're going to work hard and you're doing to do it.”

One student, Hancy Montesino told Channel 8 he believes that there can now be a Hispanic president, “we have a chance now,” he said.

And yet another told Channel 8 that he thinks Sotomayor’s nomination will inspire parents to encourage children to work harder in school.

"And it almost gives parents a reason to push their kids far enough so they can achieve greatness - hey, you could become the next president like Obama did.... He eliminated that whole idea that only the white man can do it. He did that and so did Sonia," Bonerge Rubio, a student told Channel 8 News.

Does Sonia Sotomayor’s Supreme Court nomination inspire you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Information compiled from Channel 8 News and Wikipedia.

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It's Not Whether You Win or Lose

Richard Pound — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:13:00 -0700

I feel like Rip Van Winkle! You remember him, the old man who settles down under a shade tree and falls into a deep sleep only to awaken 20 years later to return to a village he no longer recalls. Did I fall asleep back in 1985 and wake up to discover the concept of youth sports and the philosophy of our young people changed beyond all comprehension?

In the mid-1980s when I was being recruited in football and lacrosse out of the Watertown, NY area, no one had ever heard of college recruiting services. The idea of a “dedicated travel team” for every sport was equally unknown. And the high-pressure recruiting tactics to get talented student-athletes to commit before he ever visited the school were way out of bounds.

I’ve spent the last two decades educating students to have balance in their lives and to develop a well-rounded character. And yet, I am faced with the reality that our society has lost its perspective on why we participate in youth and high school athletics in the first place. Aren’t we supposed to have fun? Don’t we enjoy the idea of working as a team to accomplish a shared goal? Aren’t there lessons to be learned in the art of competing well regardless of wins and losses?

Maybe it’s my old-fashioned upbringing or my passion for seeing student-athletes grow and develop in their sport. But it seems that our society is fast losing its grasp on why children are playing sports in the first place. I understand the allure of the supremely gifted athlete who converts his skills into fame and fortune. The majority of us, folks, are not nearly as gifted.

The NCAA's Role in Recruiting

The NCAA is the governing body of collegiate athletics in the United States, and represents the institution in which we place our trust to set the standard for balancing academics and athletics. Still, even the NCAA appears to contradict itself.

A January 16, 2009 AP article, “Got game in 7th grade? NCAA says you’re a prospect”, describes an NCAA ruling giving in to the youth movement in college basketball recruiting. The NCAA has changed the definition of a “prospect” from 9th grade to 7th grade—for men's basketball only—to nip a trend in which some college coaches were working at private, elite camps and clinics for seventh- and eighth-graders. One member of the committee was quoted as saying, "The fact that we've got to this point is really just a sign of the times." Let me tell you: when I was little, the adults in my life used to change my behavior and never once did they let it slide because it was a sign of the times!
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Mr. Joe D'Antonio, Chairman of the 31-member NCAA Division I Legislative Council, had his philosophy right when he stated, “It's a little scary only because where does it stop?" Well Mr. D’Antonio, I will tell you, the late great sports commentator Jim McKay once stated, “Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport! The thrill of victory...and the agony of defeat! The human drama of athletic competition! This is ABC's Wide World of Sports!”

Such a simple statement embodies so much of the philosophy we need to get back to.

Only Four Years, No Sure Things

I regularly remind high school kids and their families: you have only four years to create memories for the rest of your life; what do you want them to be?” I was blessed to play three sports in high school and two in college. I have no idea what our W-L records were, but I can vividly tell you about the relationships I developed with people and the select memories of games won and games lost.

It saddened me to hear what transpired to one of my favorite young athletes while I was talking with his parent the other day. Paul played on the AAA Travel Hockey program in a local community and his experience has left him discouraged to say the least. In the high stakes world of 12 year old travel hockey, Paul and other young men like him are losing the passion for the sport they love because the game itself is no longer fun. Overzealous parents and coaches feel that it is based on the win and not so much on the struggle and hard work to get the win. This is where we lose site of the importance of youth sports.

Check out the April 2009 edition of Lacrosse Magazine, and an article whose headline read: “Be True to Your School?” The article centered on the dilemma faced by some student-athletes of abandoning your high school team in favor of the visibility that comes with playing for a “select” travel team.

The part that bothered me most was not the words used, but the punctuation at the end of the statement—a question mark—as though demonstrating loyalty to one’s school was being called into question and had somehow lost its appeal.

You have only four years to create memories for the rest of your life. If you're playing sports to get the benefit of athletic competition and to have fun, what better way than to compete for your high school with the friends you have grown up with your whole life?

If you are looking for a shortcut to get that golden opportunity of the “DI” scholarship, then I have a bridge to sell you! Remember, there are no shortcuts in your quest to achieve your goals, no miracle remedies, and certainly no sure things. The only things you can control as an athlete are your attitude, work ethic, knowledge of your sport, and a sound understanding of what goals you hope to achieve through athletic competition.

First Heath Ledger Scholarship Winner Announced

Mon, 04 May 2009 14:34:00 -0700

In recognition of Heath Ledger’s acting legacy, his family (with the help of Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, and Michelle Williams) has created the Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship for rising Australian actors. The scholarship gives rising Australian actors the chance to head to Hollywood for international acting opportunities.

Oliver Ackland was the first-ever recipient of the Heath Ledger Scholarship in the amount of $10,000. He was presented the award at an Oscar party for Australian nominees in February at Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont Hotel. Of the honor, Ackland said, "The fact that it is in his name means the world. I admired Heath and I admired the work that he chose, the path he created for himself. It shows a lot of integrity on his behalf."

Ackland was one of 150 who had applied for the award. Judges for the award included Australian actress Rachel Griffiths and Australian director Gregor Jordan. "Ackland is a great actor and he's really likeable," Jordan told PEOPLE. "He's got a sort of Jude Law look. Maybe he's an Aussie Jude Law, who knows?"

Applications for the Heath Ledger Scholarship 2010 will become available in the Fall of 2009.

Emergency Student Health Bulletin: Swine Flu

Kathryn Knight — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:41:00 -0700

Did you spend your spring break in Mexico? If so, you may have brought home an unwanted guest: swine flu. At least eight students at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, New York have been infected with the flu, all of whom spent their spring breaks in Cancun, Mexico.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease commonly found in pigs. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that people do not normally get swine flu. In the past, when it has been transmitted from person-to-person, the transmission was limited to only three people. That is why this particular outbreak today is so dangerous.

Because swine flu can be transmitted from person-to-person, schools and colleges are especially susceptible to outbreaks. For instance, at St. Francis Preparatory School, the few students that brought back swine flu had infected over 100 of their classmates by last Friday. The Center for Disease Control predicts that because of the easy transmission of swine flu, cases will only increase in the United States.

Unfortunately, swine flu differs from other types of epidemic influenza. Rather than targeting weaker immune systems found in young children and senior citizens, swine flu has no limits. In fact, most of those who have died from the flu in Mexico have been young, healthy adults. Though individuals affected with swine flu in the U.S. are being treated, the flu can be fatal if medical help is not sought out immediately.

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to the common flu. They include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you are experiencing any of these systems, see your school nurse, doctor, or campus health center immediately.

To prevent swine flu, follow these simple instructions from the CDC: “First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.”

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Real Students. Real Award Money.

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:14:00 -0700

These days, one in eight students win scholarships. Not bad odds. But these students increased those odds by using FastWeb to find the awards they could get. Here’s the word, straight from students who scored:

At first, I was skeptical of using a massive scholarship search engine. Then I realized, what the heck, I’ll give it a try. I decided that scholarships were not just going to come to me; I had to work for them. I would spend time every weekend during my senior year sorting through the hundreds of scholarships I could apply to. Even though I applied to way more than I received, the few that I did receive are essential to me being able to afford college now. If I could tell anything to people skeptical of using FastWeb or applying for scholarships in general is: just do it!

Emma F. – Won $15,000

Mount Holyoke College

FastWeb was the most complete yet personalized resource I found in my scholarship search. My goal was to be able to make a college decision regardless of the cost, and the scholarships I found on FastWeb enabled me to do so. I can credit FastWeb with helping me find these opportunities that ultimately won me $25,000.

Melanie Z. – Won $25,000

Syracuse University

Without this website, I wouldn’t have gotten half the money I did. FastWeb provided a list of so many scholarships that, even though I only won a few, I’m now able to fund my entire college education PLUS receive a check from the University.

Justin S. – Won $15,000

University of Iowa

I had not received any financial aid for college, and given the price tag at Harvard, it was tremendously helpful to have a free and easy-to-use search engine like FastWeb to sift through the hundreds of funding opportunities I considered during my senior year.

Jason S. – Won $50,000

Harvard University

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Money Tips Students Wish They'd Known

By FastWeb — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:03:00 -0700

We asked FastWeb users to pass on their advice about money management, based on their personal experiences. Here's what
they said:

"Start saving, tell your parents you want to go to college, ask them to start [savings plans] for you now,
before it's too late, and don't waste any time! As soon as you can, get a job. Don't blow the money on
awesome stereo equipment for your car, or that ski trip you've been dying to take or Christmas presents.
Dreams cost big. Are you prepared?"

-- Kacie Halonen, College of the Fraser Valley

"I have been through the tough money times, and the most important advice is... do not get a credit card! I made that mistake my freshman year in college. They were giving out giant bags of M&M's and
I fell for it. Now I am still paying off this card, and when you're a broke college student the interest kills
you! Coupon clipping and second-hand stores are also good advice."

-- Tiffany Coady, Oregon State University

"No matter how low your cash flow gets, do not apply for a credit card until you are out of college and on
steady ground financially. Don't ever give your credit cards to anyone whose name is not on the contract.
Finally, don't take the easy road to anything, because everything worth having in life takes a long, hard
time to get - whether it's a college education or financial security."

-- Adreka Majors, College of Charleston

"Don't get caught up in the excitement of being on your own. Have some sort of savings plan for your
bills. Don't be naive with your money; people really do want to get paid for their services and they will
make sure they get it."

-- Jaime Woolley, Oakland University

"Ask your parents to help you learn about investing in companies whose products you consume. Become
investors and consumers. I liked it so much that my grandmother wrote a book about how she taught me
how to invest. If students start to learn how to invest, they can learn more about the financial world of the
companies."

--- Danielle Flythe, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

"Don't fall into a credit card trap like I did. I've cut down on spending but the bills are still high. Once the
bill gets out of control like that, it takes forever to pay off. The best thing to do is save. If you save, you
might not be prepared for all the extra expenses but maybe you'll stay afloat better than I did."

-- Matalya Dowdy, Mount St. Mary's College

"First, apply for scholarships. Second, try to teach yourself to make a habit of saving. It is no easy task, but
once learned it becomes much easier. Start with small things. For instance, if you're in the checkout line at
the grocery store, ask yourself, 'Do I really need that pack of gum?' The small things do add up. This kind of self-discipline will help develop a habit of saving
money, and it will help when you go to college."

-- Rachel Carpenter, Eaton Rapids Senior High

"Make careful decisions on your investments. Prioritize your spending according to your needs, not your
wants. When a situation arises where you want to spend money, don't exceed your limits."

-- Jill Stender, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

"It is very tempting to want to have a credit card. Get a card with a small limit on it and do not get more
than one."

-- Kimberly Hernandez, University of Connecticut

"The most important advice I could give is to study hard and to apply for scholarships. Student loans are
helpful if you need them, but then you are in debt as soon as you get out of college. I would also say to
listen to your parents. They are not as dumb as you think they are about money."

-- John Kaiser, Kansas State University

"I would advise anyone having trouble saving money to think to themselves: 'Do I really need this?' If the answer is yes, buy it; if the answer is no, return it! Someone else could probably use it more, and you might need the money for something more important!"

-- Julie Hunt, North Branch High School

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Make a Bad Economy Work for You

By Stephen Borkowski — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:02:00 -0700

When Todd Romer was 16 years old he bought 10 shares of Johnson & Johnson stock with money he earned mowing lawns. "That was a tremendous lesson," he says. Now he's the editor of Young Money magazine, a publication he founded in 1999.

Becoming an Investor

Investing while you're a high school or college student isn't as outrageous an idea as you might think. "People think to become an investor you have to be 40 years old, and have hundreds of thousands of dollars," Romer says. He started with $430, but you could start with even less than that.

And you don't need an advanced business degree to learn good investing skills. "When you break it down, they're very simple concepts to understand," Dayana Yochim, senior writer for The Motley Fool, says. There are an array of books and Web sites you can use to educate yourself (check out the list at the bottom of this article).

Why Now?

"When you're young, living under your parents' roof, and don't have bills to pay, that's a great time to start socking money away," Yochim says.

Plus, time is on your side. A principle known as compounding increases the power of your money as it earns interest over time. For example, if in one year you earn 10 percent interest on an investment of $100, you'll make $10. Now, with $110 invested, still earning 10 percent, you'll earn $11 in the second year. So after two years, without adding another penny, you've made $21. (Experiment with this compounding calculator to see how long it would take to double that $100.)

When you invest, "you become an active student in the stock market," Romer says. "You become more astute about business," as you study your investment and figure out why the market is fluctuating.

Where to Start

The stock market is a good place for young people to start because it's accessible and offers the potential for strong returns. "You can't buy much real estate for $500," Romer says. And the low interest rates on most bank accounts don't generate much growth.

Web sites like Sharebuilder.com let investors purchase stock with no minimum account balance. You could start with $20. To find companies "open your closet. What are the products that you use? What are the stores you like to shop at?" Yochim asks. Then go online and find out if it's publicly traded.

There are other ways to invest in stocks. Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPS) allow you to buy a single share of stock. As that share earns dividends, those dividends are used to buy additional shares. There are index mutual funds, in which you own a little bit of every stock traded on a particular index. There are also traditional mutual funds, made up of an array of stocks across many industries.

As part of your research, you might try "fake" investing to get comfortable tracking and researching stocks. Monitor the performance of stocks that interest you by setting up a free portfolio at Financials.com. Or play Fantasy Stock Market on the Young Money Web site. It's free, and you'll get $10,000 worth of pretend money to invest.

Are You Ready?

Before you invest a cent, look at your finances and determine if you can afford it.

First, "if you are carrying debt that's high interest, credit card debt, pay it off," Yochim says. If your credit company charges you 14 percent interest on your balance, and you can earn 10 percent on your investment, paying off that balance is a better use of your money.

Second, if you've got a short term financial goal, then a low-risk savings account might serve you better. If you'll need this money soon to buy text books or a car, then you'll want to have access to those funds and won't want to risk diminishing them. You should be in a position to part with the money you plan to invest for at least five years.

Finally, check your attitude. If you expect to turn your investment into millions within a year, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. "The stock market is very kind to patient investors," Yochim says. "The market is on an upward swing over the long term. In the short term, it's extremely volatile."

The stock market is not the place to try and make a quick buck. "It's a place to acquire wealth over time based on historical averages, and the compounding effect," Romer says.

Resources

Books:

The Motley Fool Investment Guide for Teens

Learn to Earn

Teenvester: The Practical Investment Guide for Teens and Their Parents

Web sites:

Young Money Magazine

The Motley Fool

MarketWatch.com

BigCharts.com

MorningStar.com

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How Not to Go Broke

By Jennifer LeClaire — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:01:00 -0700

Earning and saving money as a student can be difficult. But with some research, you can get smart about your spending.

"Now is the best time in your life to live cheap," says MSN Money columnist Liz Pulliam Weston. "If you learn how to save money you will be ahead of 90 percent of your peers. You will build wealth."

Below, some well-known thrifty shopping gurus show you some tools, Web sites and strategies you can use to stretch your paycheck.

Research, compare and coupon

Research your potential purchases at sites like shopping.com, epinions.com and pricescan.com to read buyer feedback before you buy. Then go to comparison-shopping sites like NexTag.com to find the best deal. Finally, don't forget sites like CoolSavings.com and CouponCraze.com where you can find e-coupons that can save you big bucks.

Become a seasonal shopper

Get to know major sale seasons. Clothing stores usually cut prices at the end of seasons to make room for new fashions. Retailers often hold huge clearance sales in January and February to move out their existing inventory and make room for new merchandise.

A night at the movies

Movies are expensive these days. Look for cheap theaters that show older movies, or theaters with student discounts. If you can wait a few months, watch movies on pay-per-view and split the cost among a group of friends. "Understand how you use entertainment and spend wisely," says Tonya Hinch, author of I Left Home With $50 and Came Back With Nothing. What Happened? "If you are never home, then don't waste your money on all the premium cable TV channels. Order DVDs through the mail from companies like NetFlix. Having all the premium channels, going to the theater and renting movies will suck up your cash."

Don't choke on restaurant bills

If your social life includes meals out, try breakfast or lunch—when you aren't as tempted to get appetizers and dessert—instead of dinner and cut your bill in half. If you must go to dinner, order appetizers instead of a full meal and enjoy the company.

Chatting it up

Competition among phone companies can help you save. You could get a cell phone that includes nationwide long distance for $35-$45 a month. Or shop for a family plan with extra lines as low as $10 a month and split the savings among friends. If you need a home phone for Internet access, forego the mobile and use a phone card for long distance. You can find rates as low as three cents a minute at discount retailers.

Subscribe to save

Are you hooked on Sports Illustrated? There's no need to go without your favorite magazines— just don't buy them off the newsstand, says Hinch. "Ask your grandma to buy you a subscription instead of a plaid shirt or buy one yourself," she says. "You can save up to 80 percent and you'll get it on time." You can also see if an online version is available for free.

Avoid textbook woes

Textbook prices don't have to break your budget. You can buy used books at sites like VarsityBooks.com, use the library copy or invent a textbook timeshare plan. "Consider pairing up with a classmate to share books," says Kelly Tanabe, author of 1001 Ways to Pay for College. "You can cut your costs in half."

Slash computer costs

You can also save big on computers by taking advantage of student discounts direct from the manufacturer. Or you can use the computer lab at your school for free.

Careful with your credit

"Don't carry a credit card balance," advises Weston. "That will give you the discipline to live within your means without using credit cards to extend it. If you do that one thing you are on the road to being financially independent."

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Eat for Cheap. Here’s How.

By Bridget Kulla — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:01:00 -0700

Save money anywhere you can. College is expensive enough; cooking a healthy meal shouldn’t be. Use these tips to fill your pantry for less.

Spend Extra Time Planning Your First Trip to the Grocery Store

You’ve unpacked your boxes in your new place, now it’s time to pack the pantry with groceries. Your grocery bill will be the most expensive when you first move in. All the basics you usually have on hand, like olive oil, salt, sugar and toilet paper, need to be stocked in your new place. Adjust your budget to spend $20 to $40 more during your first trip to the grocery store.

Grocery shopping won’t always be as expensive as when you first stock your new place.

Shop at Different Stores:

Sure, it’s convenient to get all your shopping done at one store, but extra time stopping at a few stores could save you money. Flip through the advertisements each store sends to compare prices. You may find that the little mom-and-pop store has cheaper—and better quality—produce than the big chain grocery store. Does one store have specials for students or double coupon day? Remember, just because a store calls itself a “discount store” doesn’t mean they always have the lowest prices. Shop around.

Don’t buy things like contact lens solution, aspirin, school supplies and other non-grocery items at the grocery store. Likewise, avoid purchasing grocery items at convenience stores where they usually have high mark-ups.

Share Food:

Splitting your grocery expenses with roommates lowers your overall costs. Larger sizes of items, like milk, tend to cost less per ounce than smaller sizes. You probably can’t drink an entire gallon of milk by yourself, but sharing it with roommates saves everyone money. You’ll spend more if you live alone, but find a few friends to grocery shop with and offer to split large items with them. Wholesale stores, like Costco, have cheaper prices on some things, but don’t assume all items are good deals. Bring a calculator with you. To figure out if a case of cereal actually has a lower unit price than an individual box, divide the cost by the number of ounces.

Make a List (and Stick to It):

Tossing that box of cookies into your cart might seem like a good idea when you’re shopping after skipping lunch, but your food costs add up as a result. Plan what you want to eat for the week and make a list. Stick to what you need instead of falling for the impulse buys at the end of the aisle (supermarkets know this, by the way—things featured at the end of aisles typically have the highest mark-up and are the most tempting). Shopping for a week’s worth of groceries at once will also cost less than shopping for each night’s dinner separately when you’re more likely to buy impulsively.

Buy Generic:

Most of the time generic and store brands are exactly the same as name brands but at a much lower price. Stores stock the highest-priced items on the shelves at chest level. Look around to find the generic version that can be less than half of the name-brand price. Household products like toilet paper and dish soap are also areas where you can get a good deal with generic brands. Even if you have a coupon for a name-brand product, the generic item will often still cost less.

Use Coupons:

Look in the Sunday newspaper, at in-store displays and on the back of items you’ve already purchased for coupons. Web sites like CoolSavings.com, TheGroceryGame.com and SmartSource.com have coupons you can print. Keep in mind that a coupon may save you a lot, but just because you have a coupon doesn’t mean something’s a good deal. Don’t buy 10 bottles of ketchup just because you have a coupon for it. Use coupons only on items you usually buy. If your local grocery has a preferred customer program, like shopper cards that give you special discounts, sign up for it. Check your receipt before you leave to make sure your coupons were deducted.

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Redecorate Your Dorm Room on a Dime

By Jennifer LeClaire — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Whether it's your first dorm experience or your grad school apartment, college pads are the epitome of self-expression. But, as a student, you probably need to discount your interior design dreams with practical décor.

"Since you are probably going to enter a small room with stark white walls, your goal is to decorate and save space," says Marie Bailey, Office Depot's family organization expert. "Look for stylish, multi-functional items, like study desks with shelving and rack raisers that can hold up your bed and give you extra storage space underneath."

Your own private castle

Since your bed is one of the largest pieces of furniture, the color palate of your comforter could set the design theme for the entire room. This may be your most expensive purchase, or you could bring the one from home and spend your cash on accessories instead.

"Your bed is your castle," says Mindy Greenberg, principal of Encore Décor an interior design firm in New York City. "It's where you do your homework. It's where you eat. It's where you sleep. It's where you entertain your friends, therefore it tends to get stained and dirty. Since nobody really likes to do wash, denims and darker colors are better for dorm living."

Need a quick bedside table solution? Amanda Williams, spokesperson for Springmaid Home Fashions, suggests visiting a flea market or yard sale for bargain furniture.

"You can replace the knobs, add a coat of paint or create an antique look with a few brushstrokes," Williams says. "You can also create a living space on your floor with a stylish accent rug. Place floor pillows on the rug and settle in with classmates for a study group or friendly chatter."

Posters are the most affordable solution for brightening those stark walls. With art and pop culture posters selling for as little as $7 online, you can give your dorm a new look without breaking your budget.

Light and lively

Good lighting is important during study times and a lively environment makes your new home away from home comfy and cozy.

"Lighting can be both fashionable and functional," says Gail Glover, a spokesperson for Binghamton University in New York. "A clip-on light or an arm lamp for late night studying is a necessity. Add mini-lights strung across the room for a cool but different touch."

Plants provide a touch of green - just remember to water them! A gumball machine can brighten up the room and offers great study snacks. But limit the amount of fragile objects. Things tend to break more easily in student housing.

"Natural tones always work well to warm up a space and provide good energy," says Jason Wood, residential design director for Educational Housing Services, a New York City-based service targeting college students. "Natural tones don't necessarily mean neutral tones, but, rather, colors found in nature such as sunflower yellow, grass green and sky blue. Balance among the tones of the colors chosen is key."

Don't underestimate the positive effect of color in the bathroom, either. You can substitute a festive shower curtain for the stark white industrial for just a few bucks.

Space savers

Finally, avoid clutter. Use corkboards to organize schedules, phone numbers and other notes. Multi-functional desk lamps can hold pens, scissors and tape.

Staggering bookshelves can offer privacy from your nosy roommate while also giving you extra space on top to store books. And an ottoman can offer extra seating for visitors or a hideaway for odds and ends.

"Less is more," Greenberg says. "Although I encourage students to bring things with them to make them feel comfortable, I urge them not to bring too much because it's a fresh beginning with new friends. You'll accumulate new stuff while you are there and you don't want to clutter up your room."

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Tax 101: The Basics of Filing for the First Time

By Elisa Kronish — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:57:00 -0700

If you've never filed taxes, it can seem pretty intimidating. But it's really not as bad as you think. Arm yourself with some basic information before reporting to Uncle Sam.

Learn the Language

Before you dive in, master some of the terms you need to read IRS documents:

Earned income - Salaries, wages, tips and professional fees, including taxable scholarships and fellowship grants.

Unearned income - Investment-type income like interest on your savings account, dividends and capital gains, as well as unemployment compensation.

Gross income - All income you received in the form of money, goods, property and services that is not exempt from taxes.

Exemptions - A predetermined amount of money you can deduct from your taxable income for basic living expenses. You, as an individual, may be an exemption, and dependent children (which you probably are to your parents) qualify as exemptions.

Standard deduction - A set amount of money that the federal government gives you if you meet certain stipulations. It differs according to marital status.

Itemized deductions - There are six main categories of expenses that can be deducted: medical and dental, taxes, interest, charitable contributions, and casualty and theft losses. Itemized deductions reduce the amount of tax you owe.

W-2 Forms - Wage-income forms that you receive from employers in order to prepare your taxes.

Filing status - Whether you are single, married or head of household. There are several sub-categories within each of these as well.

Deciding Whether (and What) to File

Depending on your gross income, you may or may not be required to file. For example, in 2008, all single individuals under 65 with a minimum gross income of $8,950 were required to file. Even if your parents (or someone else) can claim you as a dependent, you may be required to file if you meet certain income conditions.

When determining your income, be sure to include all taxable income you receive. If your scholarships are not taxable, you need not include them in your income. (Non-taxable scholarships carry no service requirements and are used to cover education-related expenses).

But if your scholarship money is paid in exchange for teaching, research or other services, it is taxable - even if you don't receive a W-2. This includes work-study income and pay you receive as a teaching or residential assistant.

"Students really need to know that even though they might not be required to file, they may have some withholding taxes from a job," says Ted Knapp, an Internal Revenue agent in Mount Vernon, Ill. As a student, your income probably won't reach filing minimums, but you're still having taxes withheld by the federal government. "If you file, you'll likely get that money back," he says. And if you don't, then the government will gladly keep it.

Choosing a Form

To file your taxes, you need to fill out one of three basic forms:

1040EZ: The simplest tax form; consists of a single page. Requires a taxable income of less than $50,000 and interest income of less than $400. Restricted to singles and couples with no dependents. Cannot itemize deductions or deduct IRA contributions.
1040A: A more complicated form, allows more flexibility in income sources (including pensions, IRA dividends and retirement benefits). Also requires a taxable income of less than $50,000. Cannot itemize deductions but can deduct IRA contributions.
1040: The most complicated form, sometimes called the "long" form; required if income is more than $50,000. Can itemize deductions to adjust income.

For most students, the Form 1040EZ will suffice. If you're not sure and want to include more sources of income and deductions, you can always file one of the more complicated forms. If you itemize your deductions, you'll also have to complete Schedule A of your 1040.

Itemizing Deductions

The federal governments allows you to deduct certain specified expenses from gross income. The result is a lower tax base - and less tax that you have to pay. You'll need to fill out the 1040 if you want to itemize deductions.

You should itemize your deductions if they total more than your standard deduction (the standard amount you deduct from gross income on the 1040EZ and 1040A forms). However, certain people must itemize even if their deductions are less than the standard deduction. For example, you must itemize if you are married, but filing separately and your spouse is itemizing; or if you are a nonresident or dual-status alien.

When to Pay

The deadline for taxes is April 15 after the year for which taxes will be filed. "You can get an automatic four-month extension," Knapp says. "But this is not an extension for paying. It's only an extension to file. If you know you're going to owe taxes, you still have to pay by April 15.

Getting Help

The IRS now has a 24-hour, 7-day toll-free number to help answer questions during the tax crunch period. The number is 1-800-829-1040. You can also call this number to get the location of the nearest IRS office. You can get free tax assistance at any IRS office. "It's probably a good idea to make an appointment," Knapp advises. He also encourages everyone to look for help online at www.irs.gov.

The IRS also has a few publications that can help you:

IRS Publication 17: Your Federal Income Tax
IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education

Learn the basics for how to file, and come next April, you can file your taxes with ease.

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Athletics and Academics: A Winning Team

By Elisa Kronish — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:56:00 -0700

Maybe you can hit a running jump shot, sink a 50-foot putt, or lay down a perfect bunt. But do you have the grades to continue showing off your skills in college?

Academic requirements for prospective and current college athletes have gotten more demanding over the years. So it's important to know the requirements set by both the NCAA and the individual college you're attending and the assistance that's available to help you meet those requirements.

Getting In: Academic Requirements for College Applicants

"Students need to know more, and they need to ask more questions, because most kids get so wrapped up in being recruited that they forget the academics," says Jack Rivas, member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics.

For college applicants who plan to participate in sports, you need to graduate from high school and enroll in 14 academic classes that satisfy the NCAA's requirement for "core curriculum." If your grade point average is low, then your SAT or ACT score must be stronger. You can call the NCAA for eligibility information at 317/917-6222 or log on to their Web site.

Making the Grade in College

If you have dreams of turning pro, that's great. But you should know that, out of all the high school football players in the country, only 0.09 percent go on to play professionally. For high school men's basketball players, only 0.03 percent make it to the pros. Check out the NCAA's probability chart for the stats on other sports.

Meaning? Pay attention to that coursework—just in case.

With a heavy practice schedule, that can be hard. But there are lots of places on a college campus that will help you do that. "Pretty much everybody can get some support," Rivas says. But he adds that sometimes it's up to the student to seek it out.

Most Division I schools have an academic support system set up just for student athletes, or at least a contact person who can steer them in the right direction to get the help they need.

Schools also typically have tutorial centers. "These vary like night and day," Rivas says. "In some schools it is geared toward remediation to get students to the point where they need to be." But some schools have zero remediation. Rivas says if you expect remedial help and it's not offered, then you could get in over your head academically.

Many schools also provide academic coaching through organized study tables for student athletes. These typically combine tutors—either peers or professional staff—and computer labs. Attending study tables is sometimes mandatory.

Growing in popularity are academic courses that actually teach student athletes how to be successful college students. Many schools have created their own, and the NCAA has one called CHAMPS/Life Skills Program (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success) that's at more than 500 schools around the country. Some colleges count it toward your credits for graduation; others use it as a free elective. Some athletic departments require it, some encourage it and others leave it up to the student to decide.

If you want more advice on how to balance academics and sports, check out The Real Athlete's Guide, a book by Marc Isenberg and Rick Rhoads. In the meantime, keep training and keep studying.