The Expense of Learning Documentary Premiere

What: The Expense of Learning Premiere 

When: Release Date April 12, 2013

Where: Michigan State University’s campus in the Business College Complex (Eppley Center) 632 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824 in room N130

Cost: Free

About: The Expense of Learning is a student produced and filmed documentary, which features local students, officials and educators who talk about the controversial topic of the rising costs associated with higher education across the nation. This film sheds light on the negative impact on their family’s finances, the strain on their relationships and their desire of wanting to complete a college degree but losing hope that they will be able to. 

This premiere is bound to make you think. Many people think of school as a worthy investment. I believe this myself. However, when have to get a job to pay for their schooling then perspectives change. What is the expense of learning? Find out April 12, 2013!



Kristina ~ Expense of Learning Rep: Exposing others to the rising cost of a college education.

Unclaimed Education Credit? Get more back in your Tax Refund

Hello Everyone,


I just wanted to post a quick thought on getting tax refunds. As a college student, parent dependent and young & naive ... I did not know that you could claim education credit when you file for taxes. I became aware of this last year 2012 when I went to file my taxes for the first time in my life. I worked a summer job and was very excited to get back what little I did get back. Because I had a full ride scholarship, I did not qualify for the education credit due to me not having to pay anything out of pocket. This is a good thing too :)!

However, on this year 2013 ... I did pay some money out of pocket. One can confirm this by finding the Form 1098 - T and checking to see if the "Amounts billed for qualified tuition and related expenses" is greater than the "Scholarship or Grants" amount. If so then you can qualify for education credit.

1098-T Example: In this case I broke even so no money back.

I am getting back a nice amount due to the education credit. This may be the case for you too! I wrote this in hopes of informing current college students and future college students. If you are in grad school then it is a total different process.


And that is another thing...  if you pay for books, transportation, school supplies out of pocket than you can get money back. Most students do not know this. Check out this list to see what else you could claim.

The expense of learning is definitely an investment!



Thanks for reading,

Kristina ~ ExpenseofLearning Rep: Exposing others to the rising cost of a college education.

First Michigan SEO Competition for Michigan SEO Gurus!

What: The first annual Michigan SEO Competition

When: All contest registrations MUST be received BEFORE 11:59pm EST on April 1, 2013.

Where: Completely Digital

Who: All freelancers, agencies and students are welcome.

How: Register here.

Cost: It's FREE to enter!

• View Contest Rules on here.

More coming soon ...

• How to win!

~ ExpenseofLearning Rep: Exposing others to the rising cost of a college education.

New Federal Website: College Scorecard

Check out the new Federal Website College Scorecard! The website is intended to help students make more informed decisions on which college they would like or plan to attend.

The College Scorecard is one of six components to the newly launched Federal Website: Collegecost (Collegecost.edu.gov)

Using the College Scorecard tool:

1. Enter the name of your school.

2. Select from the pop -up drop down list.

3. View information provided

Quickly giving the College Scorecard a test run, I concluded the following:

1. The College Scorecard tool is fairly easy to use.
2. It provides basic information regarding each selected school such as costs, graduation rate, median borrowing, undergraduate enrollment and more.
3. Can search colleges by other criteria besides entering the college name such as Digital Marketing for the Degree & Major. Note: University of Michigan - Dearborn is on of few universities in the United States that offer the Digital Marketing degree.

4. Beneficial to students researching colleges to attend.
5. Greatly beneficial to students who want snapshots of multiple colleges without going to numerous different websites. One stop shop so to speak!


~ ExpenseofLearning Rep: Exposing others to the rising cost of a college education.

Jerrice Donelson selected for Teach for America program

Jerrice is a very inspiring individual who attends the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Her goals and diligence in working with high schools will definitely prepare them for college. They will be able to get scholarships and learn what could be done to cut tuition costs. Read more of her accomplishments and goals here.

~ ExpenseofLearning Rep: Exposing others to the rising cost of a college education.

Expense of Learning: Buick Achievers Scholarship

Scholarship Name: The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program

Scholarship Award Type # 1:

•      Name: Buick Achievers National Scholarships
•      # of Awards available: 100
•      Award amount: $25,000 

Scholarship Award Type # 2:

• Name: Buick Achievers Scholarships
• # of Awards available: 1,000
• Award amount: $2,000

Scholarship Due Date: February 28, 2013

Eligibility:

• Be high school seniors, high school graduates, or current post-secondary undergraduate students
• Plan to major in Engineering/Technology or select Design and Business related programs
• Be U.S. citizens

Clear here to see the full program information.
Clear here to for application directions.
Clear here to register as an applicant.


Scholarship Inside Scoop:

    To apply for this scholarship, you must first register as an applicant. Register here. Once you have your log-in information then you may start the scholarship. I recommend that you be prepared to complete this scholarship in one sitting. It took me around 45 minutes to an hour to complete the application considering the distractions I encountered. The application is fairly simple. Be prepared to provide all of your volunteering, community service and work experience. There are a couple of essay questions regarding your take on what you have done in the community and how that has affected your life. Overall the scholarship is not difficult to complete.


Brought to you by The Expense of Learning here to inform you of the rising cost of tuition. K.H.

Why do I have to pay so much for school!

I attend the 49th cheapest university in the state of Michigan. Ranking # 49 for having the lowest tuition (In State), the University of Michigan-Dearborn is a fairly small university with goals of equipping students with the skills they need to make a positive difference in the World.

I enrolled in my first college courses in September 2008. Now that it is January 2013, I have seen the cost of tuition increase from $3,500 per semester to $6,500 a semester. I chose to attend the University of Michigan - Dearborn because it was small, close to home, and cheaper than the other schools in my top 5 list.

Many people wonder whether the cost of tuition will affect the number of people planning to attend college. The rise of college tuition will definitely have an impact on who decides to go to college in the future. People are working while going to school to help pay for school. It is discouraging to have book costs exceeding $500 with only four classes per semester. I never understood how college students was offered so many things to buy and it is like we are college students. The majority of us do not have any money!

I am considering going to graduate school. However, since it is extremely expensive I am reconsidering going  straight back to school for my Master's Degree. Should I work and get experience and of course save money for a year and then go back or what?

The Expense of Learning documentary is a excellent and imminent source about the rising cost of college education. I interviewed with founders of this documentary. It felt good to share how I felt about the rise in cost of tuition. It was like I had a voice and someone actually listened to me.

Stay tuned for my posting on a hot scholarship!