If you've finished high school and decided you want to go to college, it is vital that you come up with a plan for how you are going to fund it. Going to college is more expensive than it has ever been in the past, and while it is always going to be a good investment you need to have a solid college education plan in place.

For example, going to college at one of the top colleges can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Most people don't have that kind of money around to pay the fees straight away, so you'll need to look into getting a college loan to help you through the extra financial burden.

Also take a good look around for grants that you may be eligible to receive. Grants don't usually have to be paid back so are highly desirable. There are many different grants offered by different establishments, so it pays to look around. There is never any harm in applying for a grant even if you don't think you'll get it. Putting a bit of effort in here can pay off a lot in the future.

The most important thing about a college education plan is having some idea how you are going to pay the money back. Usually this isn't as hard as it sounds because college loans can be paid off over a long period of time, but it's a good idea to put some thought into what you are going to do once you've finished college education.

The cost of going to college has been steadily increasing in recent times. These days, getting a college education is at its most expensive ever. However the financial gains of getting a higher education far outweigh the cost.

It's not difficult to see why many are put off by the cost of college though. The average cost of college is high, but is often a lot less than you think after grants and bursaries have been taken into account.

The cost of college varies with the different establishments, so exact figure cannot be given. The larger more renowned colleges do tend to charge a lot more for their tuition however, so before deciding on applying to a college you should always find out their exact fees.

The great thing about going to college is that no matter how expensive it is, the student will always make back many times the investment during their life time. It is one of the few investments that carries little to no risk, but can still guarantee huge returns. In fact, on average a college graduate will earn double the amount of money that a high school graduate will earn during a lifetime. This means that it is almost a question of whether you can afford not to go rather than whether you can afford the fees.

With a bit of research on the internet it is easy to find financial aid for students who are worried about the financial cost of going to college.

Graduate training schemes are an excellent way to make your mark in the corporate world. Graduate schemes provide you with career training, people and leadership skills as well as problem solving techniques that will assist you in becoming a valued employee. Depending on the individual company, some graduate schemes could last for 6 months while others last up to 4 years, and with luck and perseverance, the company will take you as a full time employee.

Being involved in a graduate scheme has many benefits, such as a competitive salary and the possibility of a quick rise within the company. The disadvantage of a graduate scheme is the initial application process. You must be ambitious and somewhat aggressive to get your application recognized in the graduate scheme of your career path. Major company and firms within the U.K. only allow a certain number of positions opened for the tens of thousands of hopefuls who submit their applications into a graduate training scheme program.

Many companies offer not only a descent salary, but a substantial welcoming bonus as well. Most major affiliates will go above and beyond to entice new recruits into their company profile. They expect high achievers and employees that will, in turn, go above and beyond for the company's success. Graduates who perform at their highest level and make their mark in the company will be offered a permanent position, however, participants who do not fair so well, will end their training without a job offer and be forced to move on.

To apply for a graduate scheme, thoroughly research companies within your field of study. Once you locate a few companies in which you would like to be trained in, contact them or do an online search for the company's website. (Most major companies have a website.) Fill out an application, and check your email frequently. Due to the overwhelming number of applicants, companies may use email specifically for follow up questions or if additional information is needed with your application. Always respond promptly to messages and submit additional information in a timely manner.

Prior to graduating, students will sometimes apply for a summer internship within a specific company. Internships prove to be a great advantage for a number of reasons. Some companies will pay an intern salary, you will gain the understanding of the inner workings in a career that you are pursuing and it will also give you a distinct advantage of an application acceptance when you apply for the graduate scheme.

It is a good idea to perform adequate research when you are entering into your college education. Doing so will enable you to find the right career that you will feel comfortable in, as well as be successful in the type of work you do. Graduate Schemes are designed to aid in the development of your field of study by providing you with an opportunity to become part of a corporate atmosphere that will allow you to achieve status within the company and the possibility of acquiring a permanent position.

Going to college is one of the most important decisions in any persons life, so you need to be sure which college is the right one for you. This is especially important today as the price of getting a college education increasing all the time so you need to be sure you will enjoy where you are going. College education ranking tables can help you decide which are the colleges with the best ratings as well as which ones would be suitable for you.

But how do the rankings work? And are they completely fair? If possible, you should always try to visit the college before committing to go there so you can see what it is like and whether you enjoy the surroundings, as rankings tend to only take into account the academic side of the college. The rankings are based on many things, including the average starting salary for a graduate from the college, acceptance ratings and a peer assessment score. The peer assessment score asks deans to rate out of five the college.

College education ranking tables are just one way you should decide on which college is right for you. Other factors such as distance, price and surroundings are also important and should be taken into account. Remember that the better colleges will also be the most expensive. Choosing a college is one of the hardest decisions and person will make in their lives so make sure you spend your time and make the right decision for you.

Most colleges today ask all potential applicants to write an essay to help them decide whether the pupil is suitable for the college or not. While writing a good essay won't get you a place if your grades aren't good enough, it can help you to stand out from the competition. With the number of people applying for higher education increasing all the time, you need to give yourself the best chance of beating people with similar stats to you.

So how do you write the best college education important essay? Here are some tips.

1. Always make sure you answer the question. The essays are usually only 500 words long, so it is vital you answer the question quickly and concisely. Never deviate from the point for too long or you will find yourself running out of words.

2. Don't overuse big words in an attempt to sound clever. If a word fits into the essay then by all means use it, but don't go through your essay looking at the thesaurus to find "cool" words. It will be obvious when the essay is read that you have done so.

3. Try to gain the readers attention in the first few sentences so the admissions officer will want to read on. Remember how many of these essays they will read, you need to make sure yours stands out from the crowd.

There is no certain way to write a good college education important essay, but the three points above should always be taken into consideration.

If you have college bound kids, you should be aware of the 529 college savings plan, one of the best ways to save for your kids' education future. The 529 college savings plan is a tax-free mutual fund investment option for any college or university in the country.

Many parents are not sure if the 529 college savings plan is the best option. There are calculators available to help make that decision. You can compare your estimated earnings in a regular taxable account with what you would earn with a 529 college savings plan. Depending on how much time you have before the college years, you are subject to come ahead with the 529 college savings plan.

Weigh your options

Before you begin using a savings plan estimator, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, most calculators only work with college savings plans. Consider a prepaid tuition plan only if you are certain that the beneficiary of the plan will attend one of the participating schools. These plans guarantee today's tuition rates for the future. Withdrawals from prepaid tuition plans are also tax-free.

Federally tax free withdrawals for qualifying college expenses from a 529 college savings plan are considered gifts for federal tax purposes. This is applicable for annual contributions not greater than $12,000 for individuals, and $24,000 for married couples making joint contributions. You can also make a lump sum payment equivalent to five years worth of contributions which total $60,000 for individuals; $120,000 for married couples.

Also keep in mind that you must set up a separate 529 college savings plan for each child or grandchild. The limits would apply to each account separately.

Gains from investments related to your 529 college savings plan is subject to the lower capital gains rate, if held for more than one year. The same rule applies for qualified dividends. However, short-term gains and interest are taxed at your regular tax rate.

How the tax savings calculator works

Generally, most tax savings calculators will require the following information: the number of years remaining until the child enters college; the estimated rate for a college fund if you invested in a taxable account rather than a 529 plan; whether you will make a lump sum payment or installments and the number of years you will contribute; and, the average return expected.

Results will give the estimated value at college age; estimated after-tax value at college age; and, the amount you will have and percentage gained from investing in a 529 college savings plan.

Finally, estimates are just that - estimates. You will not know the exact amount until you begin investing. However, educating yourself prior to selecting a plan helps you to understand what to expect.

If you are thinking about attending Plymouth State University or any University for that matter it is highly important to know your surroundings. Plymouth state is composed of several major facilities, all serving their own unique purpose. There are three halls that house most of the academic departments on campus, Rounds Hall, Memorial Hall, and also Hyde Hall.

Rounds Hall is where you will find the education, English and Social Science departments. So if any of these three concentrations are your major, you'll be spending most of your time in this building, which also just happens to be one of the oldest on campus. Memorial Hall is where you will find the Computer Science & Technology program which also contains two fully equipped computer labs. Hyde Hall is one of the biggest "Halls" on campus and it needs to be, it host the most academic departments the school has to offer here.

The Boyd Science center was renovated in 2003, and is where you can find PSU's very reputable and respectable Meteorology Program. The Hartman Union Building or otherwise known as the "HUB" to PSU faculty, student body and alumni is widely known as the center for campus life at PSU. It serves for a variety of different purposes, with cafeterias, gyms, and administrative offices. Student's usually go here to grab a bite to eat in between classes or meet up with friends.

The Silver Center for the Arts is home to all the Performing Arts functions and anything and everything related to such. This building has two theatres, the Hanaway Theatre and the Studio theatre. The Hanaway a large proscenium theatre and the Studio a much smaller personalized theatre. Paul Reuben's, also known as "Pee-Wee Herman" use to grace these stages with his talent.

Pune University is one of the most famous and much sought universities of India. It is situated in the state of Maharashtra and was established in the year 1949. The campus of the Pune University extends over 400 acres and has a very good student friendly environment. Moreover, the university also has about 118 research institutes, 46 departments and approximately 269 colleges that are accredited to it. They offer many courses on all the levels that include the Pune university degree courses, diploma courses and certificate courses as well.

The Pune University degree courses that are offered here are basically for the disciplines regarding mathematics, law enforcement, computing, biotechnology, engineering and applied sciences. In fact, the university degree courses in Pune attract a large number of students from all over the country and abroad to pursue the course of their dreams. These degree programs help them immensely in shaping their careers as they are provided with apt guidance, knowledge, education and guidelines in order to soar high.

The students who aspire to pursue a Pune university degree can be absolutely relaxed as the university is very well connected with almost all the major cities through airways, railways and the roadways. In fact, Mumbai, which is the capital city and also the land of bollywood stars, is also very near. It takes approximately just half an hour to reach Mumbai which is a very modern city. Students can very easily travel to Mumbai and enjoy their weekends and other holidays.

When students travel all the way from their home lands to pursue a Pune university degree what they are most concerned about is the accommodation and the food. Pune University therefore takes care of this concern of the students too. The students who come from other states and lands can easily avail the hostel facilities separately for both boys and girls on the basis of their merit. The hostels that the Pune University provides with have mess that avails the students with quality food. The food that is offered at the mess is very hygienic and healthy. Complete consideration of the sanitation and the cleanliness f the place is taken care f for the health of the students. So, as the hostel facility is also provided by the Pune University, students who are there to make a career from the Pune university degree do not any problem when they have to find an accommodation for themselves.

The Pune University also provides various online courses so that people who are also working simultaneously can also have the right kind of educational training. These on, line courses are very easy to be enrolled in and have very few basic formalities to fulfill. Moreover, these courses are very affordable as well so that large number of students who want to study and pursue Pune university degree courses can have an access to it. All the degree courses, diploma courses and the certificate courses offered by the Pune University, both on the campus and online are conducted by the experts of the various fields. They tutor he students in the best of the manner so that the students can rise high in their careers and shine in the world.

Every college student needs a four-year plan that can lead to a great job. Since nobody wants to spend four years in college only to end up in a dead end job, wise students write out, and periodically update, a comprehensive plan that reveals the steps that will lead their goals.

Here is a brief and simplified example that can be tailored to individual needs.

Freshman Year - As soon as possible, select a general and broad career direction that makes sense for you. With that decision, you will be able to conduct some research. Try to find out what the employers in these fields will require of employment candidates, if you interview with them in your senior year. In that way, you can begin to create a path to follow, set goals and establish a timeline for the steps that are required. Don't worry! You can make changes, as you are able to clarify your direction.

From this point forward, you can begin to follow your initial plan of action. Your plan should contain many of the following:

- Identify influential people who can help you, in the future. You'll need a network.

- Build your credibility with high performing students and influential people.

- Volunteer for something in your area of interest.

- Get to know your Professors, Advisors and Career Services staff.

- Research Campus, Community and Work opportunities.

- Understand yourself - What strengths do you bring to the table?

- Pay attention to your attitude and body language. They tell others who you are.

- Evaluate your Leadership, Communication and People Skills.

- Tend to your grades. They are the gateway to many employers.

Sophomore Year - If it has not already been done, you should select a tentative major in your sophomore year. This does not mean that you have to pick out a specific career or job to shoot for. It is still early. As you take your classes and begin to participate in campus, work and community activities, you will gradually gain a clearer perspective.

Take the time to update or expand your plan of action, based on your current goals. Follow your plan of action during year two. It should contain items like these:

- Build and maintain relationships with influential people. Create your network.

- Continue to build credibility with Professors and high performing students.

- Get involved with something in your area of interest.

- Get to know your Professors, Advisors and Career Services staff.

- Participate in Campus, Community and Work opportunities.

- Seek part-time and/or summer jobs in your field of interest.

- Understand yourself - What are your interests, strengths and weaknesses?

- Present the Attitude and Body Language that will help you.

- Find ways to strengthen your Leadership, Communication and People Skills.

- Identify and research potential employers and job hunting web sites.

- Do what is necessary to keep your grades up.

Since employers love people who are able to get things done, begin to build your list of accomplishments. Generally your accomplishments should be aligned with the goals in your plan of action. Try to excel in your areas of interest and strength.

Junior Year - Look back over the past two years and update or expand your plan of action. At this point, your plan should become quite specific. If you have a better idea of where you are trying to go, your plan should include the steps that will get you there. Follow your plan of action for year three. It should contain items like these:

- Continue to build relationships with influential people to expand your network.

- Do something specific to build credibility with Professors and high performing

students. Find ways to help them achieve their own goals.

- Volunteer for something that is important in your area of interest.

- Work closely with your Professors, Advisors and Career Services staff.

- Play a leadership role in at least one Campus, Community or Work opportunity.

- Continue to work at part-time and/or summer jobs in your field of interest.

- Understand yourself - Focus on your strengths and interests.

- Improve your attitude. Present a positive "can do," "let's give it a try" attitude.

- Be certain that your body language and actions match your words.

- Demonstrate your Leadership, Communication and People Skills.

- Identify and research potential employers, alumni & employment web sites.

- Draft your resume - Emphasize accomplishments in your field of interest.

- Develop and practice your interviewing skills.

- Think references and recommendations: Identify the most influential and respected

people who will speak highly of you. Strengthen these relationships.

- Keep your grades up.

During your Junior year, strive to achieve one or two significant accomplishments that will meet or exceed interviewer/employer expectations. These are the things that will be highlighted on your resume, so you will stand out from the other candidates.

Meet with Career Services to see if you are allowed to sign up for campus interviews. If yes, get some interviewing experience. Practice telling interesting stories about how your accomplishments came about.

Senior Year - Finalize and follow your plan of action for year four.

- Keep your grades up.

- Finalize your resume. Your resume should emphasize your accomplishments

and clearly differentiate you from other candidates. What makes you special?

- Prepare for interviews. Practice your responses. Develop thoughtful questions.

- Sign up for and participate in campus interviews. Be ready with examples

and stories that will impress employers. Don't be shy.

- Tap all of your networking sources for useful information and job leads

- Keep organized and detailed records of your contacts

- Contact every employer from your earlier research

- Start utilizing appropriate employment web sites

- Seek references and recommendations from the most influential people in

your network.

- Conduct a thorough and enthusiastic job search campaign. Plan to contact at least

100 employers.

This abbreviated plan can serve as a model for students who are concerned about their futures and are willing to do the hard work. Forward thinking students understand that employment success is earned slowly, during all four years of college. That's why I say that, "The senior year job search starts in the freshman year."

While in high school, most students begin to select a general career direction. Some make careful choices, while others leave things to chance. Either way, the process usually begins there. When college is in the offing, those young adults will attend college for a wide variety reasons. Those reasons usually fall into four distinct categories: Parents, Career, Money and Interests.

Parents frequently try to steer their children into college. These parents generally recognize that many corporate employers now consider the college degree to be a requirement for administrative, supervisory, technical and management positions. However, college is not right for everyone. Some students aren't ready. Others are better suited for careers in areas where a college education is not all that useful.

Career goals can drive those students who have a specific career in mind. They may want to be an attorney, a doctor, a scientist, an accountant or a social worker, etc. Students who know where they are trying to go usually have an advantage over students who are confused and less focused. Other students may have already entered the world of work and have come to recognize that their career progress may depend on obtaining a degree in their specialty or perhaps in business and management. Such students may attend college on a part-time basis, often at night or on weekends.

Money affects the decisions of some students. These students may select their career direction based on the amount of money they think they can make in that field. People with college degrees often hold higher positions and earn considerably more money than people without a degree, in similar positions. Highly desirable degrees, from the most well-respected colleges, can put high performing students on a career fast track.

Other interests will motivate some students to attend college. Those interests can include a love of learning, athletics, the arts, science, politics and even friendship may come into play (to follow a girl/boyfriend) or for social reasons (meet members of the opposite sex). In other cases, students may attend college by default. These students may go to college simply because all of their friends are going or they don't have a job and don't have a better alternative.

Ultimately, upon graduation from college, most young adults will be starting a new job, going on to Graduate School or seeking a full-time job. And so, the reason that most students are going to college is to obtain the knowledge, wisdom, experience and successes that will impress potential employers and help them land a good job or get into Graduate School.

If students and parents accept this statement, the question then becomes, what can students do to impress potential employers or help them get into Graduate School? And so, if students want to improve the odds for being successful after graduation, they must make the most of the entire four-year college experience.

Employers and Graduate Schools look for seven things:

1. Academic success usually means a "B" average or better. Many employers and Graduate Schools will not even consider you if you don't meet their academic standards.

2. The quality of your college education refers to the rating, reputation and status of your college.

3. A well-rounded college experience.

- Participation in clubs and athletic activities

- Work experience

- Community activities

- Campus events and activities

- Willingness to try things

4. Successes, accomplishments and results.

- Leadership roles and experiences in your area of interest

- Demonstrated strengths that differentiate you from others

- Communication skills (speak, write, present, listen, teach, etc.)

- Examples of competence with technology and computers

- Ability to build relationships and function in a team environment

- Examples of having accepted responsibility

- Ability to overcome obstacles

- Willingness to be held accountable

5. A powerful resume that presents the student's assets and capabilities.

6. Outstanding communication and interviewing skills.

7. Strong references from professors, advisors, coaches, employers, community leaders and other impressive people.

These seven items are the keys to success as students attempt to enter the world of work or be accepted to a desirable Graduate School. If students want their careers to get off on the best foot after college, each student should keep these items in the forefront, as they progress through their college experience.

After your parents have dropped you off at college and have headed back home, you may experience a slight shutter of apprehension. However, you will get off on the right foot and feel more comfortable with this new and important experience, if you pay close attention to and act on the eight suggestions that follow.

Make Friends - Smile! Be Friendly! Talk to everyone. Do things in groups. Include everyone anytime you go somewhere or do something. Accept people who are different from you. Try to understand the differences. Look for the best in others. The more friends you make in the early days of college, the easier the transition will be.

Explore the Campus - As a group, walk around campus and around town. Find out where everything is located. Learn about the various campus departments, interesting locations (the library, the gym and the pool), activities, organizations and potential employment opportunities. Go to town with a few friends. Check out the shopping, theater and recreational opportunities. In the early going, get out of your dorm. Make a point of going to a variety of campus and community events and activities. Laugh! Have some fun.

Search for a Direction - Check out the fields that already hold some interest for you. Recognize that it is important to select a field of study where you will enjoy the work, one that is in line with your talents and skills. Do some research. Talk to others about your options and opportunities. You can talk with upper class students, alumni, career counselors, employers or faculty advisors and staff members.

Keep Your Grades Up - As you move through your freshman year, it is important to keep up with your grades. Be willing to put in the time, effort and actions necessary to achieve good grades. Since it is easy to stray toward a less demanding path, it takes much discipline to avoid the pitfalls of college life.

Deal With Your Fears - Everyone has fears. You may fear failure, speaking in public, voicing your opinions in class, taking on a leadership role, meeting new people, joining a club or a million other things. Take some small risks, so you can try a few new things. Only by occasionally getting out of your comfort zone can you begin to grow and expand your possibilities for the future. Few people, if any, have achieved great things by staying in their comfort zone 100% of the time. The only way to deal with your fears is to take action, change your behavior and move in a new direction.

Develop a Healthy Curiosity - Curious people are people who learn and grow. They read, research, ask questions, closely observe, experiment, learn from others and regularly try new things. A healthy curiosity is essential for success. College is the ideal place for students to begin to discover and become who they really are.

Operate With a Positive Attitude - The attitude you present to the world tells others who and what you are. Since we all need other people to help us move toward success, it is extremely important for students to present a friendly, upbeat, helpful attitude to the outside world. When that happens, others will be attracted to these positive words, behaviors and traits.

Develop Your Plan of Action - Once you select a direction, create a written plan. Lay out the steps that will lead you to your goal (a great job or acceptance to graduate school). The odds for success are greatly increased when you clearly understand what and how much has to be done, by when. As you move up the ladder of success, you will find that it is highly unlikely that you can regularly achieve your most important goals by winging it.

Most of the time, success is a choice that you make. Since you have the ability to succeed in college and beyond, these recommendations can help to ensure that you begin your college experience with the right approach. When you follow a few sensible suggestions and keep a eye toward your educational and career goals, you will find that your college experience is positive, fun and rewarding.