My Colleges and Careers Helps Students Prepare to Repay Student Loans While Pell Grant Funding is in Question in the Senate

While the Senate is reviewing a continuing resolution to add $5.7 billion to the Pell Grant program, which would replace the one that expires on Dec. 18, My Colleges and Careers offers students helpful tips on how to prepare to pay off student loans, should Pell Grants fall short next year and students are forced to take out more loans.

Earlier this year, Congress passed legislation that increased the maximum Pell Grant award amount to $5,550. While this has benefitted many students, because of the funding gap the program will not be able to continue to offer this amount to students if the continuing resolution doesn't pass and funding is not received.

The House of Representatives passed the continuing resolution that will prevent the maximum Pell Grant award students could receive from decreasing from $5,550 to $4,705. This was done by decreasing the amount of funding other programs received.

The Senate is currently reviewing the resolution and it is unknown whether it will pass the resolution, decrease or increase the amount needed to fund the program or eliminate funding all together.

Currently the Pell Grant program serves about 9 million students. The new resolution would fund the Pell Grant program until Sept. 30 of next year.

Some fear that the Pell Grant will eventually decrease in award amounts so much so that Pell Grant financial aid will not have the capacity to benefit students as much as needed. If the amount awarded is continually decreased, eventually it will hardly be enough to help students pay tuition and fund their education.

If the Senate fails to pass the resolution, many students will not be able to benefit from Pell Grants and many will receive less aid for the next academic year. This means that many students may find themselves depending more heavily on student loans.

My Colleges and Careers provides resources students can use to plan wisely for college. From exploring online colleges, to choosing a program to enrolling in classes, the site is a valuable resource to students.

The organization helps students explore career opportunities so they can better understand what an investment their education is and so they will be better prepared to repay student loans.

The website features videos that highlight careers in different industries. The videos give students a chance to hear what it is like to have a career in a specific industry and what it will take to land their dream job.

My Colleges and Careers helps students make wise decisions when it comes to secondary education. It compares the cost of attending school and enrolling in online college and the average salary for those with different types of degrees.

Students can refer to the site as a resource for news about the education world, financial aid and government regulations. My Colleges and Careers works to keep students informed about things that will have an impact on their education so they can make wise choices.

Information about how to avoid online degree scams, how much earning a degree will cost and myths about online colleges can be found on the site and students can use the information to explore their options and make financial decisions that will benefit them far into the future.

As Pell Grant funding is up in the air, students can prepare to finance their education and find ways to repay their student loans ahead of time so they can be prepared. They can choose a field that will offer meaningful employment and jobs that will help them become financially stable after graduation.

www.mycollegesandcareers.com is committed to helping students find the best school for them so they can earn their college degree and embark on a rewarding career. A powerful resource for individuals who have full-time jobs and family responsibilities, My Colleges and Careers connects people with the programs that help them earn their degree online.

by http://www.sfgate.com