Financial Aid & Student Loan Advice From Our Expert Elizabeth Koukladas.

Higher Education and  “gainful employment” rules for-profit and vocational programs.

The rules were unveiled in August 2013 by the Obama staff. The premise of the rules are to protect the students from for-profit’s schools.  Just keep in mind that non-profit schools do not have the same requirments as for-profit schools:

Debt levels of their graduates

Default rates of their borrowers

Blah, blah, blah what?  Okay so basically for-profit schools have to make sure that you are only paying 12% of your income towards your school loan (different than Federally Funded Financial Aid).  Most people will have a small payment per month while in school, because all of the Financial Aid will not cover the cost.  The second part of the requirement is how many of the students stopped paying on their Financial Aid loans after graduating and have gone into default (6 months after graduation you will start paying on your FA loan).  Default is not a good thing as this is where your credit rating could be negatively effected.  Be aware once you take a financial aid student loan out, it is like any other loan you will have to pay it back but you have options. Remember, that if you are experiencing financial problems (communicate with the lenders).

The benefits of the for-profit schools: it does not take as long to graduate, the classes have more flexible hours, you will have blended courses online/class room instruction but it will cost a lot more up front.  Make sure when you are checking out schools that you ask for the specific institution placement rates, and default rates, those are the two most important questions you will need to have answered before you sign.  Keep in mind that all schools are now about making money including non-profits, schools are a business like any organization.  Also non-profit schools do not have to show you placement rates or default rates (that doesn’t seem fair).  Remember education today is very costly regardless if you are going to a for-profit or non-profit, just remember anything that is worth doing will cost you in someway.  If you have any questions feel free to send me an email, Bearla will point you in the right direction….

Bearla International Studies

Elizabeth Koukladas Director

Statement From The White House Promises To Boost International Student Mobility Between USA And Mexico.

North American leaders have released a statement from the White House announcing their support for Mexico's international education initiative,  Proyecta 100,000. Although this is a positive outcome for Mexico, there is still speculation as to whether the initiative has implemented enough changes to immigration laws.

Mexico's goal for student recruitment to the USA is 100,000 by 2018. The initiative also plans to increase the number of American students in Mexico to 50,000 by 2018. 

There are number of plans outlined in the initiative including: Visa processing strategies for swifter approvals, top ups on student fees for struggling families and students. Mexico and the US plan a number of measures to overcome specific barriers to student mobility, including visa processing and tuition fee gaps. And for Mexican students to have the English language incorporated and ingrained into the curriculum and students from a younger age-implemented for the majority, throughout core subjects. 

Proyecta 100,000 is designed to work in synergy alongside the 100,000 Strong In The America's initiative (also designed to boost student mobility), “The potential to develop cooperation in higher education, innovation and research to benefit citizens of both countries must be seized,” states the statement released by the participating countries.

I believe the initiative will benefit the students and the future of each country greatly. However, the numbers quoted as goals for the future of student mobility are ambitious, too ambitious some might say. It will be interesting to see what happens over the next few years. 

Amber Williams

Bearla International Studies. 

Breaking news: George Washington University Retracted Partnership With Beijing.

George Washington University of International Business and Economic committee changed their minds in forming a partnership with a campus in Beijing, China. The former dean Doug Guthrie was the leader in the attempt at forming this partnership.  Doug Guthrie was let go in August and along with leaving the university they shifted the monies and passed on the partnership.  When asked 'what are the key principles we would need to fulfil in order to design the partnership?'  The following points were made by Steven Lerman, George Washington’s provost:

1.     “That a China Campus would meet the academic standards of the Washington campus.

2.     That it would be financially self-sustaining

3.     That it would align with the university’s strategic plan

4.     That it would have a strong support from the faculty”

The good news is George Washington University is that they are not saying 'no' or 'never' they are keeping an open mind  and feel that it is not a good time to launch the partnership.  I think the partnership is a great idea and I hope that we hear more on this in the future but for now that’s as good as it gets.

Elizabeth Koukladas

Bearla International Studies

Save Remarkable Amounts Of Time With Speeding Reading Apps:

I was inspired by a blog written by Ashley Sanders, “Speed Reading for Busy Grads.”  The blog hit home, I am the slowest reader in the world, and it’s a fact.  I get so impatient when I read that I just lose interest!!  It is hard to believe I ever received my undergraduate degree and my masters but I did. 

If only we could all speed read! We would have time to read those books important to our studies, not only this but it would free up our time to either spend more valuable moments with our families or have our brains bursting with valuable knowledge...and as we all know (from watching films such as Spiderman) that with great knowledge comes great power!

I have recently decided to go back to school and take some courses but I have been a little reluctant, as reading is such a slow process for me. However,  after my recent app discoveries, I felt like there might be hope for me yet!  

So without further ado, here are the recommendations that Ashley Sanders suggested: Free version of QuickReader on iPad, Speeder on laptop, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Speed Reading (that’s the one I need) and the blog “8 Speed Reading Apps that can Slash Your Reading Time” from The American Genius.  The blog also had some good tips on those who are working on speed reading, http://www.insidehighered.com//blogs/gradhacker/speed-reading-busy-grads. 

So speed read away and as always-I would love to hear from anyone who has tried any of the apps and has recommendations for the best speed reading apps you have found. 

Elizabeth Koukladas.

Bearla Internationals Studies. 

University of Michigan and Shanghai Jiao Tong University are Getting it Right!

University Of Michigan

The University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University joint institute is an English-medium

engineering college within SJTU.  

The institution opened in 2006, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in mechanical, electrical and computer engineering this curriculum has been adapted from the University of Michigan. It is a dual degree rack with an option of transferring to Michigan and earning a second degree in a different discipline-a secondary engineering

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

degree. 

The style of education is at the SJTU is more like an American university education.   After two years of studying at SJTU you could transfer to a United States university, in the year 2012-2013 over 80% transferred to a United States university of which Michigan was the largest beneficiary.  Out of 500 transfer students 303 were admitted to the university in Michigan. I believe that this type of collaboration is the beginning of things to come!

I have often stated our world is getting smaller and our need to keep up with a global economy is more urgent than ever before.  A key to a more harmonious existence is with mutual understanding and educating worldwide. 

Elizabeth Koukladas

Bearla International Studies. 

New Zealand's 5 Year Tertiary Education Strategy.

'Higher education institutions in New Zealand need to be more connected to the world through academic collaborations, cross-border education and business relationships in order to deliver long-term economic benefits, the government has announced.'

This 5 year plan outlines the steps to be taken in order for tertiary education operators (TEOs) to be more “outward facing” and “engaged”. 

The 5 year strategy is intended to improve economic outcomes of the sector and encourages stronger links between educators and industry. “This strategy focuses in particular on the economic benefits that result from tertiary education, and therefore on employment, higher incomes and better access to skill employee for business as critical outcomes of tertiary education,” it states.

The government wishes to boost and enhance the experience international students have when they come to study in New Zealand, thus, creating “enduring economic, social and cultural benefits” in key and emerging markets.

As most of you know-I spent 2 years living and working in New Zealand. The country is absolutely beautiful and people are some of the friendliest I have ever met. There is a laid back attitude and emphasis on the importance of family which I always have appreciation and respect for. However, I do understand the importance of this issue. Ensuring New Zealand has a chance at keeping up with the global economy is as intrinsic to the future of the country as it is to any other. New Zealand has been accused countless times as being behind the western world. I am interested to see how the economy and international relationships strengthen from this 5 year plan. 

Good Luck New Zealand, you definitely have the support of everyone at Bearla International Studies!

Quotes are Courtesy of The Pie News-http://thepienews.com One of our favourite online HE newsletters here at Bearla International Studies.

Amber Williams.

Bearla International Studies. 

The United Stated National Women's History Month.

March 8^th was International Women’s Day around the world.  

The United Nation’s theme is ‘Equality for Women in Progress for All.  The theme is based on women in emerging countries being encouraged to be self-sufficient, through promoting education, basic health care and to address poverty.  The first International Women's day dates back to Russia in 1941 (please see a short video tweeted by @Amber_RW yesterday) but in America this is National Women’s History Month! So, it is a time to celebrate for the whole month not just one day.  American’s slogan is “Inspiring Change” for the month of March.  

I love the theme so let’s go out and inspire at least one women to be the best she can possibly be…

For further information on National Women's History Month, please visit: http://womenshistorymonth.gov

Bearla International Studies

Elizabeth Koukladas...proud to be a women!