EDUCATION SPECIAL SECTION FALL 2024
• Consolidate for ease . If you have multiple federal loans , consolidating them into one can make repayment easier . But there may be fees or other conditions associated with consolidating , so be sure to do your research .
• Is forgiveness an option ? Some programs offer loan forgiveness if you meet certain criteria or work in a particular field . People in government , nonprofit , and other publicservice jobs may have the remainder of their loans forgiven after 10 years of service . Additional forgiveness options are available for nurses , teachers , AmeriCorps and Peace Corps volunteers , and some state and private programs .
PUBLIC VS . PRIVATE
When looking into college , students are faced with many decisions … what major to choose , in-state or out-of-state location , two-year or four-year program . Another option to consider is public versus private colleges . While generally these may look the same or similar on the surface , there are many distinctions between them .
Funding for public institutions typically comes from state and federal governments . This provides students with the ability to pay less for tuition , as government subsidies cover a portion of costs . Private schools rely on tuition to cover a large portion of their overall funding , making it harder to provide a low cost
for attendance . Financial aid is available for students at both types of colleges , but private colleges can typically offer more funding by way of grants and scholarships through endowments . Financial aid is often what makes private schools equally , if not more , affordable as public schools .
Degree programs are often more numerous at public institutions since their student body is typically larger . Students who know their desired area of study may benefit from a private university that is highly rated in that program .
Class size is also something to consider when deciding on a university that ’ s right for you . Class sizes at private colleges are usually much smaller than those at public colleges , which may have some class sizes in the hundreds . You could connect with professors during office hours for the larger classes , but if you ’ re looking to get to know your professors , a private college may be a better fit .
Campus life will vary between public and private colleges and universities , with extracurricular activities ranging from sports and clubs to Greek life and theater groups . Although various offerings are available at both types of institutions , you ’ ll likely have more selection at a public college versus private . The design and feel of the campus is something to consider as well . Would you rather live on campus or off ? Many private schools require most students to live on campus at least one or two years . n
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
EXPERT VEIN CARE
SPONSORED CONTENT
Varicose veins are more than a cosmetic problem . Vein disease , also known as Chronic Venous Insufficiency ( CVI ), is an incredibly common and underdiagnosed disorder in the United States . The condition develops when the leg veins are no longer able to efficiently pump blood back toward the heart against gravity . If left untreated , skin discoloration and open wounds on the lower legs may develop .
Your evaluation begins with an office consultation and ultrasound of the legs . Most treatment is completed in under an hour and patients are able to return to their normal activities immediately . Greater than 90 % of procedures are also covered by medical insurance and Medicare .
52 SHALER AREA