SPECIAL SECTION:
administer ultrasounds. You’ll also be responsible for operating
imaging equipment.
• Elevator Installer – A career with high earning potential, elevator
installers repair and maintain elevators, escalators, moving
walkways, and lifts. A high school diploma and apprenticeship is
required for this role, so if you’re good with power tools, this job
might be a lift up for you.
TYPES OF COLLEGE LOANS
Getting into college is one of the most exciting times of a
student’s life and is the first step in shaping his/her career. Many
colleges and universities offer a myriad of grants or scholarships to
assist with paying for post-secondary school, but often these are not
enough. Student loans provide financial assistance for students to
cover the costs associated with attending a college or career school,
including tuition, supplies, books, and living expenses. There are
several types of loans available including need-based, non-need-
based, state, and private.
Need-based loans are provided to students who are unable to
pay the amount needed to cover all costs to attend college. Need
is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA), which can be completed online, as the name suggests,
for free! Need-based loans are available as a Federal Perkins Loan,
awarded to students with the highest need, or a Federal Direct
Subsidized Loan, provided interest-free while in college.
If FAFSA determines that a student is ineligible for a need-based
loan, non-need-based loan options are available as a Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Loan or Federal Direct PLUS Loan. Unsubsidized
loans allow the borrower to add interest to the total amount
borrowed after graduation, but beware, as this leads to owing even
more money when it comes time to start paying off the loan. Direct
PLUS Loans provide graduate students or parents the opportunity
to borrow the total cost of attending college, minus other financial
aid received.
Unlike the loans mentioned above that are sponsored by the
federal government, state and private loans are sponsored by banks,
colleges, foundations, and state agencies. The U.S. Department of
Education manages all college loans available by state and requires
students to be in-state residents or enrolled in a college in that state.
Private loans are an option for borrowers but come with terms and
conditions that may not be as favorable as federal loans. Private
loans also require a cosigner who is responsible for repaying the
money if the student fails to do so.
EDUCATION
MANAGING DEBT POST-COLLEGE
Student loan debt continues to increase and has become a
burden on both graduates and the U.S. economy. There are a
variety of loan repayment options for students. Here are some
tips on how to approach repayment.
• Figure out what you’ll owe and start to save early – Creating
a budget early will allow you to build a solid foundation for
repayment after graduation. Setting aside money each month
toward future savings for repayment will set you up for success
come graduation day.
• Understand your repayment options – There are several
different options available to start paying off student loans
based on the type of loan you received. Common federal loan
plans include standard, graduated, extended, or income-based.
Standard plans are payments in fixed amounts that ensure loans
are paid off in 10-30 years (these payments are often very high
for new graduates). Graduated plans are payments that start
out lower and increase every two years, also ensuring loans are
paid off within 10-30 years (based on loan). This plan assumes
you’ll continue to make more money as you continue your
career path, so additional money is allotted to repayment as
you go. Extended plans may be made in a fixed amount or a
graduated amount and ensure payment in full within 25 years.
Income-based plans take 10-15 percent of your discretionary
income and are recalculated each year. Once you are married,
your spouse’s income will also be considered, if filing jointly
on tax returns. Any outstanding balance on the loan will be
forgiven after 20-25 years.
• 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 public service
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.
PRE-K – HIGH SCHOOL
The first public school opened in the United States in 1635,
and the Boston Latin School remains the nation’s oldest public
school. Early education didn’t focus on math or science, but
on the virtues of family, religion and community. Nearly 400
years later, schools are harnessing the fundamental principles of
community, and although it may look very different in this day
and age, a strong focus is being put on the importance of creating
a safe school culture and tapping into technology for limitless
learning.
In 2019, students, parents, teachers, and administrators are
seeing changes both inside and outside of the classroom. One
of the biggest changes in recent years comes in the form of
technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to change
education tools and is expected to increase in implementation in
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