College and University Blog
Resources, help, and insight for your college experience
Top Five Haunted College Campuses
Reality television shows dealing with the paranormal have become normal, and college campuses are not without their own “ghost stories.” The legends vary depending on who you talk to, but we’ve come up with our favorite five (supposedly!) haunted college campuses.
Happy Halloween from StateUniversity.com!
School District Proves that College is Possible Despite Economic Hardships
The Hidalgo Independent School District (ISD) in Hidalgo, Texas has raised the bar in terms of college readiness.
Hidalgo ISD, which serves an economically depressed community with one of the lowest number of college-educated adults along the Mexican border, can now serve as an example to school districts across the country.
Top Private Colleges: Get the Best Value for Your Money
Paying for a quality college education is a top priority for many students and their families, especially since most families’ salaries aren’t increasing as quickly as the price of college tuition. According to the College Board, the average cost of one year at a private four-year college is roughly $36,000. One decade ago, that yearly figure was approximately $21,000.
The financial advice experts at Kiplinger’s claim that a school’s net average price— the amount that families actually pay after financial aid is applied— is what’s really important. The sticker price of a college or university’s tuition isn’t necessarily what you’ll need to pay out of pocket to attend the school.
College Students, Caffeine and Alcohol: A Dangerous Combination
Caffeine and alcohol have been staples on college campuses for decades, but new colorful cans of caffeinated alcoholic beverages targeted at young people have been causing quite a stir in recent months.
The drinks—which have names like Joose, Torque and Four Loko—are growing in popularity among students while rising concern among healthcare professionals, college administrators and politicians.
Interest-Free Student Loans: Pay Back Only What You Borrowed
Federal student loans have become easier and cheaper to take out, but some students have found an even sweeter deal—student loans that charge no interest at all.
College Course Teaching Students to Use the iPad
One Central Michigan University course is more unique than others when it comes to digital technology. Digital Media in Recreation, Parks and Tourism was created to teach students how to maximize use of the Apple iPad.
Blackboard to Sell Remedial Courses
Blackboard, Inc., the web-based course management system, announced on October 13, 2010 a partnership with for-profit education provider K12, Inc. to sell online courses to colleges that wish to outsource their remedial classes.
Student Loan Mania: College Debt Still on the Rise
Just last month the U.S. Department of Education reported that the default rate on student loans has climbed to nearly 7% and student loan statistics are making headlines yet again.
Top 10 Best College Fight Songs
No matter which team you’re cheering for this football season, college fight songs are an easy way to pump up the volume in more ways than one. Whether they’re being sung by fans in the stands while the marching band is on the field or being chanted by a group of alumni watching the game on TV in someone’s living room, college fight songs express excitement and solidarity.
Hundreds of colleges and universities across the U.S. have fight songs and StateUniversity.com is pleased to present you with our Top 10.
Least Satisfying College Majors
Some students start college with a major in mind while others have no idea what they’d like to study. Choosing a college major is a major decision (pardon the pun) and many students decide on the wrong one.
Intellectually Disabled Youths Going to College in Record Numbers
College was once considered an unattainable goal for students with Down syndrome, autism and other conditions that can result in intellectual disabilities, but these students are now leaving high school more academically prepared than ever before and many are excited to take the next step in furthering their education.
College Bullying: Harassment on Campus
It’s nothing new and it’s often brushed off as childish teasing, but bullying is at the center of a national debate following the recent suicides of five young people that were bullied as a result of their sexual orientation, particularly Tyler Clementi, an 18-year old Rutgers University freshman who jumped off the George Washington Bridge into the Hudson River on September 22, 2010.
Obama asks Congress to Make Education Tax Credit Permanent
President Barack Obama has asked Congress to make an educational tax credit permanent in hopes of allowing college students and their families to continue receiving a tax break each year.
How High School Students Can Qualify for National Merit Scholarships
Newspapers across the country have been running stories featuring local students that were selected as semifinalists for the 2011 National Merit Scholarships.
National Merit Scholarships are awarded to approximately 8,400 finalists who are notified of their achievement between March and June.
College Dropouts are Costing Taxpayers Billions of Dollars
Dropping out of college can leave students with a trail of debt and little to show for it, but a rather disturbing report released on October 11, 2010 has informed the general public that their state and federal governments have been spending billions on college students who dropped out during their freshman year.
5 Things to Consider about Online College Classes
Whether you left college before you earned your degree or you’ve never taken a college course in your life, returning to school is a great way to further your education— and most likely provide the opportunity to earn more money at work.
Those with College Degrees More Likely to Get Married
The struggling economy has pushed weddings to an all-time low, but according to a new report released on October 7, 2010 young adults with college degrees are more likely to be married than those who are less educated.
How Americans Save for College in 2010
Although a recent national study found that one in five American families rank saving for college as their top saving priority, many families wind up making costly mistakes simply because they do not choose the best savings options.
Dual Enrollment: Free College Tuition?
If someone presented you with the opportunity to earn college credits for free, you’d most likely take them up on the offer.
Dual enrollment is an often overlooked way for high school students to enjoy free college tuition.
Negotiating College Costs with Admissions Advisors
Although it seems that the fall semester just began, it’s already October—which means that high school seniors across the country are rapidly approaching the deadline for submitting college applications.
Together with their parents, students are making final decisions regarding which colleges and universities are right for them. Although it seems that the fall semester just began, it’s already October—which means that high school seniors across the country are rapidly approaching the deadline for submitting their college applications.
Lumina Foundation for Education Announces Adult Degree Completion Commitment
On September 29, 2010, the Lumina Foundation for Education announced the Adult Degree Completion Commitment.
Described by Lumina as “a significant new commitment to advancing adult degree attainment through a series of interconnected projects that aim to engage, motivate and help students who previously have gone to college actually earn their degrees,” support for 19 large-scale projects aimed at helping millions of students who previously have gone to college but dropped out finish and earn their degrees will be offered.
White House Summit on Community Colleges set for October 5, 2010
The first-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges is scheduled to take place on October 5, 2010 in Washington, DC.
President Barack Obama has asked Jill Biden—a 17-year veteran community college professor and wife of Vice President Joe Biden— to act as chairperson of the event.