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How To Find College Scholarships

By Best7Years on August 9, 2009

Tips on Finding College Scholarship Money

For many eager young would be scholars, the ever increasing costs of college tuition are one of the biggest hurdles they face when contemplating the idea of obtaining a degree in a particular field. Fortunately for these same students, being an heir to a multimillion fortune is not the only way to afford a higher level education. There are a variety of college scholarships available which can help to make high tuitions more affordable for students. A few tips for finding college scholarships include starting the application process early, doing extensive research, and taking advantage of all available resources during the search.

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How To Get College Grants

By Best7Years on August 9, 2009

An Overview of Getting Grants for College

If you’re considering financial aid to assist in paying for college tuition, don’t rule out a grant. Grants are great because they might not require high academic or athletic achievement like scholarships, and you won’t have to repay them as you would a loan. You might be interested to learn that you’re automatically applied for grants when you fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. If you’re interested in learning which types of grants available, visit your high school guidance counselor or the college’s financial aid office.

What follows is a brief overview of the different types of grants.

Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and are available based on financial need. Though they’re not necessarily based on academics, you’re required to maintain at least a C average. You’ll also need to have completed high school and have in your possession either a diploma or GED. Pell Grants are only available to US citizens who have a social security number. In addition to filling out the FAFSA, you’re going to have to apply for the Pell Grant every year financial aid is needed. These grants range in amount from $400 to $4,050. Apply for more than one if you’d like.

You might also be eligible to receive the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. This is another need-based grant for which you apply automatically when you fill out your FAFSA. Many factors are considered when awarding this grant such as family, income, how many of your siblings are currently attending college, and your family’s assets. You’ll also be required to disclose the amount of money your parents or guardians will be paying towards your education or Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

State grants are available to those who meet certain other requirements. These grants are based on academics. Students who will be attending state funded colleges are eligible for state grants. It’s important to note that in order to receive this grant, you must be a resident of the state where the college is located. Your chosen school’s financial aid office has plenty of information available regarding state grants. There is also plenty of information regarding state grants online.

If you’ll be attending a private college you might consider a school-based grant.  The grants can be need-based, or they might be awarded based on academics. Some are even awarded in the same manner as scholarships.

Finally there are private grants available. These are awarded by community groups, businesses, foundations, private donors or organizations with interests and affiliations similar to your own. Grants can be based on talent, ethnicity, religion, academics or through a lottery system.

For more information on grants or any other type of financial aid, visit your high school guidance counselor.  Though you may be automatically eligible when you submit your FAFSA form, you might still want to research the various grant options to see which are right for you. You might even be eligible for more than one, helping to further ease the financial burden. Good luck!

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How To Plan Your Spring Break Trip

By Best7Years on August 9, 2009

Spring Break Planning Tips

If you’re looking forward to getting away for spring break, it’s best to plan early.  While this time can be a barrel of fun; also keep in mind that unless planned properly your trip can take an unpleasant turn.  Planning your trip in advance will guarantee that you don’t get blindsided out of your (or your parents!) hard earned money.

Get an early start.  Hotel rooms fill up fast, especially at popular destinations like Cancun.  As the early springtime approaches, prices soar.  Booking your vacation months in advance ensures you get a prime spot at a more reasonable rate.  Figure out your budget, and then pick a destination based on that.  Some places are a lot more expensive than others.  Barbados is probably going to cost a little more than Panama City, for instance.  Are your friends tagging along?  Group packages can be budget friendly.  Or they can help defray the cost of accommodations.  Rental car agencies rarely extend service to those under 25 years old, so remember to find a spot that has a good public transportation system.

Tour operators are a good idea if you want some of the hassle taken out of planning your get-away.  There are many web sites that cater to college students looking for deals.  But tread carefully with these companies.  Ask lots of questions.  Find out exactly what will be included in your package.  Many bookings only include airfare and hotel but you’re responsible for extras such as taxes, resort fees and gratuities. Many of the extras include meals and drinks.  You’ll also want to do a background check on the tour operator to make sure she’s on the up and up. You can do this with a simple Internet search or by contacting the Better Business Bureau. If you are not satisfied with the answers to your questions, find another operator.

All-inclusive resorts are a great option to consider.  Many include absolutely every fee, so there are no surprises later.  You get accommodations and airfare, all meals and drinks, activities and gratuity.  Cruises can be good deal as well as long as you keep in mind that shore excursions, drinks and visits to the casino are an additional expense.

Find out whether the costs associated with your trip are refundable.  If not, you might want to consider travel insurance, especially if your trip costs over a thousand dollars.  These policies, which can be had for under a hundred dollars, will give you peace of mind in case of a last minute cancel.  Utilizing the services of a travel agent can be a good idea also.  He or she can help you navigate through your vacation package. Travel agents come in especially handy when booking cruises.  Many times they can find deals that are not available to the general public.

Finally, find out what documents will be needed where you are traveling.  If you’ll be stepping on foreign soil, you may need a birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, or visa.  Be sure to allow plenty of time before your trip for securing these items.  You may want to consider vaccinations.  A trip to your local Health Department can help you determine whether you need any inoculations before heading out.  A little preparation can help keep you from getting a “traveler’s bug” during your well deserved break.

Spring Break will upon you before you know it.  A little advanced planning can ensure that you have the best experience possible.

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How To Find Discount Student Airfare

By Best7Years on August 9, 2009

Tips on Finding Discount Airfare When You’re a Student

Spring break is a blast. You’ve dreamt about it since you were a freshman in high school and by the time you’re old enough that your parents will actually let you go, you’ll probably want to go all out and give yourself the perfect spring break, the one that you’ve always dreamed about.

That doesn’t mean that it’ll be cheap! Spring break is expensive. There’s a lot to pay for: airfare, hotel accommodations, food, cover charges, and of course, beer and margaritas. By the time you actually make it to your destination, you’ll want to have some cash left over. To start your vacation off right, try hard to find the best airfare you can.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to get a good deal on your spring break airfare. You’ll probably have to spend some time doing your research, but the result will be worth it.
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Best Spring Break Destinations

By Best7Years on August 9, 2009

Best Spring Break Destination to Consider

Spring break is the ultimate vacation. As you’re planning your trip, you’ll definitely want to plan to head to the ultimate location. Whether you’re looking for white sand, cheap beer, or a great place to snowboard, you’ll be able to find a spring break party. Some of the best places to head to for spring break include:

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Spring Break On A Budget

By Best7Years on August 9, 2009

How to Have a Great Spring Break on a Budget

Spring Break evokes visions of road trips in convertibles, but that is far from your only option nowadays.  Partying in Cancun and cruising in the Caribbean are very popular.  Unfortunately, many students’ budgets restrict them from any extravagant travel.  An old fashioned road trip to the mountains or beach is the best weapon against budget busting.

Creative thinking can go a long way in getting the most from your Spring Break experience.  A domestic destination only a few hours away is probably the best bet money-wise.  A nearby beach or lake is good for the sunbathing set, while mountain locales will be best for late season snowboarders.  Branch out and pick a spot you have never been to but have always wanted to see.

Once you have a destination in mind, find some buddies who will share the ride and expenses.  Most cars seat four comfortably, but a friend with a big SUV or van could accommodate more.  Splitting the cost of gas and lodging can bring your costs down considerably.  Next, look on the Internet for travel deals. GasPriceWatch.com can help you fuel up for less along the way, while hotels.com and Travelocity assist you in finding good deals on places to stay.  Don’t let these sites be your only resource, though.  Call the hotels you prefer directly to see if you can get a group rate or discount. Also, find out if your lodging choice provides breakfast, which can also cut costs.  If you’re not very hungry in the morning, consider a hotel or motel offering a continental breakfast. If you prefer a more substantial meal, consider sharing a suite or efficiency. Rooms with kitchens can save on the cost of meals.

When working out the rest of your budget, plan the types of activities you’d like to engage in upon your arrival. Lying on the beach or exploring the town are inexpensive options. Purchasing overpriced spring break drinks at local watering holes are sure to cost a pretty penny.  Are you interested in local haunts?  Big attractions such as theme parks are going to increase your costs.  Many museums have free days.  Attractions such as zoos and aquariums have deals for students or state residents, such as the Memphis Zoo which admits Tennessee residents with a license in for free after 4 pm on Tuesdays.

The Internet will also help you find bargain attractions. Visit local web sites for information regarding inexpensive things to do.  Request a free vacation guide, which often comes with coupons, hotel deals, directions and guides to local hotspots.  Don’t forget to stop by the local Visitors Center for more coupons.  Remember that most state parks are free or charge nominal fees to use their facilities.  Many hotels also have package deals that include attraction tickets, so don’t forget to ask about these when booking.

Students with part time jobs and tons of expenses can have a hard time carving out the extra cash to party during Spring Break.  Books, tuition, and room and board – they can quickly add up to an empty wallet.  Some resourceful searching can help you net the result you want, though.  You can still have a fabulous break without breaking the bank.

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Spring Break in Cancun Mexico

By Best7Years on August 9, 2009

Enjoy Your Spring Break in Cancun

Cancun is always one of the very best places to visit during Spring Break. The drinking age is 18, the margaritas are always perfect, and you can party like a rock star for the entire week. There’s so much to do in Cancun that you’ll want to come back year after year–that’s why it was the number two spring break destination for 2006.

Lodging in Cancun:
Take your pick between $9/night hostels and five star hotels. Cancun has some of the world’s best and most beautiful hotels as well as some of the cleanest and safest hostels. If you’re looking for all-inclusive plans or hotel packages that include meals, then that’s possible too. For a cheap room in the middle of the spring break action, try the Cancun Marina Club. If you’d rather spend a little bit more on a total vacation experience, try the spring-break special at the Oasis, which dedicates 600 rooms and half the hotel to spring break partiers.

Activities in Cancun:
Like any great resort town, Cancun is filled with fabulous vacation activities that you’ll remember forever. You can take a jungle tour, and spot creatures that you’d never find on campus. Or, swim with dolphins in the crystal-blue water. You can also take a picturesque horseback ride on the beach; or, if you’re feeling adventurous, head out to a bullfight. Of course, all of the usual water sports are available on Cancun’s shores, so if learning to surf is all you want to do on spring break you won’t be disappointed.

Nightlife in Cancun:
The beach is only the beginning in Cancun. After you’ve worked on your tan, head out to some of the world’s greatest clubs. The drinking age in Cancun is only 18, so students who are underage in the states might not be in Mexico. Check out Fat Tuesday’s, where MTV comes to film their spring break specials. Or, go a little crazy at Coco Bongo. If you’re into music, then check out the Bulldog Cafe. Their live music and “Rock and Roll Jacuzzi” will keep you dancing all night long.

Day Trips from Cancun:
Cancun has a great location, and if you somehow tire of the scenery you can take day trips to any number of places. If you’d like to see ruins and pristine beaches all in the same day, then take a bus to Tulum. You can take the ferry to Cozumel to get a taste of the Mayan culture. Or, take the bus to Xel-Ha for a great snorkeling trip. Each of these destinations is close enough that you can spend the day exploring and be back in plenty of time to head out to the clubs or to the bars.

As you can see, Cancun has earned its high spot on the list of best spring break destinations. The prices are good, the nightlife is amazing, the beaches are beautiful, and you will never, ever get bored. If you choose to go to Cancun for spring break, you will not be disappointed!

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Spring Break At South Padre Island

By Best7Years on August 9, 2009

Take Your Spring Break at Padre Island

If you want to feel like you’ve left the country without really leaving the country, then consider spending your spring break on South Padre Island. Located at the southernmost tip of Texas, right near Corpus Christie, this party island has truly earned its number seven spot on the list of great spring break locations.

How do you get to South Padre Island?
By plane, fly into Brownsville or Harlingen. Hop on the airport shuttle and cruise worry-free into South Padre. By car, drive to South Texas and follow signs to Brownsville and Harlingen. When you get to Rio Grande Valley, start following the signs to South Padre. Buy a map if you feel like you need one, but it’s an easy place to find.

What can you do in South Padre Island?
During spring break, the answer is more like, what can’t you do in South Padre Island! This is one town that knows how to throw a party, and there is always something to do during the spring break season. Some of the things you have to check out include:

The water sports:  South Padre has every imaginable water sport. There’s no better time in your life to get adventurous than over spring break, so if you’ve always wanted to try parasailing or wind surfing, this is the time to try.
The clubs: South Padre is filled with bars and clubs that have great events during spring break, including Mardi Gras nights, rave nights…you name it! There are also lots of great concerts at Coca-Cola Beach.
For nature lovers: Whether you want to ride horses, catch fish, or watch dolphins, you’ll find what you’re looking for on South Padre Island. Take an eco-tour and learn about the different marine life right off the island, or slow down for a two-hour horseback ride along the beaches.

Will I get busted in South Padre Island?
Texas has some of the strictest drinking and driving laws, so if you have a couple and try to drive back to the hotel, than yes, you will get busted. Luckily, you can probably walk to your hotel, so that shouldn’t be a problem. There are also a lot of places on the island where it’s illegal to drink outside, so pay attention.

Tell me about Mexico!
One of the best things about heading to South Padre Island for spring break is its proximity to Mexico. It’s easy to hop on a tour bus and take in the sights. The drinking age is 18 in Mexico, so staying in South Padre and taking a few of those bus trips will let the underage spring breakers do their keg stands without getting busted. Be careful, though—U.S. Customs is always on the lookout for drunken minors trying to sneak back into the states, so be safe and stay on the bus.

What about the nude beaches?
There are clothing optional nude beaches for the more adventurous spring breakers. If your tan lines are driving you mad, check one out!

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Spring Break in Panama City

By Best7Years on August 9, 2009

Spring Break in Panama City – A Popular Destination

If you’re thinking about going to Florida’s Panama City Beach for spring break, then you’re not alone! Panama City is the number one spring break destination in the U.S., and the number three spot for spring breakers in the world.

What makes Panama City, Florida, such a great place for spring break? It’s got a world-famous beach, world-famous clubs, and enough activities to keep you busy throughout all of the years you spend in college.

Getting to Panama City:
If you’re flying, you have your choice of three airports serving Panama City and Northwest Florida. Panama City Regional Airport is the closest, and you can catch flights in on Delta or Northwest. Pensacola Regional Airport is another choice, as is Fort Walton Beach Regional Airport.

If you’re driving to Panama City, you’ll want to find your way to I-10, probably from I-85. Follow signs for about the next 100 miles, and you’re there!

Lodging in Panama City:
Like any great beach town, there are tons of places to stay in Panama City Beach. Stay cheap, at the Quality Inn or Best Value Inn, or choose swankier accommodations at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort or the Sand Piper Beacon Beach Resort. There are also hundreds of condos and beach houses you can find, some of which are even close to the spring break action.

Clubbing in Panama City:
If you’re looking for a spring break destination that never sleeps, then Panama City is definitely the place to be. From Spinnakers to Lavella to all of the smaller clubs surrounding them, Panama City is the place to be for dancing, live music, and great bars.

Things to do in Panama City:
Panama City is a place where you can find a huge variety of spring break activities, beyond working on your tan or partying at the clubs. Spring breakers can take a motorboat ride through the swamps, can watch the dolphins at Shell Island, bet on Greyhounds at Erbo Racetrack, or express their wild side at Bungee Mania.

Safety in Panama City:
Remember that Panama City is a US beach, which means that the drinking age is 21. Clubs will let you in as long as you’re 18, but the bartenders are really great at spotting fake IDs. The judicial system in Panama City even has a special court for spring breakers who commit misdemeanors–if you’re caught, you have to pay a hefty fine or spend a day doing community service.

Weather in Panama City:
Panama City isn’t the tropics, but it’s close. The temperatures usually average between 70 and 80 degrees, but cold winds do blow during spring break. Bring a sweatshirt for early morning walks on the beach, and make sure to plan some activities that don’t involve a bikini, in case there’s a cold snap while you’re there. Wear your sunscreen while you’re there, though–the somewhat cooler temperatures make it easy to forget that the sun shines brightly on these sugary beaches!

For the quintessential spring break experience, there is no US destination as perfect as Panama City, Florida. It should definitely be high on your list of places to consider as you plan this year’s trip!

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Spring Break in Colorado

By Best7Years on August 9, 2009

How About Going To Colorado for Spring Break?

It’s that time of year again.  The weather is getting warmer, classes are droning on, and all you can think about is one thing – Spring Break!  All the usual spots seem so passé.  Cancun and Daytona Beach: been there, done that.  How about a winter wonderland instead?  Late season winter activities are full of fun and the best place to find them is in Colorado.

Vail is well known for its celebrity residents and guests.  With close to two hundred trails among its peaks, Vail is the perfect spot for snowboarding and skiing.  Novice and advanced alike can take advantage of the blue and black diamond rated slopes.  Many activities are scheduled during the Spring Break season.  During 2007, the Jr. Olympics or American Ski Classic might lure you to the quaint mountain town.  Or, beginning March 29, the Vail Film Festival might be your ticket to fun.  Immediately following the movie star studded festival is Spring Back to Vail, an end of season event running April 1-15.  It features lots of deals on lodging and lift tickets, perfect for a college student’s pinched budget.

Aspen is another picturesque village full of winter fun.  Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass all surround the town and are just minutes away.  The highest peak in the area is at Snowmass, at 4,406 feet and also features 20 different lifts to its summits, the most among the four resorts.  There are 332 runs around the area, guaranteeing one to fit your needs.  Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing are also popular activities to enjoy.

If your Spring Break comes later than most, never fear.  There are lots of other pursuits to occupy your stay.  Adventure guides such as Aspen Wilderness Outfitters and Adventures Out West can accommodate your group.  They have a number of excursions to meet your needs, from hunting and fishing trips to horseback riding or petting zoo tours.  For the less tame, whitewater rafting may be your thing.  Companies such as Colorado Riff Raft can cater to the thrill seeker in you.

There are lots of other adrenaline inducing peaks to please you in Colorado.  Arapahoe Basin boasts the highest skiing terrain on the entire continent, with a peak of 13,050 feet.  It also includes Pallavincini, one of the steepest and longest slopes in the state.  Monarch Mountain, Beaver Creek and Keystone also offer miles of powdery enjoyment.  Winter Park lays claim to the most snowfall of any other peak.

There is an abundance of accommodations around the ski slopes.  No matter your budget, you can find the perfect haven for you.  Maybe a five star spa resort is to your liking, or maybe you’d prefer a cozy fire in a mountainside cabin.  From $59 to $3,000, you are sure to find something in your price range.  You can choose from hotels, lodges, condos, villas and chateaus, as well as private homes and even Yurts!  Your Spring Break buddies can help defer the cost of lodging, but don’t stress too much.  You’ll be having too much fun outdoors to worry about your hotel room.

With more mild springtime temperatures, you won’t have to worry about freezing to death during your stay.  Perfect powdery conditions mean you can still have a blast doing all sorts of winter activities on your much needed vacation from class.  Long johns and thick sweaters can be left at home.  Daylight hours increase as the weeks go by.  This combination makes for a great Spring Break that only Colorado can provide.

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