UniThrive Blog

A 2008 article from the Boston Globe discusses peer-to-peer lending websites as alternatives to “using credit cards and tapping into retirement accounts”.

The article states “it looks promising that it would grow over the next several years.”  Even though peer-to-peer lending doesn’t compare in volume to the $17.5 billion student loan industry, it is quickly growing and making significant headway.  Students have already acquired their gap financing from peer-to-peer lending, and haven’t had to turn to high interest rate bank loans.

Peer-to-peer loans are also easier to obtain than traditional bank loans.  A student will not be given loans according to their FICO score, but instead based on their characteristics, academic information, and other posted information on their profile.  These loans help turn lending money into social networking, where individuals can personally relate and connect.

Related article: Latest student aid? Kindness from strangers

By Susan Scavone, Unithrive Intern

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You can’t do much in NYC with a few bucks, right? Wrong! Here is something you can do for 10 dollars or less over summer break!
1. 3-D movies! Just put on a special headset for the world's most advanced 3-D movies, shown on a screen more than eight stories high, at the Sony IMAX Theatre (admission $9 adults, $7.50 seniors, 212-336-5000).
2. Get the big picture--a panoramic view of New York City - from the Observation Deck at the Empire State Building ($4 adults, 212-736-3100)
3. Various kinds of Museums—you can explore the mysteries of ancient Egypt at the Brooklyn Museum's world class collection of Egyptian art and artifacts ($2 students, 718-638-5000). Or catch the subway to the New York Transit Museum, set in a scenic 1930s station, where you can learn the history of the city's famous public transportation system ($5 adults, $3 children and seniors; seniors free on Wednesday). Or enjoy enduring images from the history of American media at the Museum of Television & Radio ($6 adults, $4 students, 212-621-6600).
4. Catch a fish in the newly stocked Harlem Meer (pond) at the north end of Central Park (fishing poles provided, 212-794-6564). Or rent a rowboat for a scenic paddle in the shadow of Manhattan's magnificent skyscrapers ($10 an hour, 212-517-2233); or glide the ice at the Wollman Skating Rink in winter ($6.50 adults, $3 children, skate rentals $3.25, 212-517-4800).
5. See the city like the locals do on two scenic city bus rides: the M5 from Greenwich Village to Riverside Drive, passing Chelsea, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center and Central Park South; and the M4 from Madison Avenue through Harlem to the Cloisters ($1.50, 718-330-1234).
6. Have a bowl of noodles in Chinatown, and explore the thriving district of exotic shops and restaurants along Canal and Mott Streets (about $4 for the noodles).
7. Enjoy workshops, lectures and exhibitions on natural and cultural history at the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences ($1.50 students/children/seniors, 718-727-1135), or go back in time at the Historic Richmond Town Restoration ( $2.50 seniors and students, 718-351-1611). Get there on the world-famous Staten Island Ferry, which is free, and includes spectacular views of New York Harbor and the lower Manhattan skyline (718-390-5253).
8. Experience animal attraction at Wildlife Conservation Parks in Central Park ($1.25 students and seniors, 212-861-6030), the Bronx ($6.75 adults, $3 seniors and children 2-12, 718-367-1010), Prospect Park in Brooklyn ($1.25 students and seniors, 718-399-7339), and the New York Aquarium at Coney Island ($6.75 adults, $3 seniors and children 2-12, 718-265-FISH).
9. See exquisite collections housed in a jewel of historic architecture at the Pierpont Morgan Library ($3 students/children/seniors, 212-685-0008).
10. Help clean up the Gulf Oil Spill! Time to stop blaming but offer some help--donate to the United Way's Gulf Recovery Fund by going to its website or text the word "United" to 50555 to donate $10 from your mobile phone or Text the word "coast" to 50555 to donate $10 through your mobile phone to the Nature Conservancy Fund for Gulf Coast Restoration which wants to re-establish critical habitats (marshes, seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and coastal wetlands).

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Resumes are the first thing that a prospective employer looks at when hiring new employees.  You have to make sure that your resume makes you stand out.   Evan Rich gives students six easy steps to follow for a foolproof resume in his FoxBusiness article. He says “Brand Yourself”, “Tailor to Specific Industries”, “Limit Personal Information”, “Don’t Over Exagerate”, “Tailor Your Résumé to Your Job Search”, and “Get Active”.

Your resume should strongly represent your personality so that an employer can decide if you would fit within their company culture, but be sure not to over share personal information.  It is never a good idea to use the word “I” or “Me” in a resume. If you are applying for a job in a specific field, make sure to emphasize past experience in that area.  It may seem tedious, but you should make slight adjustments to your resume depending on what sort of job you are applying for.  Lastly, word choice is very important, especially since resumes should not exceed one page.  Make sure to use active verbs and to-the-point phrases.  

Related Information:

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/teenstudentgrad/a/studentresume.htm

By Ariana Malushi, UniThrive Intern

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Rather recently, I had to do the tedious task of completing the FAFSA form, which enables some students to receive financial aid from the government toward their college education. I remember that it took several hours to complete. There were some sections that I believe were unnecessary in determining whether or not I would be able to receive financial aid. I also found myself having to frequently go to my mom and dad to ask of certain information. And the thing that annoyed me the most was that I had to wait nearly two weeks to find out if I will be able to receive any financial aid.

Other students share my frustration about the FAFSA form as well. Thus, there have been a few changes made to it that will take into effect this year.

1)    The number of questions has been reduced. No longer will students like myself need to answer unnecessary questions. In addition to this, students will not be required to provide information on their parents’ financial status if they are either married or over twenty-three years of age.

2)    There are some questions on the FAFSA form that pertain to the IRS form. Students will now be able to upload the IRS form. The required information will automatically be transferred from the uploaded IRS form onto the FAFSA form. Students used to type out all of this information, which could have been a hassle at times and mistakes could have potentially been made.

3)    Once all of the questions are answered, students will be able to find out at that moment whether or not they are eligible to receive any financial aid from the government. To put it in shorter terms, there will no longer be any waiting.

With all of these changes made, the hope is that the FAFSA form will become more student-friendly. It will be both easier and quicker to complete. Yet, the potential benefit of receiving financial aid will remain the same.


Additional Information!

You can fill out the new FAFSA Form here: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Additional information regarding changes to the FASFA Form can be found here: http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF0002D79C0008009973E8/User/Blog/BlogPostDetail.aspx

By Anna Pojawis, a UniThrive intern

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Reyna Gobel’s book, Graduation Debt, offers students a guide of how to manage student loan debt while still living life to the fullest.  One of the keys to managing debt is spending smartly in all areas of life.  Most importantly, students need to be aware of their budget.  Monitoring a budget can help students spend more responsibly, but it can also allow students to plan ahead and splurge on the things that are most important to them.  Having a dedicated bank account for purely “fun” expenditures can allow students to spend spontaneously at times without having to keep a strict budget.

Beyond the general budget and “fun” account, Gobel offers specific advice for student loans that can help you keep track of, consolidate, and end your student loan debt.  If you are going to miss a payment, Gobel suggests that you call the lender and explain why you are going to miss a payment; lenders may grant some sort of pardon—which will keep the missed payment from affecting your credit score.  Graduation Debt can also help you find the right type of repayment plan and help you keep track of your many different loans (details on Reyna Gobel's website: Graduation Debt: How to Manage Student Loans and Live Your Life.)  Learn how to manage your debt, without letting it hold you back!

Related Articles:

10 Ways to Save on Big-Ticket Items 

U.S. News & World Report: The Smart Way to Pay Off Student Loans by Kimberly Palmer

By Sam Plunkett, UniThrive Intern

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