You can still get scholarships - here's how

(ARA) - A slow economy and dwindling resources for financial aid may have you worrying more than ever about funding your child's college education. But there are still scholarships available for those who pursue them and take the all-important step of applying long before the school year starts.

'Subpar' economy to spur increased college enrollments in 2010

(ARA) - With millions of jobs lost in 2009, unemployment rates were at their highest in decades. But does the new year bring a brighter future? Economists project a "subpar growth" for 2010.

Knowing 'net price' is now essential in college planning

(ARA) - Planning for college is fraught with uncertainty about everything from which college and major to choose to how to much it will really cost. With nearly 70 percent of high school students enrolling in higher education programs after graduation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, millions of students and their families are overwhelmed and looking for guidance about what their options are.

Don't be a victim of campus crime

(ARA) - It's no secret. In small towns and large cities across the country, colleges and universities are magnets for crime, both on and off campus. While students may feel relatively safe at college, the reality is that at some point in their college careers, many college students will become a victim of crime, ranging from relatively minor incidents such as the theft of a bike or a backpack - the most common form of campus crime - to more serious crimes such as sexual assault, identity theft and hate crimes.

Why California is the best place to earn a film degree

(ARA) - Hollywood. It produces the hot gossip that plasters the covers of popular magazines; it is home to some of the most beautiful and successful movie stars in the world; it single-handedly dominates the entertainment industry and captivates millions; and it is the place where hopes and wishes are spun into reality through clever scripts and top-notch directing. In short, it is a film student's dream.

How to shoot a great home video

(ARA) - Good news: You don't have to attend film school to shoot great home videos your friends and family will enjoy watching for years to come. If you want to attend school, or you have, you're one step ahead of the game. However, no matter what your experience level, the following tips from Brooks Institute will help you keep your video camera ready for action at all times.

Could online education help more students stay in college?

(ARA) - We have a college dropout problem in the United States. We once led the world in the number of college graduates as a proportion of population, but have fallen far behind most of Western Europe and even some Asian countries in recent years.

Online doctoral degrees: Advanced education for today's professional

(ARA) - You've been working in your chosen field for a while now. For you it's not a job, but a calling. You've gone so far as to earn a master's degree to gain a deeper understanding of the work you're doing, but now you're ready for more.

Help available for people living with diabetes

(ARA) - It's a long drive out to the rural diabetes clinic where she makes her educational presentations, but Janie Burmester knows that the work she's doing can have a huge impact on people's lives. Burmester is one of about 15,000 Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) in the United States. CDEs are health professionals, certified by the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators, who teach self-management techniques to patients diagnosed with diabetes.

The surprising, rewarding path many career changers are following

(ARA) - Trust in ever-resourceful and adaptable Americans to create opportunities to improve their own lives, and the lives of others, from the shambles of the economy. With unemployment rates still making news, many Americans are finding new ways to make a living, turning layoffs into launch pads for new careers.

Is finding lasting love in college possible?

(ARA) - Just a few decades ago, women would boast about going to college simply to get an "MRS" degree, when they were less likely to pursue higher education and more likely to pursue married life. But today, with career aspirations of both women and men at an all-time high, the likelihood of coming away from a college education with a potential spouse is much less.

Discovering financial aid opportunities in the current economy

(ARA) - If you are still searching for that silver lining in the present economic doldrums, going back to school this year might be the remedy for you. Whether you are a first-time freshman or a returning student looking for a new degree to move your career forward, for many the timing could not be better.

Business management degrees build versatile career choices

(ARA) - Earning a Bachelor's degree in business management can open the door to a wide variety of career placement and career advancement opportunities. In today's increasingly competitive job market it is especially important to hold a versatile degree that is applicable within a variety of sectors, and a business management degree can help do just that.

Switching schools midyear? More parents going virtual to ease transition

(ARA) - Every year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, roughly 2 million American families with children move - and their children switch schools. While many families move over the summer, so their kids can start new schools in the fall, others make the school switch midyear, often because of parent job changes or family economic challenges.

The changing face of interior design

(ARA) - Home decorating and interior design trends change in tandem with fashion trends. Staying on top of these allows you to update your home the same way you update your closet. You don't have to make drastic or expensive changes to keep your home in style. It's easy to incorporate new interior design trends into your existing decor in creative and affordable ways.

How to make the move home from college headache free

(ARA) - College students from L.A. to Philadelphia and all points in between will soon begin their annual moves back home. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are some 19 million students enrolled at more than 4,300 colleges and universities across the United States. Moving is never an easy task but there are some things you can do to make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Five vital skills for kids and tips for teaching them

(ARA) - It's no surprise that mothers want the best for their children, but are they setting the bar too high when it comes to their own expectations of themselves as parents? One in three mothers admit to setting expectations for themselves as parents that are "unrealistic," according to the Moms Straight Talk on Parenting survey conducted by the Pepperidge Farm Goldfish brand.

Is an online school right for you?

(ARA) - Would you like to earn a college degree, but feel like you just don't have the time? An online degree program could be just what you need. Online degree programs can give you the freedom to earn a degree without interrupting your current obligations. On the other hand, if you enjoy face-to-face interaction, this type of program may not be right for you.

You can find money to pay for college

(ARA) - In a competitive job market, earning a degree can be the biggest single step one can take to enhance career value and earning potential. As many bask in the glow of making plans to increase their career potential, the prospect of paying for college is a sobering reality.

Degrees that will make you indispensable in the workplace

(ARA) - From digitizing and analyzing America's health records to developing the next big video game or hardware program, careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields continue to gain prominence in the work force. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts a growing demand for technological advances will result in a job growth of 22 percent for STEM occupations between 2004 and 2014.

Spring break safety tips for college students

(ARA) - One of the most anticipated times of the year for a college student is spring break. It's an excuse to leave town, hang out with friends and forget about class.

Tips for returning to school - online

(ARA) - Going back to school is a tough decision, especially if you've been in the working environment for several years. But many Americans are making the decision to enroll in classes - either to better their knowledge for potential promotion in their current field or to completely change careers. And many of them are pursing their education online.

Tips on finding the right scholarship opportunities

(ARA) - Qualifying for a scholarship but not bothering to apply for it makes about as much sense as walking away from money left on a table to fund your education.

Rising tuition? Little-known resources can help

(ARA) - Students in California are boycotting rising tuition costs, but across the country most students are forced to shell out big money in order to continue their education.

Breaking down barriers: Who says women can't excel in math and science?

(ARA) - True or false: Men have more ability in math and science than women? The correct answer is false, and it seems that America's work force is finally beginning to reflect this.

Changing careers a calculated risk worth taking

(ARA) - The once-popular board game Careers allowed players to seek new professions simply by rolling the dice. Yet switching careers, even in these tough economic times, need not be such a gamble, says Kari Marcum, career services director at Everest College in Merrionette Park, Ill.

Freelancing can be a 'meat and potatoes' or 'whipped cream' job

(ARA) - "Graduates these days may find freelancing either as meat and potatoes or whipped cream for their professional diet," says career services director Mary Kate Robinson at The Art Institute of Houston. Freelancing either provides the sole compensation (meat and potatoes) by working for multiple employers for different projects, or it adds to existing employment compensation (whipped cream).

Advice for strengthening your career options

(ARA) - In the wake of increased layoffs and cutbacks, the unemployed and employed alike are worrying about their careers. This makes 2010 a prime time to evaluate your own employability and take steps to strengthen your career options.

Patient confidentiality and you

(ARA) - When you head to your family physician for a routine checkup or visit the hospital for a more intensive procedure, you deserve to know that the information you share with each health care professional is kept confidential. You want to rest assured that your personal information is not going to be available to anyone other than the physicians and medical staff involved in your care.

Obama's stimulus bill includes huge student aid investments

(ARA) - The Obama administration has set forth an extensive bill designed to get the economy out of the recession and moving again. This $70 billion bill has a large portion directed towards students and investing in their education.

Decode the SAT and ACT tests and prep for success

(ARA) - Get good grades, graduate high school, go to your dream college - sounds simple, right? It can be, as long as research and preparation are paired with your hard work and ambition. One of the key ways college admissions staff determines how you stack up to other college-bound hopefuls are standardized test scores, namely the SAT test and the ACT test, along with the other elements of your application package.