Student Loan Consolidation Assistance

Workforce Competition Requires College

The Department of Education has published numerous studies about the status of higher education. What they all seem to boil down to is the definite need for a college degree to be relatively successful in our country. What they are also saying is that this avenue to gain required skills in our society is becoming more expensive by the day. This fact, combined with the sad comparison ranking US high school students far behind most other 3rd world country students is, to say the least, alarming.

The No Child Left Behind act was meant to fill the cracks within which many students in public schools seem to fall. Somehow, with this effort to establish the required skills for the students that are struggling, the overall achievement of the schools has diminished. The United States has already fallen below its potential for some time now. The effort, seemingly more politically motivated than logically planned, has had a positive effect for a select few that would otherwise have been unnoticed.

However, the reality of the situation is that there are more and more high school students that are looking at college as an unreachable goal, as early as their freshman year. These students are the ones that need the information focused on them. They need to see the true numbers of the amount of federal financial aid, and know that the amount of Pell Grants (which do not have to be repaid) are expected to have increased 76% for the 2009 budget. This increase is consistent with the steady rise in tuition.

Secretary Spelllings of the Department of Education has publicly announced the goal of the promote the positive benefits of federal financial aid, as well as a concerted effort to prevent lending institutions from obtaining borrowers that would otherwise qualify for student aid. This includes other federal agencies that administer funding.

In addition to these clear initiatives, there is a new program of grants that is going to help students with an affinity for math, science, technology, engineering, or a significantly needed foreign language obtain the required skills to fulfill much needed gaps in our country’s workforce. The grants will be geared towards low-income students that are able to maintain good grades within the necessary courses, and therefore the grants become a clear investment in our future for needed areas of employment.

The trend is all to clear for many high school students. A college degree is just as important to their future as a high school diploma. What is not so clear is that the federal government recognizes this, and has established ways to help meet tuition and attendance expenses. If you know someone in high school, or the parent of a student in high school, be sure to mention the negative spin the media seems to be putting on college expenses and student loans. It is not an unreachable goal to pay for college, and there is help available if you take the time to look.

Nursing Education Initiative

Nursing is one of the most noble, and needed careers to be filled. If you enjoy your work, but would like to improve your education, or even switch to a different specialty, there is an easy way to reach your goals. The National Nursing Education Initiative is a program that could help you further your education, and have you working in your ideal nursing position as soon as you have completed coursework.

The Veterans Health Administration prepares nurses for the ever-changing world of health care. When you work for the Veterans Association as a registered nurse, the VA will provide opportunities and funding to expand or specialize in specific field.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has created a specialized Nursing Academy to specifically target areas of need within the VA. There are recruiting programs, as well as devoted departments for retaining students. Many new teaching opportunities will be offered to nurses within the VA through the affiliated schools as well as the VA facility itself.

Part of the problems in the future of the nursing field is the lack of teachers available for nursing schools. The VA plans to counteract this by creating a collaboration with qualified nursing schools to allow their nurses to teach at the school, and allow the school to take on more students.

Promoting the importance of the nursing field, the Veterans Affairs department has increased the amount of funding it is channeling into graduate programs and the Nursing Fellowship Programs. Now VA nurses can get help with the financial burden of higher education, and have a career waiting for them in the VA facility.

Hospitals in the United States need over 118,000 new nurses to fulfill the present demand for RNs. In the next 6 to 7 years, there will be almost 30,000 more positions to be filled. This spells disaster for the field of nursing. An extreme shortage of nurses will affect the care provided at all hospitals, and hitting the VA is almost 22,000 current nurses that will be eligible to retire by 2010. Note information on nursing school loans to help cover the cost of nursing school.

Anyone considering nursing as a career should seriously consider the opportunity to work for the VA. You will have the chance to repay loans, as well as secure a rewarding career caring for the brave men and women who have fought for your right to choose a career. Explore this program today, and be working as soon as possible – without looming school loans to pay off as well.