How to Pay for College: Top 7 Student Aid Questions Answered

You've decided to get your degree. Now it's time to think about how to pay for college. There are many student aid options available to help you pay for college: government, businesses, community organizations and even individuals.

The government is the largest source of available financial assistance for college, and it literally offer billions of dollars in student aid. Start there. Then look to other sources for financial assistance such as, college scholarships and educational loans.

Here are your top 7 questions answered about how you can pay for college:

1 - Can I afford to go to college?

Of course you can. Financial support for college is available to everyone, no matter their circumstances. Many public colleges, community colleges and technical schools provide educational programs at affordable prices.

2 - What kind of student aid is out there to help me pay for college?

College Grants - Free government funds typically awarded on a need basis.College Scholarships - Free government funds typically awarded on the basis of merit, among other things. College scholarships are also available from private individuals, companies, non-profit groups and community organizations.Educational Loans - Funds borrowed from the government or through private lenders.Federal Work-Study - Part-time jobs provided by participating schools to give students in need a chance to earn money to support their education.GI Bill: Military Benefits for College - Specific government funds set aside and awarded to current and former military and their dependents.

3 - How do I apply for financial assistance for college?

Simply fill out the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) form at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ to qualify for financial aid. This must be repeated every year and will determine what type of financial aid you are eligible for.

4 - What determines how much financial assistance I will receive for college?

All financial aid awarded depends on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is what schools use to determine how much federal financial support you will receive. Remember all that personal financial information you provided on your FAFSA form? Here is where that information will be assessed to make the determination.

5 - Do I qualify for student aid even if my GPA is not the best?

Though many scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, most government aid is based on financial need. However, keep in mind that most student aid comes with academic stipulations. For example, to stay eligible for a Pell grant - one of the most common need based grants - you must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA.

6 - If I qualify for financial aid for college, what can I use it for?

Tuition and feesRoom and boardBooks and suppliesPersonal expensesTravel

7 - How can I find out more about financial assistance and how to pay for college?

Check out these helpful resources for finding financial support for college:

College Board: Financial Aid Easy PlannerCollege Board: Financial Aid FAQsStudent Aid on the WebFederal Direct LoansStudentLoans.govCollege.gov

Find a school that offers a good variety of career training programs that provide excellent options and resources for financial assistance, and start your journey to a new career today.

IntelliTec College offers accelerated career training programs in Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and Pueblo. Request more information at: http://www.intelliteccollege.com/requestInfo.php or call 1-800-748-2282.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Tax Lien Certificates, 25 Most Commonly Asked Questions

1. Who can buy a tax lien certificate?

Anyone who has the cash to pay the auctioneer.

2. Will I be evicting someone from their house?

No, you are only paying that property owner's delinquent taxes. You are not foreclosing on them.

3. Will I own the property at some future date?

Possibly, all though it is rare that a property owner will forfeit their real estate. In Arizona, for example, 99% of all property owners pay (redeem) the taxes due to the county. The county in turn pays you interest plus a high rate of return. Nationwide, 95% of all tax lien certificates sold are paid (redeemed) by the property owner.

4. Why don't people pay their taxes?

1) People die and no one pays the tax, though heirs may pay the taxes later.

2) People run out of money or they become unemployed and have money problems.

3) Some people won't part with their money until the last minute. They believe they are making more by investing elsewhere.

5. Isn't the county or municipality required or obligated to find the property owner?

Not exactly. They send multiple notices via mail, and put announcements in the public records and the newspapers. That's all they are required to do.

6. What if the property owner dies?

The county will forward tax notices to the last-known address. Additionally they will advertise the tax sale. Often, heirs or family members step forward to pay the taxes.

7. How many tax liens can I acquire?

There's no restriction. You can bid and purchase as many as your finances will allow.

8. Whom do I pay?

You will give your money to a government agency - there are no brokers or intermediaries to pay.

9. Who will pay me my return?

Ultimately the property owner pays you when they pay their delinquent taxes. The government agency (the county or municipality that collected money from you) will contact you and ask you to return your tax lien certificate. Upon receipt they will send you a government check.

10. Will I have to contact the homeowners at any time?

No! You only do business with the government agency.

11. Will I have to foreclose on the property?

Statistically there is less than a 5% chance that you'll ever go through the foreclosure process. An attorney or government employee would do this service for a small fee as it is all controlled by the statutes of the state involved.

12. When do I get paid?

When the county or municipality collects from the property owner, they will notify you. Upon receipt of your certificate they will pay you.

13. How will I know what I'm buying?

First, you are not buying real estate. You are purchasing a lien on the real estate. Should you ultimately foreclose and get the property, then you own real estate.

14. What if I end up with the real estate? What do I own?

Here is how the process works. The county will publish a tax lien sale in the newspaper and public records. Buyer/bidders should research the public records (plot maps, assessment parcel and subdivision maps). The buyer/bidder should also purchase local maps and drive by the subject properties. The drive-by inspection would provide additional appraisal data. Title companies and appraisers, and real estate agents will provide more in-depth information.

15. What happens to the certificate when I buy it? (Do I take it home?)

Yes, you can put it in your safety deposit box or other place for safekeeping.

16. Are the certificates transferable?

Yes, you can assign or transfer the certificates to anyone you want.

17. Are the properties always improved?

No. The properties could be vacant land or improved property. Often large commercial properties are available in the tax lien sale.

18. Is it better to buy improved property or vacant land?

Improved property has the advantage of quick re-sale in many cases. Additionally, improved property will often have mortgage liens. Mortgage holders rarely let properties go to tax sale. Properties with mortgage liens almost always assure you of re-payment of your investment.

19. I want to get a property for sure, not just a tax lien certificate.

That's possible - but highly unlikely. Specialists find that certificate holders get the property in only 1% to 5% of all tax lien sales. We will cover this process in a later chapter in this book.

20. Is the process of purchasing tax lien certificates the same in all states and counties?

No, each state and county uses its own rules. The state legislatures write the statutes. However, they are subject to local (county and municipal) interpretation. Tax lien buyers should research each county before purchasing their tax lien certificate, and should become aware of the local rules.

21. What happens if the property owner does not pay next year's taxes when they are due?

You, the previous year's certificate holder, can buy the subsequent year if the property owner does not. This is like buying another safe high yielding C.D.

22. What if I don't want to buy more than a one-year certificate?

You aren't required to pay more than one year's taxes. However, it would probably be wise to note when the next payment is due and pay those taxes also. You'll get your money back when the certificate is redeemed, plus an exceptional rate of return. If you can't pay the subsequent tax lien, the county will issue a new certificate that they will sell at auction.

23. Is there any way to forecast when a certificate will be paid (redeemed)?

No! That's why you should buy more than one lien certificate. Different certificates will pay off at different times.

24. Can I buy before the auction-sale?

In some counties, prior certificates left un-sold will be available before the auction-sale.

25. Can I lose money buying tax lien certificates? It's possible to lose money in any investment anywhere and at any time. All investments have some risk, even certificates of deposit. However, as a rule, tax lien certificates are considered very safe investments.

The local government issues tax lien certificates and they are the senior liens on the property. The county and municipality have the responsibility to conduct the sale fairly, and they have the authority to award you the right to foreclose on the property if the taxes aren't ultimately redeemed (paid). At that time, you'll own real estate for the taxes you paid plus any foreclosure costs. But remember: When you purchase a Tax Lien Certificate, you are buying delinquent taxes, not real estate.

For more information on Tax Lien Certificates and how you can make money investing in them, please visit us online at [http://www.ultimatetaxlienguide.com] or http://www.tedthomas.com

Ted Thomas Bio:

Ted Thomas is a Florida based publisher and author of numerous money making Home Study Courses. Ted is the guy people go to when they want to improve their business marketing and sales results. Ted's Marketing Master Mind sessions are attended by the important people that make up the Information Marketing Industry. Ted is a recognized expert and in-demand speaker in the United States and in Canada on the subjects of Government Secured and Guaranteed certificates. His title "The Foreclosure Authority" generates many consulting requests. More than 100,000 students have success -fully completed Ted Thomas' Home Study Courses. Ted Thomas

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.