Licenses: Applicant must possess an FAA Control Tower Operator certificate or CTO Certificate of Grades, and an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) certificate. A current Air Traffic Control flight physical.
Air Traffic Control Specialist Trainee
Throughout the United States - Many Vacancies; Full Time
Duties: This announcement includes vacancies for both the Terminal & En Route (center) Air Traffic Control (ATC) options. The Terminal option controls air traffic at airports and give pilots taxiing and takeoff instructions, air traffic clearances, and advice based on their own observations, information from the National Weather Service, Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs), flight service stations, pilots, & other sources. Terminal Air Traffic Controllers transfer control of aircraft to the En Route Center controller when the aircraft leaves their airspace, and they receive control of aircraft coming into their airspace. Air Traffic Controllers in the En Route (Center) option give aircraft instructions, air traffic clearances and advice regarding flight conditions while en route between airports. They provide separation between aircraft flying along the Federal airways or operating into or out of airports.
As a new Air Traffic Control Specialist, you will spend your first several weeks of employment in an intensive training program at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK.
While attending academy training you will be on a temporary appointment. Upon successful completion of the Academy initial training program and other employment requirements, you will continue your training at your assigned facility on a permanent appointment with a salary between $37,463 and $43,867.
As a new controller you will receive pay increases as you successfully complete the progressive phases of controller training at your assigned facility with a potential to earn over $100,000 annually.
Upon successfully completing training & passing all required evaluations you may be given a permanent appointment at an air traffic control facility nationwide. You will be provided an opportunity to identify which locations you are interested in working at a later date.
POSITIONS ARE LOCATED throughout the United States, in Puerto Rico, in Guam, and also in the Virgin Islands.
Minimum Qualifications:
The maximum entry age for these positions is 30 years of age i.e., you must be hired prior to reaching your 31st birthday.
Prior experience or training in air traffic control is not required.
Applicants will be evaluated based on their responses to the online application.
You may qualify for this position on the basis of work experience, college education, or a combination of both. To qualify based upon work experience, interested individuals must have three years of progressively responsible full-time (40 hours per week) experience that demonstrates the potential for learning.
Progressively responsible experience might include for example: an increase in leadership duties, working with less supervision, or an increase in financial responsibility.
You are encouraged to include any experience that is directly related to the air traffic control occupation.
To qualify based upon education, applicants must have a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree.
You may also qualify by combining your work experience and college credits; one year of undergraduate study (30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours) is equivalent to 9 months of general work experience.
Successful candidates must be able to speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios, intercoms, and similar communications equipment.
Other Job Requirements: Requirement for pre-employment medical clearance: Applicants selected for ATCS positions must pass a medical examination that includes psychological screening prior to appointment. Applicants with prior military service are encouraged to obtain a sealed copy of their military medical records prior to discharge and to retain these records to be provided upon request if selected.
Requirement for security clearance: This position requires an Access National Agency Check and Inquiry with Credit (ANACI) or higher, based on the facility, prior to appointment unless a waiver is obtained.
Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program: This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying covered positions will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.
Training Requirements: Developmentals will enter the appropriate phase of field training as determined by the assigned facility to prepare for advancement to the Certified Professional Controller (CPC) level. They must learn the skills needed for operation at higher levels of responsibility. Failure to meet training requirements for or accept promotion to higher grade ATCS positions may constitute grounds for reassignment, demotion or separation from employment.
Certificate and Rating Requirements: ATCS's must possess or obtain a valid ATCS Certificate and/or Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) if appropriate. They must also obtain the facility ratings required for full performance at assigned facilities within uniformly applicable time limits.
Interview: Candidates for ATCS positions may be subject to pre-appointment interviews to determine whether they possess the personal characteristics necessary to perform air traffic control work.
Requirement for nonstandard duty hours or work week: Incumbent may be required to work irregular duty hours or a nonstandard work week or tour of duty.
Key Requirements: Candidate must be a U.S. Citizen
One-year probationary period may be required.
Moving expenses (PCS) will NOT be paid. After the announcement close date, be sure to log into ASAP to check your status to take the AT-SAT test as well as your test score and continue to check for referral list updates. Updates on your status can be acquired through the online application system.To be considered applicants should selected "UNITED STATES" and "THROUGHOUT THE NATION" for their location preference. Duty locations/facilities assignments will be determined at a later date.
Entrance exam: Applicants must achieve a qualifying score on the authorized FAA pre-employment test. Not all applicants will be selected for testing. Travel to & from testing locations will be at expense of applicant.
At election of agency, testing will be done at any of below locations:
Seattle, WA
Daytona Beach, FL
New York, NY
Atlanta, GA
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Miami, FL
Oakland, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Oklahoma City, OK
Fort Worth, TX
Training Requirements: Individuals selected & hired will be placed on temporary appointments & must pass a rigorous training program in air traffic control conducted by FAA to continue employment.
New hires spend several weeks at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK receiving initial training.
Those who are successful & meet all other requirements will be given permanent appointments & continue training at their air traffic facility. Academy students receive basic air traffic control training at the FAA Academy, which includes:
a. A complete occupational indoctrination including highlights of Federal employment, familiarization with organizational structure & functions, aircraft, air traffic control system, and aviation industry.
b. Classroom instruction & workshop exercises relating to the air traffic control system.
c. Skills training related to the work of air traffic control specialists in air route traffic control centers. Newly hired ATCS's will be paid long term expense rate (per diem) for Oklahoma City, OK to help offset daily cost of living while attending FAA Academy. The FAA will also pay for cost of travel in accordance with applicable agency travel policy.
For more information about this job, call Aviation Careers Division at 405-954-4657. Servicing HR office: Aviation Careers Division P.O. Box 25082 AMH-300 Oklahoma City, OK 73125 405-954-4657
FAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Monday, January 28, 2008
Prava pitanja - dobri odgovori
Без обзира на популарност мање или више стручно прављених и писаних приручника, рецепт за остављање најбољег могућег утиска на пословном разговору ипак не постоји. Да, постоје одређена правила, али строго дефинисан пут који ће вас одвести право до циља - не.
Утисак који ће неко ко је у позицији да одлучује формирати о нама у великој мери зависи од нас самих - од наших ставова, начина на који их пласирамо, енергије којом зрачимо, сигурности коју уливамо саговорнику.
Наравно, када су пословни људи у питању, општи проблем је присутна клима неизвесности.
У актуелним околностима тешко је прогнозирати шта ће се догодити већ сутра.
Ипак, иако се до радног места тешко стиже, и мада је, без обзира на квалификације, степен стручне спреме, радно искуство и општу културу, и даље свима неопходно фамозно зрнце среће, свест о себи и својим способностима (али критичка) темељ је успеха и просперитета.
У преводу, чак и када су најгоре, околности нису довољне да бисте оправдали неуспех, и то нипошто не би смеле да буду.
Либерални капитализам, који је код нас још увек у формирању, тражи одговорне личности, лишене несигурности и дилема, свесне свакодневне конкуренције и спремне да се потпуно посвете ономе што раде. Културни јунак нашег времена је менаџер, константно укључен у све токове, ужурбан, елегантан, онај који поставља права питања и увек има подједнако добре одговоре.
Утисак који ће неко ко је у позицији да одлучује формирати о нама у великој мери зависи од нас самих - од наших ставова, начина на који их пласирамо, енергије којом зрачимо, сигурности коју уливамо саговорнику.
Наравно, када су пословни људи у питању, општи проблем је присутна клима неизвесности.
У актуелним околностима тешко је прогнозирати шта ће се догодити већ сутра.
Ипак, иако се до радног места тешко стиже, и мада је, без обзира на квалификације, степен стручне спреме, радно искуство и општу културу, и даље свима неопходно фамозно зрнце среће, свест о себи и својим способностима (али критичка) темељ је успеха и просперитета.
У преводу, чак и када су најгоре, околности нису довољне да бисте оправдали неуспех, и то нипошто не би смеле да буду.
Либерални капитализам, који је код нас још увек у формирању, тражи одговорне личности, лишене несигурности и дилема, свесне свакодневне конкуренције и спремне да се потпуно посвете ономе што раде. Културни јунак нашег времена је менаџер, константно укључен у све токове, ужурбан, елегантан, онај који поставља права питања и увек има подједнако добре одговоре.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
What your IT Department Won't Tell You
In between typing up reports and poring over spreadsheets, we use our office PCs to keep up with our lives.
There's only one problem with what we're doing: Our employers sometimes don't like it. Partly, they want us to work while we're at work. So they've asked their information-technology departments to block us from bringing our home to work.
End of story? Not so fast. To find out whether it's possible to get around the IT departments, we asked Web experts for some advice. Specifically, we asked them to find the top 10 secrets our IT departments don't want us to know. How to surf to blocked sites without leaving any traces, for instance, or carry on instant-message chats without having to download software.
Lifehacker.com
BoingBoing.net
Here, then, are the 10 secrets your IT department doesn't want you to know, the risks you'll face if you use them -- and tips about how to keep yourself (and your job) safe while you're at it.
1. How to send giant files
If you send anything larger than a few megabytes, chances are you'll get an e-mail saying you've hit the company's limit.
Companies cap the amount of data employees can send and store in e-mail.
The Trick: Use online services such as YouSendIt Inc., SendThisFile Inc. and Carson Systems Ltd.'s DropSend, which let you send large files - sometimes up to a few gigabytes in size - free of charge. To use the services, you typically have to register, supplying personal information such as name and e-mail address. You can then enter the recipient's e-mail address and a message to him or her, and the site will give you instructions for uploading the file. In most cases, the site will send the recipient a link that he or she can click to download the file.
How to Stay Safe: Some of the services are more reputable than others. YouSendIt, for instance, is a start-up run by a former Adobe Systems Inc. executive and funded by well-known venture-capital firms.
2. How to use software that your company won't let you download
The first is easier. Say your company won't let you download the popular AOL Instant Messenger program, from Time Warner Inc.'s AOL unit. You can still instant-message with colleagues and friends using a Web-based version of the service called AIM Express (AIM.com/aimexpress.adp). There's also Google Inc.'s instant-messaging service, Google Talk, accessible at Google.com/talk.
All three of our experts pointed to a company called Rare Ideas LLC (RareIdeas.com), which offers free versions of popular programs such as Firefox and OpenOffice. You can download the software onto a portable device like an iPod or a USB stick, through a service called Portable Apps (PortableApps.com). Then hook the device up to your work computer, and you're ready to go. (But if your company blocks you from using external devices, you're out of luck.)
3. How to visit the Web sites your company blocks
The Problem: Companies often block employees from visiting certain sites -- ranging from the really nefarious (porn) to probably bad (gambling) to mostly innocuous (Web-based e-mail services).
The Trick: Even if your company won't let you visit those sites by typing their Web addresses into your browser, you can still sometimes sneak your way onto them. You travel to a third-party site, called a proxy, and type the Web address you want into a search box. Then the proxy site travels to the site you want and displays it for you - so you can see the site without actually visiting it. Proxy.org, for one, features a list of more than 4,000 proxies.
Another way to accomplish the same thing, from Frauenfelder and Trapani: Use Google's translation service, asking it to do an English-to-English translation. Just enter this -- Google.com/translate?langpair=en|en&u=www.blockedsite.com -- replacing "blockedsite.com" with the Web address of the site you want to visit. Google effectively acts as a proxy, calling up the site for you.
The Risk: If you use a proxy to, say, catch up on e-mail or watch a YouTube video, the main risk is getting caught by your boss. But there are scarier security risks: Online bad guys sometimes buy Web addresses that are misspellings of popular sites, then use them to infect visitors' computers, warns Lobel. Companies often block those sites, too -- but you won't be protected from them if you use a proxy.
How to Stay Safe: Don't make a habit of using proxies for all your Web surfing. Use them only to visit specific sites that your company blocks for productivity-related reasons - say, YouTube. And watch your spelling.
4. How to clear your tracks on your work laptop
The Problem: If you use a company-owned laptop at home, chances are you use it for personal tasks: planning family vacations, shopping for beach books, organizing online photo albums and so on. Many companies reserve the right to monitor all that activity, because the laptops are technically their property.
In IE7, click on Tools, then Delete Browsing History. From there, you can either delete all your history by clicking Delete All or choose one or a few kinds of data to delete. In Firefox, just hit Ctrl-Shift-Del -- or click Clear Private Data under the Tools menu.
5. How to search for your work documents from home
The Problem: You're catching up on work late at night or over the weekend - but the documents you need to search through are stuck on your office PC.
The Trick: Google, Microsoft, Yahoo and IAC/InterActiveCorp's Ask unit have all released software that lets you quickly search your desktop documents. On top of that, some will let you search through documents saved on one computer from another one. How does it work? The search company keeps a copy of your documents on its own server, so it can scan those copies when you do a search remotely.
To use Google's software -- among the most popular -- follow these steps on both your work and home PC. First, you'll need to set up a Google account on both machines by visiting Google.com/accounts. (Be sure to use the same account on both computers.) Then go to Desktop.Google.com to download the search software. When it's up and running -- again, do this on both machines -- click on Desktop Preferences, then Google Account Features. From there, check the box next to Search Across Computers. After that point, any document you open on either machine will be copied to Google's servers -- and will be searchable from either machine.
The Risk: Corporate technology managers offer this nightmare scenario: You've saved top-secret financial information on your work PC. You set up desktop-search software so that you can access those files when working from home on your laptop. Then you lose your laptop. Uh-oh.
On top of that threat, researchers have found vulnerabilities in Google's desktop-search software that could let a hacker trick a user into giving up access to files. (Those vulnerabilities have since been fixed, but more could crop up, he says.)
How to Stay Safe: If you have any files on your work PC that shouldn't be made public, ask your IT administrator to help you set up Google Desktop to avoid accidental leaks.
6. How to store work files online
The Problem: Desktop search aside, most people who often work away from the office have come up with their own solution to getting access to work files. They save them on a disk or a portable device and then plug it into a home computer. Or they store the files on the company network, then access the network remotely. But portable devices can be cumbersome, and company-network connections can be slow and unreliable.
The Trick: Use an online-storage service from the likes of Box.net Inc., Streamload Inc. or AOL-owned Xdrive. (Box.net also offers its service inside the social-networking site Facebook.) Most offer some free storage, from one to five gigabytes, and charge a few dollars a month for premium packages with extra space. Another guerrilla storage solution is to e-mail files to your private, Web-based e-mail account, such as Gmail or Hotmail.
The Risk: A bad guy could steal your password for one of these sites and quickly grab copies of your company's sensitive files.
How to Stay Safe: When you're thinking about storing a file online, ask yourself if it would be OK for that file to be splashed all over the Internet or sent to the CEO of your company's top rival. If so, go for it. If not, don't.
7. How to keep your privacy when using Web mail
The Problem: Many companies now have the ability to track employees' e-mails, both on work e-mail accounts and personal Web-based accounts, as well as IM conversations.
The Trick: When you send e-mails - using either your work or personal e-mail address - you can encrypt them, so that only you and the recipient can read them. In Microsoft Outlook, click on Tools, then Options and choose the Security tab. There, you can enter a password - and nobody can open a note from you without supplying it. (Of course, you'll have to tell people the code beforehand.)
For Web-based personal e-mail, try this trick from Frauenfelder: When checking e-mail, add an "s" to the end of the "http" in front of your e-mail provider's Web address - for instance, https://www.Gmail.com. This throws you into a secure session, so that nobody can track your e-mail. Not all Web services may support this, however.
To encrypt IM conversations, meanwhile, try the IM service Trillian from Cerulean Studios LLC, which lets you connect to AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and others -- and lets you encrypt your IM conversations so that they can't be read.
The Risk: The main reason companies monitor e-mail is to catch employees who are leaking confidential information. By using these tricks, you may set off false alarms and make it harder for the IT crew to manage real threats.
8. How to access your work e-mail remotely when your company won't spring for a Blackberry
The Problem: Anyone without a BlackBerry knows the feeling: There's a lull in the conversation when you're out to dinner or an after-work beer, and everyone reaches for their pocket to grab their BlackBerry, leaving you alone to stir your drink.
The Trick: You, too, can stay up to date on work e-mail, using any number of consumer-oriented hand-held devices. Just set up your work e-mail so that all your e-mails get forwarded to your personal e-mail account.
In Microsoft Outlook, you can do this by right-clicking on any e-mail, choosing Create Rule, and asking that all your e-mail be forwarded to another address. Then, set up your hand-held to receive your personal e-mail, by following instructions from the service provider for your hand-held. (That's the company that sends you your bill.)
9. How to access your personal e-mail on your BlackBerry
The Problem: If you do have a BlackBerry, you've probably got a different problem: You want to get your personal e-mail just as easily as work e-mail.
The Trick: Look at the Settings area of your personal e-mail account, and make sure you've enabled POP -- Post Office Protocol -- a method used to retrieve e-mail from elsewhere. Then log in to the Web site for your BlackBerry service provider. Click on the Profile button, look for the e-mail Accounts section and click on Other e-mail Accounts. Then click Add Account and enter the information for your Web-based e-mail account. Now your personal e-mails will pop up on the same screen as your company e-mail.
The Risk: Your company probably uses a whole bunch of security technology to keep viruses and spies out of your files. When you receive personal e-mail on your BlackBerry, it's coming to you without passing through your company's firewall. That means viruses or spyware could sneak onto your BlackBerry via a personal e-mail, says Mr. Schmugar of McAfee. Worse yet, he says, when you plug your BlackBerry into your work computer, there's a chance that the malicious software could jump onto your hard drive.
How to Stay Safe: Cross your fingers and hope that your personal e-mail provider is doing a decent job weeding out viruses, spyware and other intruders. (Chances are, it is.)
10. How to look like you're working
The Problem: You're doing some vital Web surfing and your boss turns the corner. What do you do?
The Trick: Hit Alt-Tab to quickly minimize one window (say, the one where you're browsing ESPN.com) and maximize another (like that presentation that's due today).
The Risk: The good news is that there are no known security risks.
How to Stay Safe: Get back to work.
There's only one problem with what we're doing: Our employers sometimes don't like it. Partly, they want us to work while we're at work. So they've asked their information-technology departments to block us from bringing our home to work.
End of story? Not so fast. To find out whether it's possible to get around the IT departments, we asked Web experts for some advice. Specifically, we asked them to find the top 10 secrets our IT departments don't want us to know. How to surf to blocked sites without leaving any traces, for instance, or carry on instant-message chats without having to download software.
Lifehacker.com
BoingBoing.net
Here, then, are the 10 secrets your IT department doesn't want you to know, the risks you'll face if you use them -- and tips about how to keep yourself (and your job) safe while you're at it.
1. How to send giant files
If you send anything larger than a few megabytes, chances are you'll get an e-mail saying you've hit the company's limit.
Companies cap the amount of data employees can send and store in e-mail.
The Trick: Use online services such as YouSendIt Inc., SendThisFile Inc. and Carson Systems Ltd.'s DropSend, which let you send large files - sometimes up to a few gigabytes in size - free of charge. To use the services, you typically have to register, supplying personal information such as name and e-mail address. You can then enter the recipient's e-mail address and a message to him or her, and the site will give you instructions for uploading the file. In most cases, the site will send the recipient a link that he or she can click to download the file.
How to Stay Safe: Some of the services are more reputable than others. YouSendIt, for instance, is a start-up run by a former Adobe Systems Inc. executive and funded by well-known venture-capital firms.
2. How to use software that your company won't let you download
The first is easier. Say your company won't let you download the popular AOL Instant Messenger program, from Time Warner Inc.'s AOL unit. You can still instant-message with colleagues and friends using a Web-based version of the service called AIM Express (AIM.com/aimexpress.adp). There's also Google Inc.'s instant-messaging service, Google Talk, accessible at Google.com/talk.
All three of our experts pointed to a company called Rare Ideas LLC (RareIdeas.com), which offers free versions of popular programs such as Firefox and OpenOffice. You can download the software onto a portable device like an iPod or a USB stick, through a service called Portable Apps (PortableApps.com). Then hook the device up to your work computer, and you're ready to go. (But if your company blocks you from using external devices, you're out of luck.)
3. How to visit the Web sites your company blocks
The Problem: Companies often block employees from visiting certain sites -- ranging from the really nefarious (porn) to probably bad (gambling) to mostly innocuous (Web-based e-mail services).
The Trick: Even if your company won't let you visit those sites by typing their Web addresses into your browser, you can still sometimes sneak your way onto them. You travel to a third-party site, called a proxy, and type the Web address you want into a search box. Then the proxy site travels to the site you want and displays it for you - so you can see the site without actually visiting it. Proxy.org, for one, features a list of more than 4,000 proxies.
Another way to accomplish the same thing, from Frauenfelder and Trapani: Use Google's translation service, asking it to do an English-to-English translation. Just enter this -- Google.com/translate?langpair=en|en&u=www.blockedsite.com -- replacing "blockedsite.com" with the Web address of the site you want to visit. Google effectively acts as a proxy, calling up the site for you.
The Risk: If you use a proxy to, say, catch up on e-mail or watch a YouTube video, the main risk is getting caught by your boss. But there are scarier security risks: Online bad guys sometimes buy Web addresses that are misspellings of popular sites, then use them to infect visitors' computers, warns Lobel. Companies often block those sites, too -- but you won't be protected from them if you use a proxy.
How to Stay Safe: Don't make a habit of using proxies for all your Web surfing. Use them only to visit specific sites that your company blocks for productivity-related reasons - say, YouTube. And watch your spelling.
4. How to clear your tracks on your work laptop
The Problem: If you use a company-owned laptop at home, chances are you use it for personal tasks: planning family vacations, shopping for beach books, organizing online photo albums and so on. Many companies reserve the right to monitor all that activity, because the laptops are technically their property.
In IE7, click on Tools, then Delete Browsing History. From there, you can either delete all your history by clicking Delete All or choose one or a few kinds of data to delete. In Firefox, just hit Ctrl-Shift-Del -- or click Clear Private Data under the Tools menu.
5. How to search for your work documents from home
The Problem: You're catching up on work late at night or over the weekend - but the documents you need to search through are stuck on your office PC.
The Trick: Google, Microsoft, Yahoo and IAC/InterActiveCorp's Ask unit have all released software that lets you quickly search your desktop documents. On top of that, some will let you search through documents saved on one computer from another one. How does it work? The search company keeps a copy of your documents on its own server, so it can scan those copies when you do a search remotely.
To use Google's software -- among the most popular -- follow these steps on both your work and home PC. First, you'll need to set up a Google account on both machines by visiting Google.com/accounts. (Be sure to use the same account on both computers.) Then go to Desktop.Google.com to download the search software. When it's up and running -- again, do this on both machines -- click on Desktop Preferences, then Google Account Features. From there, check the box next to Search Across Computers. After that point, any document you open on either machine will be copied to Google's servers -- and will be searchable from either machine.
The Risk: Corporate technology managers offer this nightmare scenario: You've saved top-secret financial information on your work PC. You set up desktop-search software so that you can access those files when working from home on your laptop. Then you lose your laptop. Uh-oh.
On top of that threat, researchers have found vulnerabilities in Google's desktop-search software that could let a hacker trick a user into giving up access to files. (Those vulnerabilities have since been fixed, but more could crop up, he says.)
How to Stay Safe: If you have any files on your work PC that shouldn't be made public, ask your IT administrator to help you set up Google Desktop to avoid accidental leaks.
6. How to store work files online
The Problem: Desktop search aside, most people who often work away from the office have come up with their own solution to getting access to work files. They save them on a disk or a portable device and then plug it into a home computer. Or they store the files on the company network, then access the network remotely. But portable devices can be cumbersome, and company-network connections can be slow and unreliable.
The Trick: Use an online-storage service from the likes of Box.net Inc., Streamload Inc. or AOL-owned Xdrive. (Box.net also offers its service inside the social-networking site Facebook.) Most offer some free storage, from one to five gigabytes, and charge a few dollars a month for premium packages with extra space. Another guerrilla storage solution is to e-mail files to your private, Web-based e-mail account, such as Gmail or Hotmail.
The Risk: A bad guy could steal your password for one of these sites and quickly grab copies of your company's sensitive files.
How to Stay Safe: When you're thinking about storing a file online, ask yourself if it would be OK for that file to be splashed all over the Internet or sent to the CEO of your company's top rival. If so, go for it. If not, don't.
7. How to keep your privacy when using Web mail
The Problem: Many companies now have the ability to track employees' e-mails, both on work e-mail accounts and personal Web-based accounts, as well as IM conversations.
The Trick: When you send e-mails - using either your work or personal e-mail address - you can encrypt them, so that only you and the recipient can read them. In Microsoft Outlook, click on Tools, then Options and choose the Security tab. There, you can enter a password - and nobody can open a note from you without supplying it. (Of course, you'll have to tell people the code beforehand.)
For Web-based personal e-mail, try this trick from Frauenfelder: When checking e-mail, add an "s" to the end of the "http" in front of your e-mail provider's Web address - for instance, https://www.Gmail.com. This throws you into a secure session, so that nobody can track your e-mail. Not all Web services may support this, however.
To encrypt IM conversations, meanwhile, try the IM service Trillian from Cerulean Studios LLC, which lets you connect to AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and others -- and lets you encrypt your IM conversations so that they can't be read.
The Risk: The main reason companies monitor e-mail is to catch employees who are leaking confidential information. By using these tricks, you may set off false alarms and make it harder for the IT crew to manage real threats.
8. How to access your work e-mail remotely when your company won't spring for a Blackberry
The Problem: Anyone without a BlackBerry knows the feeling: There's a lull in the conversation when you're out to dinner or an after-work beer, and everyone reaches for their pocket to grab their BlackBerry, leaving you alone to stir your drink.
The Trick: You, too, can stay up to date on work e-mail, using any number of consumer-oriented hand-held devices. Just set up your work e-mail so that all your e-mails get forwarded to your personal e-mail account.
In Microsoft Outlook, you can do this by right-clicking on any e-mail, choosing Create Rule, and asking that all your e-mail be forwarded to another address. Then, set up your hand-held to receive your personal e-mail, by following instructions from the service provider for your hand-held. (That's the company that sends you your bill.)
9. How to access your personal e-mail on your BlackBerry
The Problem: If you do have a BlackBerry, you've probably got a different problem: You want to get your personal e-mail just as easily as work e-mail.
The Trick: Look at the Settings area of your personal e-mail account, and make sure you've enabled POP -- Post Office Protocol -- a method used to retrieve e-mail from elsewhere. Then log in to the Web site for your BlackBerry service provider. Click on the Profile button, look for the e-mail Accounts section and click on Other e-mail Accounts. Then click Add Account and enter the information for your Web-based e-mail account. Now your personal e-mails will pop up on the same screen as your company e-mail.
The Risk: Your company probably uses a whole bunch of security technology to keep viruses and spies out of your files. When you receive personal e-mail on your BlackBerry, it's coming to you without passing through your company's firewall. That means viruses or spyware could sneak onto your BlackBerry via a personal e-mail, says Mr. Schmugar of McAfee. Worse yet, he says, when you plug your BlackBerry into your work computer, there's a chance that the malicious software could jump onto your hard drive.
How to Stay Safe: Cross your fingers and hope that your personal e-mail provider is doing a decent job weeding out viruses, spyware and other intruders. (Chances are, it is.)
10. How to look like you're working
The Problem: You're doing some vital Web surfing and your boss turns the corner. What do you do?
The Trick: Hit Alt-Tab to quickly minimize one window (say, the one where you're browsing ESPN.com) and maximize another (like that presentation that's due today).
The Risk: The good news is that there are no known security risks.
How to Stay Safe: Get back to work.
Job Seekers Mistakes
You talk too fast.
You avoid eye contact.
You ask too many questions.
You wear too much perfume.
You lie about your work history.
You show up late to interviews.
You don’t do your research.
And you wonder why you haven’t gotten a job yet?
There’s no such thing as an error-free job search, most mistakes can be avoided with a little attentiveness.
“The best way to get a great job is to have a laser beam focus,” Davidson says. “The more targeted and specific you are, the more powerful your job search will be.”
Younger applicants approach their job search with a “what’s in it for me” attitude, they lack humility and their expectations exceed their qualifications.
Seasoned job seekers, on the other hand, oftentimes come across with more attitude, indicating they may be uncoachable or won’t adapt to a new career environment.
Don’t shoot yourself in the foot during your next job search.
Here are common mistakes job seekers should avoid:
1. Fire … Ready, Aim
Don’t waste your time shooting out résumés before you’ve aimed for your ideal job. Take the time to ready your job search, aim for what you want and pursue your career with fiery determination.
2. Assuming you’re on a first-name basis
Never call your interviewer by his or her first name, including interviewers younger than you, says career management expert Sally Haver. Until you hear, “You can call me Fred,” or the equivalent, address the interviewer formally.
3. Your life’s an open book
Keep your private life private.
4. Winging it
One of the biggest turn-offs for a hiring manager is when a candidate they are interviewing has not done the research necessary to understand both the position and the company they are applying for. Unless you are more prepared, more practiced and more passionate than the other candidates, you are wasting everyone’s time.
5. Neglecting your appearance
You’ve heard it once. You’ll hear it again: dress for the position you want to have.
6. Applying just to apply
Apply only for the jobs and companies that interest you. “Go after that job like an Olympic athlete goes for a medal. Don’t waste time sending out résumés for positions you don’t really want.
7. Not talking the talk
An interviewer is not looking for a yes or no response to their question. They do want a direct response, but it is OK to support your point with specific examples that are relevant to your work experience. On the other hand don’t too talk too much. It reveals nervousness or the inability to deliver a direct response.
8. Sending a phone book
Sending a 10-page résumé is a mammoth error. Highlight your abilities in one page. Remember the person reviewing résumés has 15 seconds to decide to bring you in.
9. Doing it alone
Not networking with everyone you know cuts your chances of finding a great job. The more people you involve, the better your chances are.
10. Forgetting to say thank you
Always send a thank you e-mail to the hiring manager. Use it as an opportunity to leave an impression on him or her by referencing something you discussed in your interview.
Behn says job seekers often “nail” the interview, get a job offer and then send a mistake-riddled thank you note - that’s a great way to get your offer rescinded.
11. Talking negatively about past employers
Regardless of how valid your point of view is, it’s not necessary to trash your past employer. If you’re asked to talk about your previous job, be prepared to put a positive spin on it, showing you valued the experience.
12. Not asking good questions
Not asking open-ended questions is a sure-fire way to show that you don’t care about the company or the position you’re interviewing for.
Ask questions like, “Where do you see this position going?” “What is going to make the person who takes this position successful?” “Why is the position open?” or, “How do you see me fitting in here?”
by Rachel Zupek
You avoid eye contact.
You ask too many questions.
You wear too much perfume.
You lie about your work history.
You show up late to interviews.
You don’t do your research.
And you wonder why you haven’t gotten a job yet?
There’s no such thing as an error-free job search, most mistakes can be avoided with a little attentiveness.
“The best way to get a great job is to have a laser beam focus,” Davidson says. “The more targeted and specific you are, the more powerful your job search will be.”
Younger applicants approach their job search with a “what’s in it for me” attitude, they lack humility and their expectations exceed their qualifications.
Seasoned job seekers, on the other hand, oftentimes come across with more attitude, indicating they may be uncoachable or won’t adapt to a new career environment.
Don’t shoot yourself in the foot during your next job search.
Here are common mistakes job seekers should avoid:
1. Fire … Ready, Aim
Don’t waste your time shooting out résumés before you’ve aimed for your ideal job. Take the time to ready your job search, aim for what you want and pursue your career with fiery determination.
2. Assuming you’re on a first-name basis
Never call your interviewer by his or her first name, including interviewers younger than you, says career management expert Sally Haver. Until you hear, “You can call me Fred,” or the equivalent, address the interviewer formally.
3. Your life’s an open book
Keep your private life private.
4. Winging it
One of the biggest turn-offs for a hiring manager is when a candidate they are interviewing has not done the research necessary to understand both the position and the company they are applying for. Unless you are more prepared, more practiced and more passionate than the other candidates, you are wasting everyone’s time.
5. Neglecting your appearance
You’ve heard it once. You’ll hear it again: dress for the position you want to have.
6. Applying just to apply
Apply only for the jobs and companies that interest you. “Go after that job like an Olympic athlete goes for a medal. Don’t waste time sending out résumés for positions you don’t really want.
7. Not talking the talk
An interviewer is not looking for a yes or no response to their question. They do want a direct response, but it is OK to support your point with specific examples that are relevant to your work experience. On the other hand don’t too talk too much. It reveals nervousness or the inability to deliver a direct response.
8. Sending a phone book
Sending a 10-page résumé is a mammoth error. Highlight your abilities in one page. Remember the person reviewing résumés has 15 seconds to decide to bring you in.
9. Doing it alone
Not networking with everyone you know cuts your chances of finding a great job. The more people you involve, the better your chances are.
10. Forgetting to say thank you
Always send a thank you e-mail to the hiring manager. Use it as an opportunity to leave an impression on him or her by referencing something you discussed in your interview.
Behn says job seekers often “nail” the interview, get a job offer and then send a mistake-riddled thank you note - that’s a great way to get your offer rescinded.
11. Talking negatively about past employers
Regardless of how valid your point of view is, it’s not necessary to trash your past employer. If you’re asked to talk about your previous job, be prepared to put a positive spin on it, showing you valued the experience.
12. Not asking good questions
Not asking open-ended questions is a sure-fire way to show that you don’t care about the company or the position you’re interviewing for.
Ask questions like, “Where do you see this position going?” “What is going to make the person who takes this position successful?” “Why is the position open?” or, “How do you see me fitting in here?”
by Rachel Zupek
Monday, January 14, 2008
Student Aid
http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/
Use 'MyFSA' to create personalized folder to record your interests, career and college searches and any relevant personal information. Track your progress in the college planning and application process.
www.studentaid.ed.gov/completefafsa
Direct Loan web site: http://www.dl.ed.gov/
US Depoartment of Labor's Occupational Handbook - info on various careers and earning potential: www.bls.gov/oco
SAR - Student Aid Report contains application results
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
-----------------------------------------------------
PREPARE --> APPLY --> RECEIVE --> REPAY
-----------------------------------------------------
Apply for FAFSA:
1) Get a PIN - Personal Identification Number. Safeguard your PIN !
http://www.pin.ed.gov/
2) Collect the documents - list available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
- SSN
- W-2 forms
- Income Tax Return
- Current Bank Statements
- Alien Registration Card
3) Complete the application between January - July
4) Review SAR, make corrections if necessary and resubmit. Complete, correct SAR will contain Expected Family Contribution - EFC number used to determine federal student aid eligibility
5) If you are selected for verification, school financial aid office will ask you to submit documents as appropriate. You need to meet deadline!
6) Contact your financial aid office
.......................................................................
3 categories of federal student aid:
I) G R A N T S - does not have to be repaid and are awarded based solely on financial need.
There are 2 types:
- Federal Pell Grant
Awarded only to undergraduate students.
The amount of other student aid does not affect the amount of your Pell Grant..
Depends on: EFC, cost of attendance, whether you are full or part-time student and whether you are attending for full academic year or less.
For 2006-07. it ranged 400$-4050$
- FSEOG - Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Awarded to those with exceptional financial need - lowest EFC, range from 100$-4000$.
The amount you receive depends on the amount of other aid you get and the availability of funds at your school. The schools financial aid office decide how to award these funds.
II) W O R K S T U D Y
III) L O A N S - borrow money with interest. Loans are legal obligations. Types:
- Federal Perkins Loan - repayed to school
- Stafford Loans - must be enrolled as at least a half-time student. Financial need is not a requirement to obtain Stafford Loan, however if you demonstrate financial need, the US Department of education will pay the interest that accrues on this loan during certain period. There is a fee of up to 4% of the loan deducted proportionaly from each loan disbusement and because of this deduction you'll receive slightly less than the amount you are borrowing.
* Direct Stafford Loan - borrow directly from the US Department of Education at participating schools
* FFEL Stafford Loan or Federal Stafford Loan - private lenders provide funds that are guaranteed by the federal government. You repay it to bank or private lender that made you the loan
- Consolidation Loans allow you to combine several types of federal student loans into one loan with one monthly payment
APPLICATION FOR PERKINS OR STAFFORD LOAN
You apply by completing FAFSA. However, you'll need to sign a promissory note, which is a binding legal contract that says you agree to repay your loan according to the terms of the promissory note. Read this note carefully before signing.
HOW MUCH CAN I BORROW?
* Subsidized Stafford Loan available to students with financial need. US Department of Education pays the interest:
- while you are in school at least half time,
- for the first 6 months after you leave school
- during a period of deferment - postponement of loan payments
- loan can not exceed your financial need
- Unsubsidized Stafford Loan - available to students with no financial need
School is using this equation to detrmine
Amount of your Unsubsidized Loan =
Cost Of Attendance - Federal Pell Grant - Subsidized Stafford Loan - Any other Aid you receive
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can receive a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same enrollment period as long as the total of these loans does not exceed the annual loan limit.
CAN I CANCEL MY STUDENT LOAN?
Your school must notify you in writing whenever it credits your account with your loan funds.
You may cancel all or a portion of your loan if you inform your school within 14 days after the date your school sends you this notice or by the first day of the payment period, whichever is later.
............................
Eligibility requirements:
- financial need
-US citizen or eligible noncitizen
- Must have valid SSN - Social Security Number http://www.ssa.gov/
- must be enrolled as a regular student and working toward degree in eligible program
- Pass an approved ATB - Ability To Benefit Test
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
......................
Check filed complaints about school: http://www.bbb.org/
School info:
* school accreditation
* school's loan default rate - percentage of students who attended school, took out federal loan and failed to repay it on time
* school's job placement rate - percentage of students who are placed in jobs relevant to their courses of study
...................................
FINANCIAL NEED = COA (Cost of Attendance) - EFC (Expected Family Contribution)
...................................
To be eligible for Federal Pell Grant (2006-07), EFC must be < href="http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs">www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs. Click on the year under the 'The EFC Formula'
If you are eligible for financial aid, the financial aid office at each school will send you an award letter outlining the amount and type of student financial aid available from all sources. It states the type and amount of financial aid the school is willing to provide if you accept admission and register at that school.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The financial aid administrator must have compelling reasons to use professional judgement to make adjustments because of special circumstances.
---------------------------------------
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
http://www.collegezone.com/
Leveraging Educational Assitance Partnership (LEAP) Program - state aid
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
US Department of Education database:
http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/ , 'Funding' , 'State Aid'
-------------------------------------------------------
Byrd Program: www.ed.gov/programs/iduesbyrd/index.html
---------------------------------------------------------------
IRS:
(*) The Hope Tax Credit - worth up to 1500$, available for 1st and 2nd year students enrolled at least half time
(*) The Lifetime Learning Tax Credit is tax benefit equal to 20% of a family tuition expenses - up to 10000$
www.irs.gov
IRS publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education
----------------------------------------------------------
www.students.gov
Site provides access to government resources to help you plan and pay for your education. Besides, you can use this site to file your taxes, searcxh for a job and take advantage of other government services.
-----------------------
www.consumer.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT
--> You must reapply for federal student aid every year
--> Save all records and materials used to complete your FAFSA, make a copy of your application-you might need them later to prove the information you reported was accurate (verification)
HELP: www.studentaid.ed.gov/completefafsa or 1-800-433-3243
--> To add or change school later, you just need PIN to do it online, or by phone 1-800-433-3243 when you need DRN (Data Release Number) located in your SAR, your address and answer to question 31 (concerning a drug conviction)
-----------------------
SAR (Student Aid Report) contain your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) used in detrmining your eligibility for federal student aid.
Youl'll receive results by e-mail within a few days after your FAFSA has been processed
Review carefully your SAR to make sure it's correct and complete. If it is, and it contains your EFC, contact the school you are interested in attending.
If the school you want to attend is not listed on your FAFSA, you must submit your SAR to that school for processing by the last day of enrollment in 2006/07 or by September 17, 2007, whichever comes first.
REPAYING YOUR LOAN
(1) the interest you pay is lower than commercial rates (fed. gov. subsidizes the rate)
(2) you don't begin to repay the amount you borrowed until you leave school or drop below half-time
--------------------------
(*) When you sign a promissory note, you are agreeing to repay the loan according to the term of the note
(*) The note states that even if you don't complete your education, you must repay your loan, and even if you can't get the job after you complete the program
(*) You must make payments on your loan even if you don't receive a bill or repayment notice
(*) You are obligated to make payments even if you don't receive any reminders (coupon books)
(*) You must make monthly payments in the full amount required by your repayment plan - partial payments do not fulfill your obligation to repay your student loan on time
(*) You must continue to make payments until you have been notified that your request has been approved if you applied for a deferment, forbearance or a loan discharge
(*) Keep a copy of any request form you submit, and document all contact you have with the firm that holds your loan
(*) Keep in touch with your lender or loan servicing agency and notify them when you:
graduate, withdraw from school, drop below half-time status, change name or address or transfer to another school
(*) You must receive entrance counseling before you are given your first loan disbursement and exit counseling before you leave school, your school will provide important information about your loan and your lender will give you additional information
BORROWER'S RIGHTS
--- Before the first loan disbursement
Before your school makes your first loan disbursement, you must receive the following information about your loan from your school, lender or Direct Loan Servicing Center:
* The full amount of the loan and the current interest rate
* the date you must start repayment
* A complete list of loan fees you must pay and info on how those charges are collected
* info about the yearly and total amounts you can borrow
* info about the max repayment periods and the min repayment amount
* An explanation of default and its consequences
* An explanation of available options for consolidating your loans and a statement that you can prepay your loans at any time without a penalty
--- Before you leave school
* A current description of your loans, including average anticipated monthly payments
* The amount of your total debt (principal and estimated interest), your current interest rate and the total interest charges on the loan
* The name of the lender or agency that holds your loans, where to send payments, and where to write or call if any questions* An explanation of the fees you might be charged during the repayment period (late charges and collection of litigation costs if you are delinquent or in default
* A reminder of available options for loan consolidation and a reminder that you can prepay your loan without penalty at any time
* A description of applicable deferment, forbearance and discharge (cancellation) provisionsRepayment options and advice about debt management
* Notification that you must provide your expected permanent address and the name and address of your expected employer
GRACE PERIOD - you have the right to a grace period before your repayment period begins ( 6 or 9 months depending on the type of the loan)
Fedral Perkins Loan - 9 months
Direct or FFEL Stafford Loans - 6 months
- subsidized loan - you don't have to pay any principal and you won't be charged interest
- unsubsidized loan - you don't have to pay any principal, but you will be charged interest, you can pay it as you go along or it will be capitalized-added to the principal
Loan repayment schedule
School, lender or Direct Loan Servicing Center must give you a loan repayment schedule that states:
* when your first payment is due
* the number and frequency of payments
* the amount of each payment
HELP: www.studentaid.ed.gov , click on 'Repaying' or www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs
DEFAULT occurs when you fail to meet the terms and conditions of the promissory note such as not making timely payments.
Time to repay loans
- Fedral Perkins Loan - up to 10 years
- Direct and FFEL Stafford Loans - 10 to 30 years
How often do I make payments
Direct Stafford Loan-usually monthly payments using your PIN at www.dl.ed.gov
FFEL Stafford Loan-usually monthly payments to the private lender that made the loan
Federal Perkins Loan-monthly payments to school that loaned you money
Repayment Options
When it comes time to repay, you can pick a repayment plan:
* 10-year Standard Plan with a minimum payment of $50
* An Extended Plan
* A Graduated Plan with a monthly payment that starts low and then increases gradually during the repayment period
* Income Sensitive Reapayment Plan-Income Contigent Repayment Plan
* If you don't choose a repayment plan when you first begin repayment, you'll be placed under the Standard Repayment Plan
* You can change plans to suit your financial circumstances ( Direct Loan - you can change plan anytime, FFEL - you can change plan once a year)
Tax incentives for paying back student loans
This benefit applies to all loans used to pay for postsecondary education costs, including loans. The max deduction is $2500 a year.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 970: Tax benefits for Higher Education
POSTPONING LOAN REPAYMENT (DEFERMENT AND FORBEARANCE)
These periods don't count toward the length of time you have to repay your loan. You can't get a deferment or forbearance for a loan in default.
A DEFERMENT is a period of time during which no payments are required and interest does not accrue (accumulate) unless you have an unsubsidized Stafford Loan, in which case you must pay the interest.
Use 'MyFSA' to create personalized folder to record your interests, career and college searches and any relevant personal information. Track your progress in the college planning and application process.
www.studentaid.ed.gov/completefafsa
Direct Loan web site: http://www.dl.ed.gov/
US Depoartment of Labor's Occupational Handbook - info on various careers and earning potential: www.bls.gov/oco
SAR - Student Aid Report contains application results
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
-----------------------------------------------------
PREPARE --> APPLY --> RECEIVE --> REPAY
-----------------------------------------------------
Apply for FAFSA:
1) Get a PIN - Personal Identification Number. Safeguard your PIN !
http://www.pin.ed.gov/
2) Collect the documents - list available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
- SSN
- W-2 forms
- Income Tax Return
- Current Bank Statements
- Alien Registration Card
3) Complete the application between January - July
4) Review SAR, make corrections if necessary and resubmit. Complete, correct SAR will contain Expected Family Contribution - EFC number used to determine federal student aid eligibility
5) If you are selected for verification, school financial aid office will ask you to submit documents as appropriate. You need to meet deadline!
6) Contact your financial aid office
.......................................................................
3 categories of federal student aid:
I) G R A N T S - does not have to be repaid and are awarded based solely on financial need.
There are 2 types:
- Federal Pell Grant
Awarded only to undergraduate students.
The amount of other student aid does not affect the amount of your Pell Grant..
Depends on: EFC, cost of attendance, whether you are full or part-time student and whether you are attending for full academic year or less.
For 2006-07. it ranged 400$-4050$
- FSEOG - Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Awarded to those with exceptional financial need - lowest EFC, range from 100$-4000$.
The amount you receive depends on the amount of other aid you get and the availability of funds at your school. The schools financial aid office decide how to award these funds.
II) W O R K S T U D Y
III) L O A N S - borrow money with interest. Loans are legal obligations. Types:
- Federal Perkins Loan - repayed to school
- Stafford Loans - must be enrolled as at least a half-time student. Financial need is not a requirement to obtain Stafford Loan, however if you demonstrate financial need, the US Department of education will pay the interest that accrues on this loan during certain period. There is a fee of up to 4% of the loan deducted proportionaly from each loan disbusement and because of this deduction you'll receive slightly less than the amount you are borrowing.
* Direct Stafford Loan - borrow directly from the US Department of Education at participating schools
* FFEL Stafford Loan or Federal Stafford Loan - private lenders provide funds that are guaranteed by the federal government. You repay it to bank or private lender that made you the loan
- Consolidation Loans allow you to combine several types of federal student loans into one loan with one monthly payment
APPLICATION FOR PERKINS OR STAFFORD LOAN
You apply by completing FAFSA. However, you'll need to sign a promissory note, which is a binding legal contract that says you agree to repay your loan according to the terms of the promissory note. Read this note carefully before signing.
HOW MUCH CAN I BORROW?
* Subsidized Stafford Loan available to students with financial need. US Department of Education pays the interest:
- while you are in school at least half time,
- for the first 6 months after you leave school
- during a period of deferment - postponement of loan payments
- loan can not exceed your financial need
- Unsubsidized Stafford Loan - available to students with no financial need
School is using this equation to detrmine
Amount of your Unsubsidized Loan =
Cost Of Attendance - Federal Pell Grant - Subsidized Stafford Loan - Any other Aid you receive
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can receive a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same enrollment period as long as the total of these loans does not exceed the annual loan limit.
CAN I CANCEL MY STUDENT LOAN?
Your school must notify you in writing whenever it credits your account with your loan funds.
You may cancel all or a portion of your loan if you inform your school within 14 days after the date your school sends you this notice or by the first day of the payment period, whichever is later.
............................
Eligibility requirements:
- financial need
-US citizen or eligible noncitizen
- Must have valid SSN - Social Security Number http://www.ssa.gov/
- must be enrolled as a regular student and working toward degree in eligible program
- Pass an approved ATB - Ability To Benefit Test
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
......................
Check filed complaints about school: http://www.bbb.org/
School info:
* school accreditation
* school's loan default rate - percentage of students who attended school, took out federal loan and failed to repay it on time
* school's job placement rate - percentage of students who are placed in jobs relevant to their courses of study
...................................
FINANCIAL NEED = COA (Cost of Attendance) - EFC (Expected Family Contribution)
...................................
To be eligible for Federal Pell Grant (2006-07), EFC must be < href="http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs">www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs. Click on the year under the 'The EFC Formula'
If you are eligible for financial aid, the financial aid office at each school will send you an award letter outlining the amount and type of student financial aid available from all sources. It states the type and amount of financial aid the school is willing to provide if you accept admission and register at that school.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The financial aid administrator must have compelling reasons to use professional judgement to make adjustments because of special circumstances.
---------------------------------------
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
http://www.collegezone.com/
Leveraging Educational Assitance Partnership (LEAP) Program - state aid
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
US Department of Education database:
http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/ , 'Funding' , 'State Aid'
-------------------------------------------------------
Byrd Program: www.ed.gov/programs/iduesbyrd/index.html
---------------------------------------------------------------
IRS:
(*) The Hope Tax Credit - worth up to 1500$, available for 1st and 2nd year students enrolled at least half time
(*) The Lifetime Learning Tax Credit is tax benefit equal to 20% of a family tuition expenses - up to 10000$
www.irs.gov
IRS publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education
----------------------------------------------------------
www.students.gov
Site provides access to government resources to help you plan and pay for your education. Besides, you can use this site to file your taxes, searcxh for a job and take advantage of other government services.
-----------------------
www.consumer.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT
--> You must reapply for federal student aid every year
--> Save all records and materials used to complete your FAFSA, make a copy of your application-you might need them later to prove the information you reported was accurate (verification)
HELP: www.studentaid.ed.gov/completefafsa or 1-800-433-3243
--> To add or change school later, you just need PIN to do it online, or by phone 1-800-433-3243 when you need DRN (Data Release Number) located in your SAR, your address and answer to question 31 (concerning a drug conviction)
-----------------------
SAR (Student Aid Report) contain your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) used in detrmining your eligibility for federal student aid.
Youl'll receive results by e-mail within a few days after your FAFSA has been processed
Review carefully your SAR to make sure it's correct and complete. If it is, and it contains your EFC, contact the school you are interested in attending.
If the school you want to attend is not listed on your FAFSA, you must submit your SAR to that school for processing by the last day of enrollment in 2006/07 or by September 17, 2007, whichever comes first.
REPAYING YOUR LOAN
(1) the interest you pay is lower than commercial rates (fed. gov. subsidizes the rate)
(2) you don't begin to repay the amount you borrowed until you leave school or drop below half-time
--------------------------
(*) When you sign a promissory note, you are agreeing to repay the loan according to the term of the note
(*) The note states that even if you don't complete your education, you must repay your loan, and even if you can't get the job after you complete the program
(*) You must make payments on your loan even if you don't receive a bill or repayment notice
(*) You are obligated to make payments even if you don't receive any reminders (coupon books)
(*) You must make monthly payments in the full amount required by your repayment plan - partial payments do not fulfill your obligation to repay your student loan on time
(*) You must continue to make payments until you have been notified that your request has been approved if you applied for a deferment, forbearance or a loan discharge
(*) Keep a copy of any request form you submit, and document all contact you have with the firm that holds your loan
(*) Keep in touch with your lender or loan servicing agency and notify them when you:
graduate, withdraw from school, drop below half-time status, change name or address or transfer to another school
(*) You must receive entrance counseling before you are given your first loan disbursement and exit counseling before you leave school, your school will provide important information about your loan and your lender will give you additional information
BORROWER'S RIGHTS
--- Before the first loan disbursement
Before your school makes your first loan disbursement, you must receive the following information about your loan from your school, lender or Direct Loan Servicing Center:
* The full amount of the loan and the current interest rate
* the date you must start repayment
* A complete list of loan fees you must pay and info on how those charges are collected
* info about the yearly and total amounts you can borrow
* info about the max repayment periods and the min repayment amount
* An explanation of default and its consequences
* An explanation of available options for consolidating your loans and a statement that you can prepay your loans at any time without a penalty
--- Before you leave school
* A current description of your loans, including average anticipated monthly payments
* The amount of your total debt (principal and estimated interest), your current interest rate and the total interest charges on the loan
* The name of the lender or agency that holds your loans, where to send payments, and where to write or call if any questions* An explanation of the fees you might be charged during the repayment period (late charges and collection of litigation costs if you are delinquent or in default
* A reminder of available options for loan consolidation and a reminder that you can prepay your loan without penalty at any time
* A description of applicable deferment, forbearance and discharge (cancellation) provisionsRepayment options and advice about debt management
* Notification that you must provide your expected permanent address and the name and address of your expected employer
GRACE PERIOD - you have the right to a grace period before your repayment period begins ( 6 or 9 months depending on the type of the loan)
Fedral Perkins Loan - 9 months
Direct or FFEL Stafford Loans - 6 months
- subsidized loan - you don't have to pay any principal and you won't be charged interest
- unsubsidized loan - you don't have to pay any principal, but you will be charged interest, you can pay it as you go along or it will be capitalized-added to the principal
Loan repayment schedule
School, lender or Direct Loan Servicing Center must give you a loan repayment schedule that states:
* when your first payment is due
* the number and frequency of payments
* the amount of each payment
HELP: www.studentaid.ed.gov , click on 'Repaying' or www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs
DEFAULT occurs when you fail to meet the terms and conditions of the promissory note such as not making timely payments.
Time to repay loans
- Fedral Perkins Loan - up to 10 years
- Direct and FFEL Stafford Loans - 10 to 30 years
How often do I make payments
Direct Stafford Loan-usually monthly payments using your PIN at www.dl.ed.gov
FFEL Stafford Loan-usually monthly payments to the private lender that made the loan
Federal Perkins Loan-monthly payments to school that loaned you money
Repayment Options
When it comes time to repay, you can pick a repayment plan:
* 10-year Standard Plan with a minimum payment of $50
* An Extended Plan
* A Graduated Plan with a monthly payment that starts low and then increases gradually during the repayment period
* Income Sensitive Reapayment Plan-Income Contigent Repayment Plan
* If you don't choose a repayment plan when you first begin repayment, you'll be placed under the Standard Repayment Plan
* You can change plans to suit your financial circumstances ( Direct Loan - you can change plan anytime, FFEL - you can change plan once a year)
Tax incentives for paying back student loans
This benefit applies to all loans used to pay for postsecondary education costs, including loans. The max deduction is $2500 a year.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 970: Tax benefits for Higher Education
POSTPONING LOAN REPAYMENT (DEFERMENT AND FORBEARANCE)
These periods don't count toward the length of time you have to repay your loan. You can't get a deferment or forbearance for a loan in default.
A DEFERMENT is a period of time during which no payments are required and interest does not accrue (accumulate) unless you have an unsubsidized Stafford Loan, in which case you must pay the interest.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
What not to share with your co-workers
By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
It’s happened to everyone before. The constant flow of words that just keep coming, long after you’ve made your point (if there ever was one) and even longer after people stopped caring. The kind of gibberish that just won’t stop unless someone else starts talking. The type of chatter that inevitably ends with you wishing you’d put a sock in it.
Yes, verbal diarrhea is never a good thing.
Some people talk to hear the sound of their own voice;
others share because they don’t really have a life and, by revealing details you’d rather not know, they create the illusion of one,
then there is the person who believes gossip, even about them, creates instant emotional intimacy. It doesn’t.
Walk the line
Some workers have trouble drawing the line between business and friendship, says Susan Solovic, co-founder and CEO of SBTV.com, and author of three books, including “Reinvent Your Career: Attain the Success You Desire and Deserve.”
“It’s a social environment as well as a work environment. However, you must remember while you can be friendly and develop a good rapport, business is business and friendship is friendship.”
Most workers don’t realize that what they say has as much impact on their professional images as what they wear. People who say too much, about themselves or others, can be seen as incompetent, unproductive and unworthy of professional development.
To avoid your next case of verbal diarrhea, here are 13 things to never share or discuss with your co-workers.
1. Salary information
What you earn is between you and Human Resources. Disclosure indicates you aren’t capable of keeping a confidence.
2. Medical history
Nobody really cares about your aches and pains, your latest operation, your infertility woes or the contents of your medicine cabinet.
3. Gossip
Whomever you’re gossiping with will undoubtedly tell others what you said. Plus, if a co-worker is gossiping with you, most likely he or she will gossip about you.
4. Work complaints
Constant complaints about your workload, stress levels or the company will quickly make you the kind of person who never gets invited to lunch. If you don’t agree with company policies and procedures, address it through official channels or move on.
5. Cost of purchases
You don’t want others speculating on the lifestyle you’re living –or if you’re living beyond your salary bracket.
6. Intimate details
Don’t share intimate details about your personal life. Co-workers can and will use the information against you.
7. Politics or religion
People have strong, passionate views on both topics. You may alienate a co-worker or be viewed negatively in a way that could impact your career.
8. Lifestyle changes
Breakups, divorces and baby-making plans should be shared only if there is a need to know. Otherwise, others will speak for your capabilities, desires and limitations on availability, whether there is any truth to their assumptions or not.
9. Blogs or social networking profile
What you say in a social networking community or in your personal blog may be even more damaging than what you say in person. Comments online can be seen by multiple eyes.
10. Negative views of colleagues
If you don’t agree with a co-worker’s lifestyle, wardrobe or professional abilities, confront that person privately or keep it to yourself. The workplace is not the venue for controversy.
11. Hangovers and wild weekends
It’s perfectly fine to have fun during the weekend, but don’t talk about your wild adventures on Monday. That information can make you look unprofessional and unreliable.
12. Personal problems and relationships – in and out of the office
‘Never get your honey where you get your money.’
13. Off-color or racially charged comments
You can assume your co-worker wouldn’t be offended or would think something is funny, but you might be wrong. Never take that risk.
It’s happened to everyone before. The constant flow of words that just keep coming, long after you’ve made your point (if there ever was one) and even longer after people stopped caring. The kind of gibberish that just won’t stop unless someone else starts talking. The type of chatter that inevitably ends with you wishing you’d put a sock in it.
Yes, verbal diarrhea is never a good thing.
Some people talk to hear the sound of their own voice;
others share because they don’t really have a life and, by revealing details you’d rather not know, they create the illusion of one,
then there is the person who believes gossip, even about them, creates instant emotional intimacy. It doesn’t.
Walk the line
Some workers have trouble drawing the line between business and friendship, says Susan Solovic, co-founder and CEO of SBTV.com, and author of three books, including “Reinvent Your Career: Attain the Success You Desire and Deserve.”
“It’s a social environment as well as a work environment. However, you must remember while you can be friendly and develop a good rapport, business is business and friendship is friendship.”
Most workers don’t realize that what they say has as much impact on their professional images as what they wear. People who say too much, about themselves or others, can be seen as incompetent, unproductive and unworthy of professional development.
To avoid your next case of verbal diarrhea, here are 13 things to never share or discuss with your co-workers.
1. Salary information
What you earn is between you and Human Resources. Disclosure indicates you aren’t capable of keeping a confidence.
2. Medical history
Nobody really cares about your aches and pains, your latest operation, your infertility woes or the contents of your medicine cabinet.
3. Gossip
Whomever you’re gossiping with will undoubtedly tell others what you said. Plus, if a co-worker is gossiping with you, most likely he or she will gossip about you.
4. Work complaints
Constant complaints about your workload, stress levels or the company will quickly make you the kind of person who never gets invited to lunch. If you don’t agree with company policies and procedures, address it through official channels or move on.
5. Cost of purchases
You don’t want others speculating on the lifestyle you’re living –or if you’re living beyond your salary bracket.
6. Intimate details
Don’t share intimate details about your personal life. Co-workers can and will use the information against you.
7. Politics or religion
People have strong, passionate views on both topics. You may alienate a co-worker or be viewed negatively in a way that could impact your career.
8. Lifestyle changes
Breakups, divorces and baby-making plans should be shared only if there is a need to know. Otherwise, others will speak for your capabilities, desires and limitations on availability, whether there is any truth to their assumptions or not.
9. Blogs or social networking profile
What you say in a social networking community or in your personal blog may be even more damaging than what you say in person. Comments online can be seen by multiple eyes.
10. Negative views of colleagues
If you don’t agree with a co-worker’s lifestyle, wardrobe or professional abilities, confront that person privately or keep it to yourself. The workplace is not the venue for controversy.
11. Hangovers and wild weekends
It’s perfectly fine to have fun during the weekend, but don’t talk about your wild adventures on Monday. That information can make you look unprofessional and unreliable.
12. Personal problems and relationships – in and out of the office
‘Never get your honey where you get your money.’
13. Off-color or racially charged comments
You can assume your co-worker wouldn’t be offended or would think something is funny, but you might be wrong. Never take that risk.
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