saving money Archives - Page 3 of 10 - Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Aug 25 2014

Finding college scholarships

So, you’re ready for college and the acceptance letters are starting to roll in. Congratulations! I’m sure you’ll rock it.

Good vibes aside, how are you going to pay for it all? Even after the federal grants come out and the work-study is distributed for the year, most families still have a “parent contribution” to contend with.

And that tuition isn’t going to pay itself.

That’s where scholarships come in. Believe me, they help big time. In fact, for many students, they make the difference between going to college or not.

Just so you know, a scholarship is money that doesn’t need to be paid back. As in, free. You don’t pay any interest, and there usually aren’t any terms other than staying in school and getting a ‘B’ average.

Scholarships are either one-time awards or — if you’re lucky – sometimes last all four years. They come in all different dollar amounts, starting at $50 or $100 up to reaching even $10,000 or even more (think: “full ride”).

College scholarships are awarded on the basis of many different things:

academic merit (i.e., good grades, high SAT scores)
possessing special skills or talents (e.g., flute, acting, Lacrosse)
pursuing certain careers (e.g., Engineering, Anthropology, Photography)
participation in certain groups or organizations (like Scouting, 4-H, Future Business Leaders, and so on).

There is even a category of so-called “unusual” scholarships floating around out there if you look for it.

Basically, there is a little something for everyone. And indeed lots of money is available — that is, for those who know where to find it.

Unfortunately, scholarship searches elude many families. Either that, or people feel they stand no chance of winning, therefore never apply.

Did you know many scholarships aren’t even claimed each year? Nobody applies!

Imagine that? Free money — earmarked for your college education – just going to waste. Such a shame.

Today, I’m going to help you locate college scholarships. And in an upcoming article, I’ll also give you tips for how to apply.

Start by having the student (not the parent) set up accounts in these 4 places:

Big Future / The College Board

Peterson’s

Scholarship America

FastWeb

I know, I know. They ask for a lot of information you are hesitant to provide, or prefer your student not to answer. Unfortunately, this is a time to get over all privacy concerns and feelings about over-sharing. Supply whatever is being asked, and try not to think too much about it again. (If you want your student to win scholarships, that is.)

Next, begin searching. Search those 4 places, then branch out your search from there.

Search for scholarships offered by your workplaces, community organizations, nearby schools and programs, religious groups, honor societies, sports leagues, social clubs, business organizations, and everywhere else.

Leave no stone un-turned. Seriously. Ask everyone you know if they offer a scholarship, or if they know of scholarships anywhere else.

Additionally, find out if your state offers scholarships that homeschoolers are eligible for. Often, just by completing a financial aid application, students become automatically eligible to receive state money.

Finally, check out links like this one:

Scholarships for homeschoolers

Look specifically for homeschool organizations that offer scholarships (statewide groups, legal organizations, local chapters, co-ops, mentoring organizations, volunteer groups, and so on). And if you belong to an organization that does not have one, ask if they’d consider funding a scholarship this year.

There is no need to pay anyone to find scholarships for you. It’s easy enough to do alone. If you must, you must. But, if you and your student make a schedule and stick to it daily, a few minutes a day will add up to a long list of eligible scholarships within a few weeks.

When searching, look carefully at all information, making sure you’re finding the most recent criteria and application deadlines.

Don’t discount “lottery” type scholarships, either. Somebody wins them — it could be you.

Looking for a free course on homeschooling high school? Check this out

Need more high school information? Click on this

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Aug 22 2014

Homeschooling for college credit

There are limitless possibilities for course combinations during the high school years. Between taking core courses, electives, practical skills, personal interests and areas of specialization toward future goals, high schooling can be customized in so many different ways.

In addition to grade-level experiences, some teens also enjoy adding college courses into the high school mix.

Attending college early — while still in high school – is a great way to access advanced material.

It can also result in earning college credit, too!

Here are 3 ways for homeschoolers to earn college credit while in high school. Though each has its pros and cons, they all yield the same result — college credit BEFORE high school graduation.

The first method is using CLEP examinations. Students learn course material using any number of methods, then register to take exams in any of 33 different areas covered by CLEP. Students able to demonstrate mastery with a passing score earn college credit in each particular area. Those courses do not need to be repeated once the student gets to college.

Another way to earn early college credit is by taking AP exams. When preparing for AP (Advanced Placement) exams, students take very rigorous courses in high school, and must pass corresponding AP examinations for every AP course attempted. Passing scores on AP tests can result in college credit at many institutions.

A final way to get college credits during high school is by participating in a district- and state-approved dual enrollment program. By taking courses on a local college campus, homeschoolers will receive the same education as college students do, plus earn credit for all courses completed there. Credits earned may be applied toward an eventual college degree, and in most cases, will never need to be repeated in the future.

Bear in mind that college is not for everyone, and not all teens may be ready for college-level work while in high school. But for those who are, earning early college credit is an excellent way to gain access to advanced courses, decrease the number of credits needed to finish a degree and save money (in tuition costs) in the long run.

Would you like to know more about early college credit and dual enrollment?

Join me on Monday as I discuss dual enrollment on the Vintage Homeschool Moms program, with host Felice Gerwitz.

Listen LIVE on Monday, August 25, 2014 at noon EST, and bring your questions!

You can also access the program later on, by CLICKIN G HERE:

Tell your friends!

May 30 2014

Homeschool Conferences — Why every parent should go

So, the homeschool conference is approaching and you’re wondering — should you, or shouldn’t you?

You’re not sure what you’ll find there.

It requires travel.

There’s child care to think about.

Plus, those ticket prices are enough to feed the family for a week.

Despite all the objections, I say go for it. Turns out, attending a homeschool convention is a really great investment, financially and otherwise.

Here’s why you should go:

1. Easily get your ticket price back. Between conference discounts on books and materials, freebies you receive throughout the exhibit hall, and money saved on shipping when buying online, the ticket price easily pays for itself. Though it may seem steep (and it is), even a $50 or $100 registration price is no match for saving 20-50% on thousands of materials you’d normally buy online, plus that goodie bag full of paperbacks, office supplies and CDs they’ll hand you at the door. Just buy the ticket.

2. Find the best products for your student. Conferences with vendor exhibits offer the chance to browse materials before buying, insuring a better fit for every student. Better yet, take the student with you, and let him/her choose books themselves. Bonus? This saves money by avoiding expensive returns and restocking fees when buying the wrong products from home, or worse, holding onto items you can’t return and will probably never use.

3. Connect with the people you really want to meet. By meeting book authors, curriculum developers, real parents who use methods and products, plus lots of other homeschoolers with the same questions, you’re gaining valuable information that’s impossible to get anywhere else — at least not all in once place. There is no equivalent to talking one-on-on with people and getting questions answered on the spot. Very satisfying and optimally efficient, if you ask me.

4. Expose yourself to new things. Conferences are opportunities to learn new things, hear of new products, and share in discussions about new practices. Chatting with new people offers a different perspective from the year before. The homeschool market changes rapidly. Sometimes, attending a conference is the only time during the year you’ll hear what’s new.

5. Solve difficult educational or parenting challenges. Conference speakers are there to help you. Choosing conference sessions wisely means you’ll hear from real people with real challenges just like you. Parents who have met with difficult situations, solved a problem, or conquered a particular obstacle can offer real words of encouragement in the areas you need most. Take advantage of sessions, even with speakers who are lesser-known or those that appear to be poorly-attended — as these could be the sessions that speak to you most.

6. Feel a part of a larger community. Homeschooling is not a solitary activity, but occasionally families act like it is. Attending a conference is an excellent way to see and feel the sheer number of people who do what you do. This is particularly beneficial for kids who feel they are missing out on opportunities or may never have friends. Few things make such an impact as standing in the center of a room surrounded by hundreds of other people who either look, think or act like you, and who care about the very same things.

7. Find out what homeschooling really is. And, by this, I mean, what homeschool is not. Should you or your partner be entering homeschooling with the notion that it’s exactly like school — only at home – then attending a conference is guaranteed to be a real eye-opener. Hearing about schooling without books, schooling on the road, self-directed learning, schooling multiple ages, and many other different philosophies and approaches will help shatter the image of duplicating a classroom at home, and encourage creating something new and better at home instead.

8. Challenge yourself. To tackle a new subject. To teach a new course. To break out of a mold you and your children seem to be stuck in. When homeschooling, playing it safe is not always the way to go. Now — conference time – is the time to face it head on. Attending with a specific goal in mind helps focus your attention on finding resources throughout the day. Don’t be afraid — conferences seem to have a way of giving parents confidence about things they need most.

9. Renew your commitment. If you’ve had a bad year, or you’re on the brink of a breakdown after weeks of wrapping up lessons or dealing with disobedient children, the last thing you want to do is think about the joys of homeschooling. But contrary as it may seem, that’s exactly why you need to go to a conference. Remember the last time somebody told you to start exercising (it will give you more energy, they said)? It’s the same thing. Don’t quit just yet. Do one last thing before you shelve the books for a while. Head to the nearest conference to remember the reasons you started homeschooling to begin with.

10. Leave feeling a whole lot better. Whether it lasts one day or three, there is nothing like a good homeschool conference to change a person. While there may be nervousness or frustration (even tears) on the way in, most everyone goes home with a smile at the end of the day. Sore arms and tired feet aside (an uncomfortable, yet welcome, consequence of attending larger conferences) the feelings of encouragement, refreshment, renewal and new-found motivation that come from attending a homeschool conference cannot be found anywhere else.

For new and prospective homeschoolers, I always suggest starting with a smaller conference first. Larger conferences can be overwhelming, to say the least, and come with a lot of pressure to spend, spend, spend. Veterans should absolutely tackle the larger conferences, but new comers are advised to start with baby steps.

And if I haven’t convinced you to register for a homeschool conference right away, how about one final reason to go — to have a day off with friends? Forget everything you know about homeschooling and simply enjoy a day off with friends or families you rarely see throughout the year. Pack up the kids, grab a hotel room, and just enjoy the social aspect of taking time off and doing something different!

Will you be coming to any of the Florida conferences this year? If you do, please look for me, so I can say hello!

Why we write in our books

A reader asked me a while back, “Do you let your kids write in the books?”

I love answering your questions! I wonder if my answer will surprise you…

Yes! I let my kids write in our books. Our homeschool books, curriculum guides, and worktexts, that is.

But things weren’t always that way.

Here’s how it happened.

For years, I tried to keep our homeschool books pristine. I never let my kids write in their school books (even when they were supposed to), explained they were not to bend pages or break bindings, and kept our books as protected as possible — yes, using book-covers, even!

Why? So I could pass books down to the next child, of course. Without important things highlighted. Without answers written inside. Without markings that could otherwise confuse or tip off the next student.

Why else? So I could sell them when we were done.

I thought I was doing the right thing. But here’s what happened instead.

I took away from my kids an important tool. I denied them a study aid. I made them less comfortable by changing up the directions written in the books. I took away their ability to study, think and learn in the way each needed to. I confused them a little. I added an obstacle to the learning process.

This took me a few years to figure out. But, basically, I inadvertently made school a little harder.

Funny thing was, by not letting my kids use their books, something happened to me, too.

I was forever making photocopies, assuming that was permitted (it wasn’t always). Going through ink and paper. Duplicating pages in other ways, too, usually by creating answer sheets of my own. I was shuffling volumes of paper daily. Creating an organizational challenge. And constantly struggling to find better ways to match their written answers with material in the book.

I frustrated my kids — and myself! I added one more thing to worry about. On top of everything else I had to think about already.

The whole thing was, well…silly.

Looking back, I wasn’t using our books the way they were intended. For learning, that is.

Besides, by the time a book had cycled around and around for several years, it was out of date anyway. A minor point, but — how much did I expect to recoup on the sale of our books anyhow? I wasn’t homeschooling to break even. I was homeschooling to offer my kids a better education.

So now, with few exceptions (reference books, for instance) I let my students do whatever they want with their books. They may highlight or take notes in margins. They may dog-ear pages and flatten bindings. They may tear books apart and put pages in loose-leaf binders. They may tote them in backpacks, throw them in the car, or drop them on the floor of their rooms after reading in bed. Short of complete destruction, they may use their books in whatever way helps them the most.

What I gained from this lesson was liberating. The freedom from worrying about the condition of our books. A small thing perhaps. But something that made a big difference in our lives.

If I need to buy another copy for the next child, so be it, though not every child ends up needing the same books anyway (as a bonus, we end up with a new edition).

If a book makes it through several children and still looks great, I sell it, donate it, or share it with a friend. If not, I chalk it up to the value of a great education.

This is one homeschool decision I have been very happy with. I hope you find my logic helpful.

Do YOU have a homeschool question? Please ask!

Does this post resonate with you in some way? Please leave a COMMENT.

Thank you!

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Mar 13 2014

Sourcing science lab supplies

There is more to teaching homeschool science than just buying books. Families need lab supplies, too.

For lower grades, supplies are fairly easy to find. Although some labs require harder-to-find items, overall, supplies for elementary-middle science can be purchased most anywhere.

Once kids hit high school, sourcing products for science gets a little trickier. Particularly when teaching biology and chemistry, it isn’t always possible to find everything in one place.

For traditional lab supplies (test tubes, frogs, slides, and solutions), the larger companies are often your best bet. These companies sell directly to homeschoolers, and don’t usually require large quantity orders:

Carolina Biological Supply

Home Science Tools

Fisher Scientific

Ward’s Science

For specialty supplies, it may be worth checking a specialty store. Shops that deal mainly with insects (such as Insectlore) or those specializing in microscopes (like Microscopes) may offer more in the way of explanation and information. Even if the product isn’t purchased there, reading through buyer’s guides and product information is a great way to become educated about a product, before buying it somewhere else. These companies often have superior customer service, too.

A surprising science resource is Amazon. It never hurts to see if Amazon carries an item first, before looking anywhere else. I frequently source things on Amazon I had no idea even existed! A great feature of Amazon is the ability to see similar items — which helps narrow the search and often displays lower pricing options – making locating items quite simple.

Sometimes, the best sources for lab supplies are in your own backyard! Just look at how many science resources already exist in your area:

Home Depot or Lowes: for bulbs, tubing, tape, string, glue, clasps, fittings and wire
Walmart or Target: for baking soda, alcohol, peroxide, soaps and solvents
Michaels or Hobby Lobby: for tape, wax, or glass and metal containers
CVS or Walgreens: for antacid tablets, eye droppers, and metric measuring (dosing) cups and syringes
Dollar stores: for measuring cups, paper products, aluminum foil, candles, containers and matches

Don’t forget individuals and small businesses to help source things like these:

A butcher or fishmonger: for animal parts, like eyes, intestines or fish eggs
A nursery or landscape company: for seedlings, soil, plant parts and growth solutions
An electronics store or computer repair shop: for electrical components, old microchips, certain batteries, fans, motors, and other small parts
and many other locations, like the pool store (bleach), auto parts store (grease-cutters), jewelry repair shop (glue) and so on

Complete science kits exist, but [warning!] some can be expensive. Prepackaged kits exist for everything from building a miniature solar car to learning 2 full years of high school chemistry. If your idea of teaching science is having an entire box of supplies delivered right to your door, you may want to check out these products/companies:

Toys R Us

Beginnings Publishing

(Inclusion does not imply endorsement. Links are provided as examples, only.)

You might also like:

A relaxed way to look at elementary science

Popular science curriculum

Teaching lab science

Entering a science fair? Read THIS.