Choosing the Right Card...

Credit card offers are all around as noted by television commercials, radio ads and the like. Even as you check out at your favorite store, I am certain you are asked at least once if you would like to "save 10% by opening an account." If you are new to the world of credit, choosing which card best fits your needs can be a little overwhelming. So, of course Savvy Student is here to help.

Not all credit cards are bad. Some offer introductory rates, low interest rates, no annual fees or even rewards such as free airfare or money back. Which card to choose depends on the individual. Cards with low interest rates work best for consumers that carry a balance month to month. Credit card companies that offer rewards are well suited for those that use their card frequently or often enough to take advantage of the rewards being offered.

At Savvy Student, we've found two reputable websites that helps to compare the main components of individual credit cards, thus helping you to select the right option to meet your needs. Please click here to visit CreditCards.com or here to visit CreditCardGuide.com.

As always, please let us know if these websites were helpful to you.

Thanks,

Savvy Student

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Psst, Incoming Students!

April 12th was an exciting day for the whole campus as over 1500 admitted students and their families came to visit Brandeis.

Our office was buzzing with recently admitted first years, making the atmosphere full of excitement and festivity. Our staff met with more than 100 students, providing them with information and assistance on their financial aid awards.

At Brandeis, over 70% of our student body receives financial assistance from the university. Because of this we are determined to do our best in providing support and enabling families to afford a high quality education for their students.

If you are one of those incoming freshmen that we will see around campus this fall, then we have some advice for you. Try to enjoy the last few weeks of your senior year because before you know it, you will be on-campus once again- but this time as a student, not a tourist. And, since the summer before your first year in college is so important we have a few ideas on how to spend your time.

- Money matters. Even if you are a student receiving financial aid you still might want to earn something extra for unexpected outings with your new friends, books, new clothes and dorm supplies.... Getting a summer job is perhaps one of the most common ways to spend your time before college. You will make some cash and add another bullet point to your resume.

- Speaking about dorm supplies... Though moving in is still quite far away it is a good time to start planning ahead. You do not necessarily have to spend money on purchasing a new desk lamp, a fancy garbage bin or more hangers. Things you are using at home can be used with equal success at college. If you are considering purchasing a mini-fridge or a microwave, do not rush and buy it on campus. First, ask your extended family if anyone has an old microwave to donate to you, then check deals online. Surely you will find something!

-Familiarize yourself with the second-hand book stores online such as www.halfprice.com. You might not know what classes you will be taking in the fall, but this will give you an idea of the potential expenses.

- Do not throw away any school supplies left over from your high school years. You can still make use of those in college and save some money on purchasing new notebooks!


Enjoy the summer and we will see you in the fall!

Savvy Student

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Scholarships for the Unique

More and more scholarship opportunities are becoming available for students with unique interests, not just the ability to write a solid essay. In fact, the Wall Street Journal online published an article on scholarship awards available through Fastweb.com. that target specific students in a very unique way. Promote vegetarianism or design a prom dress and you might be eligible to receive one of the scholarships mentioned in the article. If you are not too much into either of the above, but your last name starts with a "Z," you might still qualify for a private scholarship.

If you want to read more from the Wall Street Journal check out their article here.

Though Brandeis does not necessarily offer scholarships for exceptionally tall people or vegans there is a variety of opportunities available for students through private scholarship programs. You may access the fastweb.com scholarship site or visit the Office of Student Financial Services website (www.brandeis. edu/sfs) for a list of outside financial resources.

Happy hunting,

Savvy Student

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How to Maximize Your Hiring Eligiblity

It's that time of the year. School is almost out and everyone is in need of something to do this summer. Savvy Student wants to teach you how to get that dream job or internship. Follow these steps while at Brandeis and you'll have employers at your doorstep.


1. Form relationships with professors and your school’s faculty. Not only will it give you experience in communicating with a different generation but it will enable you to establish connections and gain insight with intelligent professors and staff members who are there to help you.

2. Participate! Pick clubs or activities that you are serious about, one's that parallel your academic interests. By becoming involved with various organizations you are broadening your horizons and heightening your awareness. If you join an organization early on you will gain knowledge and experience that could lead to future opportunities.

3. See the sights and learn the history behind your college or town. This will help you gain a better perspective for the location and area businesses making you more marketable. You may even seek out an internship along the way.

5. Consistency! Involvement in any activity for an extended period of time is invaluable, and shows employers you are capable of sticking with a particular endeavor for a long period of time.

6. Keep a journal to document your progress and start it early. This way you will be able to see physical proof of your development, beyond just academics. Notifying employers of the growth attained through certain experiences is a definite plus.

7. Employers want well rounded individuals; take a wide array of classes that not only peak your interest, but help you understand how the world works.

8. Read blogs! (Savvy Student--of course!) Be aware of current events and gain a better perspective on worldly issues. Being aware of current trends will aid in your ability to deal with change and help you ace an interview session.

9. Make an excellent resume. Hiatt has wonderful resources on their website. Visit brandeis.edu/hiatt.

10. Manage a budget so that you aren’t hindered from partaking in beneficial activities because you’ve spent money mindlessly.

11. Be able to tell someone about yourself and how you have grown individually through your time in college and list specific experiences that have helped shape you.

12. Don’t sweat the small stuff. As long as you focus on the bigger picture of graduation and beyond, you will have a larger perspective that employers will appreciate.

13. Get your daily dose of Savvy Student. Not only do we provide you with financial aid information and budgeting strategies, we are also here to answer any question you have.

Thanks,
Savvy Student

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Summer Storage

As the spring semester is nearing its close, many challenges begin to unfold. Students become faced with the dilemma of deciding where to store their belongings over the summer. Many students are not Massachusetts residents, so this can be a very daunting task. Taking the effort to move and store items that are not immediately required, only to have to reverse the process come August seems fruitless. So, Savvy Student is taking this opportunity to help out. We have collected local storage information and listed their services for your convenience, giving you options for stashing your stuff for the summer months without all the hassle.

1. Collegeboxes.com
Since 2000, Collegeboxes has been a leading service provider to college and university students nation-wide. The company provides its services at over 50 schools nationwide. Collegeboxes has developed an efficient system to provide shipping and storage services, appliance rentals and more to students across the United States. Service highlights include online registration and account management, toll-free customer support and door-to-door pickup and delivery.

To view a list of their prices, visit them at www.collegeboxes.com.

2. Self and Public Storage
Rent a self-storage unit near campus and do the packing and shipping yourself. It’s certainly more work, but the price is significantly lower: $15-$22 in sign up fees and $19-$60 per month for a 5x5 foot locker that will accommodate at least half a dozen large boxes and a bike. Most of these companies take reservations up to 30 days ahead and offer month-to-month leases. Find a suitable one by Googling self-storage and the city you need, or get recommendations from your C.A. or an upper upperclassman.

In addition to packing supplies, you’ll also need plastic drop cloths to drape and protect any furniture, and a heavy duty, secure lock, usually available from the self-storage company manager for a fee.

You can visit these websites for additional information

http://www.extraspace.com/

http://www.publicstorage.com/

3. Dorm2Dorm
This is a program similar to college boxes. They pick up and deliver your boxes for free. The costs are discounted if you sign up early and discounted even further if you refer a friend to the program. They will bring you boxes to store items in and also store your items individually depending on size. Something to note though, they do require that you order and store at least three boxes, this probably won't be an issue if you're storing all your stuff, but if it's just a small amount, you may want to look into other options. There is also their "elite" program which includes insurance and other premium services at an additional $19 a month. To look at information about this program see: http://www.dorm2dorm.com/


If these options don't work out, there is always the chance you can find a friend who will store your things. But think before you choose this route- this person will be responsible for your things for the summer, make sure you trust them!

Happy Storing,
Savvy Student

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Financial Aid Resources

In keeping with our promise to bring you resources on all things financial, we have come across yet another very useful website, Brain Track.

Brain Track is a full-service website with a range of resources including salary statistics and guidance on obtaining financial aid. Student essays have also been posted on the website giving readers a personal account of their degree programs and offering advice to students pursuing similar interests. A student from Northeastern has even been featured in the Teaching Degree Student Story section.

For Savvy Student, this site is especially helpful in linking our students to a multitude of financial resources. Need-based financial makes it possible for many students to attend Brandeis. Unfortunately though, aid packages do not necessarily cover all expenses. Students often times have to rely on outside scholarships or private loans to fund the difference. Brain Track, however, provides a list of articles with advice on how to avoid scholarship scams, where to find the best matches and how to increase your success when applying for outside money.

This website is a free resource, so please check it out and let us know what you think. Did you find the information to be as helpful as we hoped you would?

Cheerio,

Savvy Student

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Managing Credit

We have all seen the commercials, "F-R-E-E that spells free creditreport.com baby" so, we all know that we should be checking our credit, but the question is are we checking and do we know why?

Anyone with an active line of credit or prior credit history should review their credit report annually for inaccuracies. Although, freecreditreport.com does not actually provide a free report as they indicate, we may instead visit annualcreditreport.com to view our credit free of charge. Our report will include demographic information such as an address, employment history and of course, credit history as compiled by the three major reporting agencies: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.

Our credit score is considered to be an accurate prediction of how likely we are to pay our bills. We should check our report and be aware of our credit score as it may directly affect our interest rates when purchasing a car, furniture or even a house. Interest rates determine how much an item will actually cost in the long run. The higher our score the lower the interest rate will be.

For students wishing to live off-campus or for those seniors looking for their first apartment be advised that credit scores may also determine how much the security deposit will be. If the score is low, that usually means a higher security deposit. Credit may also be reviewed by future employers before offering employment.

Credit may be measured by good credit i.e. paying your bills on time and not over spending; no credit which just means no credit has been established; and finally, bad credit i.e missing payments, late payments and overdrawing. FICO is the most popular measure for credit and scores range from 300-850.

So, the moral of the story is to be aware of your credit and report and mistakes that you find. Credit and interest go hand in hand and can affect the overall cost of an item you purchase. At Savvy Student we want to keep you well informed and on your way to financial independence.

Thanks,

Savvy Student

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