September 29, 2011 #CollegeCash Seminar Summary

This week in #CollegeCash, host Jodi Okun held an Open Mic night to get to know her chat participants. Jodi’s goals for #CollegeCash are “to provide a space for us to connect, engage, learn and support each other. To bring individuals together and creating a community of “us.” This is being met each week as people come and join into the conversation about college funding, scholarships, FAFSA and much more. The journey from High School to College is a very big, overwhelming trip for students and parents – getting professional advice and sharing ideas with others in the #CollegeCash community can help! From making more informed decisions to just enjoying the process, the #CollegeCash community will learn and grow along with you.

This week’s OPEN MIC one hour chat was like a get-to-know you mixer where people shared and grew as a group. Please keep in mind that the below are tweets in 140 Twitter format from a live chat.

Some tips from Jodi:

A good - basic, definition of Financial Aid can be found here; goo.gl/PTIBp

Also you can go on the FAFSA website and get your PIN now #collegecash http://goo.gl/jkNpo

College visits are the best junior year RT @AidScholarship: My middle son is a junior, we're gearing up for next year!

Are you applying to private school CSS profile is live on Sat http://t.co/TK5G0EMC

Some questions from the #CollegeCash attendees:

@LindsayCowen I would love to get some professional advice. Not sure where to start on consolidating the loans

@iamjosephgerman Question: I'm applying early but also applying for FA -- how does this work if I haven't filled out FAFSA?

@okedokedebbie I've got a senior in HS but doing dual enrollment in college for extra credits, totally recommend it

Future chat suggestions:

Bruce Sallan Suggestion for future chat (sacrilegious) - should every kid go to college?

SheldonWordNerd Financial aid stuff only? What about how to best spend your test prep dollar (or not spend it!)?

@sharongreenthal What are the top schools for FA? RT @aidscholarship: RT @jodiokun: what suggestions do you have for future chats in #collegecash

connectyou I can help on the topic: I'm clueless - what should I do - hahaha! :D #collegecash

@fujifulgueras whats the process once you fill out #fafsa? Many times FAFSA needs more info - if so - process incomplete

Questions from Jodi:

I am looking for guest hosts for #collegecash to help parents in all areas please let me know if you are interested #collegecash

Last question: Anyone interested in guest blogging let me know...#collegecash is here to help parents with the process?

Some stats from Hashtracking:

584 Tweets, 32 Contributors, 892k Impressions and 75.2K reach!

Most Popular Tweeters

Jodi Okun

Ea_Clark

LynnGosselin

CollegeCashChat

FujiFulgueras

PegFitzpatrick

IamJosephGerman

SheldonWordNerd

AidScholarship

Impressions

JodiOkun

ConnectYou

PegFitzpatrick

Ea_Clark

SteveCassady

LynnGosselin

BruceSallan

CollegeCashChat

DabneyPorte

Join Jodi Okun next week on Thursday, October 6 at 7 pm PST/10 pm EST for another community building #CollegeCash seminar!

Thanks to Peggy Fitzpatrick for writing this summary you can connect with her @PegFitzpatrick or check out her Twylah page at http://www.twylah.com/PegFitzpatrick

Open Mic Night #CollegeCash Twitter Seminar September 29

As most of you know I recently launched the twitter seminar #CollegeCash! I am thrilled with the success of this launch and our first few seminars have been informative and well attended.

I would like to thank all of you for supporting my work and welcome all our new online seminar participants. What I enjoy most about social media platforms is the engagement and networking. As our new community on Twitter grows my vision of providing a space for us to connect, engage, learn and support each other has come to life. Thank you for helping bring individuals together and creating a community of “us”.

This week our #CollegeCash Twitter Seminar will be held in an “Open Mic” format. Many communities find great success when an open space is provided where your many questions may be asked. Together, we will share and learn, creating deeper connections as we get to know more about each other.

I look forward to seeing you this week 10:00 pm EST/7:00 pm PST. Prior to the chat, think about the many areas we may discuss and share. Here is a list that may help you trigger some questions you may bring to our live seminar.

· Who can get Financial Aid?

· What is Cost of Attendance?

· What is a PIN for?

· When do I apply for financial aid?

In addition, here are some things I would love to know about all of you and will be asking tonight!

· How old are your children?

· What College are your children applying to?

· How can I help you with financial aid?

· Would you like to guest blog on my wesbsite?

· What suggestions do you have for future chats?

· Will you be a guest speaker on #CollegeCash Chat?

If you have not yet attended our Online Twitter Seminar, please go here for information on how easy it is to do so. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly at jodiokun@gmail.com!

#CollegeCash Chat Septemebr 22, 2011

This week’s guest moderator for #CollegeCash was Steve Cassady. He helps @LinkedinExpert, Viveka Von Rosen, moderate Tuesday’s #Linkedinchat which starts at 7:00pm EST.

In #Linkedinchat they cover many different ways you can use your profile for Job Search, Personal Branding, and Business Development. Today many companies are using Social Media to hire and evaluate candidates: Linkedin and Facebook are commonly used. This week’s chat session focused on a student’s use of Linkedin.

“Linkedin is the world’s largest professional network with over 120 million members and growing rapidly. Linkedin connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals.” More information can be found here on the Linkedin Learning Center.

Steve Cassady prepared a special slideshare for this week’s multi-media chat.

Even Freshman Year isn’t too early to start planning and building your profile. Having a strategy in place will help the student create a great profile, by the time they are ready to enter the workforce. Students Utilizing Linkedin correctly can help with Scholarships, Internships, and getting a job and pay off those loans.

Q1 In general what Social Media advice do you have for students?

Clean Up Pictures, for one student I helped, drop your Facebook sombero/margarita picture and replace with ROTC picture.

Make sure you have privacy settings set correctly.

Be careful of what you post, update, tweet. Stating that you took GMAT hung over isn’t good.

@Raven_73 Keep your language clean.

@fujifulgueras Understand that the whole world is reading...& there is no delete key with social media

Q2 What differences are there in a student versus “Seasoned” Linkedin profile?

Students are different from typical LinkedIn professionals – with less work experience to add to their profiles.

Tough to meet 100% Profile complete which helps with Linkedin Search Rankings. Non work related elements carry a higher weighting for students

Q3. What should a student do while in college to prepare for the job search?

Get solid recommendations from professors.

Be involved in organizations, drive results, and get recommendations from advisors.

Save and download your best of class presentations.

Save and download videos of your best presentations.

@connectyou I also have a visual resume in SlideShare format - this could be useful for students, depending on industry

@AidScholarship Dress for job and internship fairs in business attire, be ready with resume, etc...

Q4. What profile sections are available for students who don’t have substantial work experience?

Projects: Add compelling research or class projects to your profile – especially those that demonstrate experience relevant to your professional goals.

Honors & Awards: Did you make the Dean’s List or earn a merit-based scholarship? Add it to your profile.

While much of profile is a subjective characterization of your abilities, Honors & Awards provide objective validation for your accomplishments.

Organizations: Participation in on-campus or external organizations shows your contributions outside the classroom.

Leadership abilities, and making a positive impact within an organization, are talents widely sought by employers and recruiters. From Steve: For example, I have worked with some great student leaders in volunteer organizations, I always write them recommendations.

Test Scores: Employers often view strong test scores as indicators of good problem solving skills.

If you have excelled at standardized tests (ACT, SAT GMAT), or have a stellar G.P.A., include these scores on your profile.

Do you consistently push the envelope by enrolling in rigorous coursework?

List select courses on your profile – especially those that qualify you for positions you are seeking, or demonstrate your commitment to expanding your academic horizons.

Many employers know your school’s course catalogs as well as you do, so include the strongest courses of your college experience.

@connectyou Yes - very important to build recommendations as early as possible! :)

@MichaelCarusi Fun tip - volunteer organizations offer a ton of exposure in your field; nonprofits don't have big hiring budgets

@Formulists Great conversation going on around about advice on how students should best utilize #socialmedia - check out #collegecash

Q5. How do you add new student sections to your profile?

Go to your LinkedIn profile page in edit mode, and click the blue “Add sections” bar under your profile summary. Then, browse the available sections and select a section to add to your profile. When editing section, include examples and specifics about your contributions, and how experience added to your skills and abilities.The new section will appear on your profile – and you can adjust your profile settings to control who can see these sections.

Quick Tip: You can rearrange the sections of the profile to highlight your strongest sections

@kristeneal As someone who has received myriads of resumes to go through, I quickly look at linkedin picture and recommendations.

Q6. What applications should student’s use:

Box Net. Google Presentation, SlideShare to share your presentations and papers.

You can use Google Presentation, Slideshare to share videos.

Photo Display for those in “creative fields.’

Amazon Reading List to show field related continued learning.

@kristeneal Let's be real - resumes get you in the door, Linkedin validates your information - unless you are being intentionally seeked out.

Sharing your scholastic achievements can help guide relevant people to your profile, and may even help you land that dream summer internship or job opportunity right out of college.

@hashtracking Get a job in the field you want to work in, intern and show up!

@AidScholarship I plan on sharing the info here with my college junior AND high school junior. Social Networking is not going away!

@LinkedIn4Good Nice! RT @SteveCassady: In my volunteer work, I help College Students with LinkedIn

@DabneyPorte All #Colleges and #Academic leaders should get to know @SteveCassady for his expertise on LinkedIn and value to students.

Awesome resources from Steve Cassady:

Check out this SlideShare presentation : #CollegeCash linkedin for students Chat Session http://t.co/nv7ctiBa

This Youtube Play list has all Good Linkedin videos including @linkedinexpert -- LinkedinTips http://t.co/X9aU1Qnh via @youtube

Check this playlist out and subscribe -- Linkedin Tips http://t.co/X9aU1Qnh via @youtube

Hashtracking stats:

509 tweets generated 2,296,411 impressions, reaching an audience of 150,307 followers within the past 24 hours

Top 10 by Impressions

dabneyporte: 839,943

stevecassady: 647,122

connectyou: 366,760

pegfitzpatrick: 154,528

cammipham: 54,309

collegecashchat: 46,440

raven_73: 46,134

jodiokun: 27,216

jkcallas: 19,794

aidscholarship: 19,662

Top Ten by Number of Tweets

stevecassady: 119

collegecashchat: 72

aidscholarship: 58

connectyou: 53

dabneyporte: 39

raven_73: 33

pegfitzpatrick: 32

jodiokun: 24

michaelcarusi: 12

fujifulgueras: 12

Top Ten by Number of Followers

cammipham: 54,309

dabneyporte: 21,537

jkcallas: 9,897

connectyou: 6,920

formulists: 6,156

statweestics: 5,631

stevecassady: 5,438

pegfitzpatrick: 4,829

debbie_h2o: 3,292

tatitosi: 3,163

Tweets Debunking the Myths of Financial Aid: A Workshop for Students and Parents

#CollegeCash on Thursday, September 15, 2011 theme was financial aid Myth vs. Realty. Chat hostess and resident financial aid expert Jodi Okun designed this week’s one hour seminar for those confused about the financial aid process and to dispel some of the myths that are out there about applying for and receiving financial aid. This workshop was originally presented in a live, one hour Twitter Chat and the content has been modified slightly for this summary.

Myth One: Should you fill out FAFSA paperwork if parents make a lot of money? Will you qualify for aid?

Realties:

· There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid.

· Factors besides income-from size of family to age of older parent-are taken into account.

· Eligibility is determined by a mathematical formula not by parents’ income alone.

· Remember- fill out FAFSA & you automatically apply for funds from State.

· Not every student will get need-based grants or scholarships (gift aid).

· Every student is eligible for Federal student loan program (self-help aid).

· Every student should apply for aid!

· Don’t make assumptions about what you’ll get.

Myth Two: We are not filling out FAFSA, only students with good grades get financial aid.

Realities:

· High grade point average may help a student get into a college.

· Most federal student aid programs do not take a student’s grades into consideration.

· Students need satisfactory academic progress for federal student aid to help complete their education.

Myth Three: We are not going fill out the FAFSA, you have to be a minority to get financial aid.

Realities:

· Funds from federal student aid programs are awarded for financial need not on race.

· FAFSA doesn’t even collect this information on applicant.

Myth Four- Not going fill out the FAFSA the form is too hard to fill out.

Realties:

· The FAFSA is the only way to get federal aid www.fafsa.ed.gov.

· There are instructions for every question.

· If you need help there are many sources to guide you.

Myth Five: My family can't afford private school tuition.

Realties:

· Don't rule out college of your dreams just because of sticker price.

· If college has higher tuition students can often get more financial aid to help.

· If private school meets academic and extracurricular needs, go ahead & apply.

· Make your decision when financial aid letters arrive.

Myth Six: I'm expecting to receive a lot of scholarships, so I don't need to apply for aid.

Realties:

· You never know when there is grant or loan money to cover expenses.

· Things not included in tuition: room & board, textbooks, computers, etc.

· You can always turn money down if you find you don't need it.

· In the unlikely event that you need to switch schools you've secured aid towards new school.

Myth Seven: My parents saved money for my college education we won't qualify for aid.

Realties:

· True the more money you save for college the less you will probably get in financial aid.

· But the EFC is determined more so by income than by savings.

· Meaning that you could still qualify for aid even if you have college savings.

· It is smarter to save money & earn a return than to borrow money & pay interest.

There are several myths about getting money for college, don't believe everything you hear!

Myth Eight: We haven’t saved anything for college, community college is my only option.

Realties:

· Families who have not saved will have expected contribution quite modest.

· Parent contribution can be paid from savings income, or loans.

· The tuition bill is split in half or quarters over the course of the year.

· Tuition installment payment plans are also available.

Myth Nine: Only wealthy kids go to elite expensive schools.

Realties:

· The higher the cost of education the easier it is to demonstrate financial need.

· Studies show parental income of students in private college are on average lower than incomes of students at large state colleges.

· Apply to the schools of your choice.

· Apply for financial aid, wait to see financial aid award letter and then choose your college.

Myth Ten: Only students from really low-income families qualify for financial aid.

Realties:

· Most financial aid is reserved for needy families.

· But there are many forms of aid to help families meet expected contribution.

· For example: low-interest loans & scholarships.

· Apply for financial aid whether you think you’re qualified or not.

· You may be surprised to find out you do qualify!

Myth Eleven: The cost of a college education just isn’t worth it!

Realties:

· A four-year college grad earns almost $1 million more over his/her lifetime than a high school grad!

· Other benefit of a college education include: More job opportunities, greater knowledge and broadened perspectives

Myth Twelve: A college can cost as much as $35,000 a year.

Realties:

· True, there are some private colleges where tuition costs more than a new car.

· 78% of college students attend schools where tuition & fees are less than $8,000 per year.

· The average tuition & fees for a public for-year college/university is approximately 9,000 per year.

· Remember the Reality behind Myth Nine: higher the cost of education easier it is to demonstrate financial need.

Myth Thirteen: I am going to be the only student on financial aid.

Realties:

· At four-year colleges 60% of full-time students receive some kind of financial aid.

· At some private colleges, 75% of students receive some form of financial aid.

· Don’t worry, you’ll be in good company.

Myth Fourteen: All debt is bad. So, I shouldn’t take out student loans

Realties:

· Student loans are “good debt” because a college degree increases your earnings potential.

· Student loan repayments are manageable.

· The average beginning salary for a graduate from a large west coast public university is $38,170 annually.

· If a student borrowed a total of $15,000, payments would only be $172 per month.

· Defaulting on a student loan (or any loan) is not good. Make prompt payments & build your credit rating.

· Federally backed educational loans are a good investment & available to almost all students.

Myth15: As a star athlete, I know I can get an athletic scholarship.

Realties:

· About 1% to 2% of undergraduates receive athletic scholarships.

· Availability and award amount of an athletic scholarship varies.

· Athletic scholarships depend on athletic division the college participates in & the specific sport.

· Most student aid is awarded on the basis of financial need

For more information on collegiate athletics go to www.ncaa.org.

Some fun tweets from #CollegeCash tonight:

Next week, Jodi will have special guest, Steve Cassady

Hashtracking report http://www.hashtracking.com/fast-report/?hashtag=collegecash

#COLLEGECASHHashTracking.com Report

692 tweets generated 2.3 impressions, 31 contributors, reaching an audience of 86.7k followers within the past 24 hours

Top Tweets:

JodiOkun

CollegeCashChat

ConnectYou

SteveCassady

AidScholarship

PegFitzpatrick

DabneyPorte

OkeyDokeyDebbie

KatrinaMoody

SharonMostyn

Top by Number of Followers:

DabneyPorte

Jkcallas

ConnectYou

SteveCassady

PegFitzpatrick

Attlewys

AZMomofManyHats

SharonMostyn

BrandCottage

KatrinaMoody

Most Popular:

JodiOkun

SteveCassady

PegFitzpatrick

AidScholarship

CollegeCashChat

ConnectYou

FujiFulguearas

JKCallas

KatrinaMoody

DabneyPorte

Thanks to Peggy Fitzpatrick for writing this summary you can connect with her @PegFitzpatrick or check out her Twylah page at http://www.twylah.com/PegFitzpatrick