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Stop playing Alice Cooper—school's back from the summer. There are new experiences to look forward to as well as welcome traditions. Excitement is visible at the beginning of the school year with move-in day, the start of classes, meeting new people, football games, and seeing friends for the first time in months. However, creating a SuccessFund can make this school year better than you ever envisioned.
When you're working in order to go to put yourself through school, your job shouldn't hinder your education. I consistently worked one or even two part-time jobs while I was a full-time undergraduate student. Balancing studying and work is no simple task; it's easy to get overwhelmed and sacrifice one aspect of your life for another. However, reaching your financial goal on your SuccessFunding campaign can alleviate some of your financial stress, thus allowing you to cut back on the number of hours you need to work.
While college is more expensive than ever, there are also more options and opportunities offered by universities for their students. SuccessFunding isn't only a resource for reducing your higher education expenses. You can use the website to enrich your college experience by raising the money required to take advantage of scholastic opportunities. For example, you can use the funds you raise on SuccessFunding toward studying abroad for a semester or taking summer term classes.
Once you graduate from college, you'll have the degree to show for your time in school. Use SuccessFunding to make memories and relationships the byproducts of your college education, not crippling student debt.
by: Paige Witthar
All student debt myths really boil down to one underlying question--"Is College Really Worth It?" As sticker prices for degrees soar and the job market grows more competitive, it's natural to wonder if a degree will pay off. A Pew Research Center Report and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data provide some insight. On average, income increases as higher levels of education are attained. Additionally, unemployment levels have an inverse correlation with education--as the level of education increases the average unemployment rate decreases. It isn't difficult to find individual cases that don't align with the statistics, but by and large, a college degree is a sound investment.
If the statistics largely validate the decision to seek a college degree, why is there so much dispute about the issue? I believe this debate stems from unclear expectations about higher education compounded by the growing cost of college. Some see college as a time for personal growth; others think college should focus on professional development. Schools vastly differ in their costs, opportunities, and the strength of various programs. We have every flavor and assortment of higher education in America, but you can leave school dissatisfied and in a lot of debt if your choice in college didn't align with your expectations for your higher education.
Education creates opportunities in life. Nearly two years ago, I wrote that an education is an asterisk--one of the "terms and conditions"--for achieving life dreams. Educated people have created the world we live in today. They have been founders, creators, inventors, leaders, and explorers. However, I don't think there's one educational pipeline we should send all students down. Some of the greats were the product of the best colleges and universities in the world while others were autodidacts. College is worth it. Advancing your education is worth it. But, each college's offering won't be "worth it" to every potential student.
by: Paige Witthar
Imagine. A genie grants you three wishes. How shall you spend your wish currency?—On power? On fame? On fortune? For Vidal, a young man from Brownsville, Brooklyn, the genie bottle appeared in the form of a Canon camera and a question posed by Brandon Stanton, the man behind the photo blog Humans of New York (HONY). “Who’s influenced you the most in your life?” The question befit a college admittance essay; Vidal's answer will one day be responsible for college acceptances.
So what was his response?—Ms. Lopez, his middle school principal at Mott Hall Bridges Academy. But the title principal isn't sufficient for Ms. Lopez. She's an encourager, a believer in her students, and a transformational leader. Though Mott Hall Bridges Academy's students live in a poor, crime-ridden area, Ms. Lopez calls her students scholars and has high expectations for all of them. Vidal's answer stuck with Brandon. Stanton decided to follow up with Ms. Lopez and chronicle the school's teachers & students. He also started an Indiegogo campaign to send the school's students on an annual field trip to Harvard University. The story resonated and the school's wishes were granted.
Fortune
The crowdfunding campaign raised money, a lot of money. Within the 20-day fundraising period more than 51,000 donors gave a combined 1.4 million to the cause. The field trip to Harvard was funded for ten years after $350,000 was raised. Then, a summer school program for the middle school was funded when the $700,000 mark was reached. All money over $700,000 went into a scholarship fund for the middle school's scholars; the first beneficiary will be the student who started it all, Vidal.
Fame
The stories on Humans of New York garner attention. In addition to the blog, HONY's social media accounts have many followers; its Facebook page has over 12 million likes. But the story of Mott Hill Bridges Academy went viral, even by HONY's standards. Widely-read news publications like The New York Times and USA Today published the story and Brandon, Vidal, and Ms. Lopez were interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres and Robin Roberts. The school's story and aspirations became more than something that its teachers and students championed—it became something Humans of the World championed.
Power
The story reached the White House where Vidal, Ms. Lopez, and Brandon met President Obama in the Oval Office. Though the White House is the biggest symbol of power in the United States, the campaign really proved the power of individuals. The power of a twelve-year-old's words. The power of a man's camera and his interest in strangers' stories. The power of a woman's vision for a group of underprivleged preteens. The 1.4 million dollar impact of 51,467 people making an average donation of only $27.55. Knowledge is power, and caring people are powerful.
by: Paige Witthar
We're well into 2015. How successful have you been in keeping your New Year's resolutions? New Year’s resolutions all really boil down to the idea that you’re the captain of the S.S. [Insert Your Name Here]’s Life. Sure, all the factors aren’t under your control—your ship might spring a leak, a storm may form, etc., but you can fight the elements to make your life joyful and fulfilling.
In the spirit of reasserting control, let’s talk about one of the most frightening storms out there — Student Debt. Debt is the all-too-often byproduct of higher education. Our future benefits from the accumulation of education and suffers from the accumulation of debt. The effects of debt shouldn't negate the effects of education—with SuccessFunding they won't. We want our platform to facilitate your higher educational dream whether it is to finish your college degree, enrich your college experience through a study abroad opportunity, or enable you to obtain your degree with minimal student debt.
2015 is your oyster. This semester is your oyster. There are many opportunities ahead of you this year as well as unforeseen challenges. Start a SuccessFunding profile so you can take advantage of the opportunities and be prepared for the challenges. Keep your educational resolutions this year and you'll see the payoff long after 2015 is over.
