I recently completed my FAFSA application and as I said in a previous post, last year's Estimated Family Contribution number was 50. This year, my EFC was 93... That probably means I'll be paying a lot for tuition. With an EFC of 50, I didn't have to borrow any many and I gave less that $100 out of my own pocket.

This coming year, I'll most likely lose my SMART grant (roughly $3000 for the year). So, I have applied for several scholarships, which I doubt I'll get, but I'll continue to write essays for additional scholarships. Hopefully, I'll be able to cover all the costs.

Here is the sequel to my experience with suspension of my eBay account and there was a happy ending to it!

Recently, thanks to getting my first credit card, I was able to provide valid information to reinstate my account. It felt like a grueling and lengthy process just because they rejected all my previous forms of information over the period of one year. Now that I used my credit card information to reinstate the account... everything went quite smoothly. It took around 7 business days to clear me (that is VERY FAST considering how long I've been suspended).

If anyone else reading this was suspended, no matter what the reason, here is the link to reinstate your account: http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/reinstfaq.html. Follow the instructions. Oddly, this page is very hard to find!

You'd be very relieved as I am now. Time to make some money...

I was browsing around GameSpot and found the infamous Pinecone Research Ad and I thought that I'd share it with everyone. To satisfy those who are curious as to where, I saw it by viewing the in-game images for a PSP game (in a pop-up window).

To save the trouble for everyone here is the link to the sign up form.

They are paying $3 per survey and they are most likely looking for males in the age range of 18-mid 20s. Good luck in joining the panel.

By the way, the Pinecone Research Panel is THE BEST SURVEY SITE OUT THERE!
For more information about other available survey sites click here.

As the end of my undergraduate college education is coming, I've seriously started to consider what I would be doing after I graduate. My utmost priority is definitely getting into dental school and that is what I'll be working on doing.

I'd would love to make money by working on campus but it wouldn't allow time for extracurricular activity, which every graduate school (no matter what field it is) requires. Therefore, have forfeited any opportunities of job income and devoted myself to my university's volunteer programs where I'd be helping out in the hospital's emergency department and in my university's dental school.

With this experience, it'll help my chances of getting into graduate school and when I come out from there, money shouldn't be a problem (though I'd be drowning in debt).

Many people have stressed that a college education is to be considered an investment and this is the perfect example of why everyone should take advantage of any further education available. My estimated annual salary with just the bachelor's degree would be in the range of $35,000 to $40,000 while coming out of dental school would provide for a salary of no less than $100,000.

Even with the costs of higher education, the intrinsic value of knowledge is priceless. That is why giving up a job for a chance to land a dream job would prove its worth.

Plus, volunteering is a great way to give back to the community!!

After filling out the preliminary FAFSA application form, I looked over the financial history for my college tuition. I looked around trying to estimate what I'd have to pay for the final year of my undergraduate education.

For sophomore and junior year, I received a thousand of dollars from what was called the ACG and SMART grants. I had no idea what got me the grants when I first saw it pop up on the account.When I checked out the FAFSA website this year, I realized why I received those lovely grants.

Since freshmen year, I've never fell below a 3.0 GPA with a Biochemistry major so I got both grants. How great is that!? Sadly though, I am changing my major to Health Science this year so I probably won't be eligible for the SMART grant next year (oh no! I want the $4000!!!). Anyway, it helped junior year at least.

So prospective college students may want to follow my steps (confirm with the university's financial aid office and advisors):

1. First pick a major that qualifies for the SMART grant such as biology, computer science, or math.
   
2. Take the courses that will fulfill your intended major (such as English or music) for the first 3 years.
   
3. DO NOT FALL BELOW A 3.0 GPA!
   
4. During the second semester of junior year, change your major to the intended major.
5. Check with advisors to make sure that these changes allow you to complete the education that you intended to receive. I wouldn't want to be stuck taking biology courses if I actually wanted an education in music.

I hope this information will save some families several thousand dollars!

Here is the info for the two grants (click here for the direct link):

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is for first-year undergraduate students (eligible to receive up to $750) and second-year undergraduate students (eligible to receive up to $1,300). The ACG eligibility criteria are listed below:

To be eligible for an ACG, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Be Federal Pell Grant eligible;
• Be enrolled full-time in a degree program;
• Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of your program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution;
• Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005, if a second year student);
• Not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program (if you are a first-year student); and
• Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year (if you are a second-year student).

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)
The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant) is for third- and fourth-year undergraduate students who are eligible to receive up to $ 4,000 each year.

To be eligible for a National SMART Grant you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Be Federal Pell Grant eligible;
• Be enrolled full-time pursuing a major in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering, or a critical foreign language; and
• Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale

The wallet is an accessory, that over the years, has gradually grown into a fashion statement instead of serving its intended purpose - to organize money, cards, receipts, and etc.

I see folks at malls pulling out designer brand wallets that retail from $100 to $500 (or more) and there seems to be almost nothing inside them. I know many people that flaunt their expensive wallets and it is funny because I think, "She probably spent all his cash for a wallet that (now) has no cash in it. How foolish is that?"

My wallet was bought from a sidewalk vendor for $3 about five years ago. It seems battered and worn but it still serves its purpose of organizing financial 'stuff'. And yes, its contents are worth more than three bucks.

Aside from the eye-gouging price for these luxurious accessory, they also become targets of pickpockets and thieves. They have the trait of being able to exhibit "wealth" (whether you have it or not) and robberies, unfortunately, do happen. You just bought a brand name wallet and some thug just swiped it, there goes a couple hundred dollars you couldn't afford to lose...

So check your wallet and re-evaluate this financial accessory. If one seeks to 'fit in', buy a knock-off... because I certainly cannot tell the difference.