An idea I had concerning Student Loans

Also does the fact that graduates of a trade school are defaulting really mean that they are failing financially due to being unemoyable or are many defaults because they spend too much money on things that they can do without and bankruptcy has become more normal and acceptable?

I have a friend who didn't go to college, worked jobs ranging from supermarket warehouse to inside sales. Late 40s he got the idea to go to trade school to become a networking tech. It took a couple of months and $12k. He asked me what I thought. I didn't tell him not to do it, but I told him it probably wouldn't be easy to find a job, with a lot of competition from 20 year olds. He went ahead and did it. When he was done, he went on a few interviews and found out that he was competing against those 20 year olds and starting pay wasn't even $20k,half what he was used to making. The fact that he was obese certainly did not help. So, he gave up. IMO, that was predictable. A hiring manager figures that a 20 year old living at home will be happy with 20k,enthusiastic, they can give raises, he will likely stick around for a while. The guy pushing 50, used to making twice that, they figure he's not going to be happy and will take another better paying job, when he finds one. Maybe he could have found a job if he kept trying, but he called it quits after just a few interviews. It gets tough at that age to find a good job even when not trying to switch careers.

It looks really nice!! : ) I'm sure someone would argue that it's part of marketing. But if you think about it, what do you get when you have schools marketing against one another? -- Higher tuition.

Someone pointed out recently that when some of us grew up, we did so without a lot of "luxuries". No cell phones for instance, no Starbucks. Many people drive hyper-expensive vehicles or trucks which are not paid for now. I have coffee a few times a week, but, so far, I have never been to Starbucks. But to "circle back to where we started", maybe "marketing" is partially to blame for why we (over?) spend. But we like "capitalism", right? Maybe we don't need it so much in our schools, and we should treat them more like "utilities". Part of the dilemma, is that in our current society, they resemble utilities in our need for them (to "not be left behind...").

Bill

It depends on the school. A local 'offical ' community college was much different. A co worker taught for several years at one at night. He is very good at teaching.

One year he was teaching a 2nd course in electrical. The students ere grown men that their companies sent them there for classes. He found out that they had just been passed through the first part and did not know much. He had to fail about half of them. He was called in by the head of the college and said that his services were no longer needed.

Seems that the college was just after the money from the local businesses and all the students 'had to pass with a C or better'.

Housing is pretty luxe these days. These are university-owned apartments for graduate students:

If you live here you'll find:

Bedrooms (one bed, desk, chair, closet, private bath and climate control) Two Microwaves Two Refrigerators Two Ovens Dishwasher Washer and Dryer Flat Panel HDTV Ethernet Port Two Couches Chairs Coffee Table Lamps Fire Suppression System Overhead Lighting

Cindy Hamilton

The problem with using endowment income to source student loans is that many donors explicitly specify how their contribution to the endowment fund is to be used. The schools are legally obligated to follow the terms of the donation. If the school has a substantial percentage of their endowment as a consequence of donations unencumbered by specific restrictions, and those funds have not already been budgeted to pay existing future obligations, such as endowment growth reinvestment programs, mortgage payments or staff/faculty retirement plans, those funds would be available to source student loans. However, the total of discretionary endowment fund income is usually only a small fraction of the endowment's total annual investment yield.

Private colleges in particular work hard to make certain that students are "successful". Big state schools are a little more "callous". Community colleges generally attract a much less "traditional" group of students, many of them out of high school for many years. A department chair is likely to say that if the students aren't being successful it's the teacher's fault. Surely the failing students will say it's the teacher's fault. No college likes to lose students. Graduate schools expect to lose some. There's no place for ineptitude on the part of the students or the teachers. The "bottom line analysis" is very often done in terms of numbers, since that's the easiest way.

Brick and mortar schools are quite concerned about the upcoming ones on the Internet. They are quite concerned with "staying relevant". Loneliest place on most campuses these days--the library. Little joke: What's a "library"?

Same thing happened to a classmate of mine at a community college teaching civil engineering. I was talking to a a student at U of Del the other day and she said they are still tough.

Similar could have been said throughout history. A generation didn't have to grow up with sewage thrown in the street. Another didn't have to use outhouses. Another didn't have to rely on stinky horses. And on it goes.

Many people drive hyper-expensive vehicles or trucks

You probably should try it, before complaining. A big cup of very delicious coffee is just $2.70

I think engineering courses can afford to be tougher since the students are tougher, and they tend to be better prepared--and they didn't choose engineering as a major because they were looking for the path of least resistance.

I agree. All STEM courses are tougher. STEM students spend the college years with their heads in the books, not partying. You also need the talent for these studies and some cannot cut it no matter how hard they study.

I hired an honours physics grad as an apprentice mechanic - and he was one of the best I ever hired.

Shoots that one down.

Not if they have a heart for the job - and I'm not talking "unskilled"

- I'm talking "entry level" with a path up.

In the insurance business I did IT for for 17 years there were lots of "overqualified" educated people that started as CSRs and ended up as very successful account reps and brokers - and even underwriters. They hired the ones who had proved they could stick it out. If 10 people applied and they were equally qualified in all other ways - the one with the education USUALLY got hired.

They also took fliers on some with no post secondary education who were willing to dig in and take the insurance specific coursework - usually ones who had done very well in their secondary school work.

Some of them have also don eVERY well

Largest commercial insurance brokerage (also personal insurance and financial services) in the tri-cities area - currently about 50 employees

Check into the Ontario "colleges of applied arts and technology" - AKA "Community colleges" Look at "Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Technology" in Kitchener Ontario. It is a degree granting college as well as a certificate or diploma granting college - and MANY of their students are "university graduates" furthering their education - particularly in technology - like graduate engineers going to college to learn something that will make them usefull in today's job market.

Students often from one of the top engineering and high tech universities in North America - the University of Waterloo.

Yes - we have a pretty good college and university program/system up here. They also teach the courses for the Insurance Bureau for insurance workers to earn their qualifications. And the nurses training program - and paramedicals and first responders.

In the '60s RPI was a top tier school ranked with CalTech and MIT. Now it stands at 41, tied with Iowa State. MIT and CalTech are still at the top of the list. For over 50 grand a year who would choose an also ran?

Likely, the ones that improve our economy the most.

That is a nice dream but most illegals work in construction, landscaping, industrial food operations or "hospitality" (maids and kitchen help).

That is really stupid, even for you.