SAGE Scholars Monthly Newsletter | March 2023

The Fifth Annual Dr. James B. Johnston Scholarship Competition Is Open

Attention SAGE Scholars high school seniors! The fifth annual Dr. James B. Johnston Scholarship Competition is now accepting applications. This year, SAGE Scholars Educational Foundation is offering scholarships of up to $5,000 to SAGE Scholars High School Seniors who submit a winning essay or video and attend a member college or university. Login to your Tuition Rewards account to see how you can apply.

Good luck! We look forward to receiving your submission.

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Remington College Joins SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards

Remington College has joined the SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards Consortium as our first trade-focused career school. With twelve different campus locations across the United States, students engage in diverse program options with a focus on hands-on learning taught by instructors who are experienced, knowledgeable, and worked in the industry they teach.

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KEEPING ON TRACK WITH SAGE SCHOLARS

Setting SMART Goals

By Mackenzie Roberts

Everyone has set a goal at some point in their lives whether it be big or small. We set goals in sports, school, careers, and our personal lives. However, many people will set a goal and never achieve it. Perhaps they had too much on their plate or maybe it just was not realistic at the time. There is more to setting a goal than just declaring it. This article will discuss the significance of setting SMART goals as a method to increase the likelihood of achieving your aspirations. Read More

All About Debt: Types of Debt

By Paul Merimee

Debt is an incurred obligation to return a borrowed item, usually with fees or terms included. For example, someone borrows their neighbor's car for a weekend and agrees to fill the tank before returning the car. The most common type of debt occurs with money, in which the associated fees or terms occur in the form of interest. In finance, there is rarely a debt that requires only paying back the initial sum; however, there are several types of debt, each with its own set of terms, conditions, and implications. Understanding the types of debt is the first step to making informed decisions regarding debt and financial well-being. Read More

A Case for Acquiring a Second Language

By Heather Rech

I started learning Spanish in High School. A passion for the language emerged when I took a trip to Central America during the Spring Break of my junior year. I returned from that trip with an expanded worldview and a new determination to learn the Spanish language. In this article, I'll provide some useful tips to start your journey of learning a second language. Read More

Caldwell University Joins SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards

Caldwell University, nationally renowned for the research and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, has become the 100th Catholic-affiliated college to join the SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards program. Five New Jersey private colleges now participate in Tuition Rewards. Located in suburban Caldwell, one of the top college towns in New Jersey, the University ranks as one of the safest campuses in the state. It's 22 miles from New York City and a 30-minute drive from the Newark Liberty International Airport, helpful in attracting students from 40 countries. 98% of students receive financial aid.

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KEEPING ON TRACK WITH SAGE SCHOLARS

The Five Principles of Financial Literacy

By Mari Whitmore

As a college student, you will find yourself juggling various financial responsibilities, such as paying for tuition, housing, books, and day-to-day living expenses. Succeeding financially, both during and after college, requires cultivating financial literacy. Financial literacy refers to the knowledge and skills needed to make well-informed financial decisions. According to the U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission, everyone should know the five major financial literacy principles. These principles are: earn, save and invest, protect, spend, and borrow. While this list is certainly not an all-inclusive conglomerate of financial knowledge, understanding these principles is a great way to get familiar with the financial topics and language that are valuable knowledge for students transitioning into financial independence. Read More

Hidden Curriculum: No One Cares

By Xavier Royer

Seriously. No one cares. You should care. But other people, particularly your peers, do not care. Care about what? Most things, to be honest. How you're dressed, a question you need to answer in class, taking a nap in the student center, any of it. This is not high school. You are no longer locked in a building with other kids brimming with hormonal insecurity. Everyone has much better things to do with their time than to judge you for whatever it is you're concerned about. You are an adult, on campus with other adults. Young adults, for sure, and you will certainly look at some of your choices and habits during your time on campus and laugh in the future. But, truly, no one cares. Read More

How to Start A DRIP Portfolio in College

By Luke Stellick

There are many advantages to investing early on in life. It can allow for a pool of wealth to grow slowly, aid in financial security throughout life, and be used as a resource for retirement. The only issue with investing is that it's hard to know which method to use or where to start. Making sure you're investing in the right stock is the most challenging part, and if you're never taught, buying stocks might seem too large of a risk. That is where the DRIP portfolio comes in handy. DRIP stands for "dividend reinvestment plan" and is a style of investment portfolio that allows for slow but steady gains, which grow exponentially. The risk is low so long as you spend the time to build your portfolio correctly, making it a great starting point for college students. Read More

The College of Wooster's Annual $2,000 SAGE Scholars Award

The SAGE Scholar Award of $2,000 annually is in addition to the Tuition Rewards guarantee provided by Wooster, a proud partner of SAGE Scholars. There is no separate application for scholarship consideration. Eligible students must be participants of the Tuition Rewards program before the twelfth grade and have submitted their Tuition Rewards Statement to Wooster prior to an official offer of admission (in accordance with SAGE Scholars policy). Read More

KEEPING ON TRACK WITH SAGE SCHOLARS

Promoting Financial Wellness in College

By Nathaniel Tamminga

Finances can be one of the most stressful parts of college. Preparing for those stresses can make or break one's college experience. Financial wellness is paying for one's current needs while saving for long-term goals. In college, if you can have financial wellness while getting your education, you will be set up nicely after graduation. When planning financially, you will want to have short-term and long-term goals. Your short-term goals are how to pay for what you need right now. Your long-term goals focus more on saving money. Read More

Tips on Finding Out What You Want to Study in School

By Samantha Bockoven

The path toward obtaining a college degree is full of big decisions. One of the first decisions you need to make is where to attend college. Once you decide where you want to go, one of the next decisions you need to make is what you would like to study. Many people matriculate not knowing what they want to study. This decision can seem like a lot of pressure because some view it as forming the path for the rest of their life. Yet, at least one third to a half of students end up changing their major at some point during their time at school. Though it is better to change your major then get stuck on a career path that you do not enjoy, it does end up costing more money and may even delay graduation. In the following article, I am going to discuss a few steps you can take while in high school that might help give you insight on what you want to study before you even step foot on campus. Read More

Seven Ways to Teach Budgeting Skills Early

By Heather Rech

In my twenties I couldn't tell you where my money was going. I could tell you that I didn't have enough of it. It also felt like-because I didn't have very much-that there was little I could do. Since finances were already tight, any unexpected car repair or high medical bill felt like a final blow on an already sinking ship. Social situations like going out to eat with friends, taking trips, or receiving the ask to be a bridesmaid felt like a financial burden. Additionally, I was so stressed by my lack of control and scarcity mentality that I would oscillate between spending impulsively or spending nothing at all. In my mind, budgets were for people who had money. Since I didn't have much money, it seemed there was nothing I could do until my income changed. Read More

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The SAGE Scholars Newsroom is a curated resource for multi-generational audiences navigating the college process and investment. The Newsroom's expert team of contributors includes educators, admissions officers, Ph.D.'s, current students, and even professional athletes. With over fifty articles published monthly, families have access to the most up-to-date information on all things college.