Techies dig in at Google (Image: Google)

As part of Google’s commitment to advancing computing and technology, they are providing scholarships to support students in their study of computer science.

The Generation Google Scholarship is a new program for aspiring computer scientists to excel in technology and become active role models and leaders in the field.  Selected students will receive $10,000 USD (for those studying in the US) or $5,000 CAD (for those studying in Canada) a year for up to four years (or until graduation, whichever comes first) so long as they maintain criteria for renewal.  Recipients will also be invited to attend Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) in the summer of 2012.

Who Should Apply?

Applicants must be high school seniors and meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Intends to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student at a university in the US or Canada for the 2012-2013 school year
• Intends to be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a baccalaureate Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related program
• Exemplifies leadership and demonstrates a commitment to and passion for computer science and technology through involvement in their community
• Strong record of academic achievement
• A student from an underrepresented group in computer science (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Female, or a Person with a Disability)
• Demonstrates financial need.

For complete details, visit the Generation Google Scholarship site.

Deadline to apply: Monday, February 20, 2012

Questions? Email us at generationgoogle@google.com.

For more information about student opportunities at Google, check out www.google.com/students.

Read the rest of this article at BE Next…

With the rising cost of college comes the question of return on investment, and choosing a major can be a major factor in determining whether it all adds up in the end. Usually a major is chosen based on aptitude, skills and passions, and the opportunities for success can depend on several factors including the individual’s utilization of their degree, the market demand and the availability of job openings in a chosen field.

AOL Jobs has broken down the numbers on how college majors relates to unemployment, detailing which majors can be applied to jobs where jobless numbers are high and which can be applied to those where numbers are low. While choosing a major may not be solely based on these numbers, it’s good to have an understanding of what’s out there in order to know how to strategize.

Read more at AOL Jobs …

But many experts disagree, citing the benefits of a course of study that includes mastering a diverse body of knowledge, from history to media to science.

AOL Jobs looks at four benefits of having a liberal arts degree and how degree-holders can effectively market themselves while job seeking.

You’re employable …
An important thing to remember is if you have a Bachelor of Arts it doesn’t mean you won’t find a job. There are positives and negatives to any field of study and the pros definitely outweigh the cons for liberal arts.

While there are many sectors that directly pull from the liberal arts, many companies (like Disney) prefer their entry-level employees to have a blank slate and will train on the job.

Read more at AOL Jobs …

Job seeking for African American grads can be tough in a market where more than 16% of black people are out of work and seeking opportunities. Brazen Careerist offers six tips from someone who has found job-seeking success. Use these tips to take on the market without fear, coming prepped with confidence and the ability to overcome obstacles.

Read more at Brazen Careerist …

“I had had a long day, didn’t feel well, and felt frustrated with the whole process of school, and just got on my knees and prayed,” says Chisholm of how she came up with the concept. “I wanted to teach young people the skills that I was learning about leadership, money management, college success, and entrepreneurship. I realized how much easier college would have been had I known certain information before I started.”

Launching the first annual retreat with about 12 students and approximately $1,000 in 2002, the now 10-year-old organization hosts up to 50 high school juniors and seniors each year at its Revolution Leadership Retreat. Its mission is to equip young people with the skills and financial confidence they need to succeed in college, business, and leadership. The 501(3)(c) nonprofit also provides year-round educational leadership programs, interactive workshops, SAT/ACT training, and college tours. Additionally, a scholarship funded primarily from private donations and grants is awarded to one student each school year; award amounts vary. In 2010, Revolution Leadership received a grant from Enterprise Holdings Foundation, the charitable foundation for Enterprise Holdings Inc., parent company for car rental and leasing company Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Its operating budget for 2011 was $3,000. Because its staff is made up of volunteers, all donations are put toward the scholarship, program expenses, and annual retreat. More than 1,100 students have participated in the year-round programs and retreat since its inception.

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Chisholm says the program attracts both top-performing and “middle of the road” students who are serious about their future and just need help getting there. “A lot of college scholarships are only available to students who have a 4.0 and a perfect résumé,” says Chisholm. “Our scholarship doesn’t focus on your GPA—we don’t even ask for it. We’re looking for students’ leadership aptitude.” Community involvement is another criteria considered by Revolution Leadership’s scholarship committee.

This year’s recipient was 19-year-old Treasure Leach. The University of Central Florida health sciences major used her $1,000 award for books and used the balance to purchase a laptop. “It would have been easy to go shopping but Revolution Leadership changed my mindset about money. I learned that whether it’s scholarship money or grants, it’s important that I put money aside to continue funding my college education.”

Alison Jones, 18, attended the retreat in 2011 and says Revolution Leadership taught her how to take her business to the next level and get into the school of her choice. Jones launched her business, Adelaide, in 2010. A clothing and accessory line, the business helps cover her school supplies, which cost about $900 a year at Daytona State College. “Since attending I have gotten business cards, commissioned my merchandise in stores, and even started an online store.”

Starting a business in college is something Chisholm highly recommends and something from which she personally benefited. She started her apparel company, AKH Apparel L.L.C., while in law school at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and it allowed her to graduate debt free [The estimated tuition and fees for FAMU Law is $75,000 for a full-time student.] Starting off as just a collegiate apparel line in 2005, it grossed $11,000 its first year. With continued growth, the company has expanded into a national custom apparel business.

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College junior Shardy Camargo didn’t start her own business but says that the retreats taught her how to scour for scholarships as a means of graduating debt free. The estimated 2011-12 tuition for an in-state student at the University of Central Florida is $14,700. Camargo says she hasn’t paid a dime. “I didn’t think I would be able to go to college because of my financial situation, but the retreat taught me about all the scholarship websites and how to present myself in the best way.” She has been awarded numerous grants and scholarships, both academic and merit based, through websites such as Fastweb.com and including a private scholarship from Coca-Cola for $20,000 over four years; The Prudential Spirit of Community Scholarship, a one-time scholarship in the amount of $5,000 for school and $5,000 to the charity of her choice; the UCF Minority Scholarship in the amount of $10,000 over four years. Additionally, she was selected for the KFC Colonel’s Scholar Program, and an internship with Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative as a student leader where she earned $10 an hour and used the money for books and other supplies. She has translated her lessons on leadership to her campus by continuing her advocacy work for the homeless as a campus homeless and hunger volunteer coordinator, organizing  volunteer opportunities at food banks and shelters. She also mentors homeless youth.

Revolution Leadership Inc. is no stranger to receiving accolades. It was awarded a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by the United States House of Representatives for its work in the community in 2009 and the Orlando Magic Maker Award, which recognizes people in the community who strive to make a difference in the lives of others, in 2010.

“This is certainly my life’s mission. Regardless of where I am in life or what I am doing, I am committed to giving back and making a difference in the lives of students. I believe it is my calling in life.”

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How She Did It

• Get registered as a 501(3)(c). “Make sure you’re legally compliant,” says Chisholm. “A lot of people don’t realize how that one credential allows you to compete with the best organizations in the nation. It shows that you are legitimate and meet IRS standards.” You can start by visiting www.irs.gov and downloading Form 1023. Chisholm recommends finding an attorney who will work pro-bono to make sure you fill out the fundraising and solicitation licenses and proper addendums to prevent being denied. It can take several months just for the IRS to review your form, so you want to make sure you get it right the first time, she says. Filing fees start at $400.

• Recruit a good team. Find others who believe in your vision and can provide valuable services. Chisholm says that her volunteers offer professional services valued at more than $100,000 a year. “We have graphic designers, Web designers, photographers, and folks with all types of professional and financial skills that donate their professional service to help us accomplish our goals,” she says. Step outside of your circle and share your story with anyone you know to create a diverse team. Do your due diligence by creating a volunteer entry inquiry form, interview applicants, and run a background check, especially if you’re working with youth.

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• Find mentors or groups with a similar purpose. Before starting Revolution Leadership, Chisholm sat on the board of a nonprofit and made valuable contacts, such as the former president of the New York Stock Exchange, and was able to take those skills and experiences and implement them in her organization. “I was able to say, ‘This is how we can best serve our demographic and really make an impact.’” It will give you ideas on how to structure your nonprofit and give you access to other professionals who can assist you when you hit a road bump.

• Bounce back from failure: “People starting out for the first time don’t think failure’s involved,” says Chisholm. “When I first started the retreat I heard so many no’s. Everybody that I went to and asked for money said no. You have a choice. Are you going to say this wasn’t meant to be and just leave it alone, or are you going to continue pushing to find another way? You have to be willing to push through it. You’re going to encounter resistance but you have to be willing to not abandon it. We need those ideas and we need more quality nonprofits that will reach the community, but the only way you can get there is when you push through.”

For those of you who are parents, it’s understandable that you want to help your child avoid the plague of student loan debt, but there’s a right way to go about doing it and a wrong way.

The wrong way is to completely sacrifice your financial future, forgoing retirement savings and just “hoping for the best” when you’re in your Golden Years. The right way is to approach college with some smart financial planning. Take these following tips to reduce the student loan burden that you – and your kid –will face later in life.

Tip #1: Save for college as early as possible

You already know how expensive college is right now. But what about the future? Well: the annual price tag for a public school is estimated to swell to more than $35,000 in the year 2017, and an incredible $86,000 for an Ivy League school. Unfortunately, 31% of parents who plan to help pay for college haven’t started saving yet. Start socking away as much as you can now to decrease the need for loans in the future.

Tip #2: Open a 529 Plan

A 529 college savings plan is the best thing going when it comes to saving for your child’s college education. Available in every state in the country, a 529 plan is portable and can be used at any qualifying institution of higher learning in America. It’s a great way to sock away tens of thousands of dollars annually for higher educational expenses because money in a 529 plan grows tax-free if it’s used for college costs.

Many states even give you a tax-deduction for contributing to a 529.

Best of all: these plans are maintained in your (or the donor’s) name, so they don’t reduce your child’s chances for receiving financial aid. For more info on 529 plans, visit http://www.savingforcollege.com.

Tip #3: Plan for some aid

Unless you can truly afford it without changing your whole lifestyle, strike a balance between trying to fund your kids’’ college account, and planning to get some need based aid. There’s no rule that says you have to foot your son or daughter’s entire college tuition bills, plus pay for all his or her living expenses and other needs.

Apply for aid, but don’t over-estimate how much your child will get. Although 72% of parents think their kids could get merit aid, the reality is that only 28% of students currently do. Your child’s financial aid package will be based on your income and assets, the cost of the school, and whether you have other children in college.

Take your entire situation into account when you’re thinking about aid. Do you have more kids or other family members who will need money for school or other reasons? Also be mindful of your own income picture – not to mention rising healthcare costs, current bills, and the need to save for your own retirement.

Tip #4: Impose a Cap On Spending For College

It’s very easy to lose track of money spent on college. You can write a check here or there for living expenses, allow your child to take money out of your account, pay his or her credit card, and send in tuition payments to school –– and before you know it you have spent many thousands of dollars. Sit down and talk with your son or daughter and set a budget. Explain what is financially feasible and possible for you to do – and what is not.

If all you can afford to give (or take out in loans) is, say $5,000 or $10,000 a year, then put that number on the table as your limit, then stick to it. For some advice on how much debt you can realistically manage, go to a financial planner who specializes in college financing.

You can get a referral from the National Institute of Certified College Planners. Alternatively, any number of college financing calculators that are available online, such as the one at FinAid.

Tip #5: Don’t skip your retirement savings

Experts from the National Institute of Certified College Planners agree with me that you shouldn’t sacrifice your retirement to pay for or borrow money for your child’s education. Think about it this way: Little Johnny might be able to borrow for college, but who’s going to loan you money for your retirement?

Tip #6: Allow your child to borrow first

This is a more cost effective way to take on college debt since federal Stafford Loans stand at a maximum interest rate of 6.8% for students, but PLUS loans (Parent Loans for University Students), which are made to parents carry an 7.9% interest rate.

Tip #7: Use online college saver programs like Upromise.com

When you enroll in a program like Upromise, a small portion of the money you spend on everyday things – like gas for your car, clothes purchases or entertainment – gets funneled into a savings account for your child. Heck, if you were going to spend the money anyway, you might as well get a little rebate for that spending, which can help pay down college expenses.

All parents understandably want a better life for their children, both in terms of their personal happiness and their financial security. Following the steps I’ve outlined above will go a long way toward helping you and your kids achieve financial stability.

“Ask The Money Coach” is a syndicated column written by personal finance expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, co-founder of the free financial advice blog, AskTheMoneyCoach.com. Follow Lynnette on Twitter at @themoneycoach.

Ohio University students launched a poster campaign against racist Halloween costumes (Image: STARS)

Halloween is meant to be fun, but on a college campus things can often go too far. It’s this exact reason that an Ohio University student organization is taking a stand against racist Halloween costumes.

Students Teaching Against Racism (STARS) launched a poster campaign to ignite a conversation about offensive costumes—specifically those depicting various racial and ethnic groups. Each poster, which features an OU student holding up a picture of a racial caricature, reads “We’re a culture, not a costume;” followed by: “This is not who I am, and this is not okay.”

The student-crafted posters went viral, garnering over 50,000 visits to Sarah Williams’ Tumblr account. The group’s president is shocked at the overwhelming amount of attention the posters are receiving, but glad they’ve been able to spark discourse around the topic.

Click here to read more about STARS at BlackEnterprise.com/BENext

(Image: File)

Homecoming means school spirit, alumni, and sports to most people but it can also mean good news for your bank account if you capitalize on all the excitement.

If you’re enterprising and willing to work while all the fun is happening BE Next has some suggestions on how you can turn your college’s annual reunion into a gold mine.

1. Host an event or party

Hosting a party during your college’s largest alumni gathering is a sure bet to bring in extra cash. Find a venue that allows outside contractors like a lounge or local coffee shop. After you have negotiated the terms of the contract, your next step is market your event to the masses. Print flyers, distribute them and then take to Facebook and Twitter and spread the word about event and your party just might be a success.

Quick Tip: Have the party on the Friday before the big game. Most alumni head to the city a day earlier and are ready to mix and mingle.

Read more on how you can cash in on homecoming festivities at BlackEnterprise.com/BENext

Entertainment industry veteran Shanti Das has written yet another book that packs a powerful pocket-sized punch with The 1,2,3s of Networking (Press Reset Entertainment Publishing; $7.99), detailing how to successfully build your professional network.

The author of The Hip-Hop Professional: A Woman’s Guide to Climbing the Ladder of Success (PressReset.me Publishing; $19.95), offers 30 tips in her new book on how to expand your professional contact base, with insight on when to introduce yourself, how to prep your elevator pitch and how to strengthen relationships with those already in your everyday circle.

Das, who has held positions in the executive suites of labels including Universal Motown, keeps the advice snappy and to the point and tailors it for anyone at any stage of their career — whether you’re a mid-level executive needing a quick refresher before a power lunch or a college student heading to that on-campus job fair.

‘Nuff said.