Don't Let the Credit Crunch Smash College Dreams

As rebate checks arrive in households across the nation and recessionlooms in the balance, people continue to struggle with how to get aheadwithout falling behind. Many are looking to invest in themselvesthrough education, but are challenged to find the financial aidnecessary to pursue their dreams. To help current and prospectivestudents find the financial aid they need to go to school,eLearners.com, a web resource of EducationDynamics, offers theDebt-Free College Guide. The guide, located at http://debtfree.elearners.com/, is a one-stop resource with more than 300 financing opportunities including online scholarships.

“In terms of finances, we are facing difficult times, but one ofthe best investments someone can make in economic hard times is aninvestment in themselves through education,” said Terrence Thomas,Chief Marketing Officer for eLearners.com, which connects prospectivestudents with online learning providers. “A college education givespeople the competitive edge in a tight job market and helps those witha job to keep moving forward and up the career ladder. TheeLearners.com Debt-Free College Guide puts the vast offerings offinancial aid in one convenient location.”

The Debt-Free College Guide lists hundreds of lesser knownfinancial aid programs designed to make an online college educationfinancially accessible. Visitors can search for financial assistanceprograms by state, with tailored results customized to their search. Italso has information on tax deductions and credits so students can savemoney on future tax returns.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Debt-Free College Guideis the list of loan forgiveness programs, which is the mostcomprehensive list of loan forgiveness and repayment programs on theInternet. Loan forgiveness programs are generally designed to encouragestudents to pursue educational goals that will lead to employment inspecific need-based occupations, such as working for volunteerorganizations, federal and state governments, teaching or practicingmedicine. In exchange for service in these fields, part or all ofstudent loan debt can be forgiven, be it from a traditional institutionor from one of many online colleges.

“Searching for financial aid can be incredibly time consuming and frustrating,”continued Thomas. “We recognized this and created the Debt-Free CollegeGuide to make sure everyone realizes a college education can be withinreach.”

The Debt-Free College Guide is part of eLearners.com’s StudentLoans and Financial Aid Center. The center also offers a loan buyingguide, in collaboration with The Greentree Gazette, where visitors cancompare more than 300 student loans by loan vendor, type, up-front feesand interest rates. eLearners.com has also introduced such innovationsas the eLearners Advisor, an assessment that through a series oftargeted questions ranging from technology access and skills, topersonal motivation and learning styles, helps prospective elearnersdetermine if online learning is right for them.

For more information on financial aid options and going to school online visit www.elearners.com.