A Priceless Education without Penny Pinching; FastWeb Announces Financial Planning Tips for Parents and Students

Business Wire, August 20, 2007

CHICAGO -- With the nation's average tuition, room and board at four-year private colleges and universities topping over $36,000 - nearly double from 1990 - parents and students are concerned about how to afford higher education(a). Whether a first year college freshman, or a senior moving on to graduate school, there are many ways to ease the financial burden without burning a hole in your pocketbook, according to FastWeb, the Internet's leading scholarship search engine and site within the Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST) network.

"The majority of students, both new entrants and those currently enrolled, are completely overwhelmed by the cost of school, not to mention their parents' concerns about how to fund it," says Amanda Joyner, Vice President and General Manager of FastWeb. "Between scholarships, financial aid, federal loans and grants, work study programs and even ROTC, there are endless possibilities for assistance that students can pursue. The key is to stay focused and continue the search throughout the entire college experience."

To avoid "penny pinching" while furthering their education, students should consider these tips:

Scholarships for Upperclassman - Winning a scholarship as a freshman is beneficial, but what about the next three years? There are a number of new opportunities available to sophomores, juniors and even seniors, so the search should not stop once college begins. Additionally, some scholarships are renewable and can be extended beyond the initial year - in some cases, for an entire college career.

Part-Time and Work Study Positions - Most work-study jobs are located on campus and offer convenient hours and locations, giving students the flexibility they need while allowing them to learn about a new field or develop workplace skills, according to MonsterTRAK, the student division of Monster[R]. Part-time jobs also give students an opportunity to earn extra money and "sample" the working world; however Joyner reiterates the importance of remaining focused and disciplined. "Schedule early classes, and then study in between in a quiet environment and at a high level of intensity. This strategy is one way to balance the demands of school and coursework, while earning some extra money."

Explore Federal and Private Loans - The Federal Stafford Loan is the most popular loan for new, undergraduate students. Payments are deferred until six months after graduation, and borrowers have up to 10 years to repay it. If students are ineligible to receive federal loans, a private or alternative loan can often help cover remaining education expenses. More information on student loans can be found at www.finaid.org.

Enroll in ROTC - Students who enroll in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), a college-based, officer commissioning program that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics, are eligible for generous scholarships - both as incoming freshman and throughout their college career - that are available in one, two, three and four-year lengths. Cadets may be entitled to money, books and a monthly non-taxed stipend, and there is no military commitment during the first year. More information about the benefits of joining ROTC is available at Making It Count's "The Path to Leadership," a free, 45-minute seminar at high schools nationwide. Details can be found at: http://www.makingitcount.com/pr/fw1_082007.asp.> Look to Your Employer For More than Just a Paycheck - With a little discipline, it is possible to handle the demands of school while earning some extra money. Many students do not realize, however, that their employer may be able to provide more than just a weekly paycheck. Several organizations offer scholarships to its employees. Speaking with a supervisor or reviewing the company's website will help determine if any opportunities are available.

For more advice and guidance to ease the burden of funding higher education, visit http://www.makingitcount.com/pr/fw2_082007.asp to learn more about "Making College Financial Planning Count," a free program presented by Monster in conjunction with Bank of America. "Proper planning and an understanding of how the education financing process works can help students and their parents enjoy the excitement associated with embarking on a college career," said Joyner.

(a)U.S. Census Bureau's "Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008"

About FastWeb

FastWeb supports a national community of students, parents, educators, and scholarship providers by helping students realize their dreams of higher education. Best known for its vast college scholarship search engine, FastWeb also aids students with a match to relevant colleges, part-time jobs and internships based on that students' profile detail. More than 15,000 high schools and 3,500 colleges throughout the U.S. send students and their parents to FastWeb to obtain value from its college financial planning resources. For more information visit FastWeb at www.fastweb.com.