If a person had $20,000 to spend, they could buy about 5,000 Javalanches, a Mini Cooper or feed 220 children in Africa for a year. If that person is a Northwest student, though, he or she would probably use it to pay off his or her loans. The average student debt of a Northwest graduate is between $19,825 and $22,555. The time to begin paying off loans is quickly approaching for seniors getting ready to graduate this spring.
“Our students have done a great job over the years (paying off loans),” Del Morley, director of financial assistance at Northwest, said. “The government keeps track of what they call a cohort default rate (percentage of students who default on federal loans) and our cohort default rate is always under the federal average.”
About 70 percent of Northwest students, each year, take out loans. Subsidized loans are need based and interest begins six months after graduation. Interest on unsubsidized loans begins immediately and payments must begin six months after a student is no longer enrolled in school. The Northwest Office of Financial Assistance provides students in need of loans with entrance and exit counseling and gives them tools to help with loan consolidations and payment plans.
“There are a lot of changes in the works coming up,” Morley said. “We’re going to try to get them all made before July 1, 2012.”
With any loans made after July 1, interest will begin to accumulate on subsidized loans as soon as a student graduates, and subsidized loans will no longer be available for graduate students. There is also a possibility that interest rates on student loans will increase.
“Unless (Congress) passes new legislation, it will be 6.8 percent next year,” Morley said.
Kearsten Smith, a senior who has taken out loans since her freshman year, said she is confident that her education at Northwest will help her find a job that will help to pay off her loans. If that fails, her next plan is to find someone very rich to marry.
“If you don’t have to take (loans) out, don’t, but at the same time, student loans are the best loans you can take out,” Smith said. “If you’re going to go to college, don’t be deterred because you have to take out loans to do it because they have the lowest interest rates (and) the best payback policy. Literally, they are the best loans you could ever take out.”
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2012年1月23日星期一
Solar Power Offers Solution to Record-High Energy Costs in Alberta
CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwire -01/23/12)- SkyFire Energy Inc. (SkyFire) announced today that as the standard cost of electricity continues to reach record levels in Alberta, the opposite is true for solar energy which is now, in most cases, better than grid parity. Grid parity is the cost at which solar electricity costs the same as buying power from your utility. An investment in a commercial or residential solar electric system is now more affordable than ever.
“As energy market prices continue to rise to unprecedented levels in the province, there’s never been a better time to shift to solar,” says David Kelly, partner, SkyFire Energy. “Investing now in a solar system with SkyFire will secure a fixed rate as low as 12 cents per kilowatt-hour for 30 years.”
The standard electricity price (Regulated Rate Option) in Alberta reached an all-time monthly record in January, increasing to over 18 cents per kilowatt-hour (15.1 cents for electricity and over 3 cents for transmission, distribution, and local access fees per kilowatt-hour.)
“The price of solar modules has steadily fallen so that an amortized solar system cost is at or better than the cost of buying grid power in most cases,” says Kelly. “Further, if you are purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs) to offset the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from energy consumption at your home or business, the economics of solar power look even better.”
While there is still an upfront cost to investing in a solar system, there are financing options available through most banking institutions at historically low rates. Unlike most home improvements, which depreciate in value with age, solar panels will increase in value over time as electricity prices continue to rise.
Calgary is the sunniest major city in Canada and solar customers receive the additional benefit of receiving credit for any excess power returned to the grid. In addition to decreasing energy costs and increasing property value, solar power also benefits the planet with no pollution and water use required at the time of generation.
About SkyFire Energy Inc.
SkyFire Energy Inc. is one of Canada’s largest solar EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contractors with photovoltaic systems operating throughout Western Canada, the Northwest Territories and Ontario. With an impressive portfolio that includes the largest installation in Western Canada, SkyFire’s solar projects encompass all levels of government, commercial and industrial businesses, homebuilders and residential owners. SkyFire was recently recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in Alberta by Alberta Venture magazine. The SkyFire team includes professional engineers, photovoltaic technicians, and experienced installation crews, allowing them to provide turnkey solutions from design to installation and commissioning. Website: www.SkyFireEnergy.com Twitter: @SkyFireEnergy Facebook: SkyFire Energy
http://tourism9.cm/ http://vkins.com/
“As energy market prices continue to rise to unprecedented levels in the province, there’s never been a better time to shift to solar,” says David Kelly, partner, SkyFire Energy. “Investing now in a solar system with SkyFire will secure a fixed rate as low as 12 cents per kilowatt-hour for 30 years.”
The standard electricity price (Regulated Rate Option) in Alberta reached an all-time monthly record in January, increasing to over 18 cents per kilowatt-hour (15.1 cents for electricity and over 3 cents for transmission, distribution, and local access fees per kilowatt-hour.)
“The price of solar modules has steadily fallen so that an amortized solar system cost is at or better than the cost of buying grid power in most cases,” says Kelly. “Further, if you are purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs) to offset the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from energy consumption at your home or business, the economics of solar power look even better.”
While there is still an upfront cost to investing in a solar system, there are financing options available through most banking institutions at historically low rates. Unlike most home improvements, which depreciate in value with age, solar panels will increase in value over time as electricity prices continue to rise.
Calgary is the sunniest major city in Canada and solar customers receive the additional benefit of receiving credit for any excess power returned to the grid. In addition to decreasing energy costs and increasing property value, solar power also benefits the planet with no pollution and water use required at the time of generation.
About SkyFire Energy Inc.
SkyFire Energy Inc. is one of Canada’s largest solar EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contractors with photovoltaic systems operating throughout Western Canada, the Northwest Territories and Ontario. With an impressive portfolio that includes the largest installation in Western Canada, SkyFire’s solar projects encompass all levels of government, commercial and industrial businesses, homebuilders and residential owners. SkyFire was recently recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in Alberta by Alberta Venture magazine. The SkyFire team includes professional engineers, photovoltaic technicians, and experienced installation crews, allowing them to provide turnkey solutions from design to installation and commissioning. Website: www.SkyFireEnergy.com Twitter: @SkyFireEnergy Facebook: SkyFire Energy
http://tourism9.cm/ http://vkins.com/
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