Q: There seem to be more lenders like US Bank and Well’s Fargo, that are now offering private student loans with a fixed interest rate. What would be the major differences between private student loans with a fixed interest rate and federal student loans (which also have the fixed interest rate), if any?

A: Lenders such as US Bank and Well’s Fargo have started to offer private student loans with a fixed interest rate; however, there are still large differences between federal student loans and private student loans (with or without a fixed interest rate).

First, the fixed interest rate private student loans that are offered by most private lenders still carry a higher fixed interest rate than most federal student loans. Second, while most federal student loans are based on a borrowers financial need, private student loans (regardless of fixed or variable interest rate) are based on a borrowers credit. If

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Q: After I have received federal student loans, how much money will I be allowed to take out in private student loans? If a student did not receive much from federal student loans and FAFSA, does this mean that a student will not receive much money from private student loans as well?

A: Federal student loans and private student loans, although both education-based loans, have many differences. Federal student loans are the largest source of college education loans, and should always be considered first (after scholarships and grants have been exhausted), before applying for private student loans. Federal student loans typically offer the best interest rates, terms, and repayment options when compared to most private student loans.

Federal student loans are based on a borrowers financial need, where as private student loans are based on a borrowers credit score/history.

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The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation is a non profit, industry-directed organization that offers over 200 undergraduate college scholarships and graduate fellowship assistance to talented students interested in graphic communication careers. To apply for a Print and Graphics Scholarship, student must be interested in a career in the graphic communication industry, a high school senior or a high school graduate who has not yet started college OR a college student who is enrolled in a two or four year college program. All scholarship applicants must be full-time students.

Scholarship applicants will be judged on the basis of their high school/college academic records, recommendations, extracurricular interests and academic honors. Print And Graphics Scholarship selections are made by a selection committee comprised of educators and industry leaders.

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The Young Voices of America is offering the Exercise Their Creativity Short Story Scholarship Contest. Scholarship applicants are asked to write a short story (not an essay about exercise) that includes at least one scene showing the health benefits of regular exercise. The Young Voices of America Exercise Their Creativity Short Story Scholarship Contest is open to high school students from 7th grade to 12th grade.

Exercise Their Creativity Short Story Scholarship Contest entries must be original and previously unpublished, must include at least one scene showing the health benefits of regular exercise, and must not exceed 20,000 words. There is no minimum word count requirement for the short story. Multiple submissions are allowed in the Exercise Their Creativity Short Story Scholarship Contest. The first place winner will receive $250.00. The second place winner will receive $175.00, and the third place winner will receive $100.00.