11/28: Diploma mills, gifting money, energy costs, Scholarship from the New England Patriots, Eye on the Economy, Smallfish, Matthew Ebel, Jill Parr, #125

Summary: Student Financial Aid News + Advent of high school diploma mills + Primary audience: top athletes with lackluster academic skills + Newly remodeled: InternationalStudentLoan.com + 617-535-7001 + Cosigners for international student loans are required, no exceptions + College energy costs for heating up 20% - 40% nationwide + Some colleges cutting back, conserving + Look for energy fees in tuition bills News You Can Use + Gifting of money - limited to $11,000 per person per year under IRS tax code + For parents, grandparents, etc. + Gifting does NOT apply if payments are made directly to an institution by a grandparent Scholarship Update + Totally Pats! + Weekly - yes, WEEKLY - scholarships from the New England Patriots + $2,500 weekly + At the end of the season, a $15,000 grand prize winner + Detailed page on StudentScholarshipSearch.com Eye on the Economy + New segment to discuss broader consumer finance issues, especially for families and parents + Pensions and hedge funds + Holiday shopping - flat returns for stores, but major increases in credit card usage indicate debt spending + Best holiday advice: lay off the plastic. Podsafe Music + Smallfish, Thank You + Matthew Ebel, Walk a Thousand Miles + Jill Parr, Do You Hear What I Hear? + Via the Podsafe Music Network Reminders + iPod Nano Contest THIS THURSDAY! + Grace periods ending soon - consolidate now! + Student loan consolidation web site + Toll-free 877-328-1565 Financial Aid Podcast Show Notes at FinancialAidPodcast.com. The Financial Aid Podcast is a publication of the Student Loan Network. Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email me at financialaidpodcast {at} gmail {dot} com or visit http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com Listen now with Pupu Player! Direct file download: MP3 file