The cost of post-secondary education, like everything else in life, is on the rise. Estimates start at approximately $100,000. Even with scholarships and grants, student loans may be necessary to help cover college expenses and provide assistance with everyday living. For some, who do not qualify for free financial aid, student loans are the only means of attaining a degree in any chosen career field. Unsubsidized student loans are available through the federal government.

To appreciate an unsubsidized student loan, a borrower must first understand the difference between scholarships, grants, and subsidized students loans. Due to the high cost of education, all options should be explored, and utilized, if needed to have the opportunity to reach personal and career goals.

As a teacher, I see high school students frittering away the opportunity for a good education. Socialization, drugs, alcohol, laziness, and a myriad of other reasons contribute to the lack of concern for learning. Then, seemingly overnight, graduation is looming and they have no clue what to do with an uncertain future. A good academic record is essential to success, and an unsubsidized student loan may be the only means of obtaining a college education.

For the student with good grades and recommendations, scholarships are available from schools, businesses, and private citizens, wanting to give hard working students the chance at a great education. Scholarships are free, although most require the recipient to maintain certain academic standards. Benefactors expect a similar level of achievement, which earned the scholarship in the first place. If scholarships do not totally cover the cost of post-secondary education, an unsubsidized student loan is always an option.

Unlike scholarships, grants are not usually based upon academic achievement. Grants are usually determined by economic need. For example, a Pell Grant, probably the most common, is available for students whose parents are unable to help offset the costs of a college education. For traditional students, Pell grants are awarded based upon the parents’ or guardian’s income. If income is too high to qualify for a federal grant, an unsubsidized student loan may be a viable alternative.

If the income is too high, or a substantial savings account exists, it may be very difficult to receive a federal grant. However, for the non-traditional student, the income of the student is taken into consideration, along with the number of dependents, living expenses, and other necessary financial obligations. The amount of the grant is always based upon economic need.

Like grants, an unsubsidized student loan is also determined by economic need, and a particular college’s cost for tuition and fees. Unlike a grant, a loan is awarded to the student, to use as he/she sees fit. If grants and scholarships have paid for educational expenses, the loan can be used for living expenses. With an unsubsidized student loan, the interest on the loan does not start accruing until six months after college completion. As long as the student remains in college, for a BA, a MA, or a PhD, the loan is only for the actual amount sent to the individual, which leaves the unsubsidized student loan for consideration.

Before cashing the check for an unsubsidized student loan, an individual should consider the long-term consequences of his/her decision. Unlike a subsidized payment, the unsubsidized student loan starts accruing interest as soon as the check is deposited/cashed at the bank. Meaning, if the loan is acquired as a freshman, by the time a payment schedule is due, the loan has at least four years of interest attached to the original loan.

If the student chooses to continue an education for any post-graduate degrees, tack on the extra years of interest as well. Even at 3-5% interest, the additional amount can be substantial, making the monthly repayment amounts a large part of the family budget for at least the next ten years. In addition, should economic times get extremely difficult, federal loans are not eligible to be included in any bankruptcy action in the future. In other words, if the check is cashed, an unsubsidized loan must be repaid.

Therefore, unsubsidized student loans have one great attribute for borrowers. Quarterly, a statement is mailed to the student. Thus, the repayment amount to be budgeted each month will not come as a total shock. Also, the amount of accrued interest is also tallied, and the individual is given the option to pay the interest, or allow it to be added to the principle. In which case, the amount of the loan continues to grow, and the interest amount for the next quarter will rise accordingly. So, some students will opt to pay the interest quarterly, and keep the loan amount to the original obligation.

Whatever a prospective student decides, money should not be the determining factor to a post-secondary education. Scholarships, grants, subsidized, and unsubsidized student loans are available for the individual determined to improve future career opportunities through education. Anyone between 18-80 should have the chance to learn and grow, and have the necessary financial aid available to make dreams come true.

Erol Orderland knows first hand how Student Debt can affect ones life. For more information visit Federal Loan Consolidation or find out about Consolidation of Debt

Loans. Adults cannot live with them, yet most people are unable to live without borrowing money. Buying a new car requires a loan, except for the rare individual who can pay in cash, like Bill Gates; a homeowner will have to acquire a mortgage for the next 20-30 years; and, a post-secondary education often means taking out a loan, to pay for books, tuition and living expenses.

In some cases federal loans are available through the Veteran’s Administration for housing. Federal loans can help for disaster relief, or agricultural needs for farmers and ranchers. However, when discussing federal loan consolidation, most people immediately consider the unsubsidized and subsidized money used to finance a college education.

A college education is a costly venture, yet definitely worth the investment of time and money. However, the tuition and fees often discourage some potential students from trading in the spatula of a fast food restaurant, and picking up a textbook. A post-secondary degree program seems like an impossible dream, rather than an obtainable goal.

Nevertheless, after careful consideration, and a brief visit with a financial aid officer, unsubsidized and subsidized student loans are available for a two-year degree, a Bachelor’s, a Masters, or a Doctorate. Federal loans consolidation takes place AFTER an individual is done receiving a formal education. The loans are usually made available every year.

Because the cost of learning is beyond the average pocketbook, many students take advantage of both a subsidized and unsubsidized loan, with the plan to take advantage of federal loan consolidation after school. Once accepted for the federal loan program, students are offered the opportunity to accept, or reject, a student loan at the beginning of the school year. In many cases, both types of loans are presented, to give an individual the extra money needed to pay off expenses, and maybe have a little left to live on, without having to hold down a full-time job.

If only one loan is needed, opt to accept the subsidized version. Not only will the payment schedule not be instituted until six months after leaving school, but also the interest will not start accruing either. Although interest may seem like small potatoes, in the long-term, subsidized loans can save thousands in repayment dollars.

When more financial assistance is necessary, an unsubsidized student loan is also available, and the financial aid will later qualify for federal loan consolidation. However, for this particular avenue of financial assistance, the interest starts building immediately, even though repayment is still not required until after graduation.

So, imagine both loans were necessary to complete a degree program. Before the six-month grace period has expired, federal loan consolidation can be implemented, saving up to 54% in monthly payment amounts. How? Prior to consolidation, the length of the loan is ten years. If the loans are consolidated, the length of the loan can be extended by five-ten years, making the payments more affordable.

In addition, federal loan consolidation also reduces the ultimate interest rate. Thus, the two monthly payments combined will probably be less than repayment of one loan individually. For example, the unsubsidized loan payment may be around $200/per month. In addition, the subsidized loan is going to be another $200. Two separate bills, one big chuck of the monthly income. By implementing federal loan consolidation, the loan is repayable in 20 years, and the monthly amount is only 46% of the anticipated $400. Now, the payments are a manageable $184/per month.

One problem. Consider the following scenario: a student earns a two-year degree at a local community college to save some money. Then, he/she transfers to a university to complete a four-year program. A Master’s in a particular field is only offered at selected locations, so transferring is again necessary. Three different schools. Three different sets of lenders. No problem!

Federal loan consolidation will combine all the loans, pay off the necessary lenders, and leave only one bill, one lender, to repay. So, whether an individual goes to one university or four, federal loan consolidation will not only reduce the payment amount, but make repayment infinitely easier, in the long run.

The only drawback of federal loan consolidation, worth mentioning, is the reduced grace period. If a graduate decides consolidation is the right choice, the process must be completed before the six-month post-education period expires. Unfortunately, once the federal loan consolidation process has been completed, the repayment process begins. The borrower loses any remaining grace period.

However, since federal loan consolidation can save a former student from drowning under the weight of two, or more, loans, giving up a couple months of grace period is a small price to pay. Unless a graduate lands the perfect dream job right after the caps are tossed in the air, federal loan consolidation can be a lifesaver.

Erol Orderland knows first hand how Student Debt can affect ones life. For more information visit Federal Loan Consolidation or find out about Consolidation of Debt.

SURIN BEACH RESTAURANTS

Surin Beach restaurants offer a wide mixture to choose from. If you’re looking for non-wallet breaking places to eat, Surin Beach southern beachfront is a good place to go. Here you will find numerous seafood and Thai food places to choose from.

Our family enjoyed several restaurants in Surin Beach; most of these restaurants have great views that really make your Surin Beach dining experience special.

Phuket Town restaurants definitely is an adventure in Chinese cuisines. You can find some of the most genuine Chinese food in Phuket Town.

Phuket Town is also a major hub for almost every international cuisine. Our family has eaten at several places in Phuket Town and would like to share these superb Phuket Town dining locations with you

Phuket Town is the capital and one of the more interesting places on the island. Phuket Town stands distinct from the tailor made tourist locations along the beaches, you will soon notice it is a place geared toward its residents.

If you want authentic inexpensive and delicious Thai food we hit many of the noodle shops along Rat Sada or Takua roads. Here you will find an abundant selection of curries, soups and stews.

If you still crave for some of that good ol’ Western fast food, the best place to go is Robinson’s department store where there are numerous choices.

Nai Yang Beach is located about 35 kilometers northwest of Phuket Town. This long curved beach is lined with Casuarina trees which make it excellent for walking and swimming. Nai Yang is one of the quieter beaches on Phuket; you’ll see small fishing boats anchored in the horizon, thus making for some picture perfect sunrises and sunsets.

If you’re looking for budget places to eat, beach front road has a good number of open-air restaurants to choose from. We found some of the tastiest local cuisines, which included some excellent BBQ seafood, Thai food and wood-fire pizza.

We experienced the most “romantic” and “serene” dining experience in some of Nai Yang resorts. We’ve listed them below in order of our preference; all of them are “superb” and well worth the experience.

Explore these excellent restaurant locations…

The Watermark Bar Restaurant offers 5 star food, drinks and service in an upscale yet informal atmosphere. Located at Phuket’s premier yachting basin, the Boat Lagoon Marina, the Watermark sits at the edge of a covered dock in a dramatic position alongside some of the world’s most outstanding yachts.

Stuart Bird manages the Watermark bringing his expertise as a chef and in high end catering in the United Kingdom to Phuket. The owner Joshua Lee, managing director of the adjacent Lee Marine, Phuket’s leading international yacht brokerage. The chef is Aaron Hooper who trained at the New England Culinary Institue in America and then worked at many of San Francisco’s best restaurants before his curiosity about the foods of Asia brought him to Thailand. These three young men are well traveled, hip and bring th latest in contemporary ideas in food and drink to Phuket in perhaps the island’s most glamorous setting.

"We had a design team in Hong Kong, Original Vision, create this clean, modern look for the Watermark. We want every aspect of what we do to reflect the special relationship between an ideal lifestyle and this paradise island," comments Stuart. "I would call our cuisine modern Australian with a lot of influences from around the world but specifically the Pacific Rim."

The Watermark is open daily for both lunch and dinner and has the island’s most popular happy hour on Friday’s when the remarkable range of cocktails, served in gloriously large glasses, are offered at two-for-the-price-of-one. the cocktail menu offers the best mixed drinks found anywhere on the island including a Mojito, golden rum, fresh mint leaves, lime juice and sugar syrup topped with soda in a tall glass, to a refreshing Sea Breeze, a mixture of vodka with cranberry and grapefruit juice laid long with a squeeze of lime.

Each week, the Watermark offers a special cocktail, usually a blended tropical fruit as a mango mixed with a refreshing variety of liquors and juices. The cocktails are always delightful for both their size and their taste. The menu also has a potent long Island Iced Tea, Bloody mary and Moscow Mule and the bar staff can mix anything upon request.

But it is the food that has made the Watermark phuket’s most contemporary restaurant. many local residents and international visitors want a special dinner on a regular occassion as fine contemporary food is another one of the important pleasure of living on a beautiful island. The Watermark offers a menu, both for lunch and dinner, that combines refreshing tastes and textures using a lot of quality imported foods mixed with the freshest local ingredients.

Keeping with the Pacific Rim influnces, the Apetizer manu features such interesting dishes as the blue crab, avocado and pickled cucumber salad set between crispy wanton skins and given a piquant finish with tom yam mayonnaise and a splash of chili oil. This cuisine is beautiful to look at with a high verticle presentation and also unique and remarkable to eat with the combination of flavours. The Vietnamese shrimp noodle rolls are given a Thai influence with clices of tangy green mango srved with a chili yoghurt dipping sauce. Another popular apetizer is Japanese shashimi tuna that has been quickly seared and thinly sliced served to be eaten with chopsticks. The dish also includes pumpkin papaya salad and a small bowl of chilled soba noodles with a round of tast tofu. A soy mirin dressing is offered with the tuna.

Fresh salads are a feature at the Watermark including Phuket’s very best Caesar Salad made with fresh romain lettuce grown in Northern Thailand and flown to Phuket. there’s also a char grilled vegetable salad woth a wide selection of succulent imported vegetables that have been lightly seared to retain flavour. They are offered with a grainy tabhoueh, garlic sour cream and a cilantro pesto that are certain to enhance the natural flavour of the variety of garden vegetables.

"We adjust and improve our menu regularly to present foods that are light and easily digestable in this tropical climate," says chef Aaron. "We are offering almost a spacuisine with a lot of healthy influences.

Chef Aaron has added a Vietnamese glaze to imported Tasmanian salmon as a main dish that is served with char grilled fresh asparagus, ginger and chilled green tea soba noodle salad with a crab claw.

Another interesting dinner is a leg of New Zealand Lamb that has been braised in Pinot Grigio, a white wine that keeps the flavour lighter and sweeter. The result is a moist and succulent lamb that is served on a bed of mint and pine nut jasmine rice surrounded by shaved gala apple that has also been spiced with lime and mint and thyme jus that leaves the tatse buds stimulated.

Other popular main meals include fresh local white snapper and the best quality Australian beef fillet served with sauteed herb potato and mushroon jus.

It’s easy to choose a wine at the Watermark. The list has a wide selection of around thirty wines that are grouped according to taste. Such titles as rich and fruity, big and bold, dry and distinctive, help guide the guest towards trying a new winewith certainly some very new tastes in cuisine.

Acid jazz plays gently in the background and softly lights the tropical breezes off the nearby lagoon make a meal at the watermark a memorable experience for both the cuisine and the extraordinary setting.

Like other Phuket delicacies, Thailand desserts are yummy. Most Thai desserts are made from five straightforward ingredients; coconut flesh, rice flour, coconut cream, eggs and palm sugar

You can find an assortment of Thailand desserts for sale at many different places from markets, large department stores, food stalls and restaurants.

There are many kinds of Thailand desserts; here are a few that our family has had during out trips to Phuket…

Sangkhaya

Egg custard. This is a must try!

Kluai buat chi

This banana and coconut cream and boy is it “tasty”.

Fakthong buat

A combination of pumpkin in coconut cream, if you liked it with banana, this dessert is just as “tasty”.

Kao Niew Ma-Muang

This dessert is sticky rice with ripe mango.

Bua loi

Delicious rice flour balls in coconut cream.

Seafood

Phuket foods are famous for its plentiful fishes, oysters, squid, lobsters and prawns. You can find plenty seafood restaurants in Phuket, we’ve listed several in our Phuket dining guide

Noodles

The noodles are cooked in various styles. Mi Hokkian or Mi hun is fried with fresh shrimps, pork, shellfish and green cabbage. Mi sapan is topped with seafood and gravy and Mi hun pachang is fried vermicelli eaten with pig’s bone soup.

Curry

When talking about Thai curry, most foreigners will probably think of chicken or beef curry only. When you’re in Phuket, try Phuket’s kaeng luang (sour curry with fish and vegetables), a popular southern curry with a peculiar taste.

Khanom Chin

These rice noodles are normally eaten with curry soup made from minced shrimps or fish. You can find khanom chin anywhere in Thailand, khanom chin of Phuket has a richer flavor and is served with vegetables. This is a typical breakfast for local people.

Namphrik Kung Siap

Phuket style, hot shrimp paste sauce blended with roasted shrimps and eaten with fresh vegetables.

Namphrik Kung Sot

This is a shrimp paste blended with fresh shrimps, red onions, chilies and seasoned with lemon. The locals enjoy this Thai food with rice or khanom chin.

Ho Mok

This Thai food cuisine is steamed curried fish or other seafood with vegetables held in a banana leaf or foil container. It’s best eaten with steam rice.

This is only a small list of famous Phuket foods, there are many other delicious Thai food cuisines to choose, just go out and explore and “have fun”.

Pink Lady Cafe Night Club Phuket Thailand

thailand bar patong phuket