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Just days after Nissan announced the price on its 2009 Nissan Versa 1.6 model, Hyundai has responded by dropping the price on its lowest priced car, the Accent, to just $9970.

There is some good news for college students and their families who are looking for a car. Earlier this month, we reported that the Nissan Versa 1.6 was now the cheapest priced car in America, thanks to a special cost cutting effort on behalf of Nissan Motors. For the first time in years, a sub-$10K new car is now available and it isn’t even being built in China.

But, the news doesn’t stop there — Korean automaker, Hyundai, who previously had the lowest cost car in America before the Hyundai announcement, has responded by dropping the price on its entry level Accent three-door hatchback to just $9970, some twenty dollars less than Nissan.

Even better than its low price, J.D. Power & Associates, a consumer research company, has said that the Accent is the most dependable sub-compact on the market.

Unlike some base models, Hyundai has included a number of the amenities drivers want in their cars including a 1.6-litre, 110-horsepower engine, power steering, advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, roof-mounted curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, front variable intermittent wipers, 60/40 split fold-down seatback, six-way adjustable driver seat, adjustable head restraints for all seating positions and rear spoiler.

All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, where buyers are protected by a 10-year/100,000-mile power train warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty and 5-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance protection.

The Hyundai Accent GS delivers competitive fuel economy too, 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. Buyers wanting an automatic transmission will pay extra, but receive 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway according to 2009 EPA estimates.

Adv. – If you’re shopping for an auto loan, you’ll want to compare offers and find the auto protection you need to ensure that your investment lasts for many years.

Tags: autos, car buying, cars, Hyundai Accent, new car, Nissan Versa

Oxford University is one of the oldest universities in the world, established in the last 12th century, with related local lectures from the 11th century ascribed to the university. Following the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship was created which was the first large scale international scholarship.

Rhodes was a businessman and colonialist who founded the nation of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in southern Africa; the funds from his estate have continued to fund educational opportunities for global students for more than a century now.

Each November the newest Rhodes scholars are announced, an award which provides all expenses for two or three years of study at the University of Oxford in England, and may allow funding in some instances for four years. The first American recipients attended Oxford in 1904, the most recent recipients can start attending the university in October 2009.

32 American men and women have been announced as Rhodes scholars this month, students who were initially endorsed by their college or university. 1500 American students sought endorsement this year with 769 getting the nod from their schools. That list is narrowed down when applicants are asked to appear before the selection committee in their respective district (there are sixteen in the US) for an interview.

Committee interviews are designed to see if students meet certain criteria as outlined by Cecil Rhodes. This criteria includes: high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership, and physical vigor. These basic characteristics are directed at fulfilling Mr. Rhodes’s hopes that the Rhodes Scholars would make an effective and positive contribution throughout the world. In Rhodes’ words, his Scholars should ‘esteem the performance of public duties as their highest aim.’

Two winners are chosen from each U.S. District for a total of 32 American Rhodes scholar recipients annually. The Rhodes Trust pays all college and university fees, provides a stipend to cover necessary expenses while in residence in Oxford as well as during vacations, and transportation to and from England. The total value of the Scholarship averages approximately US$50,000 per year.

For a complete list of American Rhodes scholar recipients, please visit the press release page (*pdf) for that information. Congratulations to the winners!

Adv. — Is your family experiencing a financial shortfall this academic year? Scholarships, grants, 529 money, and part time work may not be enough. Learn about private student loans by visiting SayStudent.com, your portal for college financial assistance. We have free tools for your download and updated information about current college financing requirements.

Tags: Africa, Cecil Rhodes, Oxford University, Rhodes scholars, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe