One of the biggest challenges facing college students is the desire to quit school before obtaining their degree. Money, time, and a whole host of other issues can conspire to encourage students to drop out of college, perhaps never to return.

Yorktown University, which describes itself as an accredited internet university based in Denver, Colorado, is trying to help financially challenged students to stay in college. To that end, the school has created a blog, Don’t Quit U., whose “… purpose is to exchange notes and our thoughts about the high cost of college tuition and to seek ways by which to deal with this crisis.”

The blog features news stories, essays and links to podcasts and videos including a growing listing of podcasts of college courses that are offered to the public free of charge. These courses are taught at a number of different colleges and can be one way for students to reduce the cost of their education. At the very least, when credit isn’t given, free online courses can help keep students stimulated as they consider different ways to finance their education.

Don’t Quit U. is seeking reader participation in the form of sharing personal stories on how people are managing during the current financial aid crisis. Visitors are encouraged to sign up on for the blog, log-in, and to leave their personal experiences which will then be featured in the “Your Stories” section of the blog once approved.

One of the most recent webcasts was held just yesterday, an event that discussed the meaning of Thanksgiving. That discussion featured Dr. William Allen and Dr. Carey Roberts, who are specialists in the colonial and early national period of American government. It was disseminated by BlogTalkRadio where listeners were able to log on for live chat.

For more information about Don’t Quit U. and to follow the programs being offered, check out the blog directly to explore the latest news and happenings.

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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: advice, college, financial aid, money, quit college, Scholarships, student aid, university

Students who are away at college, far from even the expanded reach of their parents, often face a dilemma when it comes to money: they don’t have enough of it on hand or it isn’t readily available to them when they need it. Thankfully, cash on hand is no longer the only way that students can have access to funds which is actually good, but for another reason: carrying around a lot of money can be risky from a safety and security standpoint.

If your student is in need of access to money, the following are some ways for you ensure that they are never quite broke:

Joint Checking Account – Why not open up a joint checking account with your son or daughter, allowing parents and child to make deposits and withdrawals? Supply your student with a debit card to allow him or her to withdraw funds as needed or make purchases which will instantly deduct these funds from the account. Give joint secured online access to the account to allow both you and your child to review statements.

Store Card – If your student enjoys visiting a favorite coffee or sandwich shop, you can give him or her a Starbucks or Panera Bread card which is treated just like cash. Choose those cards without an expiration date (hint: avoid most gift cards) and with no fees attached.

College Credit – Some schools allow parents to deposit funds into a reserve fund for their children, an account that is managed by the school. If they get in a bind, your son or daughter can access these funds to cover expenses or to help out in an emergency. Funds may only be available during business hours so don’t rely upon this method exclusively.

Credit Card – Cash or a debit card may not do if your son is stranded and he needs a tow. Some tow operators will only deal with a credit card, so why not co-sign a student credit card and allow him to access these funds in an emergency? You can place a limit on the credit line, say $500 which will cover most emergencies while keeping your child from going overboard.

Paper Money – No student should be without actual money, but they tend to burn right through it if it is in their wallet. You cannot lord yourself over your grown children, but you can urge them to keep cash on hand limited and use bills no larger than a twenty dollar bills in the event that a wallet or purse is stolen.

You’ll also want to make sure that your son or daughter carries around with them a health insurance card, personal identification, and even a AAA or other motorist club card. You can’t and shouldn’t monitor your child’s every move, but you can help them learn how to respond to a problem or an emergency by equipping them with the resources they need to succeed including cash access.

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Adv. — Smart planning guides and other helpful tools can be found on OffToCollege.com, your resource to help you prepare for and succeed in college. Learn all about credit and how to manage money while away from home.

Tags: ATM, automatic teller machine, cash card, college funds, credit card, debit card, manage money, money, store card