Get Educated - OriginalSteps.com

Details: Written by OriginalSteps; Category: Get Educated; Published: 12 December 2011; Last Updated: 29 March 2016

Q: Hi FirstStep.me,

I currently just finished my 1st year at AFDA film school in Cape Town. The tuition fees are extremely high and I will be unable to pay for my 2nd and 3rd year of study. I just want to inquire what I can do about my problem, and what are some of the solutions? I have heard of situations where a company pays for your studies and you work for them after you are done? If this is true could you please point me in the right direction, I am desperate.

A: Hi there,

Financing your studies is an expensive process. Getting a student loan, financing your studies by getting a job (full or part-time) or being able to access a scholarship or bursary are all options and in many cases very difficult options. The few individuals who have the financial affordability to pay for their studies through their own means because they are financially stable are becoming a smaller percentage by the day. In many countries governments do subsidise student’s studies or even provide specialised student loans which are easier to manage than one from a finance house. Whatever the means to funding an education, the issue is the student wants to complete his/her studies and the institution needs their money. It’s a global problem at the moment and finding logical steps to solve the issue is becoming a conundrum of sorts.

Details: Written by OriginalSteps; Category: Get Educated; Published: 14 October 2011; Last Updated: 25 February 2016

New Zealand- a land of two islands and the quintessential country of sheep, cows and rugby! There is however so much more to this country other than its outstanding education system!

Details: Written by OriginalSteps; Category: Get Educated; Published: 20 July 2011; Last Updated: 29 March 2016

Since the dawn of time human-beings have searched many different realms of life to finding out the secrets of life. From energy, technology, to myths and even nourishment, answers to life have been solved and expanded upon. However one such conundrum has faced many a mortal for years and still remains an unsolved mystery…how do you pay for university or tuition fees!

Student loans, financially sound guardians who can afford to pay your fees, scholarships and bursaries, seem to be the catch phrases of today’s young students and scholars. In fact the big one that is missing is getting a job! Yes the hard-working youth of the world today have struggled to grasp this concept. Kick-starting a student finance program by getting a job seems to be a lost skill.

Details: Written by OriginalSteps; Category: Get Educated; Published: 30 September 2011; Last Updated: 29 March 2016

We spoke with Ernst & Young’s Carin Stern about the influx of bursary and scholarship queries worldwide!

1. Are bursaries and scholarships seen as a reward system for companies awarding them or are they a mandatory implementation?

Bursaries are definitely not a mandatory implementation - infact they are a way of rewarding a student for their hard work and effort as well as "securing" the talent that the student has. Bursaries are often seen as an incentive for a student to join a company and in exchange for the bursary-the student will make a commitment to the company to work there for a period of time.

2. What are the common misconceptions about bursaries and scholarships?

Some students feel entitled to a bursary because of their circumstances and academics - what they do not realise is that sometimes there may be someone who has more severe circumstances than themselves and that person may have stronger academics. There are different types of bursaries - not all bursaries cover absolutely all the expenses.

Details: Written by OriginalSteps; Category: Get Educated; Published: 22 June 2011; Last Updated: 25 February 2016

Over the years FirstStep.me has come about some harrowing stories of student life; from the exploding television, the unauthorised pet, to the flat mate who just wouldn’t understand the concept of personal space or hygiene…life as a student can be adventurous and yet a challenging journey.

We put together ten rules to have when living as a student…on and off-campus (digs) that should make that journey a little bit easier!