http://cashmoneylife.com/mba-options-part-6-return-on-investment/

Continuing Education Deferment

Request for Deferment Due to Continuing Education/Studies https://www.ecsi.net/bwr/forms/wdef.pdf APPLICATION IS USED FOR THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF DEFERMENTS: Student (enrolled at least half-time) Internship/Residency Rehabilitation Training Graduate Fellowship https://www.navient.com/loan-customers/postponing-payments/deferment-and-forbearance/ https://www.ecsi.net/help/regs_00007.html

Student Loan Tax Incentives

Student Loan Tax Incentives https://cgi.ecsi.net/bwr/tra97.html Tax Credit: Can you take a deduction for the interest you paid on student loans? These site will help you to find the information you need. (Documents labeled "PDF" require the Acrobat Plug-in.) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Main Site Tax Information for Students Tax Benefits for Higher Education (Publication 970) (PDF) IRS Form 8863 - Education Credits (PDF) IRS Notice 97-60 Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (PDF) Tax Trails is a service of the IRS that helps filers determine tax consequences. The two Tax Trails below deal with education expenses, credits and interest deductions. Student Loan Interest (1098-E) Education Tax Credit (1098-T) IRS FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) Student Loan Interest (1098-E) Education Tax Credits (1098-T)

Overview of Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997-https://cgi.ecsi.net/bwr/tra97.html (full text of Tax Payor Relief Act- http://www2.ed.gov/PDFDocs/hr2014.pdf)

Interactive Tax Assistant https://www.irs.gov/uac/Interactive-Tax-Assistant-(ITA)-1 (You can create a my Social Security account (https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/) to access your Social Security Statement to check your earnings and get your benefit estimates. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10540.pdf) The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (TRA97) introduced several tax incentives on qualifying student loans. The Hope and Lifetime Learning credits provide the ability to take a tax credit for qualifying educational expense. TRA also provides a deduction for the interest paid on qualifying student loans. The Student Loan Interest Deduction is reported on an IRS Form 1098-E (PDF). The Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits are reported on an IRS Form 1098-T (PDF). This document deals with both the 1098-E Student Loan Interest Deduction and the 1098-T Education Tax Credit. Hope Scholarship Credit (1098-T) Beginning January 1, 1998, taxpayers may be eligible to claim a non-refundable Hope Scholarship Credit against federal income taxes. The Hope Scholarship Credit may be claimed for the qualified tuition and related expenses of each student in the taxpayer's family (i.e., the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or an eligible dependent) who is enrolled at least half-time in one of the first two years of post-secondary education and who is enrolled in a program leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential. The amount that may be claimed as a credit is generally equal to: (1) 100 percent of the first $1,100 of the taxpayer's out-of-pocket expenses for each student's qualified tuition and related expenses, plus (2) 50 percent of the next $1,100 of the taxpayer's out-of-pocket expenses for each student's qualified tuition and related expenses. Thus, the maximum credit a taxpayer may claim for a taxable year is $1,650 multiplied by the number of students in the family who meet the enrollment criteria described above. The amount a taxpayer may claim as a Hope Scholarship Credit is gradually reduced for taxpayers who have modified adjusted gross income between $47,000 ($94,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly) and $57,000 ($114,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly). Taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $57,000 ($114,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly) may not claim the Hope Scholarship Credit. The Hope Scholarship Credit may be claimed for payments of qualified tuition and related expenses made on or after January 1, 1998 for academic periods beginning on or after January 1, 1998. Therefore, the first time taxpayers will be able to claim the credit is when they file their 1998 tax returns in 1999. The Hope Scholarship Credit is not available for any amount paid in 1997. Lifetime Learning Credit (1098-T) Beginning on July 1, 1998, taxpayers may be eligible to claim a non-refundable Lifetime Learning Credit against their federal income taxes. The Lifetime Learning Credit may be claimed for the qualified tuition and related expenses of the students in the taxpayer's family (i.e., the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or an eligible dependent) who are enrolled in eligible educational institutions. Through 2002, the amount that may be claimed as a credit is equal to 20 percent of the taxpayer's first $5,000 of out-of-pocket qualified tuition and related expenses for all the students in the family. After 2002, the credit amount is equal to 20 percent of the taxpayer's first $10,000 of out-of-pocket qualified tuition and related expenses. Thus, the maximum credit a taxpayer may claim for a taxable year is $1,000 through 2002 and $2,000 thereafter. These amounts are not indexed for inflation. If the taxpayer is claiming a Hope Scholarship Credit for a particular student, none of that student's expenses for that year may be applied toward the Lifetime Learning Credit. The amount a taxpayer may claim as a Lifetime Learning Credit is gradually reduced for taxpayers who have modified adjusted gross income between $47,000 ($94,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly) and $57,000 ($114,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly). Taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $57,000 ($114,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly) may not claim a Lifetime Learning Credit. The definition of modified adjusted gross income is the same as it is for the purposes of the Hope Scholarship Credit. The Lifetime Learning Credit may be claimed for payments of qualified tuition and related expenses made on or after July 1, 1998, for academic periods beginning on or after July 1, 1998. Therefore, the first time taxpayers will be able to claim the credit will be when they file their 1998 tax returns in 1999. The Lifetime Learning Credit is not available for any amount paid in 1997. Student Loan Interest Deductions (1098-E) ECSI provides borrowers with an IRS Form 1098-E to report the amount of interest which may be deductible. This interest may be declared on either IRS Form 1040 or Form 1040A. You are not required to itemize to receive the deduction. The maximum amount of a deduction in one year is: $1,500 in 1999, $2,000 in 2000 and $2,500 in 2001 and beyond. Deductions prior to the 2002 tax year were limited to only the first 60 months of repayment, but need not be consecutive. In tax year 2002, the 60 month limitation was lifted. There are also limits to your adjusted gross income which may influence the amount of a deduction you may take. The amount of your deduction will be gradually reduced if your modified adjusted gross income is between $55,000 and $70,000 ($110,000 and $140,000 if you file a joint return). You will not be able to take a deduction if your modified adjusted gross income is $70,000 or more ($140,000 or more if you file a joint return). Your educational institution is required to send an IRS Form 1098-E if you pay more than $600 in interest for any tax year. ECSI provides a 1098-E regardless of the amount of interest paid during the tax year unless your school opts out of this process. ECSI also takes into account the 60 month limitation for tax years prior to 2002. All tax information is submitted electronically to the IRS. Tuition and Fees Deduction You may be able to deduct qualified education expenses paid during the year for yourself, your spouse, or a dependent. You cannot claim this deduction if your filing status is married filing separately or if another person can claim an exemption for you as a dependent on his or her tax return. The qualified expenses must be for higher education. What is the tax benefit of the tuition and fees deduction? The tuition and fees deduction can reduce the amount of your income subject to tax by up to $4,000. This deduction is taken as an adjustment to income. This means you can claim this deduction even if you do not itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040). This deduction may be beneficial to you if you cannot take either the Hope or lifetime learning credit because your income is too high. Tax Advice ECSI can provide replacement forms or information on the method used to compute eligible interest payments, but we cannot provide tax advice. If you have any questions about if or how much interest you can deduct, you should consult with a qualified tax professional or contact the IRS Taxpayer Assistance line at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS web site has many documents concerning TRA-97, including some self-help topics for tax filers. See the list of links below for a more comprehensive list. Additional Resources Below are several resources that provide additional information concerning the student loan interest deduction, and the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. These documents or sites are not maintained by ECSI and we cannot be responsible for their content. Overview of tax benefits - Paying for College: Tax Benefits and Savings Options - courtesy of National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Instructions for Forms 1098-E and 1098-T (PDF) Instructions for Form 8863 -- Education Credits (PDF) Tax Information for Students IRS Publication 970 (PDF): Tax Benefits for Higher Education. IRS Notice 97-60 provides many questions and answers concerning the education tax incentives. IRS Tax Trails on Student Interest will walk you through a series of questions to see if you're qualified to take the deduction. The IRS periodically releases bulletins or notices. These documents may also be useful: 98-54, 99-37 (PDF) IRS Main Site Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (full-text) IRS Form W-9S "Request for Student's or Borrower's Social Security Number". (PDF)

FREE ONLINE COURSES TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN http://olti.evawintl.org/Courses.aspx

National Criminal Justice Reference Service https://www.ncjrs.gov Library indexes http://www.militaryindexes.com http://www.worldvitalrecords.com http://dbs.lib.byu.edu/databases.php?letter=W

Get Educated About Your Options & Resources

Adult Education and Distance Learner's Resource Center TELECOMMUTE TO COLLEGE by Vicky Phillips Adult Education & Distance Learner's Resource Center http://www.geteducated.com Jan Gee, a single mother of two pre-schoolers, tried twice to finish her associate degree at a local college. Frustrated with long commutes, canceled classes, childcare costs, and the red tape required to register for classes, Jan opted last year to telecommute to college. She enrolled in an associate in computer science program offered through the Electronic University Network (EUN). Two nights a week Jan "goes" to class in an electronic conference hall, where she hears a lecture and discusses issues with her classmates. After class, she downloads her new lessons and research materials from the online library. Next fall, Jan will graduate from Rogers State College, her associate degree in hand, her sanity intact. Jan is not alone. Adults, ages 35-45, are the fastest growing group of college learners. To advance or consolidate their careers, an estimated five million adults complete some form of distance learning each year. An estimated 30,000 adults, equipped with computers and modems, hitched rides on the Information Superhighway to accredited college campuses in 1993. Electronic Universities The Electronic University Network (EUN) , headquartered in California, was created in the early 1980's by Dr. Steve Eskow and Sarah Blackmun to help working adults conquer time and space. All courses are offered via the Internet. Degrees include associates in arts, business, and computer science from Rogers State College. Brevard Community College, in Florida, offers a host of associate degrees in technical and liberal arts areas. A unique counseling service helps working adults locate the best distance colleges or training programs for their career needs. Herriot-Watt University, a Royal Charter University in Scotland, offers a master's in business administration through the EUN. Specially developed software packages let students work on their lessons on laptops, then send assignments from the nearest phone jack or mail box. Herriot-Watt's unique selling point? Like many European programs, a bachelor's degree in business is not required to begin the program. City University of Seattle started as a one-room experiment in adult education in the 1970s. Today it is one of the largest distance learning programs in the world. Learners connect to City University through mail, fax, and modem. Bachelor degrees run the gamut from the humanities and film studies to telecommunications management. City also offers several MBA's and graduate certificate programs in management. JEC College Connection (formerly known as Mind Extension University) is the brainchild of Glenn Jones, who had a vision of using cable TV to provide an accessible university system. He purchased his first cable system in the late 1960's by borrowing against his Volkswagen. JEC College Connection has grown by leaps since then. America's first completely free-standing virtual university, the International University, a project of JEC, received candidacy status for regional accreditation in the spring of 1997. JEC students without cable access can rent videotapes of lectures. Some programs offer electronic mail and Internet conferencing options also. Ten colleges offer degrees via JEC's network. Try Regis College for an undergraduate business degree. Social science undergraduate degrees come from Kansas State University or Washington State University. Animal Sciences and Management is offered through Kansas State University. A Master in Educational Technology and Leadership can be earned via George Washington University. A bachelor's in nursing is offered from California State University, Dominguez Hills. International University offers a unique master's in business communication. Best Buys for Career Changers Career changers should consider earning distance learning certificates. Certificates consist of about ten courses, all related to one's career field. If you've never been to college, earning a certificate can give your resume an entry-level edge. If you have a college degree, but your major was in music, and you now seek work in accounting, a certificate can quickly convey your respecialization. The University of California Extension offers certificates in business by home-study, using mail, fax, video, and electronic mail options for computer science and programming courses. Awards can be earned in individualized business areas, or accounting (Certified Public Accountancy), real estate, database management, economics, systems analysis, and human resources management. Got the Experience, Need the Degree? The number of employees with a college degree has skyrocketed from 6% in the 1950's to 27% today. Competition is keen. If you have career expertise, consider documenting it for college credit. Over half of all colleges recognize that what an adult learner knows is more important than where she or he learned it. These colleges let adults document career experience for credit or take special challenge exams to "test out" of key subjects. Donald Borowitz dropped out of college in the early 1980's and went to work as a computer operator. He rose in the ranks to become a senior management analyst. But his career climb stopped abruptly in the early 1990's. Times had changed. Legions of new college students with graduate degrees were lining up for Donald's job. When Donald was laid off he wasn't surprised that many employers wouldn't talk to him without a college degree. He was surprised that he could earn the last year two-years of his bachelor degree through documentation of his work experience. Donald received credit for what he already knew through a career portfolio assessment program offered through Thomas Edison State College of New Jersey . Thomas Edison State College places no limit on the number of credits students can earn through life credits or challenge exams. They offer 47 academic majors and limited online courses through a program called CALL (Computer Assisted Lifelong Learning). Shop Around for Best Buys Over 100 regionally accredited colleges offer low-residency or no-residency undergraduate distance degrees. Associate (two-year) or bachelor (four-year) degrees are available in most subjects. While telecommuting programs are in the minority, many colleges use video and fax to enhance instruction. Graduate degrees and career credentials are available from over one hundred and thirty universities. Degrees can often be individualized to earn unusual majors like multi-cultural studies or museum management. If you have career expertise, shop around for the best deal. Most undergraduate distance programs accept documented experience for college credit, but many, like City University, limit it to 30 credits or one year of academic study. The cost of documenting life/work credits varies tremendously. Thomas Edison State is very reasonable at $25 per credit for non-New Jersey residents. Tuition costs vary as widely as programs. Check with your employer about tuition assistance. Though many companies offer tuition reimbursement plans, only about 5% of employees take advantage of this benefit. Remember - if your employer or career requires a degree, your undergraduate educational expenses may be tax deductible. Program Directory City University 800-422-4898 Email: info@cityu.edu Electronic University Network 800-22-LEARN Email: EUNLearn@aol.com JEC College Connection 800-777-6463 Email: edcenter@meu.edu Thomas Edison State College 609-984-1150 Email: info@tesc.edu University of California Extension 510-642-4124 Email: Cmil@violet.berkeley.edu *all links were known to be valid at press time. (C) 1995, 1996, 1997 by Vicky Phillips . All rights reserved. An original version of this article appeared in the "California Job Journal." Links to and this article are welcome. Please notify the Adult Education & Distance Learner's Resource Center if a link is established. Vicky Phillips is an adult learning and career change specialist who designed America's first online consulting center for distance learners for the Electronic University Network on America Online. She is the President of Lifelong Learning, a company the specializes in authoring learning materials for adults. General Inquiries: info@geteducated.com Webmaster: webbie@geteducated.com geteducated! HomePage home Copyright © 1996 - 1999, geteducated.com Adult Education and Distance Learner's Resource Center Last Modified: August 02, 1998