Staggering Facts about Ecclesia College's Low Student Loan Debt versus Student Loan Debt at Private and Public Schools

Ecclesia College Belongs to the Work Colleges Consortium. Welcome to the Work Colleges Consortium! | http://workcolleges.org

Welcome to the Work Colleges Consortium! | http://workcolleges.org:

We are a group of Colleges offering an innovative concept in higher education—purposefully integrating a college education with valuable work experience and service to others. Though innovative, this approach is not new. In fact, ‘earning while learning’ has a 150⁺year track record of providing college educations and valuable work experience to thousands of promising individuals. Our graduates are business leaders, inventors, teachers, elected officials and likely members of your community.

 We hope that you, whether student, parent, educator or professional are able to get a sense of who we are, what we do and how we do it.

We are the only seven federally recognized Work Colleges in the United States and proud of that distinction. Though each of our seven colleges is unique, we collectively believe in and support the purposeful integration of work, learning and service. This allows us to offer students the opportunity to receive reduced tuition, multiple transferrable skill sets and real-world work experience.

Working while at a college might not be for everyone but we deeply believe and advocate all the advantages it has to offer. See what our students have to say.

Check out the latest data and research in the NEW  2012 Work Colleges Consortium Brochure and see why work college students graduate with some of the lowest debt in the nation:  Project on Student Debt.

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Ecclesia Is a Work College: Work Colleges Help Students Graduate Without Big Debt | Here & Now

Ecclesia College Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration 
Bachelor of Science in Sport Management 
Bachelor of Communication Ministries
Bachelor of Christian Counseling
Bachelor of Christian Leadership (Traditional or Online)
Bachelor of Music Ministries
Bachelor of Biblical Studies (Traditional or Online)

Associate of General Studies
Associate of Biblical Studies (Traditional or Online)

ONLINE courses and degrees also available!

Work Colleges Help Students Graduate Without Big Debt | Here & Now:

Newt Gingrich has been heckled on the campaign trail for saying the country should do away with child labor laws and that poor children should do school janitorial work.

But our story isn’t about that–it’s about another comment that Gingrich made, when he referred to older college students.

He mentioned the College of the Ozarks in Missouri — which has been dubbed Hard Work U. It requires all students to work on campus to defray the cost of their education. The school consistently ranks as one of the best colleges in the Midwest.

It is one of seven other federally recognized work colleges in the U.S., where students work on campus in exchange for reduced or free tuition.

Robin Taffler, executive director of the Work Colleges Consortium told Here & Now‘s Robin Young that students take on a range of jobs at work colleges.

“Students do everything from faculty research to maintenance to working in an auto shop to running a fire department and the schools evolved because they were looking for ways to educate poor students,” Taffler said.

Other Colleges Incorporate More Work

A number of non-work colleges are developing more opportunities for students to work. The University of Maine at Farmington has created more on-campus jobs because they want students to see the connections between curriculum and work.

And the University of Iowa created a pilot program where working students meet with academic supervisors so they can see the relationship between what they’re learning and their jobs.

Have you ever attended a work college? Would you like to see more across the country? Or are these colleges taking advantage of students for inexpensive labor? Tell us in our comments section or on our Facebook page.

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Ecclesia College Is a Work-Study School.CollegeData - Pay Your Way - How Work-Study Works

Ecclesia College graduates have very little student loan debt at graduation.

CollegeData - Pay Your Way - How Work-Study Works:

How Do You Get Work-Study?

You apply for work-study just like you do all other forms of financial aid: by filling out and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your financial need usually determines the amount of work-study you are eligible for.

You find work-study jobs through job banks or postings by the financial aid or college employment offices. In most cases, students will have the opportunity to interview with potential work-study employers. The interviews help students and employers find out if the job is a good fit. Sometimes the college arranges these interviews; sometimes the student does. Even if you are eligible for work-study, there is no guarantee you'll get a work-study job. In the end, whether or not you are hired is up to the employer.

Why Choose a Work-Study Job Over Regular Employment?

Taking a work-study job does not impact your financial aid eligibility. That is because the federal government does not count your work-study job earnings as income. However, the government does count any other earned income over $3,000. For every dollar over $3,000, the government will deduct 50 cents from the potential financial aid you might receive. If you earned $5,000, for example, that would reduce your eligibility by $1,000.

How Much Can You Earn?

The amount of your other financial aid usually determines how much aid is allocated to work-study. How much you can earn also depends on your class schedule and how well you're doing academically. You should be realistic when working out your schedule and allow yourself time not only for study but also for recreational and leisure activities.

Your work-study salary depends on the type of work you'll be doing, the amount of money remaining in the college's work-study fund, your experience or skill level, and when you apply (there may be a deadline). Your salary is always at least as high as the federal minimum wage.

How Does Your Salary Get Paid?

Undergraduate students on work-study are paid by the hour and must be paid at least once a month. Your check will be sent directly to you to pay for your tuition, room, meals, or other college fees. Or, if you request it, your check can be sent directly to the college.

What Are Typical Work-Study Jobs?

If you get a work-study job on campus, the college will usually be your employer. Typical jobs include working in the library or bookstore, serving other students in the dining hall, and assisting with college events. Off-campus work usually benefits the public in some way and should relate as closely as possible to your course of study.

You may be working alongside other students not in the work-study program. In fact, in all respects your employment will appear the same as any other job. Only the college and your employer will know you're a work-study student. The only difference between a regular part-time job and a work-study job is that part of your salary may be covered by the federal government, the state, your college, or some other organization.

If you decide to leave your work-study job before the end of the school year, or you can't find a work-study job, you might be able to convert the work-study aid into a loan. Check with the financial aid office at your college.

Sometimes it's difficult to see how working part-time during college could be considered "financial aid." Keep in mind that the money you make from a work-study job does not need to be repaid, nor does it count against you when you apply for aid the following year. Plus, the smooth hiring process, flexible hours, choice and availability of jobs, and preset salaries of a typical work-study program usually make finding a work-study job easier than finding work on your own.

Note: Financial information provided on this site is of a general nature and may not apply to your situation. Contact a financial or tax advisor before acting on such information.

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Ecclesia College in Northwest Arkansas: Christ-Centered Higher Education.Very Low Debt at Graduation

The Cross at Sunset, by Thomas Cole

We believe "campus life" is an essential element of your Ecclesia College experience. It is through community living that students learn what it means to be the Body of Christ, to live out the fruit of the Spirit, to "love your neighbor as yourself," to build deep and lasting friendships, and to enjoy fully this life Christ has given us to live!

Ecclesia College is located near a vibrant business and cultural community,
on 200 acres of rolling farmland.

Ecclesia College is located in the middle of Northwest Arkansas, one of the fastest growing communities in the country. The area commonly referred to as Northwest Arkansas is comprised of four cities Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville. EC students are privileged to be right center of an incredibly diverse world community. Internationals are flocking to the area largely due to the growing business district and warming hospitality. Northwest Arkansas is full of life, from the booming economy to the incredible landscape; NWA provides a diverse playground for Ecclesia students. There is truly something for everyone.

Northwest Arkansas is an ever-increasing center for the performing arts. The Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville draws in many NY Broadway shows, concerts, and solo performances by noted entertainers. The community is eagerly awaiting the opening of the Crystal Bridges American Art Museum. A project funded by the Walton Family. The new museum is projected to have one of the most premier collections of American Art. Including pieces by acclaimed American painter Asher B. Durand, as well as Winslow Homer, Georgia O'Keeffe and Thomas Cole. The school is also very close to Eureka Springs, a hot spot for live entertainment. The town is also home to the world famous Passion play, depicting Christ's death and resurrection.

While the city life and culture is exciting, the true heart of Northwest Arkansas is heard loudest amidst the illustrious Ozark Mountain landscape, Arkansas' best kept secret. EC students are just moments from sanctuary. God's breath can be felt hiking along the famous Buffalo River, or spelunking in one of thousands of caves in the area. Whether taking a float trip down one of many beautiful rivers, fishing the best bass lakes in the US, or camping near Beaver Lake, the Great Outdoors of Northwest Arkansas provides exhilarating weekend escapes for many EC students.

Ecclesia students never have reason to be bored. Incredible fellowship and community combine with the area's incredible culture and breathtaking surroundings to produce a vibrant atmosphere for both growth and study.