America isn't what it used to be. Where hard work and a solid dream used to be the keys to success, population booms and technological advances changed that outlook long ago. Today's greatest tool toward success is education, and with more and more American high school students going on to college, the competition for jobs in the real world has never been steeper. With that being said, what is the trick to getting ahead in this world today where everyone seems to be competing for the same chances for greatness in life?

Higher education is definitely the first step. A bachelor degree today holds the same value that a high school diploma did during the baby boomer era. This realization is filling up graduate programs at an astounding rate all over the country, as students study harder for even longer in an attempt to get ahead. However, there is more thing that you can do to make sure that you stand out from the crowd when you find yourself in that pile of resumes for your dream job.

Employers greatly value life experience, especially when they are dealing with entry-level 20-somethings. Truly living your life can set you apart from the masses, and one way that you can do this is through travel. Many students avoid the thought of travel no matter how glamorous and exciting it may seem, due to the factor of expense. Many students hardly get by with the income they carry while pursuing their education, leaving the traveling and the true living to those who come from wealthy families.

However the Fulbright Foundation, a government-sponsored financial assistance program, was established specifically for people like you students with that itch to do something with their life besides sitting in a classroom, but left with no way to pay for it.
Supported by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright program is the biggest beneficiary for exchange students, giving them a chance to travel abroad and gain life experience and a unique learning environment as well.

Having awarded around six thousand grants in a recent fiscal year, the annual average number of grants given to U.S. students tops out at over 1200. Fulbright gives out over $250 million to U.S. students and to foreign students looking to use the United States as their first overseas experience

The money awarded can only be used for the international exchange, but it covers an extensive amount of needs. In the full grant program, these include round-trip transportation, living costs, book

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Best ways to finance your college tuition?
We want to hear your view. Write now!