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New York, NY (PRWEB) December 7, 2010

Fynanz, Inc., the financial technology company that develops customized private student lending solutions and powers the cuStudentLoans.org private student loan marketplace, today announced the release of a program to syndicate its College Resource Center (CRC) to all of their credit union partners.

The CRC, which is distributed from the cuStudentLoans.org private student loan marketplace, enables credit union partners the ability to quickly and easily integrate a powerful resource for college planning within their own websites. The content includes expert insight on the higher education industry, including how to plan college visits, school selection, choosing a major and navigating the college financing process. The content is developed and maintained by Ken O’Connor, a 10-year veteran of the financial aid industry and current Director of Student Advocacy at cuStudentLoans.org. Participating credit unions will automatically receive the most recent updates to their websites via the CRC’s content syndication functionality.

“We’re pleased to announce the release of a program that complements the financial literacy mission of many of our credit union partners,” said Vince Passione, CEO of Fynanz. “Today more than ever, with escalating tuitions costs and increasingly competitive admissions standards, students interested in pursuing a college education need to be better informed on their options. This program helps bridge the knowledge gap that so many families face when developing their college plans,” continued Passione.

“The College Resource Center provides a tremendous service to our members,” said Mike Powers, AVP of Marketing for Garden Savings Federal Credit Union, which was the first partner to fully integrate the content. “The development and implementation was a quick and easy process, leaving our members with a thorough and comprehensive tool that they otherwise wouldn’t have had on our website. A great feature, from a content management perspective, is that the content remains fresh without any additional effort from our staff,” continued Powers.

The CRC, which has already been implemented by five credit union partners, will be made available to all credit unions currently within Fynanz’s partner network. Current credit unions utilizing the center include Aspire Federal Credit Union (New Jersey), First Financial Federal Credit Union (New Jersey), Garden Savings Federal Credit Union (New Jersey), Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union (Washington), and Tri-Co Federal Credit Union (New Jersey).

About Fynanz

Fynanz, Inc. is a leading technology provider of custom private student lending programs and turn-key solutions. Fynanz pioneered innovative technology that easily puts lenders into the private student lending business without the need to purchase or install any software. This end-to-end integrated solution includes complete origination, underwriting, servicing and marketing. Fynanz also powers cuStudentLoans.org, the leading private student lending marketplace, and currently serves more than 90 credit unions across the country. For more information, call (800) 881-8985, or visit http://www.fynanz.com .

Media Contact

Christian Widhalm, Fynanz, Inc.

christian(dot)widhalm(at)fynanz(dot)com

646-626-7414

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More Student Loan Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) December 7, 2010

Clements International, a leading provider of global insurance solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sergio Sanchez as director of marketing. In this role, Mr. Sanchez will be responsible for leading global marketing and branding efforts for Clements International as it continues to expand into key markets. He brings a wealth of experience in global marketing, branding and business development with large financial service providers, including Capital One, MasterCard and The American Express Company.

“We are very excited to have Sergio on our team to oversee a new global marketing strategy for our offices in Washington, DC and London,” said Chris Beck, president of Clements International. “His knowledge and experience working with successful, international companies make him a valuable asset as we look to the future and continue to build the Clements brand.”

Mr. Sanchez joined Clements from Capital One, where he led marketing partnerships and market expansion initiatives. He previously oversaw 2Futuro, the bilingual student loan and outreach subsidiary of Sallie Mae, and served as senior vice president and chief marketing officer for MiCash, Inc., a Hispanic financial services firm. He also has personal experience with Clements International’s customer base, the expatriate community. While vice president at MasterCard International, he led international teams as an expatriate in Latin America and Europe, and has resided in Brussels, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Geneva and Buenos Aires throughout his career.

Mr. Sanchez holds a B.A. in communications from The American University in Washington, D.C. and an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York City. He also speaks four languages fluently.

About Clements International

Clements International is the leading insurance provider for expatriates and international organizations. Founded in 1947, Clements offers worldwide auto, property, health, life and commercial insurance with superior customer service and claims response to customers in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit http://www.clements.com.

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Kirkland, WA (PRWEB) December 9, 2010

SR Education Group’s flagship site Guide to Online Schools released their second annual list of the best online schools and Iowa Central College Online moved from a position of fourth in 2009 to second in 2010. This year differed significantly from last year in that SR Education Group incorporated the U.S. government’s findings on loan repayment rates into their final totals. Schools where the majority of students were unable to pay back their student loans before sliding into default or forbearance were marked unfavorably.

Other metrics used to determine rankings include whether or not the school was a for-profit or nonprofit university, the average retention rate of students, cost of tuition, student reviews of schools, and whether or not the school was regionally accredited (only regionally accredited schools were included in the rankings). All statistics used were gathered from The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education.

Iowa Central College Online scored well on all of the metrics, but stood out amongst other schools due to its low cost of tuition (only $ 5,580/year), and its excellent student loan repayment rates. It beat out popular schools such as Walden University, University of Phoenix, and last year’s number one school, Boston University. SR Education Group spokesperson, Keith Cushner said of Iowa Central’s improvement, “Iowa Central has clearly used the past year to listen to student feedback. Their rise in the rankings shows that Iowa Central is now one of the best online schools in the United States.”

Iowa Central College Online is the online satellite of Iowa Central Community College. It offers a wide variety of degrees, including associates’ degrees in business, information technology, criminal justice, healthcare, and human services. The school was formed in 1966 and has a main campus in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Known for its flexible course schedules and excellent online programs, Iowa Central College has met the educational needs of thousands of students over its years in existence. Rick Mead, the Barker Educational Services Team Director of Enrollment for Iowa Central College Online, says this of the school: “We are all really excited about our partnership with Iowa Central. It is a great school with excellent academic programs. These programs are definitely not for a student looking for an easy program, but the school takes pride in knowing that their graduates are well-prepared with a quality education. It is this type of academic care that makes Iowa Central a leading organization in online schooling.”

Guide to Online Schools is one of the top education portals on the Web, offering extensive information on distance learning, careers, reviews written by actual online students, and pages where students can directly contact schools to get more information. To see the full list of rankings, visit Guide to Online School’s 2010 Top Online Colleges Rankings.

SR Education Group is based in Kirkland, Washington. For more information, please contact Keith Cushner, 425-605-8898 or email keith(at)sreducationgroup(dot)org.

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Provo, Utah (Vocus/PRWEB) December 10, 2010

While the Senate is reviewing a continuing resolution to add $ 5.7 billion to the Pell Grant program, which would replace the one that expires on Dec. 18, My Colleges and Careers offers students helpful tips on how to prepare to pay off student loans, should Pell Grants fall short next year and students are forced to take out more loans.

Earlier this year, Congress passed legislation that increased the maximum Pell Grant award amount to $ 5,550. While this has benefitted many students, because of the funding gap the program will not be able to continue to offer this amount to students if the continuing resolution doesn’t pass and funding is not received.

The House of Representatives passed the continuing resolution that will prevent the maximum Pell Grant award students could receive from decreasing from $ 5,550 to $ 4,705. This was done by decreasing the amount of funding other programs received.

The Senate is currently reviewing the resolution and it is unknown whether it will pass the resolution, decrease or increase the amount needed to fund the program or eliminate funding all together.

Currently the Pell Grant program serves about 9 million students. The new resolution would fund the Pell Grant program until Sept. 30 of next year.

Some fear that the Pell Grant will eventually decrease in award amounts so much so that Pell Grant financial aid will not have the capacity to benefit students as much as needed. If the amount awarded is continually decreased, eventually it will hardly be enough to help students pay tuition and fund their education.

If the Senate fails to pass the resolution, many students will not be able to benefit from Pell Grants and many will receive less aid for the next academic year. This means that many students may find themselves depending more heavily on student loans.

My Colleges and Careers provides resources students can use to plan wisely for college. From exploring online colleges, to choosing a program to enrolling in classes, the site is a valuable resource to students.

The organization helps students explore career opportunities so they can better understand what an investment their education is and so they will be better prepared to repay student loans.

The website features videos that highlight careers in different industries. The videos give students a chance to hear what it is like to have a career in a specific industry and what it will take to land their dream job.

My Colleges and Careers helps students make wise decisions when it comes to secondary education. It compares the cost of attending school and enrolling in online college and the average salary for those with different types of degrees.

Students can refer to the site as a resource for news about the education world, financial aid and government regulations. My Colleges and Careers works to keep students informed about things that will have an impact on their education so they can make wise choices.

Information about how to avoid online degree scams, how much earning a degree will cost and myths about online colleges can be found on the site and students can use the information to explore their options and make financial decisions that will benefit them far into the future.

As Pell Grant funding is up in the air, students can prepare to finance their education and find ways to repay their student loans ahead of time so they can be prepared. They can choose a field that will offer meaningful employment and jobs that will help them become financially stable after graduation.

http://www.mycollegesandcareers.com is committed to helping students find the best school for them so they can earn their college degree and embark on a rewarding career. A powerful resource for individuals who have full-time jobs and family responsibilities, My Colleges and Careers connects people with the programs that help them earn their degree online.

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Kirkland, WA (PRWEB) December 13, 2010

SR Education Group’s flagship site, Guide to Online Schools, has released its second annual list of the top 20 best online universities. As one of the few education portals to actively compute the rankings of online schools, the data presented in their list is important to many institutions and students. This year differed significantly from last year in that SR Education Group incorporated the U.S. government’s findings on loan repayment rates into their final totals. Schools where the majority of students were unable to pay back their student loans before sliding into default or forbearance were marked unfavorably.

Other metrics used to determine rankings include whether or not the school was a for-profit or non-profit university, the average retention rate of students, cost of tuition, student reviews of schools, and whether or not the school was regionally accredited (only regionally accredited schools were included in the rankings). A number of statistics were gathered from The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education.

Topping the list was California University of Pennsylvania Online, followed by Iowa Central College Online, Abilene Christian University, Norwich University, and Northcentral University. Other schools that were featured, but did not make it into the top five were New England College, Jones International University, and Strayer University. Notably, several colleges moved around on the list compared to last year’s 2009 study. Iowa Central College, for instance, jumped up two spots, while last year’s top school, Boston University, moved down six slots.

Given the United States’ tenuous economic climate, many individuals are looking to attend online programs to obtain higher degrees, as the classes offer a more flexible schedule and no commuting time. Despite gaining popularity, however, distance learning still carries with it certain negative stigmas and many people are wary of enrolling. SR Education Group hopes to alleviate these fears by making the online schooling process more transparent. Keith Cushner, SR Education Group spokesperson, says of the rankings, “This year, we really tried to base the rankings on what the students need to know. We know that a lot of students, for instance, are worried about post-graduation debt, so we included student loan repayment rates. As a result, we feel like this year’s list represents the best online rankings you can find on the Internet.”

Guide to Online Schools is one of the top education portals on the Web, offering extensive information on distance learning, careers, reviews written by actual online students, and pages where students can directly contact schools to get more information. To see the full list of rankings, visit Guide to Online School’s 2010 Top Online Colleges Rankings.

SR Education Group is based in Kirkland, Washington. For more information, please contact Keith Cushner, 425-605-8898 or email keith(at)sreducationgroup(dot)org.

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San Diego, CA (PRWEB) December 13, 2010

Most of them advertise as BBB certified non-profit debt relief saviors, claiming to save consumers from the jaws of bankruptcy with financial education and a Debt Management Plan (DMP) that works out reduced interest payments with their creditors. But, credit counselors are increasingly failing Americans as a bankruptcy alternative. FreeBankruptcyTest.com grades credit counseling with an “F” based on the nation’s steep bankruptcy filings.

The news arrives amid backlash from the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA).

The law took effect in October 2006 after creditors lobbied Congress to toughen bankruptcy laws. It aimed to decrease bankruptcies by making it harder for Americans to file for Chapter 7, which discharges most debts. But, according to statistics released today by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, ending in September 30, 2010, 72% of all filers petitioned for Chapter 7 while only 28% petitioned for Chapter 13, which establishes a court-ordered debt repayment plan.

The law also imposed a deterrent, requiring consumers to get counseling from a credit counseling agency prior to getting bankruptcy approval. Yet, the country has been rattled by an increasing bankruptcy rate. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the country hit 1.5 million personal bankruptcies in 2009 and 1.6 million by November 2010. These numbers are the highest since 2005, when over 1.7 million filings originated prior to the new law’s harsher filing requirements.

Seeing one in every 160 Americans presently filing bankruptcy, it’s easy to blame the housing crisis and high unemployment. However, a report from the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys also points to the inefficiency of credit counseling. From the pre-bankruptcy fillers seen by credit counseling firms, the report shows that 97% were unable to repay any debts via a DMP.

Apparently, credit counselors had their hands tied for many years. In a 2001 survey, Consumer Reports found that just 21% of their clients completed a DMP. Even the National Foundation for Credit Counseling reported the DMP completion rate as lows as 26%, but why?

Eric Santacruz of FreeBankruptcyTest.com explains: “Regrettably, credit counselors recoup as much money as possible for creditors, but their unrealistic budget requirements are not based on what consumers can afford to pay.”

Generally, Santacruz has heard consumers drop out of a DMP complaining that the DMP only managed to shave interest rates by a few points and was unable to eliminate or reduce late fees and over limit fees.

“The insignificant creditor concessions in a DMP barely change the minimum payment to an amount between 2.2% and 3.2% of the consumer’s total debt”, adds Santacruz.

Consequently, the minimum payment on a $ 20,000 credit card balance can actually increase from $ 600 (3%), to $ 640. At best, it may be lowered to $ 440. In either case, it causes the budgets of families with seriously impaired household incomes to be scarcely fixed.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) December 15, 2010

In response to the growing need for relief from debt, local Denver Bankruptcy attorneys Thomas Trunnell and Dean Sellers of Trunnell and Sellers (http://trunnellattorneyatlaw.com) are offering one free Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing per quarter.

According to attorney Trunnell, “The biggest challenge for us is getting people past the notion that they are doing something wrong and in the door so we can help them. By the time most people actually file for bankruptcy, they have already been a qualified client for over a year!”

Before getting into the specifics of who can win this free Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it is first important to go over some of the concerns about filing a Denver bankruptcy in the first place.

While stigmatized in the past, it is well known that bankruptcy is a powerful way of eliminating debt and getting a fresh start. There are some limitations however; multiple filings in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy are (generally) only permitted once every eight years. Therefore, Mr. Trunnell spends much of the free client consultation determining if bankruptcy is the right choice, and if so, what chapter of bankruptcy.

Attorney Trunnell goes on to say “It is important to know that the laws are fair to both the creditor and the individual, and if there is abuse, it’s our job to make sure we don’t take on that case in the first place. We determine which path is best in a non-judgmental manner.”

Also, if the client is facing severe Federal student loans or child support payments, bankruptcy is not going to make those debts go away. The “Free Chapter 7 Bankruptcy” will apply to people with normal credit card, mortgage, medical, car, and other payments they are running way behind on.

Managing partner Thomas Trunnell states, “Bankruptcy filings are often demonized by the credit card companies and other creditors. Our clients here in Denver are often scared and feel like they did something wrong. For almost all of these clients, the real issue is; life happened.” When asked what “life happened” meant to him, Mr. Trunnell stated, ” insurance company cut someone off after they lost a good job they had, or credit cards were used to help a couple survive after they were laid off, and the new salary makes it impossible to catch back up. Mortgage prices stayed high, and the amount the couple could collect went down and down as other people who filed first were foreclosed on, driving prices of homes down and making it cheaper to rent similar homes.”

In a bankruptcy filing, there is a culmination of many bad luck circumstances one has to face, health, economy, divorce, being laid off. The “Free Bankruptcy Filing” is to help the person who has gone through the most get their life back together again. The program is intended to help the person in the worst circumstance a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can solve and help them get back on their feet. Maybe it is being upside down on a car and having $ 15,000 in credit card debt and $ 20,000 in medical expenses. Maybe it is getting over a messy divorce where a person has to live with half the income and twice the debt. The bankruptcy law firm of Trunnell and Sellers wants to help people in need and this is their method of helping the person with the greatest need.

Most Chapter 7 bnkruptcies range between $ 500 and $ 1500. This money can be spent trying to get a new start, or just paying bills that continue to drag the client further underwater. The “Free Bankruptcy Filing” promotion actually covers up to $ 3,000, a pretty complicated Chapter 7 bankruptcy, to be sure.

The firm can be contacted at (720) 356-0115 or through their website at http://trunnellattorneyatlaw.com and always offers a free bankruptcy consultation, even if the new client doesn’t win the free bankruptcy.

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Find More Student Loan Press Releases

Sacramento, CA (Vocus) December 15, 2010

The California Dental Association Foundation has announced Luis Rivera, DDS, as the 10th recipient of its innovative and charitable Dental Student Loan Repayment Grant Program. Rivera, who graduated from the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry in 2009, will receive a maximum of $ 105,000 to help offset significant student loan debt in exchange for a three-year commitment to work in an underserved community.

New dentists graduate from dental school with an average debt of $ 250,000, and the burden of that debt limits their ability to choose a career in community health care. To date, tens of thousands of individuals have received care as a result of the Student Loan Repayment Grant, totaling more than $ 13.5 million in treatment and services.

“We are very proud of this program because it helps dedicated health care professionals achieve their career goals and allows them to provide proper care to underserved populations,” said Lindsey Robinson, DDS, chair of the California Dental Association Foundation. “I know that Dr. Rivera will serve as a vital asset to the community where he practices.”

Rivera grew up as an only child in a single-parent immigrant household. Although he was born in the United States, he was raised in Mexico prior to entering elementary school, beginning his education in Reseda, Calif., with English as a second language. To help support his family, Rivera worked throughout his high school education and while earning his undergraduate and doctorate degrees.

Rivera is currently fulfilling his three-year commitment at La Clinica de la Raza–Transit Village in Oakland.

“My long-term goal is to become an integral part of La Clinica de la Raza or an organization with similar goals for the community it serves, and this grant has helped me move toward that goal,” Rivera said. “My background affords me great insight into delivering culturally sensitive and appropriate health care, yielding great comfort to my patients.”

About the California Dental Association Foundation

The CDA Foundation was formed as the philanthropic affiliate of the California Dental Association in 2001 with the mission to improve the oral health of Californians by supporting the dental health profession and its efforts to increase access to care for the state’s most vulnerable people. The CDA Foundation works with experts in the dental profession, private business, academic institutions and government to produce programs that increase access to care; promote prevention, education and intervention; advance health policy research; and build a sustainable oral health workforce. http://www.cdafoundation.org.

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Birmingham, AL (PRWEB) December 17, 2010

Markoff & Krasny, a Chicago-based law firm, announces the adoption of a new certified mail system. The new mail system is a product of Future Computer Systems, Inc. (FCSI) a software development company that specializes in providing a reliable, innovative way for companies to handle their certified mail services.

“We are pleased to be able to streamline our certified mail process through this method,” explains Chris Rush, Director of Operations for Markoff & Krasny. “This route will not only make the process easier, but will also provide a reliable tracking and record-keeping system, which is especially important in our line of work.”

The FCSI certified mail system operates right from the Internet. Users simply create an account and, through an online route, create the certified mail to be sent. FCSI handles all of the printing and certifying of the mail. Users are also able to log back in at any time to get detailed reports, and records of mail that has been sent are maintained for seven years. “I love the fact that transmission to and from FCSI is automated and the status of every letter is updated daily.” — Brian Garcia and Jacky Lau, IT Department for Markoff & Krasny.

While millions of companies across the country engage in sending certified mail on a regular basis, many find it to be a time-consuming process. Other problems that many businesses encounter include trying to keep track of the mail acceptances and maintaining records for the recommended amount of time. The FCSI program has been designed with these issues in mind.

“In developing this system, our goal was to address the areas where we could provide a benefit to those who regularly send certified mail,” says William Carter, chief executive officer of FCSI. “Our system has created an easy-to-manage method for meeting all certified mail needs. With the time, effort and money our system saves, it represents a great return on investment.”

About Future Computer Systems:

Future Computer Systems, Inc., based in Birmingham, Ala., is a software company that provides virtual certified mail fulfillment services. Their system, which creates, sends and tracks certified mail, helps streamline the entire process. Their innovative solution helps businesses save time, avoid errors and achieve faster access to records. To learn more about Future Computer Systems, Inc., visit the website at http://www.fcsimail.com.

About Markoff & Krasny:

Chicago-based Markoff & Krasny is a law firm that specializes in creditors’ rights. Their areas of practice include credit cards, auto loans, repossessions, medical bills, student loans, breach of contract, probate, commercial collections, and more. Their team of attorneys collectively have nearly 65 years of law experience. To learn more about Markoff & Krasny, visit the website at http://www.markoffkrasnylaw.com.

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(PRWeb UK) December 20, 2010

YES-secure, a Social Network Lending and Borrowing website in the UK Peer-to-Peer Lending market is celebrating its success of disbursing over