Credit Card Debts: What Happens When the Holder Dies? By Jim Oneil

Death is often seen by many as an escape route from the troubles that world could give to an individual. You may not subscribe to such morbid notion but if you are neck-deep in debt, it is possible that you would entertain the said idea. This is because the logic behind this is pretty simple: if you die then you would certainly not have any more trouble with your debts. In fact, it is possible that those whom you have left behind in your family would not be obligated to pay for the said debts. However, it is also possible that someone else would be left to deal with the burden.
If your credit card account happens to be joint account with your wife or any other partner, then that individual would be the one who would carry the burden after you die. The bank or the credit card company would surely take steps to compel your co-account holder to pay for the debts that you have incurred using the credit card. Of course, for that person, this arrangement would just seem unfair. But that is how things turn out in such circumstance. If your wife is your co-account holder, she should just be ready to bear the brunt of the debts when you are gone.

The case is different if the credit card account happens to be yours alone. In this case, the creditor would have no other recourse but to determine whether your estate could be used to repay your debts. The first step to be taken here is that the creditor would find out if you have any property that is left behind. Before such real property could be divided among the heirs, the right of the creditors to obtain payment from the estate is secured first. There are legal statutes that would lay the bases for this action.
However, if you die without leaving behind any substantial estate, then the creditor would have to accept the fact that it has lost in the process. Since it has no one to collect the payment from, the creditor is compelled to declare that the debt is no longer recoverable. In this instance, it is actually the creditor that is left holding an empty bag. Credit card companies and banks, however, do not just easily give up their right to get paid. They would first exhaust all options before they would accept the truth that they could no longer get anything from a dead debtor.

It must be pointed out though that there may be differences also in the treatment of such cases in other countries. In fact, in the US, the differences may even be from state to state. Because of this, is expected that a debtor should read about laws governing debts and repayments. Knowing the said laws would be enlightening. It would even encourage one to be more prudent in spending his money and in acquiring debts. After all, nobody who is sane enough would prefer death to complying with payment obligations.

Jim Oneil is a writer with a special interest in debt issues and personal finance. He has written for small local newspapers in the past and now devotes part of his time writing about debt issues and UK based financial products.

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Top 15 Strangest Scholarships By Jenny Sweeney

Thousands of soon-to-be students are hunting for extra financial assistance for college tuition. Without a perfect SAT score or the ability to run a sub 4.5 forty yard dash, you might find your chances of securing a scholarship aren't looking too bright. However, you might not realize that your odd talent or hobby may make you the perfect applicant for one of these 15 strange but real scholarships.
Oink, Oink
Has your room been compared to a sty? Are you comfortable living in a messy habitat? These aren't requirements for a scholarship, but they are attributes of the creatures you care about - pigs! If you're interested in creatures of the bovine persuasion, this is the scholarship for you; the International Boar Semen (IBS) Scholarship is available for those interested in swine management. For more information, visit piggene.com/IBS/ibs_home.htm.
The Next Generation of . . . Klingons
Trekkies, leave your capes, figurines, posters and other memorabilia behind. Just bring, well, yourself! Klingon Language Institute, in an effort to promote language study, awards one lucky winner a $500 Kor Memorial Scholarship-but don't worry, fluency in Klingon is not a requirement. Check out the requirements for this scholarship at: kli.org/scholarship/.

Think Tall Thoughts
You've got Michael Jordan's stature but you're about as agile as a water buffalo. That's okay with Tall Clubs International! Males over 6'2" and females above 5'8" are encouraged to apply. The reward is no small (pun intended) amount either; Tall.org awards a whopping $1,000 scholarship to the winner. Find more info at: http://www.tall.org.
Yo, Shorti!
For the vertically challenged, the Billy Barty Foundation offers scholarships to students of "short stature". Similarly, the Little People of America awards students - and their families - scholarships. To join, members must be 4'10" and shorter. Scholarship amounts range from $250 to $1000. Read all the requirements at: lpaonline.org.

More Trans fat, please!
Say goodbye to the cabbage soup, grapefruit only, or south beach diets! The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance encourages "fat" people to apply for one of their two merit-based scholarships. The scholarships, offered to already-existing NAAF members, awards $1,000 for first place, while the second place prize is $500. For more fat-friendly information regarding the scholarships, go to: naafa.org/newevents/shcolarship.html
For the Herbivores
Calling all veggie-lovers around the world! Two health-conscious winners will be awarded $5,000 in scholarship money from the Vegetarian Resource Group. But be forewarned: unless you love your legumes, this scholarship is not for you. Eligible applicants must not only exemplify a healthy lifestyle, but also promote vegetarianism within their community too. For more information visit: vrg.org.

Sk8 through School
Thanks to Tony Hawk and a few scrapes, bruises, and breaks, your skateboarding skills may have finally paid off. The Patrick Kerr Skateboard scholarship program awards four different scholarships each year. One applicant will receive a $5,000 college scholarship and three others will receive $1,000 awards. And your mother thought skateboarding would never get you anywhere! Requirements include maintaining at least a 2.5 out of 4.0 GPA, be a graduating senior, and a United States citizen. Be sure to read all the requirements skateboardscholarship.org.
Bit of the Bubbly, Please
Finally, your weakness for wine might serve another purpose-besides the pounding morning-after headache. The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (AASEV) awards multiple students for enrolling in science fields relating to the grape and wine industry. The scholarship amount is not predetermined; it varies year to year. To read other requirements for this scholarship, go to: asev.org/scholarship-program.
Bowling for Dollars
Though those middle-school years of loitering around bowling alleys have ended, your talent for earning turkeys may finally be cashing in. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) offers a range of scholarships, including the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow that offers a $1,500 renewable scholarship for distinguished male high school bowlers and the Alberta E. Crow Star of Tomorrow that also offers $1,500 in renewable scholarship funds for great female high school bowlers. Read more at: bowl.com/smart/locateState.aspx.

Got Milk?
The Scholar-Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year award is given to twenty-five graduating high school seniors who have what it takes to sport the famous milk mustache; winners receive $7,500 in scholarship funds. If that's not enough, winners receive a special ad that runs in USA Today. If that's not enough, winners receive an all-expense trip to an awards ceremony at Disney Wide World of Sports' Milk House in Orlando, FL and an induction into the Milk House Hall of Fame. Check out applications at: sammy.bodybymilk.com.
Offer an Organ
You signed up to be an organ donor when you received your license. Put that heart on your ID to use! The Students for Organ Donation Youth Leadership award one or two $500 to $1,000 scholarships to full-time high school or undergraduate college students. Successful candidates actively promote organ donation and transplantation. More criteria to apply for this scholarship can be found at: studentdonor.org.
Tee It Up
You've seen them trudging up and down the greens, toting thirty pounds of iron on their backs, and offering tips to improve swings, distance and posture. Finally, they're due their recognition; Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, founded in 1949, offers anywhere from $1,500 to $7,500 per year to caddies. Eligible applicants must have served at least two years as caddies, helpers in the pro shop or course superintendent operations at a club in Massachusetts. Read more information: ouimet.org/scholarships/

Color in the Lines
Did you meticulously color in the lines of your coloring books as a child? You may have graduated from crayons to acrylics, but the concept is the same: you're an artist at heart. Established in 1983, the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrator of the Future contest awards both quarterly and annual scholarships, ranging from $1,500 to $4,000. Read more : writersofthefuture.com
Hot, Hot, Hot
You've heard it, those three little words...in case of a fire: stop, drop and roll to safety. Earning a scholarship from the American Fire Sprinkler Association is almost just as easy; AFSA offers ten $2,000 scholarships per year to graduating high school seniors. Requirements include reading an essay and taking an online (and open-book) test. Read more about this sizzling offer on: afsascholarship.org.
Giddyup, cowboy!
The Arabian Horse Foundation offers an annual scholarship of $2,500 to one eligibly equine enthusiast. The scholarship, named in remembrance of William Zekan, is offered to horse lovers that demonstrate financial need, are currently either a high school senior or college freshman and can provide two letters of recommendation. For more eligibility criteria: arabianhorsefoundation.org.

Jenny Sweeney is a copywriter with DMi Partners, an interactive marketing agency devoted to informative websites, including ecollegefinder.org, a site devoted to distance learning and accredited online colleges.

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List of Scholarships for High School Seniors Graduating in 2012 By Jennifer Langston

Finding the best list of scholarships for high school seniors graduating in 2012 is easy if you know a few basic techniques. It is important to recognize the types of qualifications required for different scholarships before beginning your search. Grade point average (GPA), athletic or other in-school extracurricular participation, church or other civic group volunteer work, letters of recommendation, and personal essays are all important elements in successful scholarship applications.
There are two primary ways to find the most complete listings of scholarships. First, talk with your school's guidance (or career) counselor. These trained professionals can help you find the best matches for financial aid based on on your student record and your standardized test scores. Remember to talk to the counselor about your parents' employers and any backgrounds that might qualify you for a diversity scholarship.

Many companies -- McDonald's, IBM, Wal-Mart, just to name a few -- offer scholarships to the children and other close family members of existing employees. Diversity awards are designed to encourage under-represented groups of people to attend and graduate college. Most diversity awards only require one parent have a non-caucasian background, so biracial students often qualify.
The second way to find thorough listings of scholarships is through the internet. Using Google or Bing, simply use a query string such as "high school 2012 scholarships" or "best scholarships 2012" (without the quotes) then follow the links for more information. Be sure to avoid any sites with links featuring warnings from the search engine about malware or potentially harmful content.

Links to some sites contain dangerous content (like viruses) that can execute on your computer without your permission. It is a good idea to gather information about scholarships from the internet including requirements for approval, deadlines for submissions, and types of essays or letters of recommendations considered appropriate. Take this information to your school guidance counselor or have your parent or another trusted adult help you complete the applications.
Applying online is fine provided you are sure the website is legitimate and the protocol is secure (HTTPS). Scholarship applications linked to from.GOV or.EDU domains are good examples of more trustworthy sites, but due diligence should still be exercised. Most applications do not need details such as your social security number in the initial application stage, so call via telephone to verify any applications that seem to ask odd questions like "what is your mother's maiden name?" With a little effort, you are sure to find a list of scholarships for high school seniors graduating in 2012.

A rewarding career starts with a great education. Click Here to find some rare scholarships that most students didn't know existed.

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How to Fill Out the FAFSA Application Online to Get Federal Student Loans By Angela Goldstein-Meyer

Federal Student Aid can help pay for secondary education beyond high school to eligible individuals. It is federally funded financial assistance to help students and families pay for college. The FAFSA application is free and the benefits will last a lifetime.
To apply for financial aid, an applicant must fill out a FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This application will determine eligibility for receiving financial assistance for college based on the data provided, which includes personal information, income, parent's income (if applicable), spouse's income (if applicable), dependents, assets, housing situation, and any other government programs participated in by the applicant.
The FAFSA can be completed quickly and easily online. It is split into sections and there are helpful directions and tips for each question. It is necessary to have the federal tax return from the previous year in order to fill out the financial section of the FAFSA.

Section One - Student Personal Information:
This section requires the legal name, current address, social security number, date of birth, telephone number, driver's license state and number, email, citizenship status, marital status, state of legal residence, gender, information regarding any conviction for the possession or sale of illegal drugs that occurred while receiving any form of federal student aid, parents' education level, high school information and completion status, student classification for the upcoming school year, degree or certificate working towards, and whether work study should be considered.
Section Two - Student Financial Information:
This section requires information contained on the tax return from the prior year. It conveniently directs the applicant to the precise lines on the federal tax return that contain the information requested. Spouse's income is included in this section as well. The applicant must also list the total value of family assets, including cash, checking and savings accounts, real estate investments (excluding the home where the applicant currently resides), and businesses or investment farms (excluding family businesses or family farms that have less than 100 full time equivalent employees).
This section also requires the applicant to disclose any education credits received, child support paid for children not living at home, other taxable earnings like Federal Work-Study, other taxable student aid such as grants or scholarships, any taxable combat or special combat pay, or any cooperative education program income. Information regarding untaxed income will also need to be reported here, including payments made to tax-deferred savings plans or pensions, IRA deductions and payments for self-employed applicants, child support received (excluding payments for foster care or adoption), any tax-exempt interest income, untaxed IRA distributions or pensions (excluding rollovers), living allowances paid to military, clergy, or anyone else, non-education Veteran's benefits, and any other untaxed income (worker's compensation, disability, etc.).

Section Three & Four - Parent Determination:
The questions in this section will help determine whether the applicant needs to include parent information when applying for financial assistance. If the applicant can answer "yes" to any of the 13 eligibility questions in this section, they are exempt from needing to include parent information and can skip this section entirely. If the applicant answers "no" to any of the 13 questions in this section, they must have their parent(s) fill out Section Four, which will ask similar information of the parents as it did for the applicant.
Section Five - Household:
This short section asks how many people are in the applicant's household and of those people, how many will be college students during the year the applicant is applying for federal aid. It also asks if anyone in the household is receiving any federal benefits, such as TANF, WIC, SSI, food stamps, or free/reduced lunches. The final question of this section is whether the applicant is a dislocated worker.
Section Six - Schools:
This section is solely for entering the colleges or universities the applicant is interested in attending.
Section Seven - Signatures:
This section is for the applicant and their parent (if applicable) to sign, verifying all information presented is true and correct.
It is important to fill out a FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible since federal financial aid and college grants are distributed on a first come, first served basis. The application process is simple and easy to follow, albeit time consuming since it requires many details about income and financial information. The FAFSA will calculate the applicant's EFC - expected family contribution. This amount will determine the applicant's financial need and whether the applicant is eligible to receive federal financial aid.
Once financial aid is awarded, it will be distributed first to the college or university the applicant is attending and will go towards paying tuition, fees and books. Any remaining funds that are unused will then be distributed to the student directly.

To learn more about Federal Grants and aid for college be sure to visit the FindCollegeGrants.com website which features in-depth guides and resources on numerous topics such as pell grants, college grants for women, grant money for adults and seniors, grants for minorities, and much more.

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