Engineering


Feature Writer: Susan Kristoff
Susan Kristoff - Engineer, Scrapbooker, Writer, photo by Susan Kristoff

Welcome to the Suite101 Engineering Section. Are you new to engineering or interesting in learning more about the profession? Here at Suite101 you can learn the basics about who engineers are and what they do. We are always looking for ideas for new articles. Please contact Featured Writer Susan Kristoff with any potential article ideas.

Learn more now about Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Chemical Engineers, and Civil Engineers, as well as other branches of engineering.

Full Engineering blog

Engineering at Suite101, Sandia National Laboratory, Wikimedia Commons
feature articles
Susan Kristoff

Introduction to Data Acquisition

In: Electrical Engineering

Data acquisition systems are used to collect data about the behavior of objects or systems. more...

The Wheatstone Bridge

In: Electrical Engineering

Wheatstone Bridge circuits are often used with strain gauges and other resistive sensors for signal conditioning. more...

The Photoelectric Effect

In: Electrical Engineering

The photoelectric effect can be harnessed to create energy from sunlight using photovoltaic cells. more...

Financing an Engineering Education

In: Engineering (general)

An engineering education is an investment, and there are many options to pay for engineering school tuition. more...

An Introduction to Refrigeration

In: Mechanical Engineering

Refrigerators and air conditioners owe their performance to the thermodynamic process known as the refrigeration cycle. more...

All feature articles in Engineering

Suite101: Engineering articles How to subscribe to article feeds

feature blog
Susan Kristoff

Aug 13, 2008

Difficulties Paying Tutition

An engineering education is expensive to begin with. The credit crunch has affected student loan foundations as well, and there are less options for students.


Last week I wrote an article on financing an engineering education. It turns out that paying for school is getting even harder. The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA), who provided over $500 million in student loans last year, would not be issuing any loans this school year due to lack of financing. It seems that the credit crunch has extended to the student loan market, and students will have to find other sources to pay their tuition bills.

Since many engineering schools are private schools, their tuitions are far higher than state schools, and it takes more loans and grants to fill the gaps. As someone who has only recently paid off her student loans (ten years after graduation), I would hate to be in the shoes of students who are not only stressing out about their classes and projects, but how to pay for it all in the first place.

If any of you readers have any ideas about sources for student loans and grants, especially those specifically for engineering students, please let me know so I can share them here.

Full Engineering blog

Suite101: Engineering blogs How to subscribe to blog feeds