Student Loan Options

Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation Supporters
Counting down to the start of the course, here's what's been happening recently . . .

Student Loans
Here at MMEF HQ we've been liaising with both the ASB and National Bank on your behalf regarding Tertiary Account and Student Loan Packages, and both are open to helping out those studying this year with MMEF. We highlighted that many of our students would have the opportunity to work whilst studying also, which is well worth emphasising when you talk to the banks yourselves.

Our discussions were with the respective Branch Managers in Newmarket, Auckland, and we found both ASB and National are extremely approachable should you wish to discuss Tertiary Loan possibilities to suit you.

At a glance - here are the key benefits of both Tertiary Packages:-

Auckland Savings Bank (ASB)
Transaction Account with no base of transaction fees.
Interest free Overdraft of $1,000.
Credit Card with no account fee for the first 12 months.
Personal Loan at concessionary rates, currently 13.95% (usually 17.95%)


The National Bank
An everyday account with no monthly account transaction or automatic payment fees
Interest-free overdraft on application of up to $1000 for your first year of study, and up to $2000 for your remaining years on the package
Thoroughbred Card or Visa Classic credit card, with no annual account fee
Tertiary Loan Interest Rate currently 11.70% p.a.


Helping out with your cash flow
While we're talking finances . . . although this may seem an obvious suggestion to many, some students are facing the possibility of foresaking several weeks of salary during the study modules, which causes obvious cash-flow challenges ;-{
An option to assist your staff, that are either enroled or considering enrolment for the AMI Diploma this year, is to annualise their salary i.e calculate the annual salary and continue payment throughout the year. This was an idea proferred by one school which could indeed be advantageous for many more of you.....think about it.

Chery Ferreira on air!
Our Director of Training Cheryl Ferreira was interviewed by National Radio's Brian Crump for his evening show during Cheryl's last visit to New Zealand. The 20 minute interview was aired on the eve of 18th March. Thank you to many of you who emailed with complimentary remarks...and for those of you who missed it, you can still 'tune in' by clicking here:
http://organonarchitecture.co.nz/Not_PC/Cheryl-RADIONZ-180309.mp3.

And finally...download an application pack at www.mmef.org.nz.
To view the on-line MMEF newsletter visit www.mmefnz.blogspot.com, or email mmef@ihug.co.nz to subscribe.

Best wishes to you all, and onwards to June!

Carol, Tia, Anna, Shirley, Lynne
MMEF TRUSTEES

There's a student in my classroom

Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation Supporter

It's official! MMEF have received advice that as far as Immigration purposes are concerned, International students applying to study for the AMI 3-6 Diploma commencing in June 2009 will qualify to apply for 20 hours work whilst they are studying.

This had seemed to be rather a grey area -- what it now confirms is that schools contemplating employing a student during the course, or for International students considering 20 hours work whilst study, that this should be possible. Go to http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/index.htm for the relevant section.

We understand that schools have been hearing from enthusiastic students looking for work in between their contact modules and when not on teaching practice and observation. Some students have already secured interviews with prospective employers.

We are all mindful of maintaining child/adult ratios with teacher registration requirements, though if at all possible, and your ratios can accommodate this, the benefits of having someone in your environment putting into practice what they are absorbing during their training can be a priceless experience.

One school for example accepted an AMI graduate from Sydney to do her four-week full-time practicum in their school. The enthusiasm and fresh ideas the student brought within a short period of time was rejuvenating for the whole school. They told us that they would have been delighted to have someone of this calibre in their environment for up to four hours every day.

Think about it......

Meanwhile, here's some music for the soul.
[From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGd4Rs-O3ws&feature=related]



Download an application pack at www.mmef.org.nz. To view the on-line MMEF newsletter visit www.mmefnz.blogspot.com, or email mmef@ihug.co.nz to subscribe.

Best wishes, and onwards to June!

Carol, Tia, Anna, Shirley, Lynne

MMEF TRUSTEES