5 Easy Steps To Start Investing as a Student

Investing is actually pretty simple; you’re basically putting your money to work for you so that you don’t have to take a second job when you graduate. Most people think you have to be super rich to invest. This is not true, you do need some assets, but even students have something they can do that will launch their investment career. How?
Follow the steps below:

1. Examine Your Finances
Jumping into investing without first examining your finances is like jumping into the deep end of the pool without knowing how to swim. Know how much you have, this includes physical cash, assets, such as belongings and your savings.  Luckily, investing doesn’t require a significant sum to start.

2. Establish Your Investment Goals
Why are you investing? Sounds like a simple enough question but many people can’t answer it because they haven’t fully articulated what they want their money to do for them. Are you putting money aside towards rent? A car? Retirement? Building assets? The reason you are investing will determine what kind of asset classes you should invest in.For you, it might be that you don’t wnat to have money troubles when you graduate.

3. Learn the Basics
You don’t need to be a financial expert to invest, but you do need to learn some basic terminology so that you are better equipped to make informed decisions. Learn the differences between stocks, bonds, mutual funds and certificates of deposit (CDs). Read a lot of books, make sure the books have to do with your own environment.

4. Pick an Investment Firm
After you have saved up some money and have a clearer idea of what your investment goals are, you need to speak to a professional. The reality is no matter how skilled you are in your business or line of work you may not have the skill or patience required to pick the best investments. Commercial banks offer some great savings products but an investment firm gives you a wider range of investment options that include stocks, bonds, real estate and other investment opportunities. pick the right one.

5. Keep Emotions At Bay

Don’t let fear or greed limit your returns or inflate your losses. Expect short-term fluctuations in your overall portfolio value. As a long-term investor, these short-term movements should not cause panic. Greed can lead an investor to hold on to a position too long in the hope of an even higher price – even if it falls. So always listen to your broker or stock adviser with a clear head.

NNPC/CHEVRON JV National University Scholarship Awards 2016

Chevron Nigeria Limited, in collaboration with its Joint Venture partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is offering a number of University Scholarship Awards to suitably qualified Nigerian students.

Requirements / Eligibility

This Scheme Is Open To Unregistered Existing Awardees ONLY. Only current NNPC/Chevron JV scholarship beneficiaries who have not registered on scholastica are required to Register and Apply. Registered existing awardees need not apply but login to update their academic details.

In line with the NNPC/CHEVRON JV Scholarship Policies, current awardees who wish to be retained on the scheme MUST satisfy the following requirements throughout the duration of their degree programme.

1. Must be in a Nigerian University
2. Must remain within a course/program covered by the NNPC/CHEVRON JV Scholarship scheme

How to Apply
Registered existing awardees need not apply but refer to the steps outline in the invitation email.
Unregistered existing awardees should apply using the steps below:

1. Before you start this application, ensure you have clear scanned copies of the following documents.
Passport photograph with white background not more than 3 months old (450px by 450px not more than 200kb)
School ID card
Admission letter
Birth certificate
O' Level result
JAMB Result
2. Ensure the documents are named according to what they represent to avoid mixing up documents during upload
3. Ensure you attach the appropriate documents when asked to upload

‡To apply, visit http://scholastica.ng/schemes/cnlawards2013 and follow the steps below:
1. Click on "Apply Now" tab.
2. Click on "Register Now" to create an account.
3. Proceed to your email box to activate your account
4. Click on www.scholastica.ng to return to Scholarship site
5. Enter your registered email and password to upload your information.
6. Enter your personal information, National Identification Number (if available), educational information, other information and upload required scanned documents.
7. Ensure the name used in applications matches the names on all documentation in same order. Upload a sworn affidavit or certificate if otherwise.
8. Ensure you view all documents after uploading, to eliminate errors during uploading.
9. When asked to upload photo, upload a pass-port photograph with a white background.
10. Recheck application information to avoid errors
11. Click "Apply Now" on your corresponding award year to submit information i.e. 2012 Awardee to click "NNPC/CHEVRON JV / 2011" on www.scholastica.ng
12. You will receive an email and a sms that confirms your application was successful.
13. Return to www.scholastica.ng enter your Email and Password to download your profile and proceed to have your Head of Department sign the document.
14. Upload a scanned copy of the signed profile, this would be used for verification.
15. If National Identification Number (NIN) number was not available in step 6, to obtain your National Identification Number (NIN)
Visit http://ninenrol.gov.ng to register and learn more about the National Identity Number
Click "Create Account" and fill in the required fields
Login with Email and Password to complete the form
After completion, schedule a date for photo and finger print capture
Visit any of the 37 capture centres http://www.nimc.gov.ng/?q=nin-registration-centres to complete the registration process and obtain your National Identity Number
You can also do your total registration at the NIMC office
16. Return to www.scholastica.ng and update application with National Identification Number (NIN) to ensure completion

Note: Multiple applications may attract a disqualification penalty from the Scholarship board.

Deadline
Deadline is strictly 24th January, 2016.