Popular Online College Degrees

It is not surprising that online college degrees are getting more and more popular. Even traditional students and people who are pursuing tertiary education while at the same time working (part time students) prefer to complete their college degrees through the Internet. This allure could be logically attributed to a mixture of cheaper costs, increase in prominence of online college degrees, and of course convenience. Online college degrees are perfect for working students and those who are already old and embarrassed to attend to traditional school.

Almost all college degrees now are offered online. Of course, there are still several programs that could not be possibly taught through the internet. If you are considering taking an online diploma, you should first check out if your preferred program is offered online. Thus, online college degrees are classified into different categories and groups. What are the most popular and sought-after online college degrees?

In general, popular online college degree programs are those that are focusing on professional careers or practical discipline. They are more sought after than the more generalized college degrees like those that are often offered at traditional classroom based universities and colleges.

Associate degrees are also becoming popular among online students in comparison to bachelor’s degrees through Internet learning. This is because numerous students seek online college degrees as an entry into workforce as quickly as they possibly could. Some prefer online courses that could help them accelerate their own careers and promotion. Many students also intend to use associate degrees as stepping stones so they could land better jobs and then eventually go on or continue to pursue their bachelor’s degree while at the same time working in full time.

Specifically, the most popular among all online college degrees is Business Administration. The degree could easily and comfortably translate into any industry as it is purely based on basic business skills and important management techniques that are required by companies and business organizations. Lower level employees, administrative assistants, and secretaries often try hard to earn online college degrees in Business Management or Business Administration because they aim to be eventually perceived as ideal ‘promotion materials.’ Online degree in accounting is also popular in the same way as demand continues to rise for qualified bookkeepers and account managers. Accountants could also easily move across different industries.

Computer science courses are taking the second lead after business and accounting courses. Governments all over the world believe that skills in database management and computer programming would continue to rise indefinitely. Thus, online college degrees on such programs are often regarded as excellent investment into the future. Computer science programs are also easily facilitated online for obvious reasons.

Lastly, medicine is another field that is embracing online college degrees. Online students who want to earn degrees in healthcare, medical reimbursement, and health management programs are increasing in volume. This is logical as healthcare experts are fast establishing their importance in the job industry. Online college degrees in this specific area could easily take entry level and even management posts quickly.

College Scholarship - Passport to Success

He was the designated National Spokesman for Nation of Islam, a religious and socio-political organization founded in the United States which is aimed to resurrect the mental, social, spiritual, and economic condition of black men and women in the country as well as on other parts of the world.

He is Malcolm X.

He was the famous leader of the American civil right movement and won the Nobel Peace Prize because of his promotion of peace and equal treatment of different races throughout the world.

He is Martin Luther King, Jr.

He is the three-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and one of the best pound-for-pound boxers ever existed, which made his way towards the Boxing Hall of Fame.

He is Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.

Each of them has their own world to explore and own business to attend. But there is one thing that binds them as one.

All of them are African-Americans, or also known as Black Americans.

A Black American is considered to be one of the members of an ethnic group in the United States, whose ancestors are traced its roots predominantly in Africa. Majority of them are descendants of African slaves who were transported from Central Africa through the Middle Passage to North America and the Caribbean during the trans-Atlantic slave trade (1609-1807). Others are immigrants from European and African nations who are classified by the United States census as African-American demographically instead of socially.

Their population is estimated to be at 40 million and they are predominantly Christians and Muslims. Furthermore, due to hundreds of events that happened within the history of the United States, Black Americans rose from the ethnic ranks and proved themselves to be called a majority class instead of being in the ethnic class. They have triumphed, producing Black American personalities who succeeded in their respective field of endeavors.

And all black college students want to succeed in reaching their respective dreams.

Despite of the popularity of various Black American personalities, poverty is still within the ranks of several Black American families. They experience difficulties in sending their children to college, particularly in exclusive universities such as Harvard and Yale. They can withstand the discrimination that is still present despite of everything that has happened, yet poverty is what they cannot withstand anymore.

Is there any hope for a black student to study in college?

Yes, there is.

And it is through getting a black college scholarship.

There are hundreds of scholarships available that are not just open to White Americans, but are also intended for Black American students. There you have the scholarships for minority students, college scholarships provided by Black American and African organizations (whether civic or religious), and government-sponsored scholarships for black students. The United States Constitution clearly states that there should be no discrimination in terms of getting a solid and well-provided education to its citizens. Whether you are a white or a black, you are entitled to receive a high quality of education in the country.

With these scholarships for aspiring black college students, they will be able to fulfill their dreams of becoming one of the successful personalities, just like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and Muhammad Ali, who have already left a mark in their respective fields of endeavor. Poverty is just a minor obstacle—there is hope on anything, including for a black student who want to take a step higher and get himself to college.

Online College Degrees Catch Up with Industry Changes

There are more advantages that are linked to online college degrees than what most people know of. Of course, the programs are convenient, are cost efficient, and are more productive. Not known to many, even educational institutions, colleges, and universities see online college degrees as highly advantageous. Thus, it is not surprising that these days, such programs are rising rapidly in number. Enrollees are also getting more and more each year as online students disseminate the benefits of taking online college degrees like wildfire.

The most highlighted advantage of online college degrees according to perspectives of businesses and educational institutions is its ability to keep pace with major industry changes. The programs could easily cope with shifts across professional demands than traditional colleges could ever do. This is because online college programs do not require much additional space or even facilities to add up new programs into their own curriculum. Whenever online educators see and notice emerging trends, they immediately offer new programs as soon as they possibly could. They could quickly hire appropriate and qualified instructors and make necessary adjustments to the current curriculum, something that may not be fully possible in the traditional college education setup.

Online college degrees are usually facilitated by highly qualified instructors who could be considered as mere industry leaders. They are qualified and accredited to provide knowledge and instructions that cover even the most recent innovations in their respective industries. They are mostly remaining as part of their industries, thus, they are able to impart best practices and latest developments. This again is something that may not be possible in traditional colleges, wherein professors and instructors are usually forced to leave their industries to focus on teaching. They are not able to comfortably jumble their conflicts in schedules.

Criminal Justice is a perfect example of an online college program that did not actually exist a decade ago. These days, the program is fast becoming popular among online students. Now, such learners could pursue online college degrees in criminal justice from the most excellent and credible online universities and colleges. As a matter of fact, criminal justice programs are starting to surpass healthcare online college degrees for obvious reasons. The program is getting exciting and more students are recognizing its potential for future employment and revenue potential.

Are you considering taking online college degrees? You should not hesitate to do so. By now, start searching for appropriate and ideal online college institutions that would be just right for you. There are many of those so there would not be much difficulty, only confusion as most of such online learning centers are succeeding in making their programs interesting. It is time you inquire about online college degrees of your choice and begin preparing all the entrance requirements.

If you have not earned a college degree the traditional way, it is never too late. You could not earn it without the requirement to quit your job and prioritize your studies more than any other important things.

Community College Advantages

If you happen to be fortunate enough to live in a community that has a community college you should really make the time in your schedule to check and see what kind of classes they can offer that can help you advance your education and your career. You might be amazed at the different types of courses you can take even on the community college level. I know that I have found some of the courses that are offered and the degree of learning that takes place to be quite impressive. I think that many people who have in the past disregarded the important role that community colleges play in providing an affordable venue for learning will be quite amazed as well.

Community colleges have an undeserved reputation for inferiority when this could not be further from the truth. A good many of the nations nurses are products of community college educations. In many states, the associates degree nursing programs are quite rigorous and provide more clinical experience than most bachelor's degree nursing programs. This means that students graduating nursing school with an associates degree in nursing are often better prepared to deal with patient care than those who have the 'superior degree'. This by no means is meant to disparage B. S. Nursing students at all. In fact, most hospitals will not even consider you a candidate for an administrative nursing position unless you have the Bachelor's degree. This is only meant to point out that associates degree programs can be quite competitive and inclusive despite common misconceptions.

Of course there are other benefits to learning on the community college level, at least for the first two years of your education. One of those benefits that speaks volumes to me is the fact that teachers in community colleges are dedicated to teaching. They are not working on their own research or books. They are there for the purpose of helping you achieve your goals, which means you aren't an interruption in their pursuit of their own goals.

Community colleges also offer an excellent buffer for students who may not have been on top of their game academically in high school or those who are returning to college after a long absence from academia. You won't find the large auditorium classes on the community college level that major universities are famous for offering. You also won't find that teachers do not have time for their students. There is a lower teacher to student ratio in community colleges so that professors will have time to address the needs of students.

Another benefit is that even if you do not go on to get your four year degree after completing your community college education you will find that your earning potential is significantly improved over those who do not have at least a two-year college education. Research also indicates that students who complete a two-year degree program at a community college are more likely to finish and get a four-year degree than those students who begin their educational experience at a four-year university.

There are a few problems that can be associated with a community college education and you should take note of these so that they do not become a problem for you. First of all, some universities do not accept many of the courses that are offered on the community college level as transfer credits. Make sure that you know what courses are required for the university that you are planning to transfer to in order to avoid this. You also may find that you are limited on the courses you can take and the times in which they will be available. Make sure that you have all the limited courses well ahead of time so that you aren't taking another year of classes in order to graduate.

All in all, a community college education can be just as enlightening as a university education if you enter into the process with an open mind and a willingness to learn. I hope you take advantage of this much less expensive option before moving on to university courses if possible.

Track the Field to Athletic Scholarship

Many of the youth today are gifted with aptitudes in sports. Some excel in gymnastics, swimming, archery, while the others excel in football, golf, martial arts, track and field events, and the list goes on.

Nowadays, the youths agility to fulfill their passions comes with a bonus—athletic scholarship.

Athletic scholarships are specially designed for the students who excel in sports provided they will be able to acquire a good grade which is appropriate to the required scores of the organization who funded the scholarship. And of course, the talent that goes with the discipline a devoted sports person desires.

If you are one of these sports person who want to acquire the said scholarship, your initial step is to look for the college institutions or universities which present the academic program that suits to your interests.

However, you still have to note that educating yourself even thoughplaying sports. As you join a division, you must carefully weigh the pros and cons of attending either in smaller colleges or large institutions.

You may find yourself standing out though in a smaller college. You may also join in large institutions, but chances are you might find yourself just as an alternative to a lot of other athletes.

You must be aware that the sports played during college are not like playing in your school or in your local community. Before engaging here, you can consult first your trainer/coach if you're “good enough” to qualify for college sports already.

The level of play is very much different and so much competition has sent what was dubbed as great players in their community to mediocrity in this level.

There are two ways in presenting the athletic scholarship. First is through official applications. And the following is the scout’s recommendations who represents the colleges and who travels to assess players in various sports, looking for the players that possess star qualities.

If you aim to succeed, aim to excel in your sophomore year. Maintain high grades to meet the academic requirements. It is also advisable that you compile your accomplishments for being an athlete. Consult to your coach whether which sports you will be best fitted according to your abilities.

Also, be keen in selecting the school which offers an immense balance between sports and academics. Talk to a career guidance counselor; this may help you in choosing the subjects you can study so you can qualify not just in sports alone. Establish contacts among the coaches of the college where you are applying, in addition, and let them know that yoo are dedicated and eager to know more about their curriculum.

Most of all, show your best advantages like showcasing both academic and athletic accomplisments. Then cite that you are looking for a scholarship. It will also be an advantage if you would initiate in submitting the applications to the college where the coach you wanted to contact works, this will emphasize your enthusiasm on the program.

With all the colleges and universities that offer athletic scholarships for great athletes, your college education will never be too straining to your parent’s purse anymore. Instead, they will feel glorified of having a kid who can excel not just in sports alone, but also in academics.

Now, as you go on to your application, remember that handling the application sensibly matched with discipline are the best recipes to ensure full scholarship in college.

Online College Degrees Get More Popular

Increasing fuel costs, rising inflation, and continuing economic hardships have really made going to a formal college difficult and impractical. That is why more and more students these days are enlisting to earn online college degrees. Attending school through the Internet is now a viable and more attractive option for people who want to continue college education but who have not enough time and resources to do so. The online college programs are also perfect for people who could not afford to leave their formal jobs just to attend to school classes.

A recent study conducted by the Sloan Consortium has been one of the many research efforts that aimed to determine the extent by which people are getting to online college degrees. The study, just like all others, tried to see how popular earning college degrees via the Internet have become. The findings were not surprising and were literally logical and anticipated. The study was entitled ‘Staying the Course: Internet Education in the US.’ It was published in the country in November of 2008. It showed that Internet degree programs have become readily accepted as an important and practical way to attain tertiary education.

The report was actually part of an annual study. Sloan Consortium has been running the same research effort yearly since 2002. This has made tracking the volume easier and more accurate. In 2008, about 2,500 universities and colleges have contributed and participated as respondents to the study. The effort focused more on the nature as well as the overall extent of Internet education. Every year, it should be noted that the scope and coverage of the study is maintained. The interesting results are as follows.

The annual survey revealed that volume of enrollees in universities and colleges’ online degree programs have grown faster compared to enrolment in conventional or traditional tertiary institutions, 12.9% against only 1.2%, respectively. The study also estimated that more than 20% of tertiary students or about 3.9 million have enlisted in college-level programs or courses in the Fall season of 2007 semester. This caps the numbers game regarding volume of online college degree programs. It is expected that in the coming years, the number would further grow especially in the United States. More institutions are considering offering online college programs so it is expected that more students would take the opportunities.

What could administrative staff and faculty say about this trend? According to the study, those people see the rise of online college degrees as a positive development. That is because more and more students are given the chance to complete and earn college degrees despite all the odds. Online education systems are also becoming more in demand and are more developed to cope with the situation. Thus, in the coming years, expect that curriculums and systems of online college degrees would further improve and develop.

It is not surprising if in the future, almost all students in the college level are taking courses and programs online.

Improving Your Life With An Online College Degree

Everyone knows that education is important and that being knowledgeable gives you an edge in life. With the arrival of the Internet, continued education, once only the privilege of the rich, is now within affordable reach for the masses. Getting an additional college degree online is probably one of the best ways of improving your status in life. It doesn't just offer a chance for additional income but also increases a person's confidence and improves you mentally in a way that only new knowledge can do.

The boom in online educational programs is quite noticeable. Most large universities in the United States offer online programs and surveys say that there is twenty percent yearly increase in online course enrollments as opposed to the one percent increase found in traditional course. This boom is mostly because of the two things that online courses provide: flexibility in terms of time and money. A working or stay-at-home mother can quite easily undertake an online course in her free time that could help her land a job. Usual course lengths of twelve to eighteen months enable students to get through the courses quickly and yet at their own pace.

All of this is done at quarter of the price of the traditional course – the savings made by not requiring classroom attendance are immense and server space and bandwidth, the bread and butter of online courses, usually cost less than a hundred dollars a year, yet manage to service more than ten classrooms' worth of students. These savings are then passed on to the student. Those aren't the only things that the student saves on – transport fees, dorm fees and other sundry things that are usually the requirements of college life are practically non-existant.

With all that, why shouldn't you get one yourself? Here's a few tips to get you started on getting that degree:

1) Find out what degree you want. A lot of courses are available but you should choose something that you're interested in and that you would be motivated to learn about. Popular courses are usually computer-related since they are easy to explain via online lectures and examples.

2) Do a little canvassing. Online degrees can cost from a few hundred dollars to, at worst, several thousand dollars. It would be good to check and compare your options before enrolling. You can also check out if they're offering scholarships or if you're legible for financial aid.

3) Make sure you want to do this. This isn't the normal class where you are poked and prodded to do your best, You're practically on your own on this and you need the will and the drive to want to get that degree and to finish your course. Also take note that you have to be able to do the work for it: you may want to but if there are any extenuating circumstances that may delay or hinder your studies, better back off for now and not waste any money.

An online college can be the edge that you need in life to get success. It would be best to get one as soon as possible.

Common Types of Financial Aid

If you are planning to attend college or the parent of a child you hope will attend college, I'm sure you are concerned over how you are going to be able to afford the process. A college education in many cases is a significant investment. The good news is that there are many options for the average family when it comes to paying the high costs involved in higher education.

Types of Financial Assistance for Educational Expenses

Scholarships. You will find that scholarships come in many different shapes and sizes and have all kinds of strange requirements in order to qualify to receive them. Some are based on need while others are based on merit. You will also find that there are many community and faith based organizations that offer scholarships in addition to certain corporations that offer scholarships in a gesture of good will to employees and the children of their employees. These are an excellent source of educational funding, as they do not need to be repaid.

Federal Pell Grants. This is another financial aid source that doesn't require repayment. However, you must qualify based on need in order to receive this particular type of college assistance. You can only obtain a Pell grant if you are an undergraduate college student who has not yet earned a college degree. There is a formula that is used to determine the amount of award for which you are eligible. This depends greatly on your means as a family and how much you can realistically expect to contribute towards the cost of your education.

Loans. This should be used as a last resort when it comes to paying your college expenses, as this is money that must be repaid with interest. There are several types of loans that are available and you should consider carefully and weigh your options before taking out a loan. However, if this is the only method you have for covering the cost of your tuition it will be money well spent once you've managed to repay the debt.

1) Student loans. There are three different types of student loans: subsidized, unsubsidized, and Perkins loans. You must qualify in order to receive an unsubsidized loan, which will put off your interest accumulation until after graduation or you cease to be enrolled the minimum number of hours. You do not however, need to qualify in order to receive an unsubsidized student loan, which will begin accruing interest immediately. If you happen to be in exceptional financial need you can apply through your university for a Perkins loans. These are low interest loans that must be repaid to the university.

2) Parent Loans. These are commonly referred to as PLUS loans (parent loan for undergraduate students). These loans allow parents to borrow the money required to cover the costs of education that are not covered by other means of financial assistance. Repayment on these loans begins 60 days after the funds are transferred and can take up to 10 years.

3) Private loans. These loans are not guaranteed and are solely credit-based loans. They do not however, have the same limited scope that government loans have and in many cases can help bridge the gaps in actual educational expenses and the amount of money that you are allowed to borrow through traditional financial aid opportunities.

Before signing up for any particular sort of financial aid it is a good idea to see a financial aid counselor at the university you are planning to attend. They will have the best information about what steps you need to take in order to apply for financial aid at that specific universities and unique scholarship or grant opportunities that might be available to you through your state or the college. Higher education is a dream that is definitely worth having. Do not allow financial limitations to keep you from your goal if possible but enter into all financial arrangements with great caution and thought.

Getting your Way towards becoming a College-Bound Student Athlete

Supposedly you are a high school athlete who want to continue his sports career and has high hopes in entering the varsity when you go to college. You are confident enough that you will be able to attract the attention of college varsity coaches who might offer you some scholarship money that will help you a lot with regards to your college studies. You are aware that studying in college is expensive, and your parents may not afford it. Thus, you are using your talent as your capital in getting into any college sports scholarship program and at the same time continue your passion—being an athlete.

Thus, you need to start some research so that you will be able to arrive with a college sports scholarship program. But where will you start? Getting a college sport scholarship is probably a new thing to you, and definitely you will start from scratch, constantly wondering where to beginyour researching tasks.

How about getting the famous Peterson’s guidebook about getting a college sports scholarship? Instead of spending long hours in front of your personal computer and yet ending up with nothing, you may consider reading this guidebook and learn how to grab the best college sports scholarship that will match your college needs.

Published in August of 2004, this Peterson’s guidebook complete title is Peterson’s Sports Scholarship and College Athletic Programs, which is an “all-inclusive, college-by-college look at different college sports scholarships, intercollegiate athletic programs, and other financial information that is intended for high school athletes who want to continue playing at intercollegiate level and at the same time having the financial difficulty of getting to college”.

Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?

It scans different college sports scholarships available in the United States. The guidebook’s content reveals the detail of various athletic programs from over 1,700 two- and four-year schools, including their respective national association and conference affiliations. From this guidebook, you will also get the names and contact numbers of college team coaches, descriptions of sports facilities, and graduation rates for student-athletes. In addition, it also lists around 30 types of sports games (everything from basketball to wrestling), both for men and women as well as their cross references from other schools offering those sports. Thus, you will be able to check if your sport is among the ones that offers college sports scholarship.

Here is the summary of the contents of Peterson’s Sport Scholarship and College Athletic Programs:

• The Recruiting Process, which tackles finding your perfect fit with regards to college athletics, and other recruitment-related issues.

• Coach’s Forum, which includes views of head coaches of different sports in various colleges and universities across the United States.

• The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Guide for College-Bound Student Athlete, which tackles the eligibility-requirements of student athlete to different college sports scholarships as well as NCAA initial-eligibility clearinghouse.

• The alphabetical listings of various college athletic programs.

• Indexes, which include geographic listings of various college athletic programs, which is also sorted according to the sport and division where it belongs.

Through the Peterson’s Sport Scholarship and College Athletic Programs Guidebook, you will be able to reach your dream of becoming a college-bound student athlete while at the same time getting your college degree. It is the best gift that you can give to yourself, so do not ever miss the opportunity to do so.

How to Apply for a Scholarship: College Freshman’s Recipe

When we speak of college scholarship application, the burden is always on the parents. Since they have the responsibility over the education of their children and they know what will be good for them, parents apply personally for the college scholarship of their children.

What if we turn the tide? From primary to secondary education, your parents accepted the responsibility. But you are old enough to take care of a simple college scholarship application. It takes some courage, self-confidence, and some excellent academic records to apply for a college scholarship. Keep in mind that is you who will utilize the financial aid that comes with the scholarship and not your parents. Thus, applying for a college scholarship is now your business, and you can do it with less supervision from your parents.

The procedure for college scholarship application is similar when you apply for college. You need to learn every scholarship opportunity available and make a list of potential prospects that you think will fit your personal needs. Once through with the list, you need to create an application letter and state your achievements (good high school scholastic records and recommendation letters from your high school director and teachers) and you are now on your way on getting into college for less, if not for free.

The above-mentioned procedure is the most common way of getting a college scholarship. However, the chances of success lies in you, and you need to exert more effort to assure yourself of a financial aid when you go to college. To increase your chances, here are some pointers that you can consider:

• You should start as early as your high school years. There are many college scholarships that open during your senior high school year. In addition, these financial aid programs are only open in a specific period of time. Once the application closes, you have to wait for another year before you can file for your application. Starting early will give you better chances of getting the best financial aid available.

• Give importance to the scholarship requirements. Keep in mind that among all available scholarships, there are only few that will fit your qualifications. Read the eligibility standards of the college scholarship that you want to apply. If you found out that the financial aid does not fit with the qualifications that you have, search for another. Do not insist yourself on scholarships where your chances of success is minute.

• Do not forget to complete the requirements asked by the college scholarship. Prepare the documents that are commonly asked by the scholarship grantee to its applicants.

• Your application letter will be your “speaking alter-ego” to the sponsor of the college scholarship you have applied for. Thus, you need to create an application letter that will convince the sponsor that you honestly need the financial aid and you deserve to get one, state honest information in your application. Never include false information especially if your purpose is just to “flatter” the sponsor with your achievements.

After you followed the aforementioned recipe, you are now ready to submit your application to the scholarship screening committee. Be prepared for other requirements (such as interviews and examinations) that will determine if you are eligible to receive a college scholarship.

Follow the aforementioned college freshman’s recipe when you apply for a college scholarship. And best of all, do not forget to pray that the sponsor would consider you eligible for the college scholarship. Good luck!

College Scholarship: Guide to Parents on Getting Financial Aid for their Children

Many believe that being a parent is the happiest moment in the life of a human being. Probably you still remember the excitement that you felt when your wife gave birth to your first child. There are times that you will not sleep because you want to take care of your child even in the midst of the evening. You want to ensure that he/she will sleep soundly through the night.

It is true that happiness comes with children in the family. However, such happiness could be achieved if you are responsible enough with your children. You need to provide all of their needs, starting from their infancy until the time that they are studying. Although it will really cost you a lot, you have the responsibility to your children, especially in giving them the education that they need.

If you have children who are now going to college, you have to think of their financial needs. Probably you still remember your own collegiate years and you are aware of the financial needs of an ordinary college student. However, the difference is that you are now the parent—you will now be the one to think of the different payments that you need to settle for your children’s college education, such as college application, scholastic assessment test expenditures, transcript of records, and others. Add to it the lodging and food allowance of your children if the college or university is far away from your own residence.

Thinking all of these college-related expenses could be overwhelming and bothering as well, especially if your salary is not enough to support such expenses and your family’s financial needs at the same time. But if you know how to get a college financial aid for your children, you will find out that everything will work out smoothly.

How you will start your search for the college financial aid for your children? Here are some tips that you can start with:

• When your children are still on their high school years, you should start searching for potential universities that offer college scholarships for deserving freshman students as well as financial aid programs funded by different organizations. You may start your search on the Internet to look for possible college financial aid options for your children.

• Once you find a prospective university, visit their main office and inquire for any college scholarship or financial aid offers.

• Always ask for the cut-off dates of filing and submission of college financial aid application forms.

• Tell your children about the importance of a scholarship to their college education. Make them aware that they have plenty of options to consider as long as they have good high school scholastic records. In this way, you will be able to motivate them to study harder and make good grades, thus increasing your chances of a good financial aid.

• You may also consider filing an application for financial aid programs funded by the Federal government. State-owned colleges and universities offer this kind of financial assistance to qualified and deserving students who want to pursue their college studies despite of financial difficulties. You may submit the FAFSA (Free Application Form Student Aid) personally.

• Make certain that you have completed all the FAFSA requirements (such as present statement of bank accounts, monthly income records, present mortgage information, and others) and understand the rights or specialadvantages before accepting the financial aid for your children. You may also check if the financial aid is renewable.

With different financial aid programs such as college scholarships and federal grants, you are assured of a bright future for your children despite of the financial difficulties that you are currently experiencing.

Downside Of Online College Degrees

We know how important it is for employers to find post-high school academic credentials in our resumes. Those who have college education and training are more likely to land secure jobs. Understanding the importance of college education, there are some who would try to earn a degree by going back to traditional colleges or earning them through online college degree programs.

If you would search the internet, there are different testimonies on how online learning could cater to the needs and limitations of different students, whether they are single parents, working or with disabilities. Online education also tends to be more affordable than regular or traditional college. Its flexibility and lower cost are definitely among the primary reasons why there are about 3.9 million online students as early as 2007 according to the Sloan Consortium.

There are two sides of a coin, everything has it benefits and downside. One side could outweigh the other but knowing both sides would help a person come up with a guided decision. The same thing applies to online college degrees. Although there are many benefits, online college education is not for everybody. There are things that should be considered and there are also limitations.

• Time management is important for students who are studying online. Since they would be able to complete their assignments and school work on the time convenient for them, there are tendencies that students would procrastinate. Students must be able to juggle family, work and studying into their schedule.

• Self-discipline is important. Although students could work or set the schedule according to their free time, this could also work against them. Lack of self-discipline or self-motivation to do the assignments or lectures could lead to failure.

• Since online education requires familiarization and usage of technology, it is important that students would be able to navigate in software and programs frequently used by the educator or the course. While there are students who have limited access to internet connection or even use of a decent computer.

• If you do have a working computer and internet connection, you may encounter connection problems. This can cause to delays with getting your lessons done.

• Most of the courses online are self-learned. Readings and lectures are read by the students on their own time. There are no classroom lectures. However, there are some online programs that would require students and teachers meet during orientation or examinations.

• There are also some students who would get the motivation from classmates and teachers. However, with online education, there are no or limited face-to-face sessions, making human interaction less. Eventually, you would have to work on your own. For some lack of interaction with classmates could lead to poor participation while it may prove beneficial for others. Different from traditional colleges, online students would not be able to expand their horizons by joining different organizations, student unions, clubs, etc.

• Another limitation is that most online college degrees require students to be adept with the English language. Foreign students may encounter difficulties, but rest assured, internet and site developers would surely be able to address this in the near future.

Common Attendance Methods for Returning Students

Are you one of many Americans that dreams of returning to college but fears that option ended for your many years ago? If this is you, then you are in luck. There is no time like the present to go back and pursue your educational dreams. In fact, there has been no better time throughout history than today for those who wish to return to school but cannot give up their careers in order to do so.

Educational opportunities abound today in America and only show evidence of increasing and improving with time and technological advances. There are many options available for the returning students of today that would have been summarily designed to those hoping to further their educational goals in the past. If you are hoping to go back to school consider the options below very carefully before deciding which will be best for you.

The All or Nothing Approach

This endeavor is a giant leap of faith. It involves quitting your job, packing up your life and going back to college with every hope for a better future hinging on your performance. This is a high-risk endeavor for many professionals who have families and careers to consider. However, the rewards will be much quicker with this approach than most of the other available options. You should consider carefully whether this is an appropriate plan of action for your specific needs or if the risk would be too high for your family to endure.

Night School

Most community colleges and universities offer a wide assortment of night classes to those students who have daytime careers but are hoping to further their educations. You will find that despite common preconceived notions there is a wide mixture of students in night classes. There are first time college students who simply prefer night classes to early morning classes, retirees hoping to learn something new, and professionals hoping to grab a few more credit hours towards their degree. You never know whom you will find in your night classes but chances are you will find that there is a special sense of community among night school students that you won't find in traditional day classes.

Techno Wizards for Internet Courses

Believe it or not you do not need to have spectacular technical skills in order to take the average online or Internet course. The truth of the matter is that the most technical skill most of these classes require is the ability to visit websites, open email, and download an occasional file. Internet classes offer extreme flexibility for those with busy family and work schedules. This is the option of choice for many returning schools. The good news is that more and more universities and community colleges are offering these sorts of classes in many different fields and majors. The more demand grows for these classes the more classes will be offered.

The fact is that as consumers we have the right to ask for what we want or need. College students are consumers who are paying a hefty price for the product they hope to receive-a solid educational experience. Do not be afraid to request that the university you are attending offer more options for working students if you find that you are in need of a class that isn't offered in a flexible manner. Chances are if you need the course, there are others like you who will as well. If there is enough demand, most universities will oblige the demands of their students.

College Education: Scholarship Grants or Financial Aid?

How much is the cost for a college education?

Is there an available financing scheme?

Let’s face the reality. College education is expensive! A lot of parents do a double take when their children are preparing and looking forward to attending a community college or a state university.

There are a lot of things which comprises the cost of college education and the tuition fee is just a part of the big picture of getting into college. Other everyday expenditure includes food, transportation, housing, pocket money, and other miscellaneous fees which when added up can create a significant portion in financing a college education.

A lot of families in this day and age, even if they belong to the upper-class society, think about applying for financial aid. College grants and scholarships are the most excellent kind of financial assistance.

Grant and scholarship programs do not entail students or the family to pay back. These could be of two kinds: (1) base on need, which is given due to the financial inability of the student and the family as a whole, and (2) base on merit, the talent of the student like in sports, is the main consideration. The student’s academic ability also falls under the merit-base college grant and scholarship.

Oftentimes, college grants and scholarships combine the merit and need criteria to ease out the whole financial aid process. Numerous students and their families are in the look-out for this type of financial aid. However, college grants and scholarships are limited compared with the growing number of students year after year.

Qualifying students can avail of federal and a number of state scholarship programs. Some of which are the following:

Federal or National Pell Grants – this is a program funded nationwide intended to endow assistance to any qualified undergraduate learner pursuing postsecondary schooling. Grants and scholarships of this kind are given to those who have not finished a baccalaureate degree.

The worth of the grant can vary year after year and will depend largely on the financial need of the students, the expenses that will be incurred while attending the chosen university or college, and the availability of funds from the national government.

This type of grant will open opportunity for the students to avail succeeding financial aid from the national government.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) – this is a program for ongoing undergraduate students with outstanding monetary need. However, not all students can avail this type of grant. This will depend on the eligibility of the students and availability of finances of the concerned school.

Another form of financial aid that students and families can turn to is through loans. This type of financial assistance should be paid back. The financial need of the family should be considered thoroughly to avoid paying high interest rates.

It is also a must to understand all the terms of lending agencies such as the schedule of repayment and interest rates, before signing in or making a commitment.

Work study is a form of financial assistance which calls for students to do labor to sustain their college education. Work study is commonly done on campus and is the most typical form of financial aid in all universities and colleges. Usually, the students will render service to schools for ten to fifteen hours per week.

Scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid to acquire college education is really multifaceted, confusing at times, and even exasperating. The good thing is college education is a non-refundable and non-biodegradable type of investment. It is for the future!

Associate Degree Vs. Bachelor Degree

There really are few ways to compare a two-year education with a four-year education that would be fair to either degree program. The truth of the matter is that both are excellent for certain things while both also offer serious limitations. When it comes to pros and cons they both have their own set of both that make excellent food for thoughts.

Two-Year Education

Pros

When it comes to a two-year college program there are several things you should consider in its favor before you take the plunge. First of all, you should keep in mind that the degree or certification at the end of your studies doesn't necessarily indicate the end of your education. Two-year degrees are excellent starting points for four-year degrees but also allow you the option to venture out into the workplace with your own skills and knowledge that will allow you greater earning potential than a high school diploma. You will also have the benefit of entering the work place much sooner with an associate's degree than with a bachelor's degree. Most importantly for many who are limited by budgets, two-year colleges offer an affordable alternative for an education or even the first two years of your education.

Cons

The biggest cons that most people find when it comes to getting a two-year degree is the growing competition for limited jobs. In fact, it is difficult to remain competitive in any industry when there are more and more entering the work force with bachelor's degrees. It is simply more difficult to maintain a competitive edge with only a two-year degree though it is not impossible. The other obvious con when it comes to two-year college degrees is that fact that some positions will not even consider anyone with less than a four-year degree. This means that you aren't even in the running required to worry about competition.

Four-Year Degrees

Pros

A bachelor's degree will earn you far greater earning potential in your lifetime than a high school education without a doubt. It will also place you in a position of serious competition within your chosen field or industry. This means that you will often be given preference when seeking jobs over those who do not have degrees or those with lesser degrees regardless of experience. There is also not enough that can be said about the personal confidence that goes along with earning your degree. You will find that you are much more confident on both a personal and a professional level once you've earned your bachelor's degree.

Cons

The single largest con associated with a bachelor's degree is the expense. Both in terms of time and money bachelor's degrees exact a price. You should be certain that you are both willing and able to pay that price before setting out to get your degree.

Regardless of whether a two-year degree or a four-year degree is in your personal best interest at the moment neither are a waste of time or effort. I hope that you will eventually seek a four-year degree, as this will give you a competitive edge in business, however, even the smallest improvement in your education level can mean big changes over the course of your lifetime. Sometimes it helps to improve your education in steps. Take one class at a time until you have your associate's degree then repeat until you have your bachelor's degree. Good luck!

Are Student Loans Becoming Necessary Evils?

When it comes to getting a college education most people can agree that the costs can be staggering at best. Even the least expensive colleges in the nation can add up over a four or five year period of time creating crippling debt for those who do not qualify for some of the better grant programs of substantial scholarships.

The problem lies in the fact that the parents of most traditional college students make too much money to qualify for the free financial aid that is needs based and very few qualify for the limited number of scholarships that are available to students based on merit. Even among those that qualify competition and fierce and there are no guarantees. Enter the student loan. There are all kinds of student loans and unfortunately with rising costs associated with college attendence and the growing necessity of a college degree for success in this country it is becoming more and more difficult to pay the price that is associated with higher education.

There are three types of loans that are commonly found for college students. They include federal student loans, federal plus loans, and private student loans. Each type of loan has advantages and disadvantages that are unique to that particular loan. Below I will give a little information about each of the loan types and whom they may benefit.

Student loans. There are three different types of student loans: subsidized, unsubsidized, and Perkins loans. Perkins loans are only available to students who display exceptional financial need. These loans are available at a 5% interest rate and are available to both graduate and undergraduate students. Perkins loans are extended through the university you attend and will be repaid to the university unlike the other types of student loans, which are repaid to the lending agency.

Subsidized student loans are loans in which the interest is deferred until graduation or you cease to be a qualifying student.  What this means is that while you are responsible for repaying the loan upon graduation the interest on these loans does not begin to accrue until your begin repayment 6 months after graduation or your cease to be at least a half time student of the university. You must qualify based on your income in order to receive a subsidized student loan. While the needs requirements for these loans isn't as grave as those required in order to receive a Perkins loan you must still qualify.

Unsubsidized student loans do not require qualification on a needs basis. You must be a student and enrolled at least half time in order to receive an unsubsidized student loan. The good news however for those who do not qualify based on needs for other student loan options is that this type of loan is available to all qualifying students regardless of need. The interest on these loans however begins to accrue immediately, which means they can really add up over time.

PLUS loans are loans that are taken out by the parents of students who need the funds in order to cover educational expenses. The maximum amount that can be borrowed is the cost of attendence minus any financial aid awards the student has already received. The repayment on these loans begins 60 days after the loan is dispersed and the repayment period can be up to 10 years.

In order to cover the costs involved in education that go above and beyond what the government recognizes as acceptable college related expenses you can opt to go the route of private student loans rather then relying solely upon federal financial aid for your student loan source. These loans require that you qualify in order to receive them based on your credit rather than your need and must be used for educational purposes only. With these particular loans you really need to make sure you read all the fine print as different companies offer different conditions and different perks. You should really take the time and compare prices and options before taking out a private student loan and this should be done only as a last resort.

Advantages of Universities

A degree from a university means many thing to many different people. Only you can define the importance of a degree such as this to you and only you can determine whether or not now is the time for you to pursue a university degree. If you are unsure about how advantageous a university degree could be to your life let's look at some of the advantages to a university education in relationship to a community college education.

Money. The first obvious advantage of a university education would be in future earning potential. A four-year degree trumps a two-year degree almost every time. There would have to be exceptional circumstances for someone with a two-year degree to earn more over the course of a lifetime than someone with a four-year degree in the same exact field. While a degree does not guarantee employability, it does improve the odds as well as the income potential that is associated with the field you are entering into. If you have a two-year degree the decision to continue your educational pursuits can be a tough one but it is well worth the effort in the end.

Housing. This is another distinct advantage that universities offer over community colleges. In fact, many universities are now offering housing opportunities to students with families in addition to those students who have no families. Colleges and universities are offering all kinds of value when it comes to housing and meal plans. A great deal of the college experience is missed when you do not live on campus. For this particular reason students wishing to enjoy the experience that dorm life provides often consider universities over community colleges.

Diversity. This is another key component that is often missing at the community college level. International students find no real price breaks between universities and community colleges so they tend to opt for the housing and cultural atmosphere that universities present rather than going with the limiting educational, residential, and cultural experience offered by many community colleges. You will find students of different races, religions, cultures, and nations on the university level-far more than will typically be seen in a community college unless you are attending community college in a very culturally diverse city such as New York.

Culture. This is something that is often lacking on the community college level, as they are largely commuter campuses. You will not see quite the opportunity to experience art, music, the theater, and other wonderful experiences that universities pride themselves in offering to their students. There is nothing quite like the cultural offerings of most large universities and if you get the opportunity I hope you will take the time to stop and experience some of the wonderful things that being in a university community present you with an opportunity to experience.

Research opportunities. On a university level you will have the opportunity to participate in research projects with certain professors if your prove yourself worthy and express an interest. This is something that isn't as likely on the community college level as most professors in a community college are dedicated to teaching rather than research. You will find that the experience of working on a large-scale research project is unlike anything you are likely to experience again if you ever get the chance.

Confidence. There is nothing quite like a college degree from a university to help you become a more confident person both personally and professionally. This is something that really can't be achieved on the community college level but can only be experienced by getting a degree from a university. If you lack confidence when dealing with others or in your career, I hope that you will find that your university education is just the thing to help you feel more confidence on all levels of your life.

These are just a small sampling of the many benefits of attending a university over a community college education. I hope you will carefully consider these when making your decision about which is best for your personal education needs.

A Community College Education is a Good Start

Many people search and search for the University they will attend upon graduation from high school. Eager students look forward to their time at university while parents wring their hands hoping that their children choose to attend a university that is not only close to home but also within their budget limitations. Another worry that parents have when their children decide to attend college is whether or not that university they attend will have the specialized and individualized services that their children were accustomed to receiving in high school. Face it; larger universities tend to be rather impersonal when it comes to the education of their students.

One answer to all those worries and more is to transition your students from high school to a two-year college rather than throwing them to the university wolves so to speak. Many people find that two-year colleges can in fact provide superior educations to four-year universities for those first two years or foundation college level courses. You will not get the specialized or specific instruction in a two year college that is available to upper level students on a university level but most students find the first two years of their college educations focused on getting the requirement and pre-requisite courses rather than the specialized courses in their intended field of study.

Many people also find that those first two years at a community college-transitioning from a small pond to a larger lake-are much easier to handle than going straight from high school to a university-out of the pond and into the ocean. Universities often have lower level classes as auditorium classes. These classes offer little individual instruction and are often sink or swim sorts of classes. Those students who have special learning needs are often lost in the shuffle when entering a university. Community colleges offer smaller classes and ample opportunities for tutoring as well as classes on how to learn to study.

Two-year colleges are also much easier on the budget than most universities. Most people find that community college does not place nearly the financial burdens on families that universities place. Add to that the fact that most community colleges offer very flexible class scheduling and even some courses online and you will find that there are many reasons to consider community college that go well beyond mere budgeting requirements.

Another benefit to students who wish to enter the work force sooner rather than later is that you can actually get a degree or certification in certain programs from a two-year college. This means that you can actually graduate and begin earning much sooner than if you were to attend a four-year college in search of a degree. If you aren't sure you want to invest the next four or five years of your life in pursuit of a degree or you simply aren't ready to commit yourself to one line of work for the rest of your life it is a good idea to spend two years in a community college rather than making the leap straight into a university setting.

If you are considering whether or not a community college or two year education is the best course of action for your specific needs, I really recommend creating a list of pros and cons of each and balancing your budget to see where your needs are most likely to be fully met. Remember you can always transfer to a university once you've completed your two-year college education or at any time during that education as long as you meet the universities admission requirements. Good luck and remember that your college education is one of the largest indicators of your future earning potential so take it seriously.

Exposing Online College Degree Myths

Nowadays, about 227 million Americans have internet connection in their homes and offices. Internet connection has been maximized for different transactions, online shopping, online payment and even earning an online college degree. According to the Sloan Consortium, there are about 3.9 million Americans who are studying on online programs in 2007.

Even though there are a lot of students enrolled in online colleges, there are myths surrounding online education making people hesitant of applying to become a student. What are these common myths? Here they are.

Myth1. Online education would require you to be knowledgeable in programming, software tools and configuration.

The only knowledge that online students must posses would be knowledge in sending and managing personal e-mails, downloading and uploading assignments, and chatting with instructors and classmates. For online courses that would require students to use other programs, software and its installation are instructed.

Myth2. Online courses are not that difficult compared with traditional or regular courses.

Most people think that just because online students do not return to school then their studies may be easier. Online classes help students develop their learning and studying strategies on their own. There are employment surveys showing that those who have graduated from online college programs, tend to be more self-reliant and analytical about certain company issues. Aside from that, every course, regular or online, would require hard work and patience to succeed.

Myth3. Online college degrees cannot be recognized by the employer.

This is completely debunked since there are employers and companies who would reimburse the tuition spent while studying. Aside from that, employers are slowly recognizing that characteristics like devotion, commitment, and focus are vital in their company and these characteristics were developed in their family.

Myth4. Online degrees are expensive.

The truth is traditional college courses are more expensive than online degrees. Aside from that, online colleges would offer payment plans allowing students to bay through installment process.

Myth5. There are no reputable online colleges.

Completely, untrue. There are many traditional and regular colleges which are already offering online courses. In addition to that, U.S. Department of Education would not be granting any accreditation certificate to schools that have not met their standards.

Myth 6. Online teachers are not good instructors.

Online faculties are also evaluated by college accreditation agencies. Teaching online is difficult since teachers would rely heavily on technology, digital tools and written content to evaluate the student’s progress.

Myth7. Credits earned in online colleges cannot be transferred.

Credit earned from accredited online colleges can be transferred to another school or college, especially if the online student would continue his or her education. Traditional universities also accept online college credits given that it is within the traditional university’s transfer policies.

Myth8. Online classes are unreliable because technical difficulties could happen.

t is true that power shortages and internet connection failure would affect the course. However, it will just cause delay and would not interfere with the student’s education. The student could access the lessons again once internet connection or power is restored. Since they are online, you could go to your friend’s or family’s home and finish your lessons there.

These kinds of myths make online college degrees look shallow and not an option for success. However, research and interview would help you understand and keep things in perspective.