Online College Degrees

I have mentioned before that I was a professor for 6 years in Dallas, a student recruiter while in graduate school for 2 years, and I recruited nurses to back to college through distance learning programs for 4 years.  There is one thing I learned:

The lack of money will not keep you from going to school.

I have never seen a student turned away at the door because they didn’t have money in their pocket to pay for school.  Let me qualify that a bit further.  If a student is willing to work with the financial aid department of the school, they will help you find the finances to pay for your schooling.  This includes online degrees and traditional campuses. 

Now, schools want their money… after all, they are technically a “business,” and they need money to keep their doors open.  But, the financial aid department has nearly unlimited resources to help you pay for your degree.  The only people who don’t receive money are the people who never ask.

In a previous blog post, we talked about Federal Money for college.  Here are some further ways you can find money to pay for college.

1. Loans from a private source- Usually this involves a private bank.  These loans tend to have higher interest rates and must be paid on the schedule set up by the bank.
2. Grants- These are monies that will help pay for educational expenses that do not have to be repaid.  In order to receive a grant, the committee that is issuing the grant may have some requirements that must be adhered to.
3. Scholarships- These tend to be based on the student’s performance in school, sports, or other criteria.  There are requirements that must be adhered to in order not to lose a scholarship.  The money from a scholarship does not need to be repaid.
4. In House Financing- Some schools offer an in-house financial program to students who cannot obtain funding sources elsewhere.  Check with the advisor at the school you have chosen.

A student attending an accredited on-line school has the same rights to financial aid as a student attending a traditional college.  With so many options available now, there is no reason why finding financial aid to help pay for schooling should cause you angst.