Before enrolling in a degree program, you’ll want to check out what online colleges provide laptops. 

You’ll find several examples here, such as Seton Hill University, Rochester College, Centenary College, and the University of Minnesota-Crookston. 

To find out which schools provide laptops for students, read their information carefully. It may not be as simple as it seems, but it can help you make the best decision for your future.

Please note that the information provided in this article may be subject to change as the policies of the schools featured are subject to various factors. Nevertheless, check them out so that you can have an idea of what may be required to get access to school laptops.

Seton Hill University

Aside from online colleges, you can also find a campus that provides free laptops for students. You can enroll at Seton Hill University if you are a full-time student and get a free MacBook or iPad.

The college has a 95% career placement rate and has consistently been ranked highly in various publications.

In the 2013-2014 academic year, Seton Hill University provided free iPad Minis and Macbook Airs to all full-time first-year undergraduate students. This program continues to give students laptops even after they graduate.

To apply for the laptop program, you must be enrolled at least three-quarters of the time. After that, you must pay $350 for the laptop. Students who are continuing their studies or applying for transfer may not qualify.

Students who accept a tuition cap of $20,000 or less are also not eligible for the program. Seton Hill University also provides free laptops for students enrolled in traditional undergraduate programs.

The college also has a partnership with Apple and has been awarded an Apple Distinguished School designation.

Students at Seton Hill University can also borrow Apple MacBook Airs from the school for free. The university is Apple Distinguished and the program has numerous resources for students. The university also offers AppleCare support and loaner programs for its students.

The Tennessee Laptop Program offers free Dell Latitude 2290 2-in-1 devices to all full-time undergraduate students. Additionally, students can take advantage of a loaner program for Apple iPads.

While most students have their own laptops, some online schools that provide free laptops for college students have different policies on this matter. Some only provide the laptops to students who enroll in a certain technology program.

Others provide laptops to all incoming students, and some offer free or discounted laptops for everyone. The online college that provides laptops should be chosen carefully and researches the terms and conditions of the laptop programs.

Free laptops for college students are a great way to help students stay connected and productive. However, you should understand that these programs require modern technology and may not be suitable for those with less resources.

Some of the colleges even offer discounted Dell laptops for online students. If you want to take advantage of such programs, make sure you contact your college’s financial aid office. If you want to apply for free laptops for college, you should also search for tech scholarships and grants.

Rochester College

If you are a first-time freshman at a two-year college, and are interested in earning your undergraduate degree online, Rochester University in Michigan offers a program where you can earn a free iPad or MacBook Pro.

You can apply through the college’s Early College program, which admits students with fewer than 29 credits. You also must be enrolled in six full semesters before being eligible for the program.

For a full scholarship, students must meet certain criteria. Applicants must have a high school diploma and a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Students who meet these criteria can apply for a full scholarship or partial scholarship. Those who do not qualify for grants may apply for other aid to finance their education.

Some aids will cover tuition, supplies, and laptops. Other aid programs provide low-income earner loans or no-credit-check loans for students. Single mothers may qualify for a student loan.

Students may need to purchase extra software or accessories to enhance their learning experience. Technical support is available online and by phone. Students may need patches or software to use the full features of online education.

Centenary College

Located in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Centenary College was founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of United Methodist churches. Since then, it has grown into a women’s preparatory school, junior college, and coeducational institution.

Its 42-acre campus features a riding center, as well as off-campus learning centers in MetroPark. It offers on-campus and online classes, and in 2003 became the first school in the state to go wireless.

Students at Centenary College can keep their notebooks after graduating if they so choose. The college also offers several scholarship programs and financial aid, which will help students pay for their education.

Interested students should contact the college’s financial aid office to determine what their estimated tuition costs are. Students should be aware of all deadlines and requirements, as well as any other details. 

Moreover, students in the College’s Laptop Program are required to sign a contract not to share the laptop with anyone else and use it only for academic purposes. Laptops may also be available from local libraries, although there may be rules pertaining to the use of such devices.

Some financial aid programs also allow students to purchase their own laptop or tablet, such as Microsoft’s Scholarship Learning Partners program. However, the program does not extend to master’s degree programs.

Students with limited funds may qualify for a laptop program. Charitable organizations often help students obtain a free laptop, but the terms of such an arrangement vary widely.

In most cases, the laptop belongs to the college, so students must return it if they leave the college early. In some cases, students may opt for payment plans. These plans are often similar to rent-to-own programs.

The benefit to the students is that they don’t have to purchase the laptop at the beginning of the semester, so the student will not have to pay a huge sum.

University of Minnesota-Crookston

UMN Crookston offers sixteen degree programs, some online and some on campus. This university is also a member of the New Century Learning Consortium, an independent organization that helps colleges and universities develop large online and hybrid programs.

The campus is home to more than 600 students, including a fifth residence hall that opened in spring 2013.

Over 40 student clubs provide professional development opportunities for students. The university is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Since 1993, University of Minnesota-Crookston students have been provided with standard model laptop computers. In fact, the university was the first four-year institution in the country to offer this kind of technology.

The program’s success has prompted more than one hundred colleges to visit the campus to learn about the benefits of using a laptop. The laptops are available for students on campus, but online students are also eligible for the program.

Students at UMN Crookston can apply to receive a laptop through a campus program. In most cases, these laptops will be available to students who have completed at least six credits on campus.

If a student is unsure of the requirements to obtain a laptop, they can always contact the computer help desk located in room 131 of the Kiehle Building. If they do not know what the policy is, they can call the number listed on their campus page.

UMN Crookston is one of the five campuses in the University of Minnesota system. It is a small, personal campus with world-class resources and a hands-on approach to learning. Its degree is prestigious and respected by major employers and intellectuals around the world.

Its proximity to Minneapolis makes it a popular college for students from far away. With its many resources and close-knit community, UMN Crookston is an excellent choice.

Students are encouraged to use the laptops provided by the university. They can even download optional software from popular manufacturers.

Among other benefits, the laptops come with extended warranties and accidental damage coverage. And because they are free to use on campus, students can get loaner devices if needed.

Among higher education institutions, the University of Minnesota-Crookston provides laptops to full-time students and undecided online students.

While many schools offer free laptops for full-time students, not all online colleges do. Choosing a school that provides laptops for its students can be beneficial for your overall educational experience.

The post What Online Colleges Provide Laptops For Students? appeared first on OnlineSchoolsResource.com.

How do you find financial aid for online college? There are several ways to obtain financial aid for your online college education. Among them are scholarships, private loans, Federal Pell Grants, State-based financial aid, and work-study programs. Learn about them and how to apply for them.

You can also look into the Department of Education database. There are many ways to secure financial aid, so do your research. You may be eligible for some of them. But be sure to read the fine print and check with the financial aid office at your chosen institution.

Once you’ve figured out which type of aid you can get, then start applying. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Scholarships

You can easily find scholarships for online college by browsing through scholarship websites. You can also check out organizations that usually offer scholarships for online college. By browsing through these websites, you will be able to compare different scholarships and choose one that is the best fit for you.

You can find private scholarships by searching the websites of organizations you belong to. Try searching professional organizations of the career profession you want to pursue or organizations representing your ethnicity, hobbies, or other interests.

You can also find grants offered by the STEM Diversity Foundation that aim to attract more minority students into science and technology fields. The Jacob Javits Fellowship Program, for example, provides up to $30,000 to art students. These scholarships are not difficult to find if you know how to look for them.

Research all the scholarships you’re interested in. After identifying the scholarships that fit your profile and qualifications, put them into a yes or no category.

Before applying for a scholarship, you should thoroughly research the requirements and deadlines. Make sure you follow all requirements closely so that you don’t waste your time with scholarships you don’t qualify for.

For example, you might be eligible for a sports scholarship if you’re on a school sports team. Other sports scholarship opportunities include cheerleading, track, and basketball.

Another way to find scholarships for online college is to look for organizations that fund online courses. There are many nonprofit organizations that offer scholarships and grant money to support the education of students who choose an online course.

These groups provide scholarships to students who have financial needs but want to earn a higher education.

You can even look for government grants or private foundations for a scholarship if you’re looking for financial help. You might be surprised at what you find.

Private Loans

Whether you’re attending a traditional campus or online college, you’ve probably heard about the different types of financial aid available, but did you know that you can find private loans as well?

Private student loans are offered by various banks and are not backed by the Department of Education. To get a private student loan, you must first research federal financial aid options. Once you have determined your eligibility, you can choose a private lender, review the interest rates and repayment terms, and choose a loan that fits your needs.

Variable-rate loans are similar to fixed-rate loans, but they have different features. A variable-rate loan starts out with a lower interest rate but can end up being much higher. This can result in increased monthly payments and an overall higher cost.

Therefore, private loans are best for those who plan to make a long-term commitment to college. However, private loans are not always the best option for everyone.

Grants

Finding the right grant for your needs can be a daunting task. There are several ways to apply for a college grant, but the process will always begin by evaluating your financial need.

Once you know how much you can afford to spend, the next step is to research the grants available to you. Write down your interests, the field of study you want to pursue, and any other personal traits that might help you qualify for a grant.

There are also grants specifically for adult nontraditional students or people with disabilities and long-term illnesses.

You can apply for federal and state grants to cover the costs of your education. The requirements vary between programs, so be sure to read each grant’s specific requirements.

Apply for as many as you can, including outside scholarships and grants. Some grants may require repayment, so be sure to find out how long you have to pay them back.

Many programs will give you 45 days to complete the repayment process. Using a scholarship database is an excellent way to find a college grant.

When applying for a grant, consider whether the grant is based need-based or not. Generally, the grant money awarded is need-based, but some are awarded based on an individual’s ethnicity, unique skills, and other factors.

While you’re in college, you should keep in mind that some grants are for part-time students, but they don’t pay less than their full-time counterparts. For students with other commitments, a part-time grant may be the best option.

In addition to federal and state grants, some states offer their own grants for students to attend college. These funds vary widely, so it’s important to research them carefully.

Many states have specific criteria for eligibility, so focus on the grants that fit your needs. Remember to read the details, as some require specific work conditions and have strict income requirements.

You should apply as early as possible for any college grant that you qualify for. That way, you’ll be assured of getting the best possible grant for your needs.

Federal Pell Grants

You can apply for a Federal Pell Grant for online college even if you don’t plan to attend college full-time. All you need to do is fill out the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The greater your financial need, the higher the chance you will be approved for a Pell Grant. You can even complete the application online. Federal student aid authorities strongly encourage this method.

Applying early is crucial. Be sure to apply early to avoid any mistakes. You’ll be able to submit your application online or by mail, and you won’t have to deal with the paperwork involved in sending it.

It is also beneficial to understand your eligibility and know what you should expect to receive. To get a Pell Grant for online college, follow these tips.

Federal Financial Student Aid

Online colleges offer several types of financial aid, ranging from grants and scholarships to discounted tuition. You must understand the eligibility requirements for each type of aid and verify the accreditation of your online college.

While online colleges are less expensive than traditional institutions, many students still need financial aid. Most online students start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

FAFSA tells you how much federal aid you’ll receive through scholarships and loans. As an online student, you may be able to qualify for additional scholarships or grants, including those offered by nonprofit groups or private foundations. And don’t forget to look for any employer-sponsored tuition programs to pay for your college.

Filling out the FAFSA is important, but remember that there are deadlines, so apply early.

If you’re considering applying for financial aid for your online college program, you’ll need to carefully calculate your total expenses. The federal government requires that students make satisfactory academic progress in order to receive any aid.

If you’re unsure whether you’re making enough progress, try using the Federal Student Aid Program Loan Simulator. You can also use your federal student aid number to see how much you need to borrow.

State-Based Financial Aid

Depending on your state, you may qualify for free tuition at an online college. If you qualify for a free tuition program, you can receive a grant or scholarship. State-based financial aid is typically given to students who live in the state or who attend an in-state college or university.

State-based aid is available in three forms: scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. Some programs have strict requirements and deadlines, so it’s important to plan ahead.

State-based financial aid is not required for every student, but you should fill out the FAFSA anyway, just to be sure.

Most state-based financial aid is awarded to residents of the state that funds the college. To qualify, you must be a citizen of the state you live in and attend school there. However, you can apply for financial aid in other states if you meet certain requirements.

Financial aid recipients must meet certain criteria in order to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Each college defines SAP differently, so be sure to read the specific requirements of your program.

Some schools have a GPA cutoff, while others require a certain number of credits to maintain enrollment.

Make sure to review the requirements and renewal requirements of your state-based financial aid. To find out if you qualify for financial aid, speak to the school’s financial aid advisors.

Work-Study Programs

You can find financial aid for online college through work-study programs. These programs pay students to work part-time for a school or organization. Online schools often offer work-study positions, which can be valuable for students who are in need of some extra money.

These jobs can also be done through community partnerships. You must meet certain criteria to be eligible for work-study. Visit your school’s financial aid office as they usually have more information about these programs.

While work-study positions are part-time, they can be scheduled to fit into your schedule. Some students find that these programs are helpful in networking before graduation, and gaining recommendations from employers will help them get a job after graduation.

However, the amount of work-study jobs available to students is not unlimited, and the money is often not enough to support a family. Therefore, it is important to focus on other forms of financial aid before taking on a work-study position.

The post How Do I Find Financial Aid For Online College? appeared first on OnlineSchoolsResource.com.

Attending college online provides a great deal of flexibility. Most classes are designed to accommodate a personal schedule while featuring periodic check-ins through seminars or proctored examinations.

The volume of reading required for online college classes is often higher, and the number of large projects, such as research papers or case studies, can be more demanding. However, tests lean toward the simple due to the limitations of the learning interface.

Whether a program is hard or not varies based on the university chosen and the academic strengths and weaknesses of each student.

Academic Rigor Equivalent To Traditional In-Person Classes

Online college is no longer the domain of a few universities designed to focus on virtual classrooms. More colleges — from the small campus to the flagship state university —are offering new online classes in place of night school, to provide greater flexibility to on-campus students and to boost overall enrollment.

These courses are the equivalent of their in-person counterparts in terms of academic rigor. The same texts are used, the same grades required and at times, the same tests administered.

The difficulty lies in different approaches to learning and what works best for the individual.

Amount Of Work Depends On Coursework

For the online college student, classes are typically organized into weekly learning goals with established deadlines.

Course modules are built with weekly discussion questions to facilitate conversation between classmates. Participation in multiple discussions is often required to earn top scores on homework.

For example, in a literature class, weekly assignments will include reading multiple short stories, plays and poems and typing responses to queries posed by the professor. A discussion question may have a length requirement for responses and dictate a minimum number of replies to other students.

A large weekly assignment may be reading a longer story and writing an essay.

Some professors do alternate mini-quizzes with long-form essays for one week of class and longer quizzes with responsive questions on a different week.

A math or accounting course will still feature discussion questions. However, they may focus on answering textbook problems or explaining a theory to classmates.

Large weekly projects will include filling out digital ledgers or completing homework assignments in Excel or a third-party website created by textbook manufacturers.

The nature of online courses makes them very reading and writing intensive. For students who learn better through oral lectures, an online class will be harder.

Video lectures appear more in math classes as problems are explained and analyzed.

The nature of online courses makes them very reading and writing intensive. For students who learn better through oral lectures, an online class will be harder.

A person uncomfortable with writing will also find the classes extremely difficult.

For individuals who require reading about a concept to fully understand it, the courses can provide a welcome change from lecture-driven classes.

Writers will love online courses and likely find them either a lesser or equal challenge to in-person classes.

Testing May Be A Lot Easier

Tests for online college classes can be easier than in-class tests.

Many online colleges rely on timed weekly mini-tests of 10 to 20 questions to gauge a student’s understanding of the coursework. These tests are multiple choice or short answer quizzes designed. They feature a minimum amount of time to keep students from being able to look up every answer.

Overall, there are usually more tests in an online class, but most are less complicated for students, particular those who can read and compose answers more quickly.

Other tests, such as mid-terms or final exams, match on-campus tests for complexity and may be proctored, either in person or virtually, to prevent the use of forbidden materials.

Overall, there are usually more tests in an online class, but most are less complicated for students, particular those who can read and compose answers more quickly.

Lifestyle Impacts On Online Classes

Telecommuting to class, while necessary for many students, makes self-motivation and devotion to finishing a degree path a must. Without attending classes and routinely interfacing with a professor, it’s easier to slack off during a bad week or skip a deadline that overlaps with work demands.

For students with full-time responsibilities outside of the classroom, it is easy to earn low grades on work that seems less difficult on the surface but does require time to complete.

With the accelerated semesters of many online programs, two bad weeks can ruin an overall class grade.

With the accelerated semesters of many online programs, two bad weeks can ruin an overall class grade.

An online college degree program is hard to complete due to the perseverance it requires. However, individual classes are often only as difficult as their on-campus counterparts.

For those who enjoy writing and are able to read and process a lot of material quickly, they may be an easier and more efficient alternative than a full campus experience.

The post Are Online College Classes Harder Than Traditional College Classes? appeared first on OnlineSchoolsResource.com.

A significant trend is definitely happening in higher education: the growth of online college degrees and their increasing popularity.

There are colleges that offer online-only degree programs and there are traditional campus universities that also offer online college degree programs (or hybrid programs).

Online colleges are a non-traditional avenue of education and something that is still relatively new to employers.

When someone considers the option of earning an online college degree, one of the questions that follow is: “Is it worth it?” The short answer to the question is “Yes,” and below are several reasons why an online college degree is worth it.

The Cost Advantage

One of the leading factors for students who are considering obtaining their online college degree is the cost of the program as compared to both traditional programs and other online college degree programs. Tuition includes the course, additional course fees, and any supplies needed for the degree.

Traditional college programs require additional costs such as housing, meal plans, and transportation costs for students.

While the tuition for online colleges may be competitively similar to that of a physical campus program, the additional costs associated physically attending on-campus classes increases the overall cost of a traditional degree program.

While the tuition for online colleges may be competitively similar to that of a physical campus program, the additional costs associated physically attending on-campus classes increases the overall cost of a traditional degree program.

Unmatched Convenience And Flexibility

The convenience of an online college degree is unmatched by any other educational avenue. With the ability to essentially complete assignments at any point of the day and from any location, students are able to take on experiences and continue to work at a schedule that works for them while obtaining their degree.

For those seeking to further their current career with an online degree, the convenience of simultaneously gaining experience while getting an education provides an opportunity that many traditionally earned degrees may not offer.

Accreditation Makes Degree Legit

Like traditional degrees, online college degree programs also require institutional and specialized accreditations. Institutional accreditations are focused on the institution as a whole. Those that are specialized are subjected to the subject matter of each program. These specialized accreditations can be found across the nation for programs that are similar in content degree requirements.

These accreditations are used as official recognition of the program a student is seeking. Because many of these programs receive equal accreditation to their physical program competitors, this is another reason as to why an online college degree is worth it.

Expanding Personal Skill Set

When a student takes on an online college degree program, they are enhancing their technological skill set. Interaction with the school’s portal will give that student experience with that program.

Also, electronic communication is taught and mastered due to the weekly discussion forums and emails that students utilize as primary communication. With technology taking a lead in most industries, this is essential in skill building, as employers will view an online college degree as mastery in terms of communication and standard level office programs.

Current and future employers also consider the ability of students to successfully achieve online college degree programs while continuing to work successfully.

Current and future employers also consider the ability of students to successfully achieve online college degree programs while continuing to work successfully. This shows hard work and determination on the part of the student, which tend to impress employers across various industries.

The opportunity of an online college degree has provided numerous employees the opportunity to receive promotions or successful career changes that otherwise were not available due to a lack of program offerings within a locale.

Choosing The Right Program Is Critical

Online college degree programs are absolutely worth earning in today’s society. The need for convenience, affordability, college accreditation, and personal development are essential for students today.

Students are also gaining access to programs through an online college degree that may not be available in their local area, thus making them more marketable to employers …

Students are also gaining access to programs through an online college degree that may not be available in their local area, thus making them more marketable to employers and providing them an opportunity that would not have been available without online instruction.

Because of the need for diversity in the workforce and the growing respect for online college degree programs, students should no longer be concerned if the degree is worth it. Instead, they should be more focused on which program is right for them and their career goals.

Sources: USNews.com, USNews.com

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Over the last decade, the rise of online college degrees has been meteoric. Everything from business to rigorous science courses are offered in packages that can be consumed from home, using a computer with an Internet connection.

As distance learning has developed and grown, the question that students, academics, business people, and everyone concerned has been asking is: “Do employers take online degrees seriously?”

Back in 2013, Devon Haynie of The New York Daily News said that employers are not as accepting of online degrees as they are of traditional education.

In 2017, Jordan Friedman of US News wrote, “Many employers accept online degrees, experts say, though some still favor the traditional graduate.”

However, these days, attitudes have entirely changed.

A 2019 Online Education Trends Report by BestColleges.com tackled the issue of employer perception of online education.

The survey included 451 school administrators representing both private and public institutions and 1,500 current, prospective, and former online students.

The results were quite surprising, given that only a few years ago, online degrees were not seriously considered as employer worthy.

According to the results of the survey, 38% of current employers deem online degrees to be equal to on-campus degrees. In fact, 23% of employers even perceived online degrees to be better than on-campus degrees.

Those numbers speak a lot regarding the change in perception of the credibility of earning online degrees.

Only 10% of current employers thought of online degrees as being inferior to on-campus while 29% were unsure.

A major factor to keep in mind for the increasingly positive perception of employers for online degrees could be because more online degree alumni are now integrated in the workforce.

More importantly, a significant number of these alumni have become upper management as these people were taking online degrees a few years ago during their spare time while being employed. They were the trailblazers a few years ago when distance learning was not the norm.

It may be safe to assume that they have proven their worth in their chosen fields and industries, thereby enhancing the credibility and perception of graduates of online college degrees.

Online Degree Factors To Consider To Enhance Marketability To Employers

Today, online degree holders are everywhere. Doing business remotely is becoming exceedingly common, and so is remote learning.

Still, there are things that would-be and current online degree holders should take into consideration regarding their choice of an online degree to enhance their marketability to employers.

6. Take Courses That Can Be Reasonably Taught Online

Let’s face it, some disciplines simply cannot be reliably taught through a computer screen. The ultimate example is probably acting. Now, we’ve never heard of an online acting degree, but they are probably out there.

A more relevant example might be the culinary arts. Seeking a position as a chef after completing an online degree is foolhardy at best. Students who are considering an online degree would be best served by taking a course of study that can reasonably be transmitted via online media rather than face to face.

5. Enroll In An Online College With A Strong Reputation In Your Field

Even traditional colleges have areas of specialty. For some, it is the law. For others, it’s science, finance, and so on.

Those considering online education should analyze their choice according to the discipline that their potential school specializes in. In other words, one would not take a math degree at a school that specializes in psychology.

Even if a school can teach that discipline adequately, an employer may not feel comfortable hiring the holder of a degree from a school that seems to be an ill fit.

4. Choose A School That Will Accommodate Your Situation

Most of the time, employers are intensely practical people. They understand that a person beyond the age of thirty is likely to have accrued responsibilities and commitments that make traveling to a far-off college impractical.

A mother who worked to obtain a degree online would seem quite respectable to most employers. Anyone working full time and completing an online degree in their spare time would equally look good in the eyes of a shrewd employer.

3. The Choice To Take An Online Degree Should Be Demonstrably Reasonable

As mentioned in the section on the age factor, a person’s life circumstances, access to tuition, transportation, and life commitments all come into play when presenting an online degree to a prospective employer.

For a lot of people, the choice to pursue a degree online is still the less conventional choice. When presented to an employer, some people still have some concerns with it. However, if the reason for choosing the distance learning route is clear and demonstrable in an interview setting, then a job applicant really should not be concerned with it.

2. Accreditation Seriously Matters

There are online colleges that are not accredited at all. Avoid them. Accreditation is critical. Online college accreditation is important if a person wants to have a public record of their learning that will be widely accepted by employers, professional associations, and other colleges and universities. Make sure to check for a college’s accreditation.

Furthermore, it’s not enough to just check on the accreditation of the online college. Make sure to check if the accrediting agency is reliable and recognized by the Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Seeking a skill through non-accredited training is fine. But for those who are staking their future on their degree, accreditation is fundamental.

1. Narrow Down Your School Choice To Those That Employers Are Already Working With

If you want to stack things in your favor to increase your marketability to employers, enroll with an online college that your employer or future employers are already working with.

Do some research and find out which schools employers are hiring from and working with. You can even ask employers directly which online colleges they work with or would recommend. By doing so, it helps to reinforce your decision as to which online college to enroll with.

Furthermore, at least you have the peace of mind that your online degree passes the reputation and credibility tests with the employers.

Lastly, keep in mind that most employers would not know if a degree was earned online as documents from online colleges do not specifically say so.

This means that not unless it’s discussed or it’s obvious that a job applicant earned a degree online, employers would not really know how a degree is obtained.

The bottom line is, make sure that your choice of an online college is aligned with your career goals and marketability to future employers.

The post Do Employers Take Online College Degrees Seriously? appeared first on OnlineSchoolsResource.com.

A lot of people seriously consider pursuing an online college education as opposed to enrolling in a traditional university or college. There are a number of valid reasons for this.

Compared to a few years ago, online colleges are now well-respected and more popular than ever. Respected and reputable universities and colleges across the U.S. are now offering a wide array of online degrees in hopes of reaching and educating more people.

A traditional college education can now cost $30,000 to $70,000 a year. It’s just outrageous.

For most families, this is great news. Why?

Like the price of housing, the cost of going to a traditional university or college has skyrocketed to unbelievable levels. A traditional college education can now cost $30,000 to $70,000 a year. It’s just outrageous.

According to Arizona State University (ASU), online college degrees can reduce  educational cost by as much as 50%. That’s a lot of serious money savings indeed.

According to Arizona State University (ASU), online college degrees can reduce educational costs by as much as 50%. That’s a lot of serious money savings indeed. (1)

Aside from the significant cost-savings, online college education programs also give students the flexibility to learn from anywhere, study anytime, and even take classes whenever it’s convenient for them.

To make the most of an online college education, make sure to avoid these 12 big mistakes:

12. Not reviewing the curriculum. Make sure to review the details of an online program’s curriculum to determine if the coursework does include the necessary skills that students want to learn. For example, the curriculum for an online bachelor’s degree in computer science should include actual technical work with operating systems and programming language and not simply just reading and learning about it. (2)

11. Ignoring a student’s learning style. Although online college education programs are more flexible, they are not any easier as most people think. It requires a lot of discipline since students will be pretty much on their own and left to their own devices. If they are disorganized and prone to procrastination, then parents might like to think twice before having them enroll in one. (3)

10. Overlooking computer and internet requirements. Slow internet connection and a really old laptop or desktop won’t cut it for many online courses. Some online course may even require video streaming and require kids to participate in video conferences. Hence, make sure to check the online college’s website for the recommended software and hardware in order to make the most of the courses. (4)

9. Not reaching out to make friends or asking for help. Online courses can be isolating if a student doesn’t take the time to make meaningful connections with their instructor and classmates. Also, have the student ask the professor right away if help is needed or the student is struggling with a concept. The faster that issues are resolved, the smoother the progress will be. (5)

8. Plagiarism and cheating. Online students are not exempt from academic integrity standards and online colleges are ramping up their efforts to curb cheating. (6) Plagiarism is viewed as academic dishonesty and could result in an “F” on  transcripts and a dismissal from the program. Remember, if a student finds it on the Internet, the instructor can find it, too. (7)

7. Not researching the instructor. Great teaching skills do not always translate online and instructors may need to get a few online courses under their belt to overcome the e-teaching curve. (8) Students should do some research on the school’s website to verify a professor’s online teaching credentials, experience, and feedback.

6. Taking on too much too soon. Ted Smith, a California geologist who has taught courses at traditional colleges and at three online colleges, suggests anyone making the switch to online schooling start with just one easy course — ideally, an online course on “how to succeed in an online course.” “I have seen too many students sign up for a full load the first time and quickly become overwhelmed by the workload, technology challenges, or both,” Smith says. (9)

5. Not being aware of the real costs. In addition to tuition, students will likely need to purchase books and other materials for the class. (10) Most especially for the so-called STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses, expect to have additional expenses for books and other course materials.

4. Failing to have a solid degree plan. For an online degree, a student needs to make a plan of which courses to take and when. The student should ask if the program has academic advisors to help to make sure that he or she is taking all of the required courses and will graduate on time. (11)

3. Underestimating the time commitment needed. Online college education courses are not easy, and while there is often significant flexibility in scheduling, kids should expect to spend 15 hours per week for a three-credit course. (12)

2. Not checking the school’s accreditation. This step is easy, and it’s probably the most important thing a person can do regarding the online degree program. Colleges and universities in the US are accredited on a regional basis, and a degree program from an unaccredited university can make it difficult to find employment in their field after they graduate (13). Check with the online college to find out which region accredits them and then double-check on the accrediting agency’s website. (14)

1. Not selecting the program that’s right for you. Just because an online degree program exists in your chosen field doesn’t mean that it’s right for you. There are aspects of every degree program that make it more desirable and other aspects that make the program less attractive. Make sure to spend the same amount of time researching online college programs as you would a traditional college program. (15)

There are definitely great online resources that provide information about online college education programs that can be used to help make better decisions.

The list above is adapted and modified from the respective sources cited.

The post 12 Big Mistakes To Avoid When Pursuing An Online College Education appeared first on OnlineSchoolsResource.com.

For those who are considering online college as an option for higher education, they will need to first review and understand online college cost.

While most brick-and-mortar colleges engulf two tuition rates, in-state and out-of-state, many online colleges are moving away from these figures. With an online presence that is equal to students residing both in-state and out-of-state for that institution, they are coming a single rate for their online programs, uniting the once-divided tuition.

Average Cost For Undergraduate

An average study of the more popular online institutions provides a range of $300-$400 per credit hour for their course. For many students who are not residents of the institution’s state, this is a bargain compared to out-of-state tuition prices throughout the nation.

Also, many of these institutions are listed as either non-profit or private, showing that maintaining competitive online college cost is desired by these institutions.

While this number is still higher than courses offered by local community colleges, those who are seeking a Bachelors of Arts or Science program are unable to match these rates at much traditional public or private universities.

Additional Fees

Once the initial $900 to $1,200 fee is applied for the course, many institutions include an additional lab or technology fee that provides the student to the campus portal and resources.

… lab or technology fees are required because certain software and programs are necessary for the delivery of the online content of the course. They vary in price depending on the institution.

Used to maintain their digital classroom, lab or technology fees are required because certain software and programs are necessary for the delivery of the online content of the course. They vary in price depending on the institution.

Many resources find this as a way to build upon the tuition fee that was initially applied. However, they fail to report that these same fees are tacked onto courses at traditional universities across the nation as a way to cover the cost for the same technology usage, but in the classroom.

Fees Not Found Online

• Room and Board
• Meal Plans
• Parking or Transportation Fees

One of the leading reasons that students are turning to online colleges is the lack of room and board. Because the online classroom can be accessed anywhere, many do not have to acquire campus housing, which minimizes the tuition costs tremendously compared to students studying in physical colleges.

Another cost that students studying online get to cut from their financial obligation is meal plans. At traditional institutions, the students living on campus and even commuter students have access to meal plans that are charged per the semester. For those studying online, they have the ability to not include this as a part of their tuition payment.

Finally, there are no lingering fees for transportation for students planning to study and obtain their degree online. Since there is no reason for them to travel to the institution, they are not subjected to the fees that commuters and students who live on campus with vehicles find themselves responsible for across the nation.

Tuition Costs Remain Low

Because these students are taking courses online, institutions are able to keep their costs for new building low or reduced from previous years. They are also able to hire more adjunct faculty to maintain the growing workload of online students.

They are provided a group of instructors that are often also working remotely, which thereby reduces the faculty cost for the institution.

This faculty pool is diverse and provides an opportunity that is unique to students obtaining an online degree. They are provided a group of instructors that are often also working remotely, which thereby reduces the faculty cost for the institution.

With the ability to minimize the need for full-time staff and buildings, these institutions are able to maintain a low online college cost.

Choose Your Program

After gaining an understanding of the online college cost, what it entails and how it differs from the traditional tuition of a college, all that one must do is to determine their program of study and which institution will fit their needs.

While the tuition initially may seem to be a higher rate than some in-state programs, consider the number of fees that will be eliminated when they obtain their degree online.

Sources: USNews.com, Forbes.com

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Thinking of going back to college? Ever considered getting a degree via an online college program? That’s actually a smart choice. In fact, more people are going back to college in droves thanks to the growing presence and increasingly sterling reputations of most online college programs.

Unlike a couple of years ago, online colleges have now earned a reputation of credibility as traditional colleges. (1) Employers now understand the value of distance learning especially for those who need to balance the responsibilities and demands of work and family while finishing a degree program.

This is good news for people who want a second shot at pursuing a college degree. They can easily enroll online to pursue higher education or at least, finish what they had started in college.

This is good news for people who want a second shot at pursuing a college degree. They can easily enroll online to pursue higher education or at least, finish what they had started in college.

However, before simply enrolling and spending hard-earned money, people should carefully consider the following critical factors when choosing the best online colleges for the degree they want to pursue.

12. Reputation matters. A degree will have more value if it’s from a college or university that has a proven track record and reputation. Sure, there are the usual brand name educational institutions that now offer online degrees but also consider new educational institutions which have earned stellar reputations for their innovative approach to distance learning.

11. Community partnerships matter. In order to enhance employment chances after graduating, look for online colleges that have partnerships and relationships with employers, alumni, institutions, and the educational community. (2) This is an important factor to consider especially for relatively new online colleges.

10. Take a good look at the learning structure it offers. Do they offer a combination of online and traditional learning set-up? There are some online colleges that offer this kind of learning structure. Know more about the various learning structures of each online college in your list. It will vary from one online college to another. (3)

9. Face-to-face interaction with the professors. Just because a person is enrolled in an online college doesn’t mean there’s no face-to face interaction with the professors. As a matter of fact, there should be as this makes for a better learning experience. (4)

8. Consider the Student-Faculty Ratio. As much as class size is important in a traditional learning set up, it’s the same thing for online education as well. So before choosing an affordable online college, make sure to consider the class size. (5)

7. Look into the graduation rate. Is there a large percentage of students remaining in the college? If yes, then the graduation rate must be good. The graduation rate says a lot about the college. Seriously consider an online college with a high graduation rate. (6)

6. Presence of credible faculty members. Don’t just settle for the names and faces of the faculty members listed on the website. Go the extra mile by researching their qualifications to make sure they are qualified and credible. (7)

5. Availability of resources and support offered. Reputable online colleges provide all the resources and support needed to make it easier for their students. For example, there should be 24-hour support services, whether it be for technical or academic matters. (8)

4. Flexibility of the program. Consider online college programs that have very flexible transfer policies. For moms, who have already earned a couple of college credits, look for colleges that would honor already earned credits. In fact, there are online colleges that honor previously earned credits, regardless of the length of time that has passed.

3. Affordable and sensible payment options. Accredited online colleges are more affordable since they charge by the credit hour or by the course. There are no huge, flat fees that have to be paid right away. Be wary of online colleges that demand huge payments upfront. (9)

2. Accrediting agency must be credible. It’s not enough to just check on the accreditation of the online college. Make sure to check if the accrediting agency is reliable and recognized by the Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. (10)

1. Proper accreditation matters. There are online colleges that are not accredited at all. Avoid them. Accreditation is critical. Online college accreditation is important if a person wants to have a public record of their learning that will be widely accepted by employers, professional associations, and other colleges and universities. Make sure to check for a college’s accreditation.

These days, there are limitless options for earning an online college degree. Nonetheless, you have to do your homework. Don’t settle for just anything. Get all the information you need.

It’s recommended that a person gets with at least five to six online colleges that seem to fit their requirements. (11)

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Any individual who has attended college or has decided to go to college, must come to terms and fully understand that they will have to make very difficult decisions when it comes finances.

Colleges have drastically changed over the past couple of years. Colleges nowadays have changed the way they deliver their courses while, at the same time, significantly increasing their cost for attendance. These days, students entering college have more questions than answers about what college is really like and how it will impact their lives financially.

With more and more students deciding to take the classes that they need to further advance their career, one often wonders if leaving home to go live on a school campus would be worth the time and money.

With college degrees now being offered online, students have more options and of course, more questions: Is it actually worth it to study online? Do online college courses provide a better value for students? Would a student receive more of a value if they were studying in a classroom?

The Cost Of Attending College

To begin, let’s start with the basic expenses of attending a traditional college. When students are attending a more traditional college, they are required to physically attend classes in person on their campus. If they are commuting, then you are looking at transportation related expenses plus the cost of time.

As one would expect, living on campus generates more living expenses as well as additional fees. Rent as well as transportation fees back to one’s home (on breaks and or holidays) can be quite pricey. The cost will vary depending on how close or how far a student lives to the campus.

Transportation is also a fluctuating expense depending on the person and commuting distance. Transportation typically costs an average student about  $1,760 a year.

Transportation is also a fluctuating expense depending on the person and commuting distance. Transportation typically costs an average student about  $1,760 a year.

While taking online courses, one can live wherever and with whoever they wish while still being able to attend the necessary classes This is a great convenience for the student. They don’t have to leave the comfort of home, or even their bed.

As of the years 2018-2019, The National College Board (an organization dedicated to 6,000 worldwide colleges) estimates that the typical living expenses for a full time student attending any college during the academic year should range from $12,550 to $16,730 on a minimum budget.

The Value Of Convenience And Flexibility

Now what if a student gets a job or wishes to join the workforce? The task of scheduling would be easier if a student is taking an online class. Online classes typically are easier to “mold and bend” around whatever is most convenient for the student.

Traditional classroom schedules are created in favor of the colleges and their professors’ preferences take precedence over the students who may have to attend class. Colleges that operate solely on a campus must consider what times would be best for a professor to be available and teach an entire class.

Although commuting out to a job or work place is an unrelated expense, it saves quite an amount of money and time to be able to work around one’s work schedule. That can be a real game-changer when it comes to future expenses.

A recent study shows that in 2019, students are most likely to choose the schools that are least expensive compared to the schools that will meet their needs the best.

A recent study shows that in 2019, students are most likely to choose the schools that are least expensive compared to the schools that will meet their needs the best. Tuition in an online class also costs considerably less than a traditional college. Costs do vary from school to school so it is very important to do budget analysis.

Once the students are aware of all the known and unknown fees associated with online schooling, they can decide whether distance learning is the best path for their career.

Some online colleges such as At Walden University allow payment plans and offer benefits such as monthly, interest-free tuition payment. There are cases that if an employer sponsored program is being selected, certain schools will allow a delay of direct billing until the middle of the school year for convenience.

Software can be an additional expense in addition to credits per term. Some schools offer a tiered rate for technology fees.

There are online courses that also charge a fee for technology usages. Software can be an additional expense in addition to credits per term. Some schools offer a tiered rate for technology fees. At Penn State University, students who are taking more credits save money on tech fees over long term.

For example:

• Less than 5 credits: $86
• 5 to 8 credits: $189
• 9 or more credits: $252

These fees typically cover technology improvement and available tech support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for any student who needs it.

Traditional colleges typically charge tuition fees, book content, room and boarding, as well as registration and sign-up fees. The National College Board estimated that the average four-year, full time student at a public university spends about $1,100 a semester on books and other required course materials, which comes to about $8,800 for just a bachelor’s degree program.

Ultimately, an online college would save much more money and time compared to a traditional college. Just make sure to choose the college that is best suited to one’s career needs and goals, even if it’s not the traditional brick and mortar school.

Sources: CollegeBoard.org, Acct.org, and AffordableCollegesOnline.org

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Buyer, beware! Online college scams are on the rise. With the internet making it a lot easier for online college programs to flourish, fake degrees are on the rise as well. As a matter of fact, there are about 100,000 fake degrees being sold in the United States alone. (1)

As much as people are going back to school in droves via online college programs, they have to be very careful. It’s important for them to choose a legitimate online college program so that their time and investment are all worthwhile.

The most common online college program scam is called “diploma mill.” This is when an organization (in the case of online learning, a website) offers degrees for a very cheap fee.

Diploma mills are out to scam everyone. They pretend to be a legitimate online college so that they could sell “fake” degrees. (2)

There are red flags that people need to be aware of in order to avoid ending up with a fake degree and parting ways with hard-earned money.

Hence, not all online college program should be trusted. There are red flags that people need to be aware of in order to avoid ending up with a fake degree and parting ways with hard-earned money.

Furthermore, it’s not easy to spot an illegitimate online college program especially when the whole scam is well-packaged and mimics those of reputable online colleges. A lot of people do take the bait and fall for it.

To spot an online college scam, there are some warning signs to look out for.

Here’s the list of the 12 warning signs an online college could be a total scam.

12. No accreditation. Before considering any online college program, look into its accreditation by visiting the school’s website. If the online college is not accredited, then beware. If it is accredited, then the next thing to do is to check on the legitimacy of the accreditor. Make sure that the online college is accredited by the Council For Higher Education Accreditation and the US Department of Education. (3)

11. The requirements for admission include a credit card. Legitimate online colleges have a list of requirements for admission. They might ask for entrance examination scores, writing samples, or transcripts. One thing is for sure, they don’t ask for credit cards. Stay away from online colleges that require credit cards to get in. (4)

10. The degrees are cheap. Online colleges are definitely more affordable than the traditional ones. That doesn’t mean that the degrees they offer are downright cheap. Legitimate online college programs do not advertise cheap degrees. As a matter of fact, they do not sell degrees. (5) Remember, degrees are earned and not sold. The credits, to earn a degree, are the ones that have to paid for.

9. The name of the online college sounds too familiar. Another thing that a person should be careful of are online colleges that have familiar sounding names. If they don’t want to end up with a fake degree, then they should stay away from online colleges that modify a renowned name. For example, you should investigate further if the online college is named Yale Technological University. (6)

8. One-time tuition payment is required. If a student is immediately compelled to do a one-time tuition payment, they might just end up with a fake degree. A reputable online college usually does not require its students to do a one-time tuition payment. They don’t require 100% financial commitment upfront. Instead, their students pay by semester or term. (7)

7. The online college does not have any physical address. Legitimate online colleges have a physical address listed down on their website. If they don’t, then they’re scams. Make sure to look for an institution that has a physical location. If the online college only has a P.O. box or an email address, it’s most likely going to issue a fake degree. (8)

6. The online college does not offer any kind of support. Just because it’s online doesn’t mean there should not be any kind support. Legitimate online colleges offer both technical and academic support. Technical support is critical considering the virtual setup of the online college course. Also, round-the- clock availability of academic support, such as tutoring and library resources, should be available as well. (9)

5. The students have no option but to go online. Legitimate online colleges offer course formats that cater to different learning styles. In spite of the virtual setup, a legitimate online college course should also provide face-to-face interactions with the professors and the other students as well. (10)

4. It’s very easy to earn a degree. The flexibility of a legitimate online college does not mean it gives away degrees easily. A student would still have to put in some time and effort to earn a legitimate degree. No legitimate degree is earned in just a couple of days. Hence, stay away from online colleges that promise fast and easy degrees. (11)

3. The reviews are negative. It’s a no-brainer. If the reviews of the online college are mostly negative, then it’s most likely a scam. The thing is, some people might not bother to look up reviews. They should. There are a lot of resources online that can help them. For example, they can check out the reviews on the Better Business Bureau website before signing up with an online college course. (12)

2. The online college has a poor quality website. The most blatant sign of an online college scam is a poor quality or shoddy website. A person needs to learn how to spot a shoddy website. If not, they’ll end up with a fake degree. To start with, shoddy websites have a lot of errors. These errors maybe grammatical or spelling related, at the least. The point is, there are errors and people should be aware of them.

1. The domain name does not have an “.edu”. People should make sure that the domain name of the online college has “.edu”. If the domain ends in a “.com” or “.net”, then chances are a person is most likely dealing with an online college scam. The domain names of legitimate online colleges end in “.edu.” For example, the domain name of University of Phoenix is “phoenix.edu” while DeVry University has “devry.edu”. (13)

It’s critical that to know how to spot online college scams. They should be able to see the warning signs to avoid ending up with a fake degree.

A fake degree is a total waste of time and money. There is no way that a person can ever get hired with a fake degree. Even worse, a person might even face prosecution for lying about their academic credentials.

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