Getting a Degree Online — What You Should Know


Will I need any new computer equipment to complete the online courses?

This is one you’ll have to check with the particular school you have in mind. Some have technology requirements that can be quite different from each other. Most, however, will require that you have a good connection to the Internet, email, and some basic software like word-processing, spreadsheet and anti-virus protection.


How can I be sure that online education is right for me?

Some things to keep in mind when considering an online school or online education are:

  • Are you better suited to study and learn on your own or in a group?
  • Are you comfortable using email, online resources and the Internet while studying?
  • Do you need a lot of interaction with your instructor?
  • Do you have the resources at home (reliable computer, separate room to study, high-speed Internet connection, etc.) you’ll need for an online course?
  • Is your schedule flexible enough to allow you time to study?

Why should I consider getting a degree online?

For starters, getting a degree online can help increase your chances for advancement in your current job, help you find a new job or even help facilitate a change of careers. The reason many students choose an online education is that it makes it easy to study at the school of your choice, whether that’s happens to be across town or across the country. You’ll find a wide array of programs offered so can finish a degree you’ve already started or choose one that appeals to your talents and aptitude.


Does an online degree cost as much as a traditional on-campus degree?

Depending on which school, the state you live in and degree you choose, the tuition and fees can vary widely. Most online programs will base their tuition how man credits you take. Very often, you’ll enjoy a substantial cost savings by earning your degree online. But there are also a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when calculating how much your degree will cost.


A example of typical online degree costs include:

  • Tuition and fees
  • Books and/or class materials
  • New/additional computer equipment
  • New/upgraded Internet service provider or DSL
  • Software (word-processing, spreadsheet, anti-virus)
  • Hardware and computer peripherals (printer, webcam, CD-ROM drive, DVD drive, scanner)

Check with your school for specific tuition and fee rates.


What should I be looking for in an online education program?

Today you’ll find nearly 1100 online education programs in the United States. On one hand, that gives you more options, on the other hand, with that many schools to choose from, it can take some time to find the program that is right for you. When choosing an online degree, you should think about the course content, how the material is exchanged, cost, accreditation, and student-teacher interaction.


So how can I tell which online programs are the most respected?

It’s true, some online programs are still building their reputations. To be sure you’re dealing with a first-rate school, you need to do your homework – before you start school. There are several blogs, news reports and student resources available where you can check out the real story on the school of your choice. A few tips to keep in mind while you’re searching include:


  • Have and idea of the accreditation credentials required for your personal goals.
  • Talk to students who are currently enrolled in a program similar to the one you’re considering or to those that have graduated from your program. Ask them about the quality of the education and how it helped them get ready for the industry of their choice.
  • Survey potential future employers about the credentials they look for in a potential candidate.

How do I qualify for a student loan?

Most federal student loans are granted based on your demonstrated financial need, as opposed to personal loans, which look at your credit. Of course, federal loans do require some degree of credit-worthiness before they approve your loan, so they often permit a cosigner to sponsor you loan. You can ask your spouse, parent, aunt, uncle or other family members who have established credit to be a co-borrower on your loan. This will help increase your chances of getting the cash you need for school.


When are the deadlines for financial aid?

It’s always a good idea to get your FAFSA and any other financial aid applications as soon as possible after January 1. Depending on what state you live in, you may not be able to submit your FAFSA materials after March 1, and some states even have a February 15 as a deadline. Remember, a good portion of financial aid is awarded on a first-come basis, so the sooner you get all your paperwork in the better your chances of getting some financial help.


Do I have to be enrolled full time to get financial aid?

No, as long as you are enrolled at least half-time you can qualify for Federal financial aid. Some private loans, grants, and scholarships will also grant your loan as a half-time student, which is often defined differently, depending on whether classes semester or trimester basis or are taught sequentially or concurrently. Check with your school's Financial Aid Office to find out what their particular situation is.


How can I be sure that I’m in an online program that qualifies for Federal financial aid?

Federal financial aid and some private loans do have some specific requirements, as defined under Title IV of the 1965 Higher Education Act. The only way to be sure is to check with your school Financial Aid Office once you’ve decided on the program that’s best for you.


So what is an online degree?

An online degree is awarded after completing an online education program. That is any defined as any course or learning where the instructor and student interact remotely. This could happen through good old snail mail, videotape, interactive TV, web cams, radio, satellite, message boards, chat rooms, or any other kind of Internet technologies.


Are traditional financial aid packages available for online students?

Yes, you’ll find several types of financing you may qualify for as an online student. Just be sure to check with your school to see what your options are. Some of the different financial aid mechanisms are:


  • Federal Stafford Loan -- but you have to be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree program. The Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) is free.
  • Check with your employer. Many will offer tuition reimbursement for employees if it helps in their line of work. Many companies will grant up to a certain amount of tuition, but will make it contingent on your grades and your commitment to stay at the company after the program.
  • Scholarships. Unlike loans, these don not have to be repaid. Check around your community. Many corporations, schools and special interest organizations offer scholarships to local students. You may find that many of scholarships are earmarked for campus-based students, but there are some out there for students interested in online degrees as well.
  • Personal loans. For some students, this is the only way they’re able to pay for their education. Personal loans are usually approved with a cosigner and based on your credit rating and your potential ability to repay the loan.

If I drop a class, drop out, or stop taking classes, what do I do with my financial aid?

Your financial aid will be contingent on whether your enrollment status is full-time, more than half-time, or less than half-time. As a general rule, Federal financial aid, and some private loans, grants, and scholarships require you to be enrolled at least half-time. If you drop a class and go below half-time, you’ll probably have to start repaying your loans after the initial grace period is up. But again, check with your school’s financial aid office to see how it defines full-time and half-time.


My school is accredited, is that good?

Accreditation is given after an independent review of the educational programs offered at that particular school. The main purpose is to confirm that the classes and education being offered is of a high quality.


Is accreditation important when choosing a school?

Yes. Accreditation is very important especially when you present your background and credentials to a prospective employer, professional associations, and other colleges and universities for admission to their program.


What’s the big advantage of choosing a regionally accredited college?

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a regionally accredited college is that, in most cases, credits earned at one regionally accredited institution are usually able to be transferred to other regionally accredited colleges. Credits earned at schools that aren’t accredited very often will not transfer.


Are there different types of accreditation?

Yes. The most widely recognized form of school accreditation comes from the regional accreditation boards. They typically provide a list of schools that meet the qualifications to be accredited. There are six regional accreditation boards, including:


  • MSA--Middle States Association
  • NASC--Northwest Association of Schools & Colleges
  • NCA--North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
  • NEASC--New England Association of Schools & Colleges
  • SACS--Southern Association of Colleges & Schools
  • WASC--Western Association of Schools & Colleges

In most cases, colleges accredited by these regional boards will recognize degrees and credits earned at other regionally accredited institutions as being equivalent to their own.


What are state approved schools?

You may have noticed a rise in the number of "state approved" schools offering degrees online. A lot of states regulate private training and trade schools by passing them through a state approval process. This should not be considered the same as accreditation. Very often it is a way for that school to convey that it has been granted a license to do business in that state.


Schools having "state approval" may meet your career needs. Many offer good fundamental training, however a degree from an unaccredited school will not be widely accepted elsewhere in the academic arena. And the may not be valid for transfer and admission to regionally accredited colleges.


Is programmatic accreditation something I need?

Sometimes particular school departments will want accreditation for individual degree programs. Many times it has to do with careers that are regulated by state licensing boards require degrees that have some type of programmatic accreditation.


I hear the term “Diploma Mill,” what does it mean?

When you hear a school referred to a as degree mill, it is most often a pseudo school that will offer to sell you a college diploma rather than provide you with the proper education and courses actually required to earn that diploma. Diploma mills will send a diploma to you as long as you pay the tuition required, usually in one lump sum starting at about $2,000.


In many states the term "college" or "university" is not legally restricted to use by accredited agencies. This means that virtually anyone might legally declare himself or herself "a university" and begin issuing degrees almost overnight.


Diploma mills are not a new invention. They’ve been around for years and they have fast-talking salesmen who use some very aggressive telephone techniques to lure you in. They will often change their state of operation, change their names or set up shop in states or outside of the U.S. in countries with very relaxed educational regulations.


What steps can I take to makes sure that I’m not dealing with a Diploma Mill?

The first thing you need to do is get complete answers to the following questions before you enroll. Ask the school representative:


  • Are Your Accredited, and if you are by what agencies? Then find out if that agency a recognized agency? Using an unrecognized agency is a trick many diploma mills use to get around that question. For schools in the United States, the Council for Higher Education is the agency that oversees legitimate accrediting agencies, http://www.chea.org.
  • Know what type of accreditation you need for your particular field of interest. Then seek out only those online colleges that offer the type of accreditation you need to go on to graduate school or a professional career.
  • Be sure to confirm the accreditation

Do your homework. Take whatever time necessary to verify that the accreditation information checks out. Check with CHEA or look them up in The American Council on Education’s "Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education."


What’s the best way to find a college online?

Just because a school keeps showing up at the top of your Google or Yahoo searches does not mean it is the best school out there.


Search engine rankings are by no means indicative of the school’s academic quality. Rather it has more to do with how much that school is spending on online advertising. Remember it’s not the search engine’s job to determine if the online school is accredited or a quality school — it’s yours. Do the legwork and find out for yourself if the school stands up to the accreditation credentials set forth by the governing bodies. A little extra work up front could help you avoid a big headache down the road.