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The number of students
following the distance education path is increasing every year. It's
easy to understand why: No commute, no mysterious four-hour "labs",
flexible scheduling, self-paced learning, and specialized training
courses are just a few perks of the distance education model.
But for the distance learning newcomer, it's not always easy to figure out how
the getting-started process works. And for many, one pressing question in particular
looms large: |
How do you
finance a distance education? What options are available to you?
Our aim here is to eliminate confusion and give you a firm grasp on how to finance
your off-campus venture.
Depending on the course of study you choose, there are three ways to cover your
distance education needs:
1. Federal and State Grants & Loans for Accredited Schools
If you're taking online courses through a traditional college campus, you're
in luck: most institutions grant equal financing priveleges to online learners
and campus-based students. Contact the financial aid office at your school to
discuss your options or check the school's website. If you get the green light,
you'll be required to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid - or
FAFSA - on the web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov to determine your financial aid
eligibility. The FAFSA is the application for federal and state grants, loans,
or work-study.
You can file your FAFSA electronically by securing a Deparment of Education PIN
number at http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp. You can also file online
without a PIN number and print, sign, and mail the signature page to your school's
admissions office. Alternatively, you may file electronically without a PIN number,
and the Department of Education will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR) to sign
and return.
Once your FAFSA is filled out and processed, you'll receive a letter in the mail
or via email detailing your financial aid breakdown. Part of it may be awarded
through state grants that do not need to be repaid. The remaining balance may
be covered by students loans. Student loans typically offer a very low interest
rate and offer you the flexibility to postpone payments until after you've completed
your study program.
If you're attending an accredited school, you can also take advantage of the
many local and nationwide grants and scholarships available to any campus-based
student. Check out the free Fastweb Scholarship Search at http://www.fastweb.com
2. Scholarships For Non-Accredited Schools
Many distance education programs are not accredited by the state or federal government.
They may, however, be accredited by private institutions that fulfill the personal
credibility or licensing needs of course graduates. For example:
- An interior decorating course accredited by the New York Board of Education
and meriting an Interior Decorating Certificate upon completion.
- A specialized holistic medicine program offering B.A., N.D., or PhD degrees,
accredited by the American Naturopathic Medical Certification and Accreditation
Board.
Because state-funded grant and loan programs don't recognize schools not accredited
by the state government, the "free money" from the FAFSA program is not available
to cover the coursework.
However, many non-accredited distance learning programs offer scholarships exclusive
to enrolled students. Check out your school's website or request a free catalog
for information on private scholarship competitions.
3. Pay Out of Pocket
Your final option for distance learning funding is to pay for course and book
expenses out-of-pocket. You'll likely find that this solution will only be necessary
when enrolling in a private program not accredited by the state. Always check
the school catalog, brochures, or admissions advisor to ensure you're not overlooking
scholarship opportunities.
If none are available, check the website or talk with an admissions counselor
about a monthly payment option. Most distance education programs make a great
effort to be flexible in helping you achieve your goals.
Now that you clearly understand your financing options, you're free to move ahead
into making it happen.
Whether your financing situation seems like a brightly-lit path or an overwhelming
predicament, continue to pursue your educational goals if they're important to
you! Where there's a will, there's always a way. Do what must be done to achieve
your aspirations. The cost and effort will seem insignificant when you're holding
a much-deserved diploma in your hand.
About the Author
To start your online education visit http://www.searchforclasses.com Read
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Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com |
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