How to Get an Online College Degree Without Breaking the Bank
If you’ve ever contemplated getting an online degree, you are not alone. In fact, the rate at which people are obtaining a secondary education is increasing rapidly with the onset of online education. Moreover, almost 20% of college students currently take at least one class online. The rise in demand for online degrees is both a blessing and curse, however. While there are many great things about them - like having more flexibility and being able to continue your studies even after high school - they can also be quite expensive. That said, that doesn’t mean you can never achieve your educational goals if they require an online degree program. Here are some tips on how you can get an affordable online degree without breaking the bank:
Know Your Options When Selecting an Online Degree Program
When it comes to picking an online degree program, you’ll want to make sure that you are choosing a school that is accredited - no matter what type of degree program you’re interested in. It is important that you select a school that is accredited by a recognized and reputable agency, like the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) or the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). You may also want to consider the types of online degree programs that are offered by the particular institution. Ideally, you want to go with a school that offers a variety of degree programs - especially those that relate to the field that you’re interested in. This will make it easier for you to transfer these credits once you’ve finished your degree and are ready to move on to the next phase of your education journey.
Utilize Free Tools and Resources to Help Find the RightSchool and Program for You
Before you start applying to specific schools, you’ll want to utilize some free tools that can help you find the right program for you. For example, the National Center for Education Statistics provides information about colleges and universities around the country. You can use this resource to look at different programs and schools in your area or across the country and determine which would be the best fit for you. You’ll also want to research average costs and average scholarships for each school that you’re interested in. This will help you to get a better understanding of what it will cost for you to attend a given school.
Be Very Careful When Reviewing Scholarships and Grants
It’s important to be careful when review scholarships and grants. While they can help to reduce the overall cost of your schooling, they are not something that is guaranteed - even if you do everything right. What’s more, many of these programs can be quite competitive, making it difficult for you to win. That said, you should definitely apply to as many scholarships as you can - especially if you are looking to pick up a cheaper online degree. You can usually find scholarships related to a wide variety of different things, including your major, the state that you reside in, the type of degree that you’re pursuing, and much more.
Try to Sync Up With Cohort Students Via Skype or Video Chat
One of the best things about getting an online degree is that you’ll often be able to find classmates from all over the world. In fact, you can select from a wide variety of programs that allow you to find students from different countries and cultures. You can also sync up with your classmates via Skype or video chat - which can help to make the entire process much more personal and interactive. In fact, some schools even encourage online students to regularly use video chat or Skype with their classmates - as it can make the educational experience more interactive and engaging.
Summing up
In order to get an affordable online degree, you need to do your research and make a plan. You’ll want to select a reputable school and online degree program - and then make sure that you have a clear plan for how you’ll pay for it. You’ll also want to make sure that you utilize all of the available resources that are out there - like the tips that you’ve just read. If you do, you should be able to get an affordable online degree - even if you don’t have a ton of money to spend on it.