Even though online schools are becoming an increasingly popular avenue for individuals to get a quality education, there are still some basic misconceptions about these types of programs. Even though they’re becoming more widely used by people and accepted by employers, people often think that they don’t work the same as traditional brick-and-mortar universities. Many also wonder whether or not financial aid and student loans cover the cost of an Online School education.
It’s important to note that there’s very little difference in the education that you get from a traditional school and an online degree. Both institutions must go through the same accreditation process and the only difference really comes in when you look at the vehicle in which you’re receiving your education. As you would expect, online classes are taken remotely, online, through web based avenues. You can apply for funding for your education just like you would with a traditional school. It’s important to note though that not all online schools are accredited. You need to check some of the sites out there that will tell you whether or not the school is legitimate.
You can apply for financial aid the same way you normally would. If you’re filling out a FAFSA, you can either fill one out by hand and send it through the mail, or you can fill out one of these forms online and electronically submit it. You can also apply for Stafford Loans or apply for other student loan programs. These types of loans will cover various costs such as tuition fees, books, rent and housing, living costs, and transportation. One of the benefits of getting an online degree is that many of these costs aren’t necessary because you’ll be doing all of this from home or from another remote location. Even still, It’s always important to get a good idea of how much you’ll need so you don’t end up borrowing more than you’ll actually need.
Not every school, including traditional education institutions, costs the same. The amount of aid you receive or qualify for is based on how much you make and how much you need. Basically, it factors in your total cost of attendance, which includes your tuition and other fees, and then gives you a base amount that you’ll receive for your schooling. In most cases, you’re going to receive less funding with an online degree but that’s because it costs less, on average, to go to an online school.
Depending on your need and specific circumstances, you may be eligible for other costs to be paid for. You might be able to get money to cover your rent and other living expenses, depending on your level of need. However, you’re going to get far less money if you’re only attending part-time. This usually means that you have to hold about 15 credit hours in classes per semester. Usually, if you’re taking less than 12 credit hours, you won’t qualify for the full amount of funding.
If you’re not sure how much money you’re going to receive, or that you’re missing out on a possible grant or award money, you can always contact your school’s admissions and financial-aid departments. They are well versed in working with these organizations and can direct you accordingly. Remember, they work with this every day and even online schools can help you with this process. Just make sure that you have a very clear idea of what it is you’re trying to accomplish with your degree program and how much you can afford. Going back to school is never something that you should take lightly, so you should do a lot of research before you make an final decision.
