How and Why to Apply for Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions about Online Education

A general list of frequently asked questions and detailed answers about online education. Includes information about how online classes are organized and structured, the reputation and respectability of online degrees, accreditation information, financial aid resources, etc. Read The Article...

General Benefits of e-Learning

This article lists and explains some of the most noticeable benefits of completing online college coursework, especially as compared to the in-classroom instructional environment, and includes a discussion of why online education has enjoyed increased respect in recent years. Read The Article...

Is e-Learning Right For You?

An informative article that details and explains the nature of online education. This article is primarily intended to help potential students make an accurate determination of whether or not they can succeed in the online education/e-Learning environment. Read The Article...

Understanding Accreditation

Will employers respect your online degree? Will your credits transfer to another institution? Does your online education have the same value as one earned on-campus? This article explains the general concepts of accreditation and why it matters to both students and employers. Read The Article...

Differences In Academic Schedules

The differences between self-paced, one-month, quarter, and semester terms, as well as an explanation of synchronous and asynchronous schedules in online classes. Students can use this information to help determine the best schedule for their own educational needs. Read The Article...

Online Learning Styles

This article offers a detailed explanation of the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles. The prevalent aspects of each learning style is addressed, including examples. The design of online education to meet the various online learning styles is also addressed. Read The Article...

Why Accreditation Matters

What do colleges and students mean when they mention a university or program's accreditation? This article discusses accreditation - what exactly is is, why it matters, and how to recognize and avoid unaccredited online colleges and universities. Read The Article...

The History of Online Education

This article contains a general overview of the history of online education, and uses extensive statistics and research to display trends of online education, including its rapid and continued growth in popularity and respectability amongst both students and employers worldwide. Read The Article...

Demonstration of an Online Course

Are you curious about online education but have no idea how an online class "works?" This is an actual, working demonstration course that we have developed solely to help potential online students determine if online education is the right choice for their educational needs. View The Demonstration Course...

Information, resources, and tips to help service members transition from the front lines to the front of the class

Transitioning from the Front Line to the Classroom

The brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces are increasingly enrolling in college coursework to strengthen professional skills. This article explains the process of pursuing higher education as a service member, including numerous resources for financial assistance. Read The Article...

Step-By-Step Instructions to Complete the FAFSA

This step-by-step checklist will guide you through the process necessary to complete the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA) - the primary source of state and federal financial aid funding. Includes preparation information and links to necessary resources. Read The Article...

How and Why To Apply for Financial Aid

This article provides a general description of internal/institutional, external, and governmental financial aid funding opportunities, and the importance of recognizing and seizing such opportunities for funding possibilities. Several links are included. Read The Article...

What Is A Virtual Classroom?

Have you wondered how exactly you attend an online college course, submit your assignments, or participate in online class discussions? This article offers a brief explanation of how online classes are organized and their general benefits to students. Read The Article...

Beating Cheaters: Cheating in an Online Class

It's a common argument in opposition to the respect and reputation of an online education - it is easier to cheat in an online class. This article examines and exposes the myth by explaining the methods used in an online class to deter and eliminate cheating. Read The Article...

Common Myths about Online Education

A brief list of some of the common arguments made by proponents of online education. This article discusses and dispells these myths while providing additional resources for students regarding their online degree program. Read The Article...

Find a Recommended College or University by Name:

Recommended Colleges & Programs

Find Your Online Degree Now

Use the tool below to find a recommended online degree program that fits your needs and goals!

followers

click here to follow us on

Applying for Student Financial Aid

How and Why To Apply for Financial Aid

Applying For Financial Aid
Even if you think that you make too much money to receive federal or state financial aid, it is definitely in your best interest to complete an application for financial student aid. Many students are surprised to find themselves eligible for some type of federal or state aid of which they were otherwise unaware.

The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This can be done in several ways:

- Online through the U.S. Department of Education's FAFSA website
- By picking up a hard-copy application at your high school counselor's office
- By contacting the Financial Aid Officer at the college or university that you plan to attend

The Purpose of the FAFSA
The FAFSA is simply an analysis of your financial strength and determination of how much financial assistance is available to you from both state and federal programs. This assistance may come in the form of grants, work study, and/or low interest loans.

Deadlines for Application Submission
In addition to federal student aid, the FAFSA will help to determine your eligibility for many grants and scholarships offered in various states. Most state grants and scholarships have a priority filing deadline, after which funds cannot be guaranteed for new applicants. Check with your state's Department of Education for more information on state financial aid and priority filing deadlines.

The Student Aid Report (SAR)
All of the colleges and universities that you indicate on your FAFSA will receive an electronic report (ISIR). You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) for your own records. Once you receive your Student Aid Report, you will need to contact your college or university's Financial Aid Office should you need to make any corrections.

Completing the Financial Aid Application Process
After completing the admissions application process, your Admissions Representative will likely make arrangements for you to complete an interview with the Financial Aid Office, during which your FAFSA results will be reviewed and explained to you. Make sure to ask any questions that you might have, as this can be a confusing process, even for your Financial Aid Counselor.

When meeting with Admissions Representatives and/or Financial Aid Counselors, make sure to get the institutions Title IV School Code. You will have to enter this code on your FAFSA before submitting. Should you later wish to add another school, you will merely need to make a correction to your completed and processed FAFSA, resubmit it, and allow approximately 72 hours for the updated information to be processed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Internal Grant and Scholarship Opportunities
When meeting with your Admissions Representative and Financial Aid Counselors, make sure to ask about institutional financial aid. Many colleges and universities offer additional aid to students based on program of study, academic or civic achievement, and financial need. These opportunities are there for students to take advantage of, so don't be embarrassed to ask.

External Scholarship Sources
Many students think that completing the FAFSA is the only means of receiving financial aid. Aside from the institutional aid mentioned above, there are also numerous external soucres for grants and scholarships. These range greatly in both award and eligiblity requirements, but are definitely worth investigating. Remember that you should never pay for a scholarship search, opportunity, or submission - legitimate scholarships are intended to help students afford the significant cost of an education, and charging a fee for their service would be completely contradictory to the scholarship's purpose. Several common and popular scholarship search websites include: Sallie Mae, Scholarships.com, Fast Web, and FindTuition.com.