| It's time to shop. You've researched online schools | | | | achieve your goals. If you're still up in the air about a |
| and decided to invest in an education, joining | | | | major or career, you might consider colleges with a |
| students of all ages and backgrounds who reside all | | | | wide variety of programs. |
| over the world. And it's likely you want to spend | | | | Consider a closer look. Retention and graduation |
| your money on an online college program that's the | | | | rates have traditionally suggested academic quality |
| right "fit." | | | | and how satisfied students are with a school. With |
| With any college search, advisors recommend that | | | | online colleges, positive relationships with instructors, |
| students look toward schools with programs and | | | | well-planned and taught courses, flexibility and |
| reputations best suited to their educational and | | | | interaction have been said to increase retention rates |
| career goals. Pursuing an online college education | | | | and enhance student satisfaction. When an online |
| allows for taking that search one step further: by | | | | school is accredited, that means it meets current |
| looking for programs that meet your individual | | | | accreditation board standards. It's also more likely |
| lifestyle and scheduling needs. Some schools offer | | | | that you'll be able to transfer an accredited school's |
| entire degree programs online, while others combine | | | | credits and that employers might be more inclined to |
| that with campus-based classes or class components. | | | | accept your degree. Federal financial aid, provided |
| Taking a campus tour is likely to involve browsing the | | | | only to accredited institutions, might also be more |
| web site that is part or all of a college campus. | | | | readily available to help pay for tuition. |
| Browsing the wide array of online school offerings, | | | | Chat with other "consumers." Consider asking |
| you might "try schools and programs on" for size and | | | | family members and friends about their experiences |
| comfort. In addition to determining course | | | | with specific college courses and online degree |
| requirements, you might find out about areas that | | | | programs. You might also approach college |
| can improve your learning experience and keep you | | | | representatives, asking them to connect you with |
| working to achieve your goals. Consider how flexible | | | | students or graduates. If you have an online college |
| deadlines are and, in some instances, if they keep | | | | major and career path in mind, look toward people in |
| time zones in mind. Determine how accessible online | | | | your field of choice who might provide input on the |
| college instructors are and if they provide timely, | | | | colleges you're considering. And, if you're planning to |
| meaningful feedback. Consider also how online college | | | | enroll in online college immediately after high school, a |
| classes are taught and whether they provide | | | | high school counselor might provide guidance on how |
| opportunities to interact with the "classroom" | | | | to best meet your needs and goals. |
| community via chat rooms and similar offerings. Here | | | | Get a sub-total. In comparing tuition costs, you |
| are online college shopping guidelines, modified from | | | | might also deduct any financial assistance you can |
| U.S. Department of Education and non-profit College | | | | receive and apply to them. The government offers |
| Board information: | | | | financial need-based grants that don't have to be |
| Start shopping. In addition to touring college web | | | | repaid. And schools, civic groups, labor unions, large |
| sites, you might review any promotional e-mails and | | | | corporations, non-profit organizations and more offer |
| print and digital brochures that online colleges and | | | | academic and demographic- and studies-specific |
| traditional colleges with online offerings send you. Is a | | | | scholarships and fellowships that are also, essentially, |
| college fair planned in your area? Consider attending it | | | | "gifts". Federal government work study programs and |
| as a means of finding out more information about | | | | low- and no-interest loans might also help pay for |
| online college offerings. In addition to speaking with | | | | tuition. Some financial aid offerings are awarded under |
| college representatives, you might be able to gain | | | | specific academic circumstances, such as when |
| input from college students. | | | | classes are part of a traditional or online degree |
| Make a list. Include the online colleges with the | | | | program. |
| best academic reputations and schedules to help you | | | | |