| Due to the economic downturn, many working adults | | | | Creating educational goals and striving toward them in |
| have found themselves searching for ways to remain | | | | order to achieve success is helping working |
| competitive in a cutthroat job market. Because many | | | | professionals in their plans to take their career path |
| of these professionals are worried about their job | | | | to the next level. |
| security, they may be afraid they will not have the | | | | Lawmakers have realized that job creation is the key |
| time or money to complete a traditional college | | | | to steering the economy out of the recession. Many |
| degree program. It is extremely important that their | | | | working adults are hesitant to return to school to |
| regular job schedule not be disrupted as they | | | | further their education, due to the costs associated |
| improve their educational status. Because of this, | | | | with tuition. As education is the key to a highly |
| distance education degree programs will facilitate the | | | | capable workforce, legislators - led by President |
| process without changing their work. | | | | Obama - are urging working adults to take advantage |
| In years past, many employers were willing to | | | | of stimulus funding that can help them cover the |
| promote their workers from within. Consequently, | | | | cost of tuition at a campus-based or online college. |
| individuals who have reached their positions through | | | | Individuals who act early may be able to make the |
| years of experience may not have felt the need to | | | | most of government-funded college loans, as these |
| earn a campus-based or online degree, as they were | | | | funds are available on a first come, first served basis. |
| more focused on keeping up with their professional | | | | To make this financial aid more accessible to current |
| responsibilities. | | | | and prospective students, the government |
| While today's hiring managers recognize the value of | | | | redesigned its Free Application for Federal Student |
| experience, a highly qualified and diverse applicant | | | | Aid (FAFSA), which is intended to be less |
| pool has given these individuals the power of choice. | | | | time-consuming. |
| Due to the high volume of applicants and dwindling | | | | The new online form features skip navigation, which |
| number of available positions, some of these | | | | automatically fills in information that may be repeated |
| employers are making a bachelors degree a minimum | | | | throughout the application. In addition, the form was |
| requirement for consideration. | | | | simplified to eliminate questions that may not apply |
| Fortunately, many organizations and some | | | | to every candidate for financial aid. These |
| government agencies have recognized the need for | | | | easy-to-use features make for a less complicated |
| funding that can give jobseekers the boost they will | | | | application process. |
| need to accelerate their careers or enter a new field. | | | | |