Financial Aid Opportunities for Online College Students

Just because you choose to attend college online doesn’t mean you won’t receive the same financial aid packages as students who attend traditional schools. There are many different forms that financial aid can come in. The following are a few plausible options for you to look into.

Scholarships:

Scholarships are an excellent source of financial aid because unlike loans, they do not need to be paid back. Typically scholarships and fellowships are reserved for students with special qualifications, such as high academic standing. If you had a high GPA in high school then you may be a great candidate for a scholarship.

Scholarships are also offered to students of a particular background. For example, scholarships may be given for a student’s ethnicity, gender, location, or other qualifiers.

The best way to find scholarships is to search online. You can use a personalized search, like the FastWeb scholarship search or Google, that compares your background with a database of awards.

It’s also worth contacting the administrative office of your online college. Most colleges offer scholarships to exceptional students. They will provide you with the information you need to apply for these scholarships.

Student Loans:

Another way to help pay for online college is through student loans. Unfortunately you must later pay your loans back, but they will assist you in getting the education you need.

Education loans come in three major categories: student loans, parent loans, and private student loans. All federal loans come through the Direct Loan program. The following are a few of your many loan options:

Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP): These are provided by banks, credit unions and savings & loan associations.
Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP): These loans are administered by “Direct Lending Schools” and are provided by the U.S. government directly.

See the “Direct Stafford Loans” government website for more information.

The Best Distance Learning Schools

	Kaplan University — Kaplan University has over 70 majors to choose from with almost 200 specializations available. This makes it easy to find the degree program that is right for you. Kaplan University is one of the nation’s largest online schools with over 53,000 students enrolled currently. More importantly, Kaplan is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
	Ashford University — If you are looking for distance learning programs from a well-respected school, Ashford University has almost 70 programs at the associate, bachelor, and master-degree level. Ashford University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001, wascsenior.org.
	Colorado Technical University — Colorado Technical University is a business and technology driven school. It has over 100 programs available through online classes if you are interested in earning your degree through distance learning. These programs can cut several costs associated with campus-based learning. CTU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
	Liberty University — Liberty University is the nation’s largest Christian school. It also has one of the largest online divisions devoted to providing quality education that follows the same academic integrity as the traditional classes. They offer over 140 online programs, ranging from bachelor to doctoral degrees, and are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
	St Leo University — St Leo University is one of the largest, most recognized names in distance learning. The chief reason behind this comes in a big part from its vast network of over campuses and online programs, giving you several options for your education no matter what field. St Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
	American InterContinental University — While American InterContinental University has several campuses across the nation, it remains one of the best schools for distance learning with several online programs available at the associate, bachelor, and even masters level. Most of these programs are in the technology or business field. AIU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
	Walden University — Walden University is an online school focused on providing quality distance learning programs. Choose from over 50 majors to find a program that adds flexibility and convenience to your work schedule and personal life. Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to see more distance learning schools

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