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3 Things to Know About Working While Getting an Online Degree

By U.S. News & World Report

Though the idea of working full time while earning a degree may seem daunting, more and more students are finding a way to balance both with the flexibility of online programs.

A recent report from the Department of Education found that 62 percent of undergraduate students work either full or part time, and 28 percent have at least one dependent.

Many prospective students might have considered going back to school for a while but are consumed with thoughts about how they will complete a degree, either that they were already working toward or will start from scratch. They might wonder whether now is really the best time to go back to school, or how they will juggle work and an education.

The reality is that there will never be a perfect time to return to school. But that doesn’t mean that earning a degree is beyond reach. Heading back to school requires organization and patience and support from those around you.

Higher education also remains the best pathway to career success, directly impacting employment opportunities and wages. A study from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce found that bachelor’s degree holders earn 31 percent more than those with an associate degree and 74 percent more than those with only a high school diploma.

[Learn why online learning works well for working adults.]

Here are a few things to know about earning an online degree while maintaining a job.

— Many online programs are high quality and flexible. While prospective students may have shied away from online programs in the past and thought the quality of curriculum and instruction would be subpar compared with on-ground schools, that simply isn’t the case. Many online programs from reputable institutions largely offer the same quality of teaching as the on-campus options with the advantage of being tailored for students to learn online and according to their own schedules.

Students with predetermined career paths can usually find degrees that are tailored to meet their goals and personal passions with the right training they can use in the real world. Online degree programs often enable students to advance their career and do so with enhanced skills and a greater impact than they would have otherwise had.

— Time management can be a challenge. As many prospective students can imagine, earning an online degree requires strong time management skills. Students who have a full-time or part-time job might have already developed these skills, but being able to balance school assignments with work can be challenging for anyone. This is a component of online learning that we often see students struggle with if it’s not addressed from the beginning and expectations are not set.

[Explore time management tips for online students.]

Pending their current work schedules, students often complete their coursework early in the morning or late at night after they leave the office, so it’s important to take this into consideration when pursuing an online degree. Significant progress toward an online degree can certainly be made — it just takes focus and determination from the student and support from their inner circle.

— You can apply what you learn to your job. Many students find that what they learn in online courses can be directly applied to the work they are currently doing. In some cases, they may develop applicable skills through the coursework that they otherwise wouldn’t have gained.

The takeaway: While online degrees allow students to get to the next level of their careers and apply what they learn in the workplace, they should be aware of the time management skills required to succeed in online courses.

More from U.S. News

Consider an Online Program Designed for Working Adults

4 Reasons Online Learning Works Well for Working Adults

Infographic: 6 Career Change Stories From Online Students

3 Things to Know About Working While Getting an Online Degree originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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