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Ask an Adviser 5 Questions Before Starting an Online Program

By U.S. News & World Report

It’s important to have a good understanding of the expectations and commitment required to successfully earn a degree online before starting your education.

Most notably, being aware of the support structure at the university will be essential. Online students may interact with support staff via videoconferencing, phone, email or other means. If you are planning to pursue an online degree, here are five questions you should consider asking the online school’s enrollment adviser as you compare programs.

[Discover questions to ask about student services in online degree programs.]

1. How can I tackle work, life and school all at the same time? Earning a degree online may seem daunting, particularly for students who also work full-time jobs or have parental responsibilities. Year after year, how to juggle everything is one of the most common questions I hear from new students.

Carving out dedicated study hours each week will help students in online degree programs stay on top of their assignments. Find a school that prioritizes student support, especially for online students, with coaches and advisers to help you avoid falling behind.

For example, ASU Online at Arizona State University has a dedicated Success Center with coaches who give advice, help students master time management and suggest ways to connect with classmates.

2. What if I need technical support? Most online programs have resources to help you plug in and stay connected to the technology you will use. They may require installing new programs on your computer and learning how to use unfamiliar tools.

The upside is that as technology continues to evolve, so do online program capabilities. Students should expect to have a plethora of tools and the proper technical support needed to master them, whether digital libraries, career services or online tutoring. ASU Online has a 24/7 chat feature with our help desk agents, for example. An enrollment adviser can fill you in on available technical support and offer insight that will allay your worries.

3. What type of orientation is offered for the online program? Before you start classes , ask your enrollment adviser if the university has a formal orientation process for online students.

For example, step-by-step video tutorials are available as an introduction to ASU’s online student environment and related resources. Prospective students can also receive real-time tips from faculty and current students about how to succeed.

4. How can I get involved in the larger university community? Often, students earning their degree online want to feel connected to their school and classmates. Consider asking your enrollment adviser about the resources available to help you access university activities, regardless of where you are.

[Explore ways to build a campus network as an online student.]

ASU Online offers a variety of social media groups for students to stay up to date on events and chat with fellow students. Groups may be created for specific classes, majors and areas of interest.

5. How much time should I expect to dedicate to earning my degree? Common misconceptions of online degree programs are that they are easy to complete or take less time than traditional college classes. However, that is not the case.

At ASU Online, courses are structured in seven-and-a-half week sessions rather than 14-week semesters. For one session, a student should expect to spend six hours a week on coursework for every course credit. This may vary by school, so clarify with your enrollment adviser how much time will be required.

The takeaway: Ensuring you have a strong understanding of the time commitment required, the courses available, student support and opportunities to get involved will make your online learning experience worthwhile.

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Ask an Adviser 5 Questions Before Starting an Online Program 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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