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 ou deserve credit for embarking on your educational journey. Here's info on how to transfer to your next destination. All Aboard!
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Most online universities need verification that applicants have earned
a high school diploma or the equivalent. Students that have taken college coursework and/or are holding an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree must submit an official transcript
It is not required that you take a standardized test such as the ACT or SAT for all accredited eLearning programs. Check with an Admissions Counselor at the school you’re considering.
Finally, depending on the University, you may have the ability to apply and enroll for classes anytime whether online and/or by phone. Admissions information is typically posted on the University’s website.
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This is possible, depending on the requirements of the university. College credit earned at an accredited postsecondary institution may be transferable, as long as it meets the specific acceptance criteria of the institution. You’ll need to forward your transcripts and work history to the university to which you’re applying. The university’s Academics Committee will review both your college credits and job experience to determine exactly how much credit they will accept toward your degree.
Depending on the amount of credit accepted for transfer, students can enter a baccalaureate degree completion program as a freshman, sophomore or junior, and quickly proceed toward finishing their degrees. You should note that it’s more difficult to obtain transfer credit for upper level coursework.
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College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP)
The CLEP program offers exams to earn college credit for what has already been learned from independent study, training or military experience. General education requirements in Math, English, Business, Science, Foreign Languages and many others can often be met through successful completion of CLEP exams.
Approximately 2,900 colleges grant credit or advanced standing for CLEP exams. The cost of a CLEP test is free for military personnel and veterans and usually $60 for traditional students. Many people take CLEP exams to earn college credits faster. To learn more about the program or to get study guides and practice tests, visit the College Board website.
Advanced Placement® Program
The AP Program offers high school students the opportunity to experience college-level academic studies. Thousands of colleges award credit or advanced placement to students who receive qualifying grades on the AP exam. The cost of the test is about $60, and a qualifying grade can make you eligible for advanced standing at over 1,400 institutions across the United States. For more information, visit the College Board website.
DSST Exams
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) sponsors a variety of programs to help qualifying individuals meet their educational goals. The exams are given on more than 560 military installations by the DANTES Test Control Officer (TCO). Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs) were originally designed for the military, but they are now available to civilian students as well. The DSST program allows you to obtain college credit for what you have learned in non-traditional ways by demonstrating your knowledge in commonly taught college courses such as Business, Physical Science, Humanities, Social Science and Applied Technology. College credits are awarded based upon test scores. Visit the College Board website.
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You may have the ability to receive credit for corporate training courses. The dean of the college where you wish to earn a degree will determine whether or not the course(s) you’ve taken are eligible for college transfer credit.
You may also receive credit for relevant work experience in a professional field that meets the institution's experiential learning requirements. Again, check with your dean to understand your university’s policy on experiential learning.
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According to the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid programs are the largest source of student aid in America, providing over 70% of all student financial aid.
Source: U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid Website.
There are private sources of aid too, such as loans from non-governmental organizations, and scholarships from companies, civic organizations and universities. The majority of students today receive some form of aid, so it’s worth your while to investigate all options.
The U.S. Department of Education has the following major Student Financial Assistance (SFA) Programs:
Grants
This is assistance you do not repay.
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs)
Loans
Loans are assistance you must repay with interest.
Stafford Loans are low-interest loans that can be repaid after graduation. Interest rates are low compared to a typical consumer loan.
PLUS Loans (PLUS) are government guaranteed loans that are not based on financial need that help parents pay for their children’s undergraduate education.
Federal Perkins Loans are low-interest loans (5%) supplied by your university for students (undergraduate and graduate) with significant financial need.
Consolidation Loans enable borrowers to combine several types of federal student loans with various repayment schedules into one loan.
Work Study Programs
This allows you to work to earn money to reduce education expenses.
Federal Work-Study programs allow undergraduates and graduates to work in their field of study or perform community service work in order to earn money to defray education expenses, this is in the form of campus-based employment.
Undergraduates may receive grants, loans, and Federal Work-Study.
Graduate Students may receive loans and Federal Work-Study, but not Federal Pell Grants (except for very special situations).
Source: The U.S. Department of Education website
Learn More about Financial Aid programs.
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Listed below
are four easy steps to applying for Financial Aid:
Four Steps to Financial Aid
- Sign-Up for Your Federal Personal Identification
Number (PIN)
To do this, access the website, www.pin.ed.gov.
Follow the instructions on the site to apply.
If you are a dependent, one of your parents must
apply for the PIN. The PIN is used to sign all
documents needed in the financial aid process.
It takes three days to get your PIN, so apply
for yours right away.
- Next, as soon as you receive your PIN, complete
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
You will need your Social Security Number, Drivers
License, and a copy of your last year’s Federal
Income Taxes or W-2s. If you are a dependent,
your parents will need to provide their Federal
Income Tax information from last year. The website
to complete the FAFSA is: www.fafsa.ed.gov. You
will need the school code for your University.
*Please note that it should take approximately
30 minutes to complete the FAFSA.
- Your Financial Aid Advisor should contact
you and assist you with additional documentation
and answer your questions. Please note that it’s
important to respond to requests for information
as soon as possible.
- That’s it! In order to prepare
for starting school we encourage you to successfully
complete all of your necessary documentation well
in advance of your first day of class.
For more information on Financial Aid, please click
here.
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A community college background is great preparation for advanced studies. After completing even a few college level courses, you know what to expect and know what is expected of you.
Online Learners have several characteristics in common. First, successful eLearners are comfortable with computers and know how to navigate the Internet. For some Universities, it is helpful if you are familiar with real-time Internet chat, eMail, computer based CD-Roms, and word processing software—and have access to a computer and modem.
Next, successful eLearners are self-motivated, good time and energy managers, and know how to communicate clearly through writing.
Lastly, for some online learning programs, eLearners must be willing to commit 10 to 15 hours per week to studying and believe that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom. If this sounds like you, you’re probably a good candidate for eLearning.
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At some online universities, you can listen to your professors lecture during live
classes. Some courses require students to login at specific times and other
classes allow you to view archived lectures for later viewing at your convenience.
Outside of class, you may be able to confer with professors during designated
office hours or via eMail.
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Online universities
can be the perfect choice for community college students.
Many degree programs have been designed to help you
graduate faster than at a traditional college. Additionally,
you do not have to leave your country of residence
to get your degree.
Research comparing distance education to face-to-face schooling seems to show that studying at a distance can be as effective as traditional instruction, when there is student-to-student interaction, and when there is good teacher-to-student feedback. Based on your academic experiences, you should realize how important being proactive about this type of interaction can be.
The course content at most accredited online universities is very similar to that at brick and mortar colleges. Many online universities boast instructors with advanced degrees and prominence in their fields. Some would argue that there are more hands-on learning opportunities and real-world application in online classes than the large lecture halls of traditional schools.
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In general, course content is comparable—not more or less difficult. But there are other factors that go into the ‘difficulty’ perception.
One is involvement. Today’s eLearning can be pretty exciting with multi-media courses, real-time group interaction, and dynamic, online tutorials. Outside of class, students may interact on group projects through eMail, message boards, chat rooms and conferencing.
Like traditional college courses, some of the learning takes place during class experiences and some takes place studying on your own. Many students feel that they can achieve better focus online because the material (or exercise, or interaction) is on the screen, right in front of them, without the distraction of a room full of other students.
Another issue is the pace at which learning takes place. Online courses may run for 5 to 16 weeks, depending on the institution. A five week course may seem like a quicker timeline than some courses, but in some cases you’ll be taking just one course at a time. And, you can view most class lectures at your own pace—even stopping and restarting when you need to—and studying when and where it’s most convenient.
When one-on-one interaction with an instructor is what you need, take advantage of more technologically advanced universities regularly scheduled ‘live’ office hours. And, get to know the online resources that your university provides. Some universities have extensive research and study resources including research links that save time and effort. Free programs may even be available to make you a better writer or even a stronger student!
While the courses aren’t more difficult, the learning process is certainly different than traditional classroom learning. For many, online learning fits like a glove. So, be honest with yourself about your learning style and preferences. How much do you get out of the social aspects of being physically present in a classroom? Or, how focused and motivated can you be on your own?
If you’re a self-driven individual, committed to getting your degree on your own terms, you should be right at home with the eLearning lifestyle!
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