Skip to main content

Ask 5 Questions About Extracurricular Activities in Online Degree Programs

By U.S. News & World Report

When Dave Numme started his online MBA at Southern New Hampshire University, he wanted his education to focus on more than courses and grades.

“Obviously the academics are highly important, but at the same time, I found it challenging to form more personal relationships” outside of class, says the 43-year-old, who finished the program in February and now works full time at SNHU as an associate dean of graduate faculty in STEM, or science, technology, engineering and math.

Numme joined several virtual groups hosted through SNHUconnect, the school’s online student center, including a peer leader program and a student advisory board.

[Discover how to join a virtual club as an online student.]

SNHU isn’t the only online program offering student organizations outside of class. Experts say extracurriculars allow online students to a do what they would be able to on campus: build a sense of community , pursue interests and build leadership skills.

“Their first thought may not be, ‘How can I get engaged with my peers? ‘ But I definitely encourage students to take the time to think about that. A strong collegiate experience should be full of something more than just your relationship with your professor and what you’re learning in class,” says Ashley Adams, director of student affairs at Pennsylvania State University–World Campus. The university’s online arm has student groups ranging from honor societies to ones connected to certain majors, such as the economics club.

Prospective online students considering joining extracurricular activities should answer the following five questions when researching programs.

1. Are activities geared toward online students in particular? Prospective online students should start by researching what clubs are available, experts say.

“When you’re on campus, you may walk through the student union, and there’s posters or flyers about clubs and organizations,” Adams says. But learning about student groups is more challenging for online learners, she says, though they can usually find information on a program’s website or from admissions officers, faculty or school officials.

[Learn tips to interact successfully with professors and students in online classes.]

SNHU, which has both online and on-ground degree programs, has 19 online student groups, says Tiffany Fifer, the school’s director of online engagement. Among them are the outdoors club — which teach es members about nature — and a book club.

2. How do members communicate? “I think they should ask, do you have the opportunity to interact without being on the physical campus?” Fifer says.

At the for-profit Kaplan University, which has more than 30 clubs, mostly made up of online students, members mainly talk through Facebook and Adobe Connect videoconferencing software, says David Starnes, the school’s chief academic officer.

Those methods of communication, along with email, are common in online program student organizations across schools, experts say.

Experts say understanding how groups communicate can help reassure members that they will build meaningful relationships and determine whether they’ll be able to catch up on their own time if they miss a meeting.

“It’s really nice to have these various technological tools to record a meeting, post a meeting and then when someone has the time, they can access it,” says Fitzroy Lewis, a Penn State–World Campus online bachelor’s student who helped form the school’s Active Minds chapter dedicated to spreading mental health awareness.

3. Will the time commitment fit into your schedule? Many online students juggle their education with jobs and family obligations, experts say. These students in particular need to find out how much time to set aside for clubs.

[Explore four time management tips from online students.]

Adams, of Penn State, suggests prospective students figure out whether club leaders have to devote more time than members would. They should understand whether clubs meet at specific times or only as needed.

4. How might joining a club enhance your online learning? Online students are generally pretty busy outside of class, so they should make sure extracurriculars are worth their time, experts say.

Online learners, experts say, might pursue extracurriculars for similar reasons as on-ground students — to connect with peers, dive deeper into subjects of interest or network.

“Part of creating a professional network is about spending some time investing in relationships and getting to know people in different ways outside of classes,” says Dana Grossman Leeman, associate dean for online and continuing education and program director at SocialWork@Simmons, the online master’s in social work program at Simmons College.

5. Are clubs recognized by the university? Online students should confirm that the clubs they want to join are legitimate — or approved by the online program — or look into ways to start their own, says Fifer from SNHU. At SNHU, virtual clubs must have a constitution with concrete goals, specific activities and at least 11 members.

“It’s that value added for a student that really ties them much closer to their institution, and it provides them with a lot more value to their experience,” Fifer says.

Trying to fund your online education? Get tips and more in the U.S. News Paying for Online Education center.

More from U.S. News

Join a Virtual Club as an Online Student

4 Questions to Ask About Student Groups in Online MBA Programs

5 Steps to Take Before Starting Online Group Work

Ask 5 Questions About Extracurricular Activities in Online Degree Programs 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
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote