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Build a Campus Network as an Online Student

By U.S. News & World Report

Learning beyond the classroom is essential for all students — and a sense of community outside of class is critical for students’ growth throughout their learning experience. For online students, extracurricular learning communities create an avenue to engage with other students and share knowledge, regardless of where students are.

For some, thriving in an online learning community may include joining a club; for others, it may be joining a social media group or meeting up in person for a class or with other students nearby. For many, this can be new territory.

Here are a few ways to create community that prospective students should look for and current students should take advantage of.

[Explore how to develop self-motivation skills for online learning.]

— Join a student organization: Getting involved is easier than many students may think. Even if students are not on campus, they can still be an important part of their university’s student organizations.

Whether they want to pursue a leadership position or connect with other students who share their hobbies or passions, joining a student club is a great way to meet others, build connections and make the most of the online learning experience.

ASU Online, for example, offers online membership to several clubs, including the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Graphic Information Technology Club, the Video Game Development Club and Lux Undergraduate Creative Review, to name a few. The goal truly is to connect students and create a meaningful sense of community that allows students to express their interests and passions.

— Engage with course-specific communities: An online learning experience is what students make it. It helps to have a group to turn to for coursework help and tips as they juggle everyday life.

One way to get involved with others is to join or create a social media group where students in the class can engage in conversation around assignments, challenges with coursework or to schedule study groups. Finding a group of students can provide a great deal of inspiration and support.

Additionally, online students can get involved by personally meeting up with others nearby who may share common interests, are majoring in the same subject or are just taking classes through the same university. Online learning can be time-consuming , and it’s important for students to create connections with others who are experiencing similar opportunities and challenges.

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

— Build an online community beyond graduation: Creating relationships beyond graduation is also valuable as students look to embark on their careers and build a network.

Most universities have strong alumni associations and provide numerous ways for people to connect with others who share the common thread of their college degree. At ASU, for example, these groups can be found all over the country and the globe, and many offer various networking opportunities throughout the year.

Getting connected to one of the alumni groups gives students confidence that once they complete their degree, there’s a community they can join that shares a similar sense of accomplishment and pride.

The takeaway: Students should feel a sense of community throughout their online learning experience and beyond — that comes from capitalizing on opportunities outside the classroom and getting involved in a meaningful way.

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Build a Campus Network as an Online Student 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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