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Consider an Online Program Designed for Working Adults

By U.S. News & World Report

If you’re a working adult considering an online degree, choosing a program wisely can help you avoid ultimately dropping out.

Online student dropout rates are higher than in equivalent face-to-face environments, according to a 2011 five-year study tracking 51,000 community and technical college students in Washington state that the Teacher’s College, Columbia University conducted. The study cites the needed self-discipline and time-management skills and the lack of interaction with peers, mentors and faculty as contributing factors to higher dropout rates in online courses.

[Learn how to develop self-motivation skills for online courses.]

At the same time, for many working adults, online learning remains the only feasible way to balance work, life and school.

Many institutions are launching online degrees in ways that allow working adults to be more successful and persist through graduation. So, if you work full time, it’s key to be aware of whether online degree programs have strong student services and classes that are structured in a way that supports you.

— Mentors and support services: Guild Education, a company that packages online courses and programs for employers and universities, partners with schools including Bellevue University and Colorado State University–Global Campus to launch online degrees.

These programs aim to specifically help students working at particular companies balance their desire to develop new skills with the common pitfalls online students face, such as time management, lack of mentorship, social isolation and accountability.

Guild provides students with advisers who specialize in supporting working adults seeking online degrees. These advisers help them negotiate common problems, set goals and succeed.

[Discover how to find a mentor as an online bachelor’s student.]

In addition, the 2014 Gallup-Purdue Index Report, which studied 30,000 college graduates, found that a key to students being prepared for life after college and professional pursuits was professors who cared about and motivated them and offered accountability. Choosing an online program that requires regular check-ins with a mentor, adviser or other adult will likely curb the odds of you dropping out.

— Program structure: Beyond student services, an online program’s structure can influence working adults’ success.

Prospective students should evaluate whether a self-paced or live online degree program will help them earn their degree. For example, Southern New Hampshire University‘s College for America is self-paced and competency-based, meaning students progress through material that they already know at a faster rate by completing projects.

Specifically designed for working adults, the school combines this online learning structure with robust support networks, including coaches who not only guide students through their degree program but also teach them study skills, motivate them and offer insight into time management. However, other students might prefer different programs that include live classroom discussions through videoconfer encing .

The takeaway: Enrolling in an online degree program specifically designed for working adults significantly increases your chances of completing the program and being satisfied with the education.

More from U.S. News

4 Online Education Program Considerations for International Students

5 Ways Younger Students Can Be Successful in Online Programs

5 Attendance Requirements to Watch for in Online Programs

Consider an Online Program Designed for Working Adults 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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