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3 Steps to Take Before Starting an Online Program

By U.S. News & World Report

Being a prospective online student can be stressful. You may investigate seemingly endless options for programs, and even when you find a perfect match, your journey is still only just beginning.

There are a few things prospective students can do to find a best-fit online program that will, at the same time, help them transition into returning to school.

1. Research the program and its student culture: As a prospective student, you should find reliable information about the school, its culture and its support environment. Engaging with relevant online groups — for example, on social media — can give you insight into that culture and provide you with a sense of how it may feel like to be an online student in a particular program or class.

[Learn how to use social media to choose an online program.]

For example, the College of William and Mary Mason School of Business offers online MBA virtual open house tours where prospective students can learn more about the program and decide if it’s a fit for them. The school publishes podcasts and videos where prospective students may find their possible future professors discussing different topics. Taking that step may also give you more knowledge of the school, which can even assist you in writing your admission essays.

That knowledge of the online program’s culture can help you even after you get accepted. You may feel more confident in your first classes because you are somewhat familiar with the environment, or you might recall professors you saw online.

2. Prepare an “elevator” introduction: During online MBA admissions interviews, you want to be memorable to the interviewer or the committee to increase the odds of getting accepted. Prospective students should consider taking the time to create and polish short biographical introductions, or “elevator” speeches, covering your background and, more importantly, your professional aspirations. Having thought through who you are and who you want to be might help you write your admissions essays as well.

And that speech will help you even after you start the online program, where regular student interaction is key. Many online programs require students to post introductions at the beginning of each class. With your prepared speech, you will have a polished introduction that will help you stand out.

[Discover how to interact successfully with online instructors and classmates.]

3. Consider hardware and software requirements: Some programs require students to have specific software and hardware to be able to complete assignments. As a prospective online student, you might want to consider those requirements beforehand.

For example, some programs need software that runs only on a particular operating system, and you might have to either buy a new computer or find another way to access it. Other schools may instead provide all needed equipment. Depending on your technical skills, you may feel more comfortable with either option, but it’s an important point to consider.

After enrolling in a program, it is important to remember those software limitations and to have a plan to overcome them if needed.

The takeaway: Prospective online students have a lot to consider when picking a program, but there are steps you can take to help you both get into a school and get started as a student.

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3 Steps to Take 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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