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Ask 3 Questions Before Enrolling in Online AP Courses

By U.S. News & World Report

Given the competitive nature of the college admissions process, students often look to Advanced Placement classes as a way to not only prepare for the rigors of college but to also give their transcripts a boost. However, students must take a variety of considerations into account when deciding which classes to complete and when.

One option — online AP courses — can offer freedom to students who are unable to take face-to-face AP classes. Students typically complete online AP courses in their free time. Both self-paced and session-based models exist, with the most popular AP classes — like AP Biology and AP U.S. History — offered more frequently and by more providers than courses like AP Music Theory.

[Discover the keys to success in advanced placement courses.]

Generally, busy or self-driven students or those who do not attend a high school with rich AP offerings are interested in online AP classes. For example, small high schools or high schools in rural locations typically cannot offer a robust range of AP courses. In such instances, motivated students may wisely turn to online AP classes.

However, these courses also come with their own challenges. Before enrolling in an online AP course, here three questions to consider.

1. Are you familiar with online courses and technology?

Many high school students who are considering an online AP class have never taken an online course before, which means they may not know what to expect. At the same time, these students are likely familiar and comfortable working with online resources.

One of the most important considerations to weigh before enrolling in an online AP course is how comfortable you feel learning in an online environment, since this experience can be radically different from classroom learning. For instance, will the AP course you’re looking at be self-paced or session-based? Ask yourself how you feel about the thought of receiving instruction, submitting homework and conducting research online.

For students who struggle with troubleshooting technological issues, taking an online AP class could be challenging. Students who choose this route will need to remember to regularly save their work — and to create backups — to prevent loss in case of a crash. After all, no one wishes to rewrite a multi paragraph response to an AP English Literature and Composition prompt.

You should also be prepared to navigate issues between the AP platform of choice and your browser. Some learning platforms may require a specific web browser or video plugin to provide full functionality. If you aren’t prepared to solve problems on your own, you may find yourself frustrated by compatibility issues.

[Learn how to choose between AP, online classes.]

2. What type of learning environment do you prefer? Online AP environments have the advantage of seamless — and typically constant — access to course materials, and they also reduce paper waste. Keep in mind, though, that you do not have the ability to ask questions during a prerecorded video lecture in AP Biology or AP World History. You also will not have the advantage of face-to-face interaction with peers for clarification and other forms of support. If you enroll in an online AP class in a science field, you may perform labs at home or virtually.

If you are the type of student who tends to seek help from your instructors, you may find that you struggle in an online AP course , where help may only be available via email or a chat-based forum. In addition, many students prize group work as an opportunity to bounce their ideas off of peers and to likewise take in their classmates’ unique perspectives. While this can be accomplished via other methods like discussion boards, it is often less direct in online AP courses. Before enrolling in an online AP class, consider whether these differences will impact your ability to succeed.

[Discover the keys to success in advanced placement courses.]

3. Do you have time in your schedule? If you do not have the luxury of working on online AP classes during the school day, such as during a study hall or as part of your school schedule, ensure that you can make time for them out of school. Also consider your workload and obligations before committing to online AP instruction.

Students with a heavy academic load should determine how much help they may need with the given AP subject matter — seeking out online resources to explain material you aren’t fully understanding often takes more time than asking your teacher for assistance during or after an in-person AP class. Some students may also need external motivators to do their best.

Students with less challenging academic loads but a wealth of extracurricular activities may find themselves in a similar situation to those with heavy academic loads. Can you afford to attend your usual classes, see to extracurriculars after school and then focus on online AP courses in the evenings or on weekends?

If you choose to enroll in an online AP course , make sure to check if your top-choice colleges have online AP programs for high schoolers, such as Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. These can be a great way to begin a relationship with the institution.

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Ask 3 Questions Before Enrolling in Online AP Courses 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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