| In today's turbulent economy, many young people have | | | | university. While many of these institutions require |
| been forced to begin working during or immediately | | | | students to earn a degree in a certain number of |
| after high school in order to ensure their financial | | | | years, most online colleges allow students to take a |
| stability. As a result, many youths are choosing to stay | | | | few classes at a time so they may work toward a |
| in an unskilled job rather than pursue a college degree, | | | | degree on their own schedules. |
| as they believe that they will encounter financial | | | | This system could also help students prevent |
| troubles if they stop working. | | | | educational debt, as individuals who work toward a |
| However, these individuals should know that the days | | | | degree on a class-by-class basis may be able to save |
| when all college students were required to live on | | | | enough money between courses to eliminate the need |
| campus and attend classes in the middle of the day | | | | for student loans. According to College Boards 2005 |
| are long gone, as a great many online college | | | | Trends in Student Aid, the average college student |
| programs have been created to help busy adults | | | | graduates with nearly $17,000 in debt. That means not |
| further their education. In fact, many of these courses | | | | having to take out a loan could save you thousands! |
| of study allow students to make their own schedules | | | | In addition, individuals who have demonstrable financial |
| and complete their homework on their own time. | | | | need and a clear devotion to improving their education |
| For many individuals, the idea of earning a | | | | may be eligible for financial aid programs, such as |
| campus-based or online degree seems unreasonable, | | | | single mother grants. The government has revamped |
| as they may feel they cannot handle the added | | | | the application process for this money. Now checking |
| responsibility of school. However, these people may | | | | a box on your income tax form allows the |
| find that dedicating time to their own self-improvement | | | | government to use that financial information to |
| may be a great motivator, as it could help them get on | | | | determine eligibility for college grants and loans. |
| the path to a high-paying career and a more luxurious | | | | The federal government also added more programs |
| lifestyle. | | | | and money for college students. Pell grant awards |
| In addition, students who are enrolled in online courses | | | | were increased to more than five thousand dollars and |
| could be relieved of a great deal of pressure, as they | | | | families with a member in college now qualify for tax |
| will not be bound by the time constraints of a traditional | | | | credits. All this federal financial aid can be used for |
| college degree program at a brick-and-mortar | | | | online or on campus learning. |