| Forget room and board, meal plans and commuting. | | | | Financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, |
| Online degree programs allow students to avoid | | | | fellowships, loans and work study programs might be |
| expenses such as these, perhaps helping to make | | | | obtained to help pay for online degree programs. In |
| college pursuits an affordable option for high school | | | | addition to colleges and universities, students can apply |
| graduates and adults. Tuition for some online college | | | | for scholarships and fellowships offered by community |
| classes and degree programs can be paid in monthly, | | | | groups, chambers of commerce, non-profit |
| no-interest installments. | | | | organizations and large corporations. Scholarships and |
| Distance college classes and degree programs require | | | | fellowships might be awarded based on financial need, |
| little more than a computer with Internet access. | | | | area of study, demographics, academic grade level or |
| Students can participate in studies on their own time, at | | | | a combination of factors such as these. |
| their own place, and they can continue working | | | | The federal government is considered the largest |
| relatively uninterrupted to help pay for tuition. While | | | | provider of financial aid, offering work study |
| some online schools have this year reportedly | | | | participation and other offerings to help offset the |
| increased tuition as much as 8 percent, at least one | | | | costs of tuition at accredited colleges and universities. |
| online institution announced that it has kept tuition costs | | | | The government's Pell grant has this year been |
| steady, with an academic year's worth of full-time | | | | expanded to provide students with financial needs up |
| undergraduate studies totaling less than $6,000. The | | | | to $5,000-plus for tuition. And this money, like that |
| Obama administration has recently expanded and | | | | associated with scholarships and fellowships, typically |
| revamped financial aid offerings and tax credits that | | | | doesn't have to be repaid. |
| might be applied to most forms of continued education. | | | | Students can also obtain federal government loans |
| When looking for online school offerings, students | | | | that are awarded through the financial aid offices of |
| might not want to compromise quality for costs. The | | | | schools and that don't require credit checks or |
| increase in online school offerings has also brought | | | | collateral. These loans don't have to be repaid until |
| about an increase in what's known as "diploma mills", | | | | after graduation. Students who make their payments |
| according to the U.S. Department of Education. The | | | | on time might see the debt forgiven after a certain |
| Department of Education and other agencies caution | | | | number of years. |
| students to beware of institutions that charge money | | | | To determine eligibility for the government's diverse |
| for worthless degrees, diplomas and certificates | | | | financial aid offerings, students can complete an online |
| requiring little to no academic work. | | | | Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). |
| Higher education professionals typically recommend | | | | Students enrolled in college online or on campus might |
| that students look toward online schools that are | | | | also benefit from a Lifetime Learning tax credit and an |
| accredited by any one of six regional accreditation | | | | American Opportunity Tax Credit. Tuition, higher |
| boards. With accredited online schools, it's more likely | | | | education fees, student loan interest and |
| students can transfer credits, obtain financial aid and | | | | employer-required education expenses are tax |
| earn degrees that employers would view favorably, | | | | deductible. |
| the U.S. Department of Education suggests. | | | | |