eLearnPortal Blog

Have you ever wanted to go back to school, but did not think you had the time or money? With the flexibility of a distance learning degree program, time is no longer a factor. However, for those individuals who would like to increase their pay wage, money may still be an issue. The good news is, today, many businesses are helping professionals pay more than their bills. Now is the time to discover how you can persuade your employer to pay for your online education.

First of all, your company may already have what is called a tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement program. A tuition assistance/reimbursement program allows you to take classes while your company pays for it. You should take a trip to the human resources (HR) department to learn more about the programs your company offers. In case the company does not have a program in place, don’t fret. All you have to do is a little research and planning. Then you can go to your employer and suggest a personal tuition reimbursement/assistance program.

The first step in talking to your employer about paying for your online education is to plan. Go online and figure out what degree program or set of online courses appeals to you. Be sure you look at when the courses are available and what skills they will help you to develop. Your boss will take you seriously if you can answer his/her questions about the courses or the degree program you want the company to invest in.

The second step is to list all the ways that your degree or set of courses will benefit the company. Reasons, like “it will save the company money in the long-run” or “it will give the company a more professional image,” will be likely to persuade your boss to put money into your education.  Keep in mind that while you may want a degree in art, it would be more beneficial to the company for you to earn your MBA. Your employer is not likely to pay for courses or a degree that would not directly benefit the company.

The next step is to think of solutions for every possible concern your boss might have. For example, if you think your employer is worried about the classes taking you away from your job, you would explain the flexibility and versatility of online learning. You could also reassure your boss that you will be studying in your free time and it will, in no way, negatively affect your ability to do your job. In fact, the skills you learn through online learning will improve your ability to do your work.

Finally, it is time to set up an appointment with your employer to discuss tuition assistance/reimbursement. You should practice your presentation beforehand and bring your lists of facts along to supplement your case. Do not be discouraged if you are turned down. Leave the information with your boss and try again in a few months’ time. Any new idea will take some getting used to.

If your employer approves of tuition assistance/reimbursement for you, be prepared for some stipulations. Different companies may ask for different things when it comes to paying for your education. For example, you may be asked to choose from a list of colleges/universities, enroll in a job-related degree program or set of courses, pay the tuition yourself and be reimbursed later, earn a “C” or better in your courses, or even pay back the tuition costs if you leave the company. In addition, if you are going to be reimbursed after you pay the cost, some companies will only pay up to 80% of your tuition or pay a certain amount depending on the grades you earn.

Keep all of these things in mind, but do not let it deter your education any longer. Even being reimbursed for 80% of your degree is better than having to pay it all and knowing your boss supports you will encourage you as you are studying to be a better employee.

Soldiers Turning to Online Degrees for Education

Online degrees are becoming more and more popular with military veterans who do not have the time and/or resources to attend college in a traditional environment. By attending school online, these soldiers can spend more time at home with their loved ones or working to provide for their families.

Active duty soldiers are also taking advantage of online education, often choosing to continue working toward their online bachelor’s degree from the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. The online environment allows these soldiers to keep up with their classes while fulfilling their deployment. In 2007, over 710,000 online courses were taken by military personnel from the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force.

There are also many financial aid resources available for active duty and retired military personnel. The Department of Defense, as well as the federal government, offers tuition reimbursement to members of the armed forces, which is a huge incentive for military members to pursue an education. Private scholarship foundations, such as the Sentinels of Freedom, Operation Helping Heal, and others, offer aid to soldiers pursuing an education. Many colleges also waive or reduce the tuition costs for veterans and active duty soldiers.

Many soldiers choose online degree programs because they have been wounded in combat and cannot attend regular classroom sessions. The flexibility of an online education allows them to recover from their wounds in the comfort of their own homes without worrying about how they are going to get to and from class.

The Army has a program in place to help soldiers get an education. Launched in 2001, eArmyU provides tuition assistance for soldiers. They also provide laptop computers for soldiers who enlist in a combat or operational unit. The only eligibility requirements are a high school diploma or GED, 3 years of service remaining and approval from their commander. All tuition, books, course fees, and internet services are paid for, and soldiers must complete 12 credit hours in a three year period. In the seven years the program has been available, over 50,000 army personnel have taken college courses.

With so many colleges providing online degrees and numerous scholarships and tuition assistance available, the number of military personnel taking online courses is sure to increase every year, proving that deployment doesn’t have to be the end of pursuing an education.

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The Education Stimulus Package

In these rough economic times you might think that a college education or online degree program is out of reach, in both costs and time consumption. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. Over $83 billion in financial aid will be distributed this year alone, and aid is available regardless of your income level. All you need is the right information and resources to help get you started on the road to completing a traditional or online college degree.

First of all, it is essential to know the differences between the main types of financial aid. These include loans, scholarships, grants, and work study. Loans are aid that must be repaid. Loans for online college degrees or traditional programs are grouped into three categories: federal student loans, federal parent loans, and private loans. Federal student loans usually have lower interest rates than private loans and do not require collateral. They also have deferment options and different repayment plans. The two types of federal loans are Stafford loans and Perkins loans. These are usually awarded based on need, with the Perkins loan only going to those with the greatest need. In order to apply for a federal loan, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information visit: http://www.ed.gov/finaid/landing.jhtml?src=rt.

Loans are also available for parents of online college students or on-campus students who need assistance with paying for their child’s education. Federal parent loans (PLUS loans) cover the costs of education all the way up to full attendance. These loans have a fixed interest rate that is usually higher than student loans, and is the full responsibility of the parents. You must start repaying these loans after 60 days and they must be paid in full after 10 years.

Private loans are available to both parents and students from a variety of lenders. These usually have higher interest rates than federal loans, and eligibility is based on your credit score. Sometimes private loans have more flexible options than federal loans, including deferment until after graduation for parent loans, which is not available in the PLUS program. For more information about federal and private loans visit:

* U.S. Department of Education
* FinAid.org
* Your local bank and/or credit union

Scholarships are monetary awards that do not have to be paid back. These are generally awarded to students who attained academic, athletic, or artistic achievements and are provided by thousands of different sponsors. Usually colleges and universities have scholarships available, so it is recommended that you check with your institution’s financial aid office for scholarships. There are also many scholarship resources available where you can search for scholarships and other awards. These include:

* FastWeb
* CollegeBoard
* Scholarships.com
* Council of Graduate Schools

Another great source of financial aid are grants. Like scholarships, grants do not have to be paid back. They are usually given out by a governmental department, corporation, foundation or trust to be used for funding education. The most sought after federal grant is the Pell Grant, which is usually awarded to low income individuals. For more information about the types of grants available, visit:

* Grants.gov
* Yahoo! Directory

The last type of aid is work study. Work study involves gaining employment with the understanding that the wages you earn will go towards paying for your education. You can apply for the Federal Work-Study program by filling out a FAFSA, and they will place you into a job if you qualify. The total amount you earn can’t exceed your award amount, and your employer will take that into account when scheduling your work hours. For more information visit the Department of Education. Work study is also available through most colleges and universities if you do not qualify for the Federal Work-Study program. For more information contact your school’s financial aid office.

References

U.S. Department of Education
Grants.gov
FinAid.org