Scholarships For Attending Online College
Scholarship and financial aid opportunities for people who choose to obtain their college education thorough distance learning by attending one of many online colleges and universities do exist. The college tuition for online schools can be as much as those for students who choose to attend an on-campus school. To help reduce or completely cover the rising cost of college education, scholarships for students who is attending an online school is obtainable.
Many online students choose to take out loans to help finance their online education because some of the students feel that scholarships are out of reach while some just are not aware of the availability of scholarships for online students.
Where are the Scholarships for Online learners
There are certainly scholarships available for online students but you must invest some time researching and applying. Most of these scholarships are offered by the online colleges and universities. To start your search, you must find an online college that offer scholarships for its students. You can do so by going to its website, visit the financial aid office (if it is nearby), or send the school an email or call the school up and ask if scholarships are available.
Most online colleges and universities do offer some form of scholarships to its online students. Some of these scholarships are awarded to students base on academic merit where a 3.0 GPA or greater is needed while others are based on financial needs.
Your Employer Might Have Scholarship for You
If you are currently employed, you might be able to obtain some form of financial assistance from your current employer. If you are not sure if your employer provides financial assistance then all you have to do is ask.
Most employers like their employees to pursue or advance their education online because they can continue with their job while earning a degree. The employee will also be able to obtain new knowledge that brings needed abilities in the related field that will enable the employees to perform their jobs flawlessly.
By providing financial assistance in the form of scholarship, employer can also obtain tax benefits too.
Apply for Many Scholarships and Check the Eligibility Requirements
Students engage in distance learning or online learning can also apply for many other scholarships available to all kinds of students. Almost all scholarships have an eligibility requirement. Many of the scholarships’ eligibility requirements do not require students be attending classes on campus. If the students meet the eligibility set forth by the scholarship then the student should apply to that scholarship.
When apply for scholarships, always check the eligibility requirements. If you do not meet the requirement then do not waste your time to apply for the scholarship.
Contact the College Counselor When Applying for Online College Scholarship
You should also contact your college counselor or financial aid officer when applying for online college scholarship. They are more than willing to help you because they want you to attend their college. They are also more knowledgeable in the process of applying and obtaining an online college scholarship. With their help your chance of obtaining a scholarship to help pay for your online school might increase.
College Accreditation: Accredited vs. Non – Accredited
One of the important information students need to keep in mind is whether the online college is accredited or non – accredited. An accredited college or university means that the school meets the quality and academic standards set forth by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Many scholarships require applicants either planning or already attending an accredited college or university in order to qualify.
However, this does not mean that there are no scholarships available for students choosing to attend a non – accredited school. Some students in non-accredited school might still be eligible for some scholarships depending on the program and the school you are attending.
Apply to as Many Scholarships as You can
Not only can you apply for scholarships for online students but also any other scholarships in which you meet the eligibility requirement.
There are literally millions of scholarships available to college undergraduate or graduate students. Students should apply to as many scholarships as possible to increase their chance of obtaining multiple scholarships
Below are some scholarships to help online students pay for college tuition.
Penn State University (Pennsylvania State University) has been offering distance learning since 1892 and is one of the first major accredited universities to provide online education through its World Campus School. To help students pay for the online undergraduate or the graduate program, Penn State offers 5 scholarships.
The Penn State scholarships include:
- Jane Ireland Student Fund Scholarship
- Fischer Family Scholarship Program
- Trustee Scholarship Program
- World Campus Military Annual Fund Scholarship
- Destiny Solutions — Mary Cone Barrie Scholarship
Three of the six scholarships require students to be already enrolled in the World Campus School and a GPA 3.0 or above.
Western Governors University – Online Education Scholarships
Western Governors University is an online university with the goal of offering and expending higher education access to students through online, competency-based degree programs. The university offers multiply scholarships to its online students including scholarship for those who have lost their jobs in the past year.
The WGU scholarships include but are not limited to the following:
- WGU-Health Management Associates Scholarship
- AT&T – WGU Native American Scholarship
- WGU-AMEX Excellence in Education Scholarships
- WGU Community College Faculty and Staff Scholarship
- WGU Mathematics and Science Educators Scholarship
The Ragins/Braswell National Scholarship offers scholarship to students who attend an accredited undergraduate or graduate educational institution. All applicants must attend either the Scholarship Workshop presentation or complete an online class about winning scholarships or financing higher education within the past year before submitting the application.