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Whether you are looking for an undergraduate degree, graduate degree,
or just want to take a few online courses to improve your chances for
promotion, online colleges and universities provide the flexibility you
need.

Despite
these advantages, the cost of tuition, both online and at traditional
brick-and-mortar institutions, is on the rise. Knowing this, online
learners generally depend on financial aid to finance their education.
If you are considering pursuing a degree online and need financial aid,
there are a few things you should consider to ensure that you will
qualify.

Minimum eligibility requirements

1. U.S. citizen, or eligible non-citizens
2. Possess a valid Social Security number
3. Selective Service registration, if you are male
4. High school diploma or GED
5. Cannot have certain drug convictions

Accreditation

The
college or university must be an approved, degree-granting institution.
There are plenty of institutions on the internet who come up with fancy
sounding names, but they are not accredited by one of the six regional
accreditors. Without this accreditation, you will not be eligible for
financial aid, and in most cases, your college credits will not
transfer to regionally accredited universities. If you are uncertain of
your college’s accreditation, ask.

Program of study

You
must be pursuing a degree or certificate to be eligible for financial
aid. Even if you are unsure of your desired major when you enroll, you
will need to select a major, or at the very least, enroll in an
eligible certificate program. You can always change your mind later.

Term length

Ensure
that your online courses have a definite start and end date. In most
cases, this is not an issue. The exception will be courses deemed
“correspondence” where a student has the option of taking up to
eighteen months or more to complete the course. Most online colleges
operate on a semester schedule. If your college does not, you will need
to contact your college’s financial aid office to ensure that you will
be eligible to receive federal aid.

Enrollment

To be
eligible for Federal financial aid, you must be enrolled at least
half-time. In most cases, this means taking a minimum of six credit
hours per semester. Colleges vary in what they deem half-time, so check
with your online college’s financial aid office to be certain.

Applying for financial aid

Once
you have verified that your university and program of study meet these
criteria, you may begin the financial aid process. For more information
and a free step-by-step financial aid guide, visit http://www.online-college-blog.com.

About the Author: Joy Miller, is an educational writer for http://www.online-college-blog.com, a free online resource written by students, for students. Find information such as online course demos, online college reviews, and an online learning assessment quiz, as well as other valuable articles geared specifically for students desiring an online degree.




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