Credit Transfers
Q: Will my diploma say "online"?
A: No
Q: How do I transfer credits into an institution?
A: In order to transfer prior credits, you can request that official transcripts be sent from your previous schools to your online school of choice.
Q: How do I get credit for life experience?
A: Many schools offer the option of writing something entitled an experiential learning portfolio. These schools will allow you to transfer a certain percentage of credits using your prior life/work experience provided that you show that you have met the course objectives of each specified course you do not feel you should have to take.
Q: Can I transfer my credits from an online school?
A: While each school has its own specified criteria for transferring credits, schools will accept credits from institutions that have a regional accreditation, provided that you have a grade of "C" or higher and the school has a class for which you are seeking credit.
Getting Started
Q: Is there an admissions test?
A: Some online schools will require you to complete an interview over the phone or through e-mail with an admissions advisor. The advisor may or may not recommend you to their specific program. Some schools may also require you to take a placement exam in an area such as English or Math simply to place you in the appropriate class.
Q: Do I need SAT scores?
A: Provided that the school has an open enrollment policy, no, you do not need SAT scores.
Q: What will the cost of an online program be?
A: The cost of an online degree will be analogous to that of any other regionally accredited university.
Loan Consolidation
Q: What is a consolidated loan?
A: A Federal Consolidated Loan combines several existing student loans into one new loan. You can enjoy the convenience of lower monthly payments, a single fixed interest rate, and one monthly payment.
Q: What is the interest rate on a consolidated loan?
A: The interest rate for a Consolidation Loan is the weighted average of the interest rates on the loans being consolidated, rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. This rate is fixed for the life of the loan and cannot exceed 8.25%. Current fixed rates on Stafford Loans are 5.6% for subsidized loans, 6.8% for unsubsidized loans, and 6.8% for both subsidized and unsubsidized graduate loans. The rate on your Consolidation Loan will be fixed for the life of your loan. The interest rate on a Consolidation Loan is set according to federal law.
Q: Can I consolidate my loans while I am in school?
A: No. The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 defined repayment as not beginning until 6 months and one day after the date the student ceases to carry at least one-half the normal full- time academic workload, as determined by the school. Therefore, a FFEL or Direct Loan borrower who is still enrolled in school at least half-time may no longer request to enter repayment early to apply for a FFEL or Direct Consolidation Loan.
Q: Is there a limit as to how much I can consolidate?
A: There is no limit to the dollar amount you can consolidate.
Q: Can I add an eligible student loan that I forgot to consolidate?
A: Yes, as long as you add the eligible loan within 180 days of your new consolidation loan.
Q: Can I get a new consolidation loan after I have already consolidated my student loans?
A: You can only enter into a new consolidation loan if you have an eligible student loan that was never consolidated or you get a new eligible student loan after the date of your original consolidation.
Q: Once my student loans are consolidated, can they ever be separated?
A: No. Once consolidation takes place, the original student loans are paid in full and there is no way to reverse the process.
Online Education
Q: Is an online education rated as highly as a residential education?
A: When attending an educational institution, the first thing you as the student should take notice of is the accreditation. This is how schools are judged. The highest and most widely recognized accreditation is called a "regional accreditation". If a university has obtained this level of accreditation, their programs have to meet the exact same standards as that of any other major residential university.
Q: What do employers think of online degrees?
A: Consider a survey by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) that found that almost 70 percent of corporate supervisors rated the value of a distance degree as "just as valuable" or "more valuable" than resident-school degrees in the same field.
Q: How many people take courses online?
A: According to the United States Distance Learning Association (2009), 3.5 million adults are enrolled in online courses or earning their degrees entirely online.
Q: What is the average age of an online student?
A: 34 years old.
Online Learning Experience
Q: What is asynchronous learning?
A: Asynchronous learning allows you to participate on your own time. Correspondence usually takes the form of a message board, discussion forum, mail, or e-mail.
Q: What is synchronous learning?
A: Synchronous learning is when interaction with your instructors takes place in real time. In a campus-based school, this means attending a physical classroom. In an online environment, it requires that you log in to their classes at a specified time. In its most typical form, it is similar to a chat room.
Q: Is online school difficult?
A: Due to the fact that the programs do hold the same accreditation as residential classroom programs, the classes will hold the same level of difficulty. What may make the workload slightly easier to handle is the convenience of attending classes from home.
Q: How much time will I need to invest weekly?
A: This will depend on how many classes you take. Typically, a student will study 6 – 9 hours per week, per course.
Q: What’s the highest level degree I can get online?
A: A Doctorate degree.
Q: What are the teaching credentials for an online professor?
A: The credentials required for online instructors are the same as those required of professors at residential universities. In order to teach online in most cases, instructors need to possess a graduate degree, as well as have real life experience in the area they are teaching.
Q: Will I receive the same support systems that I would on a traditional campus?
A: Yes. Online schools typically have career services, academic advisors, financial aid departments, technology help desks, and a myriad of other support services.
Q: How will I get my books?
A: Most schools will mail the books directly to your mailing address.
Q: How long will it take me to finish an online degree?
A: It is typically up to you, the individual student, and how many courses you choose to take each quarter or semester. Due to the convenience, the online programs can usually be finished at a much quicker pace.
Paying for School
Q: How do I apply for financial aid?
A: Each school will have a financial aid department that will give you specific instructions and walk you through their financial aid process. In order for you to be prepared to fill out the financial aid forms, all you need are your tax forms from the prior year (if you filed) and a copy of your license or ID card.
Q: Can I use my Veterans benefits?
A: Yes, so long as the school is approved by the Veterans Administration, you can use your Veterans benefits. You may want to go to www.military.com to find a list of schools that the VA recognizes. You also have to be separated from active duty for less than 10 years in most cases.
Q: Can I use my military benefits?
A: Yes. You can use your military benefits TA AWARD if you are on active duty. Each branch of the military has its own set of eligibility criteria. Speak with your Education Officer for complete details.
Q: Will grants cover my entire tuition?
A: A variety of federal and state grants are available to help pay for school, but the amount you receive for each grant depends on your financial need and also the amount your receive from other grants. While grants can cover a good portion of your educational expenses, most likely they will not cover an entire program of study. However, scholarships and other funding options are available to cover the cost of higher education.
Q: When do I have to start paying back my loans?
A: You don’t have to start paying on most loans until 6 months after you complete your last course. At that point, you will receive a letter from your lender and most lenders give you a 60-day grace period to send in your first payment. Repayment terms may vary, so you should check with your lender. A standard loan repayment term is 10 years, but many options exist to extend the term to 25 years.
Q: What if I already have loans I am paying back?
A: If you are currently paying back loans, you are still eligible to receive more loans as long as your loans are not in a "default" status. When you attend school for the second time, you have two options available to you. You can either continue paying back your loans or request an in-school deferment.
Q: What is an in-school deferment?
A: An in-school deferment allows you to postpone any payments you have from previous educational loans. Most schools will require you to submit an in-school deferment form that you need to send to your school as well as your lender.
Q: Do I need to put anyone else’s information on my financial aid forms?
A: The answer is yes if you are married, under the age of 24 and you do not have a child, or are not active military/veteran. If you are married, you will be required to put your tax information along with the tax information of your spouse. If you are under the age of 24, you will be required to provide your tax information as well as one of your parent’s information provided that you do not have a dependent.
