With modern technology, the internet offers students many opportunities to study for online college degrees. Students can also find a wealth of information regarding their online education ambition, for instance like how to apply for college student loan, how to find the right online college degree program for a wide variety of other online education information.

Since many prospective online students are usually working adults, more and more people are turning to the internet to obtain a college degree education program, studying completely from the internet.

However, do be careful when you choose an online college to study with. Beware of fake college degree scams. What many students fail to do is to research the online colleges accreditation process. This is a vital process and is done to make sure that the online college you chose to study from is genuine and creditable.

Since the benefits of an accredited college degree are plentiful, potential students need to ensure that the online college they study with offers fully accredited degrees. An accredited college degree is an endorsement and recognition that you have received a certain level of standard and quality in your education.

However, in the online degree industry, scams abound. There are many so called "degree-mills" on the internet which promise that you will receive degrees in half the time that is normally taken to study for a degree and some even to go as far as to claim that you can earn a college degree even without studying or taking examinations.

These scams and fake "colleges" only want your money and when you are done with them, you will be left with a degree that has not been through a proper accreditation process or worse, you will receive a fake college degree which is completely worthless. So you must beware of them.

A properly accredited online college degree program ensures that a student is receiving a high quality education that is the standard among colleges and universities both online and offline. By being accredited, it holds the online colleges and universities accountable for their performances and this auger well for employer's confidence in the degree's credibility.

By having a fully accredited online college degree by the proper governing boards ensures that your hard work is rewarded. Employers and other learning institutions will accept your degree as being credible.

Students who wish to apply for college financing can only do so if their college is properly accredited by the proper educational boards. No banks will give any college student loans to students who are intending to study with a college without accreditation.

Furthermore, in order to transfer your credits to another educational institution that is accredited, you have to receive a degree from an accredited college or university online.

While the internet is a good medium where students from all over the world with internet access can obtain get a college degree education, you should by all means avoid being a victim of such ruthless scams. Proper accreditation ensures that your online degree will be respected by your employers and other colleges and universities should you wish to go for your post graduate degree.

It is therefore imperative that you research your chosen college's accreditation process thoroughly before committing to any online college degree program. This will make sure that the accredited online college degree you will obtain is properly accredited through the proper state or regional boards. By doing your research well, you will avoid being a victim of fake college degree online scams may cost you lot of money, time, hard work and heartache.

guest post by Chris Chew

Online college degree

Engineering students can expect to work in one of the highest paying careers for a new graduate. An affordable online engineering degree program is a way to start cashing in on the higher salary faster than if the degree was obtained through a more expensive traditional campus based university. Of the 17 engineering specialties, the five engineering degree programs that are expected to have a good outlook for employment in the future are chemical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental engineering and industrial engineering.

Job growth for environmental engineers is expected to increase by 25% over the next decade according to the US Bureau of Labor. Increasing environmental regulations and proactive concern for the environment are influencing the expected growth in this field. The pay range for this specialty ranges from a low of $43,000 to a high of $106,000 with a median salary of $69,000. Schools such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute offer online masters of engineering programs in this field.

Industrial engineering positions are expected to increase by 20% over the next decade. Industrial engineers study the most effective way to affect production through the use of resources; people, material, and processes. Salaries range from a low of $44,000 to a high of $100,00, with the median being $68,000. Penn Foster College is an online college that offers this degree.

Civil engineering is another specialty that is expected to grow faster than average at a growth of 18% over the next decade. Civil engineers are needed to keep up with the demand of an increasing population in developing infrastructure. The salary range is a low of $44,000 to a high of $104,00, with the median being $68,000. Penn Foster College and Norwich University offer online civil engineering programs.

Chemical engineering positions are expected to grow at an average rate of 8%. Pharmaceutical companies are the most likely to need engineers. Also companies involved in biotechnology and nanotechnology. The salary range is a low of $50.000 to a high of $118,000 with the median being $78,000.

Job growth for mechanical engineers is expected to increase only 4%, but mechanical engineers will be able to enter other specialty areas because of their more broad background. Areas of nanotechnology, materials science, and biotechnology are areas where mechanical engineers can fill the bill. The salary range is a low of $45,000 to a high of $104,000 with the median being $69,000. The University of Delaware offers an online masters program in mechanical engineering.

The overall outlook for engineers of any specialty is good with an expected growth of 11%. Currently there are 1.5 million engineers working in a wide variety of specialties. Civil, mechanical, industrial, and electrical engineers hold the four top positions number of engineers employed.

Many schools offers online college degree such as Ashford, Drexel, University of Toledo, Polytechnic, Eastern Kentucky, Norwich, University of Delaware and Penn Foster College offer online engineering programs.

An online college and university website can provide information about the various programs, colleges and universities, costs, and financial aid. Advisors are available to answer questions, and you can send for information to read at your leisure.

Online college degrees are increasingly popular for both traditional students and those who are pursuing higher education while working. The allure can be attributed to a combination of lower costs, convenience (you can attend classes on your own schedule) and the increase acceptance of online college degrees by today's employers.

The most popular online college degrees tend to be those that focus on a particular professional career or practical discipline rather than more generalized degrees such as those offered by traditional campus-based colleges or universities. There are also a higher percentage of students pursuing associate degrees as opposed to bachelor's degrees through online learning. Part of this is because many students seeking an online college degree are seeking to enter the workforce as quickly as possible or are already working and want to improve their chances of promotion. Another reason seems to be that online students prefer to obtain associate online college degrees so that they can take advantage of it in terms of a better job, and then continue with a bachelor's degree while working full time.

Professional Online College Degrees are Industry Focused

Overall the most popular discipline at online colleges is Business Administration. This is a degree that can translate into any number of industries because it is based on business skills and management techniques that almost any type of company can benefit from. Secretaries and lower level employees often study for online college degrees in Business Administration or Business Management so that they are more likely to be perceived as "promotion material." Another popular degree program is accounting; an associate or bachelor's degree in accounting is always in demand by companies that are finding it increasingly difficult to find qualified account managers and bookkeepers.

Computer science degrees at all levels are second only to business administration with students pursuing online college degrees. Because the government predicts that the demand for employees with computer programming and database management skills will continue to increase indefinitely, these degrees are an excellent investment in anyone's future.

Medicine is another industry that is desperately in need of qualified individuals with a degree or diploma in a healthcare related area such as medical reimbursement or healthcare management. With the healthcare crisis now facing the United States, experts in understanding how healthcare insurance works and who can manage facilities seamlessly are in short supply. Online college degrees in this area can take an individual from an entry-level position to management quickly.

Online College Degree Programs Keep Pace with Industry Changes

Online college degree programs keep pace with industry changes and shifts in professional demand because they have certain advantages over traditional colleges. Online colleges don't need additional space or facilities to add new programs to their curriculum. When they notice an emerging trend, they can offer a new program as soon as they have located and hired the appropriate instructors. These instructors are usually industry leaders themselves, and they are able to provide instruction that covers the most recent innovations in their industry because many remain a part of the industry, something typical college professors aren't able to do because of scheduling conflicts.

A perfect example of a program that was non-existent a decade ago is Criminal Justice. Students can pursue an online college degree in Criminal Justice from several excellent online colleges. In fact, criminal justice surpassed health care degrees in popularity at online colleges for the first time this past year.

To find out more about the new and evolving opportunities for an online education, contact admissions counselors to discuss your options. They will know the trends and statistics to help you choose the particular college degree program to carry you into a successful future.

guest post by Andy West

If you're considering a return to college to study for a degree, it's important that you know exactly what you want to get out of the experience. The more preparation you can do before you plunge into your studies, the more benefit you'll get from your decision. You're going to invest a lot of time, hard work, and tuition fees into this process, so it's important that you are clear about your objectives. earn online college degree

There are as many different types of distance learning "online college degree" students as there are people in the world. But research and anecdotal evidence suggests that the most successful students have seriously considered the following three questions:

Why am I returning to college?

It's tempting to answer this first question simply: "To get a degree." And for some people, that may be motivation enough. Many of us choose to go straight to work after high school, or there may be reasons that you dropped out of college without completing your degree. And the desire to finally return to school and earn that degree can be very strong.

But most students who choose to return to school later in life do so for a practical reason: Career advancement. Skilled manual & technical work is becoming more scarce, and in a knowledge-based economy the better-paying jobs often demand a college degree.

If that's the reason you're considering college, be sure that you spend the necessary time researching which subjects you should study. This is especially important if you're studying a rapidly-changing technical field like computer programming; you don't want to be the last student in the world to become expert in an obsolete programming language.

Do I have the self-discipline to earn online college degree?

At first glance it's tempting to think that studying for your degree online will be easier than attending classes on campus. After all, you don't need to get out of your pajamas, let alone out of the house!

But the fact is that you need to be extremely self-disciplined to complete even one course ... and you'll have to take quite a few to get that degree. Without the discipline that a regular schedule imposes, it's very easy to fall behind on your course work. And while most colleges and universities now allow for asynchronous learning, which means that you don't have to login for an online lecture at a specific time but can instead watch it at your convenience, you do still need to watch it.

Online colleges recognize the danger of students slipping behind in their work and will schedule papers, quizzes, and exams in such a way as to monitor your progress. But the final responsibility for your success or failure is yours.

Will my friends and family give me the support I need?

You're going to spend a great deal of time studying when you plunge into your course work and, unless you have an awful lot of spare hours on your hands right now, that means time that you'll have to take from other activities. Particularly if you'll be working and studying simultaneously, you'll have a lot less opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Are you, and they, comfortable with that?

If you're married, the support of your spouse is absolutely vital. They may have to be willing to accept a much greater share of the housework, errands, and parenting. At the same time, you're going to have much less opportunity to relax and go out for a quiet meal; see a movie; or even watch TV together in the evening.

Are you, and they, willing to make compromises to allow you to fulfill your dream of earning a degree? Are they equally invested in the potential career opportunities and rewards of your studies, or is it possible they will feel threatened by you moving up the career ladder and broadening your horizons?

If you're already fully committed to getting and with an earn online college degree, don't let these questions be a barrier to your goals. But by taking the time to address the potential pitfalls ahead of time, your experience will be more enjoyable, more manageable, and more rewarding in the long term.

www.earnanonlinecollegedegree.com

There are hundreds of resources available to students who want to continue their education and receive an online college degree but are unable to pay for it up front. Whatever route you're choosing for student financial aid - an unpaid monetary gift or re-paid financial assistance - funding your way through school is achievable. Money no longer needs to be a factor in your decision to return or even go to school the first time around!

To decide which type of student financial aid would suit your educational pursuits, the following information on loans and scholarships should come in handy. Before enrolling at any school to acquire your online college degree, however, you need to make sure that it's accredited, the degree program you're interested in is eligible for student financial aid, and you've discussed your situation with the college's representatives in the financial aid office.

FAFSA: Student Financial Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is an office of the U.S. Department of Education that provides student financial aid or monetary assistance to eligible individuals who wish to continue their educations well beyond high school and receive a traditional or online college degree. FAFSA strives to encourage all Americans to achieve a higher education and realize the power that it has within our society.

By partnering with a large number of postsecondary schools in the U.S., FAFSA is able to play a vital role in ensuring that interested individuals have ample student financial aid to continue their schooling and receive an online college degree. The program, which processes 14 million applications each year, distributes more than $80 billion per year in student financial aid to eligible applicants (1). To apply online or learn more, please visit www.FAFSA.ed.gov.

Students Loans

In essence, student loans are low-interest monetary assistance from the government to help cover the cost of education (tuition) as well as books, housing, and incidentals. However, upon graduation and receipt of your online college degree, the loan must be re-paid. There are three types of student loans: federal student loans doled out to the students themselves; federal student loans to parents, which are normally referred to as PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students); and private student loans, which are funded by banks and/or financial companies rather than the government.

Advocates for private student loans say that this type of student financial aid combines the best of the low-interest rates, but with a higher loan amount and a longer grace period. Private loans have two methods of disbursement of funds - school to channel (money is distributed to the school) and direct to consumer (money is given to the individual to use as he or she sees fit). Before deciding which type of loan is appropriate for your particular situation, do your homework! Federal student loans require that you are enrolled in college for a certain amount of hours each semester, while private student loans begin accruing interest rather quickly (2).

Loan Forgiveness Programs

While loan forgiveness is not necessarily a way to fund your way through school, it is an excellent way to eliminate your loan debt quickly once you've received your traditional or online college degree. The government has devised a way to purge most (and sometimes all) debt for students who involve themselves in community or military service or work for AmeriCorps, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), Teach for America, Peace Corps, National Health Service Corps, or teach students in a low-income area (3).

Most of these programs, which serve underprivileged families and individuals, will forgive a large portion of your loan debt if you work full-time upon graduation. The National Health Service Corps, for instance, pays up to $25,000 per year towards your debt. To learn more, visit the Sallie Mae website.

Scholarships

Attend the college of your choice and acquire your online college degree - for free! How is that possible? Student financial aid in the form of scholarships from organizations, clubs, and fund programs all over the United States offer billions of dollars to students around the nation to help them realize their dreams. Scholarships recognize scholastic achievements or merits, while some focus on personal interests, community involvement, and/or financial need. You may be required to write at length on a topic or simply submit some detailed information on your educational interests.

Best of all, scholarships are free money in your pocket - you do not have to re-pay this gift! To learn more about scholarships or to find a few that may be of interest to you, please visit www.fastweb.com.

Realize Your Dreams with an Online College Degree

If you receive a loan, the important thing to keep in mind is that you've been given more money than needed. Try not to spend it all; tuck some away and save it for when you must begin re-paying the loan. Otherwise, you may find yourself with a large loan bill each month (with all the interest to boot). If you've received a few scholarships or other type of student financial aid, congratulations! This money is yours and you can do what you wish with it. You are off the hook and are released from re-paying these generous contributions to your educational pursuits to receive an online college degree.

Regardless which student financial aid route you decide to take, enrolling in college, learning all you can, and acquiring your online college degree are things to be proud of!

guest post by Kimberly Diane

As you can quite imagine the rapid advancement of technology has certainly opened up a lot of new opportunities for people wherever they may be in the world. As a great example of the growth of the internet and the world wide web we see many top American colleges and universities opening up their courses to American as well as foreign students who wish to study online. Today, many of these colleges and universities are offering accredited online college degree courses to students located in all corners of the world as far away as Asia and Australia.

It is not just a simple matter of signing up for these courses. Students are required to go through the usual application and student selection processes so as to be eligible to enroll in their accredited online college degree courses. Nevertheless, the fact that a student (no matter where they live) can study in the comfort of his or her home is already a huge advantage and draw card for many Universities offering highly respected and in-demand courses. This ‘online’ option is possibly the only one available for many students who are unable to fund the cost of relocating to the United States from abroad so they can study at a particular College or University.

Eligibility for Student Grants and Assistance

If you are accepted into an accredited online college degree at an American College or University then you may be eligible to apply for study grants and other financial assistance. Just because you are studying online does not mean that you are not considered to be a legitimate student of the College or University and accordingly you should investigate to determine what study grants and student financial assistance is available to you. As most colleges and universities have an ‘online application’ process for student grants and financial assistance you do not need to attend the campus to apply for support under these student assistance programs.

If you are enrolled in an accredited online college degree program the amount of financial assistance that you might be entitled to may differ from the assistance given to students who are studying on campus. In most situations an online student may only get a small fraction of the financial assistance that is given to students who are studying on campus.

The principal reason behind the reduced the amount of assistance that you can obtain as an online student is that as you are not living and studying on campus, and as a result you are likely to incur lesser costs and expenses compared to those students that are participating on campus.

Notwithstanding this differential in study grants and related financial support, the good news is that you would still be entitled to participate in any student loan program and would enjoy the same rate of interest and payment schemes as those students who are living and studying on campus. So if you are interested in an accredited online college degree offered by one of America’s most prestigious Colleges or Universities why not go online and apply for a position now.

guest post by Madonna Jeffries