Daily Aid 98: Online degrees as a way of reducing college costs

Student Financial Aid News

From Inside Higher Ed:

In economic downturns, community college enrollments go up, as those who lose jobs (or fear losing them) seek to add skills or training, and as some students who might otherwise have gone away for college look to save money by living at home while attending classes. As the economic downturn hit hard last year, this trend was immediately evident, with many community colleges reporting a flood of students.

A survey released Tuesday here at a meeting of the League for Innovation in the Community College suggests that the early anecdotal reports of increased enrollment are in fact correct. Further, community colleges are reporting increases in just about every major type of program they offer — with notable increases online.

Commentary

Online degrees and online education should be no surprise at all to the college community – when you have a capacity surge, online degree programs require no additional buildings to be built or other major infrastructure beyond technology systems. If there’s one factor that has the potential to drive down college costs and tuition, it’s online education. If you can pack 5,000 students into a virtual classroom at roughly the same cost as 50 students and provide the same level of quality of education, you suddenly increase supply drastically – which in turn will force market prices lower.

I’d encourage everyone and anyone to try taking at least one course online, even if it’s just a summer course, to see if the online degree learning methodology works for you. For some people, online learning doesn’t work – they absolutely need to have the face-to-face instruction and opportunity for high levels of interaction. For other people, online learning is a great way for them to achieve their educational goals on their own terms. What’s going to work for you? You won’t know unless you try.

Take a look at our online degree programs we recommend through Edvisors.com and see what’s available; consider trying out a single program or class during the summer to see if online learning and you get along.

Scholarship Update

The RSMAS Underwater Photography Contest is open to all amateur photographers. Amateur photographers are those who earn no more than 20% of their income from their photography. Eligible photos are those that have not been published or accepted for publication and must have been taken by the person submitting the entry. 2. No pool or aquarium shots will be accepted. 3. No Photographs of divers touching or stressing marine wildlife will be accepted. 4. Photos will be anonymously judged by professional photographers and/or marine scientists. All decisions will be final. 5. Ownership and copyright of all entries remain with the photographer. RSMAS reserves the right to publish the winning photos without compensation for educational purposes, including, but not limited to publication on the University of Miami/RSMAS websites, in brochures or for future contest promotion. The winning photographs will also be printed and used as a traveling exhibit within the University of Miami community. Proper credit will be given to all winners. 6. Contestants are limited to 3 entries per category. 7. Winners will be announced at the Sea Secrets Lecture Series on April 15, 2009.

Details at our free college scholarship search site.

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