The Internet has democratized a lot of things, including the education. College and university students have long dreamt of the opportunity to attend lessons on their own terms. With the new advanced technology, it has become a reality. Students can breathe a sigh of relief as it is now possible to get a degree from the comfort of your home.

Traditionally, students had to attend classes on campus if they wanted to receive higher education. They had little time for working or for family obligations. Online education makes it possible to attend classes when it best suits your life and your personal schedule. That’s why it is a good choice for busy adults and working parents.

Pros and cons of online education 

Online education doesn’t have any fixed schedule, so you can do your tests and assignments any time you want as long as you meet the deadlines. So if you are a night owl and prefer to study from 10 p.m., you can take online classes at this time. 

With online education you can't miss a class. The lectures are either recorded in audio or video. If you didn't understand what the professor said, you can rewind the audio and listen again. Or you can find additional material, read it and then listen to the podcast again.

Another advantage of online education is the opportunity to study without quitting your day job. If you are working 40 hours a week, then spending over 10 hours per week in a classroom is not an attractive option. A few people can drop everything and go back to school! With online education you will be able to gain a degree and valuable work experience simultaneously. 

Online classes are also a good option in today’s uncertain environment. With the economy in the grip of a depression, many professionals want to expand their education. It will help them increase their income or get ready for a career change. Going to traditional college, they will lose their source of income, but the mortgage or rent will need paying still, not to mention the continual round of bills for utilities, gas and food. In this case online education can be the right choice. 

By studying online, you could obtain a degree quicker. It is often possible to finish all coursework in two or three years, while traditional on-campus route takes over four years. So obtaining a degree online will save you money. 

However, keep in mind that as with any other form of learning, online education is not for everyone. You need to be organized, disciplined and capable to work alone. It can be hard to make yourself teach the lessons without any control or find the time to study when you are working and keeping a family. 

Online education basically means that you are teaching yourself. So when it comes to the more advanced courses, you may need to spend more time online looking for necessary information, or find a tutor at a local college. It can be difficult to find the time to discuss the lesson with your professor and classmates.

If you are from “auditory learners”, online education may not be a good choice for you. In most cases, you'll be reading powerpoint presentations and lecture notes, watch video lectures and listen to podcasts. Consider a hybrid distance learning program – in this case materials are available online, but there is still a requirement to attend University.

Basics of online education

If you have just graduated from a high school or want to return to college after a few years in the workplace, or simply plan to expand your education while working a full-time job, online classes are a good match for you. It is also a great option for people who are satisfied with their careers, but would like to promote faster by getting a master’s degree. 

Online education is a relatively new form of education. However, it becomes more and more popular among wanna-be students. According to researches, online higher education in the United States is growing at an annual rate of 41%. 

Online colleges and universities offer a broad range of degree programs that you can take not leaving your home. They range from certificates to bachelor's degrees and even doctorates. The level of education that a person can pursue online is only limited by their desire, time and money. 

Online education can be considered as online campus with online classes, assignments, tests, discussion rooms, and message boards. There may also be webinars - online courses that students can take simultaneously. You can specialize in various fields - Nursing, Information Technology, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, etc

Where to study?

Many highly-recognized higher education institutions have started to offer online classes and online degree programs for students. According to statistics, online classes are available for more than 2,500 online degrees and 6,000 individual courses at colleges and universities. 

Looking for a college that offer an online higher education, pay attention to the reputation of the school, its accreditation, reviews from other students, cost of tuition and length of the program.
Consider the following universities or google information online:
•    University of Phoenix
•    Western Governors University 
•    California Coast University
•    Capella University 
•    Kaplan University
•    Franklin University
•    ITT Technical Institute
•    Walden University 
•    Drexel University Online
•    Northcentral University
•    DeVry University 

Financial aid for online education

Times have significantly changed in regard to paying for online educations. Some years ago, wanna-be students were able to pay for their online courses only with a credit card. Nowadays, if you don’t have enough funds to cover your online education, there are many other ways to get financial aid: employer tuition assistance, federal loans, student loans, grants and scholarships. Actually, almost all financial options available to traditional students are also open to people who want to pursue a degree online. 

Online education costs are lower than traditional one. For example, California Coast University, offers Bachelor (Undergraduate) tuition for $145.00 per unit or $435.00 per course. Master (Graduate) tuition costs 255.00 per unit or $765.00 per course. 

Online classes also solve the financial burden of textbooks. You don’t need to buy materials required for studying. They are typically included in the cost of the online tuition. If not, you can get a library membership or use an online database where textbooks are available online for free. It will let you save money and avoid a large debt burden after your graduation.

There are some types of financial assistance that online student may get:

Scholarships and grants
Scholarships and grants should be your first option when you are shopping for financial assistance. Check whether the college you have chosen provides any scholarships or grants specifically set aside for online students. It is not uncommon for higher education institutions to offer scholarships for distance education. 

Federal loans
If you can’t get approved for a scholarship or grant, don't give up on your dream to pursue a higher education. Consider federal loans available to students via funds disbursed directly to colleges. Contact the financial aid advisor at the college or university you've chosen and ask them which financial aid is available for those seeking an online degree. 

Student loans
Private student loans are unsecured loans available to undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students. They come from private financial institutions such as credit unions and banks. So you might either check your local banks or browse websites of major American banks to see what options they offer.

Rest assured that financial aid is available to people pursuing an online higher education. However, you need to make a careful research before finding it. Don’t forget to check you’re your college or university is accredited. Otherwise, you may have problems to qualify for a student loan or federal financial aid.