NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS: Going Back to School

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December 26th, 2011 - Posted by jeff

If one of your resolutions is to go after that degree you've been eyeing, we can help you get started. Finding which school is the best fit for you can be an overwhelming experience, but it doesn't have to be. We review some of the top online schools and break down the pros and cons of each. Why choose an online school to furthur your education? It can be more convenient than traditional schools. You can take classes and do your work on your own timeline. You don't have to deal with commuting to school. And you also don't have to deal with huge classrooms or distracted teachers. It makes going back to school simpler. If you are interested in going back to school this year, check out our reviews of the top online schools here.

Can I Transfer Credits from One Online College to Another?

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November 1st, 2011 - Posted by jeff

Q: I am currently attending University of Phoenix. I have 2 more classes to go for my Associates. I wanted to know if I would be able to transfer my credits and go for my Bachelors with American InterContinental University.

A: In theory, American InterContinental University will accept your transfer credits. In practice, the number of credits that can be transferred depends on whether they are applicable to your area of study.

AIU will accept transfer credits from any school that is accredited by an agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, so you should be fine. AIU will evaluate the credits you took at University of Phoenix and determine if they fit in with your desired program at AIU.

You should have no problem transferring general education classes, such as composition or basic math requirements. The more specific classes are where it becomes tricky. If you were an art student at University of Phoenix, but want to study business at AIU, most of those art classes won’t count for much. If you want to stay in the same area of study for your Bachelors at AIU, most of your credits should transfer with little issue. But each credit is subject to AIU’s evaluation process, so nothing is guaranteed.

Our other top-rated online college, such as Capella University and Kaplan University, have the same transfer requirements, as do many accredited colleges. Check out our compare page to see how other online schools stack up.

What are the education requirements for getting an RN degree online?

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June 22nd, 2011 - Posted by Sarah

The following is an actual user-submitted question:

Q. I was reading on this website's FAQ where it said you can study to get your RN online, but when I tried to fill out the form for more information, an error appeared stating that I do not meet the educational requirements for the program. What are the education requirements for getting an RN degree online?

A. This is a good question, but the answer might be a little confusing. State education guidelines require hands-on training in a classroom or in a clinical setting for licensure as an RN. Western Governor's University is the only online program that offers a BS in Nursing (Prelicensure). This prepares you to sit for the national NCLEX RN licensing exam. Your clinical education includes working in simulated labs, followed by offsite agency-based clinical intensives where you'll master patient care skills and competencies. However, the availability of this program varies from state to state.

In order to qualify for this program, you must (from WGU's website):

• "Possess a current CPR certification at the Healthcare Provider Level.
• Take and pass the ATI TEAS V Exam at the “Proficient,” “Advanced,” or “Exemplary” Level. Click here to learn more about the TEAS V Exam.
• Submit at least one letter of recommendation from your current healthcare employer.
• Submit official transcripts from all previous institutions that show:
  • You have earned a bachelor’s or associate’s degree AND/OR
  • You have completed the program admissions prerequisites in Liberal Arts and Sciences and Behavioral Sciences
  • You have completed all nursing-related science prerequisites in:
    • Anatomy and Physiology
    • Microbiology
    • Biochemistry"

Once you have achieved RN status through this program or a different onsite program, many online colleges, such as Kaplan and Walden, allow you to advance past that—to a BSN.

Can I obtain a nursing degree online?

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May 12th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha

The following is an actual user-submitted question:

Q:  Can I obtain a nursing degree online?

A: Absolutely.  You can complete the education portion of your nursing degree online by attaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  Once you graduate, you will need to pass the national licensing exam to get your actual nursing license.  To learn more about our top rated nursing schools, take a look at our online nursing degree comparison.  To learn more about the online nursing programs and online college in general, check out our online college FAQ.

If you're considering an online nursing degree, it's a great time to start investigating financial aid options.  To help you out, we've created a Financial Aid Information page with all sorts of helpful guidance and links.

Does Walden have a good master's program in math education?

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April 29th, 2011 - Posted by Sarah

The following is an actual user-submitted question:

Q. I am looking for a math education master's program. I was looking at Walden's program. Does anyone know anything about Walden or have any other suggestions?

A. Smart thinking! Walden is our top pick of the online colleges for advanced degrees, such as master's and PhDs. Walden offers a wide variety of student support tools, such as faculty mentors, librarians, and a student concierge service that supports you throughout your degree program. Assuming you're planning to teach grades K-12, Walden provides M.S. in Education degrees in K-5 and 6-8 mathematics with an emphasis on real-world, practical strategies. You'll have access to cutting-edge technology, including electronic portfolios, podcasts, and Virtual Field Experiences, in which you'll watch teachers and other educational professionals in action via DVD. This unique approach features firsthand explanations of how practitioners apply theory to actual classroom practice.

We think Walden is a great online education choice for you, but if you decide against it, here are some other options:

AIU Online: AIU is a good fit for most students. It has a wide variety of degree programs, and the cost of each one is all-inclusive. AIU offers many discounts and financial aid options as well as outstanding student resources: AIU’s Virtual Campus was recognized as "Best of the Best" in the Education and Academia category of the 2009 Computerworld Honors Program. However, it has a bit less specialization for M.Ed. degrees than Walden.

Western Governor's University: WGU is easily the best value of the schools we review: You pay a fixed fee per six-month term, during which you may take as many classes as you can fit into your schedule. WGU's Master of Math Education program combines degree coursework with preparation for licensure as a math teacher for middle school or high school. But you'll need to talk to an enrollment counselor to determine whether you possess a sufficient background in mathematics.

Kaplan University: Yes, this is the same Kaplan that helped you prepare for the SATs. You can choose one of ten emphasis areas—including Teaching Mathematics – Grades K-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12—in Kaplan's M.S. in Education degrees. Kaplan currently ranks the highest in alumni satisfaction (90%), but it's significantly more expensive than many of the other online colleges we review.

Best of luck in your online college search!

The McJob: How Degrees from Online Colleges Can Earn You More Money

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April 19th, 2011 - Posted by Sarah

Today, McDonald's is celebrating its own "National Hiring Day" by adding up to 50,000 new U.S. employees to its ranks. The company is trying to recast the somewhat negative image of the "McJob." During the campaign leading up to the event, McDonald's has emphasized long careers within its company, specifically of those employees who started out as lowly burger flippers and climbed the corporate ladder to success.

So contrary to popular opinion, the McJob is not a last resort for someone with no prospects. But will such a job pay enough for you to keep up your McStandard of living?

Research shows that the kind of work you do might have less of an effect on your McSalary than whether you have a college degree. On average, a person with an associate's degree earns $38,200 more per year—that's $1.6 million over a lifetime! Those numbers just keep growing with the higher level of degree you get.

But what if you think you missed your chance? What if your busy life prevented you from attending or finishing college, and you just don't think you'll have the time or the money to go back to school now? Online colleges are a great solution for working parents, caregivers for elderly relatives, and anyone with a tight budget and/or schedule. Here are our three top picks for most students:

1. AIU Online: You can earn anything from an associate's to a master's degree from AIU, and you can major in many lucrative fields, including business, criminal justice, information technology, and marketing. This institution provides job placement assistance as well as real-world interview coaching. The accredited online college boasts high graduation and employment rates, and it offers benefits to current and former military members.
2. Capella University: Capella extends its offer to PhDs and certificates, and it's easily the best value for online college. Do you have credits from earlier college attendance? Many students save quite a bit of time and money by transferring that coursework to Capella. This accredited institution even offers discounts and other benefits to former members of the armed forces and employees of more than 120 corporations. Capella also has a great job placement program.
3. Kaplan University: This institution is part of the same family of companies as the well-known test preparation service, and those specialized teaching techniques apply to its classes. Kaplan has more than 150 degree programs, so you're bound to find your desired major—be it MBA or JD—within its coursework. Finally, the tuition for this online college is competitive, especially as the cost includes all textbooks and course materials.

If you're thinking of getting a degree for an online college, don't forget to research financial aid options to get the most education for your money. Whether you become an IT consultant or stick with the frying pan of fast food work after graduation, you'll be making a higher salary. Hello, McMoneybags.

Which online college programs have the lowest tuition costs?

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January 18th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha

Q:  Which online college programs have the lowest tuition costs?

A: Each online college varies in it's cost, based on the degree you are studying for and the college itself.  However, the majority of students receive some kind of financial aid to help defray the expense.  There are a myriad of financial aid programs available from both federal, state and private sources.    All it takes is a little work on your part to find them.  Read our past blog on getting financial aid for online college and visit our Financial Aid Information page to find out more and get started.  Check out our top reviewed online colleges to get more information on the colleges themselves.

Financial Aid Information: NextAdvisor.com Launches New Resource

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June 7th, 2010 - Posted by Tasha

Getting ready to apply for (or go to) college, but have no idea where you're going to get the money to pay for it? Never fear, NextAdvisor.com has put together a whole section on financial aid information and helpful links. This is an excellent place to start your search for cash to pay for your higher education.

Regardless of whether you're going to be attending online college or a brick-and-mortar institution, we'll guide you through the steps you'll need to take and give you some tricks and tips to remember.   We even included a bunch of links to useful financial information sites.  Check it out!

Project Working Mom Scholarship

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April 29th, 2010 - Posted by Tasha

If you're a working mom in need of a full scholarship to get your degree and achieve your dreams, help is here.  eLearners is continuing their Project Working Mom full-tuition scholarship program.  They've already given away over $5 million to moms and dads and are still looking for parents who need a helping hand.  Project Working Mom is a completely legitimate scholarship opportunity and has even been featured on the Tyra Show.

Project Working Mom will be awarding 285 scholarships throughout 2010.  It's quick and easy to apply for consideration:

1. Go to the Project Working Mom website website.
2. Complete the application.  You'll need to provide some basic information about yourself and specify what degree you'd like to pursue.
3. Write a short essay explaining why you'd like to go back to school describing “how earning an online degree/program would make my mother proud” or “how earning an online degree/program would make me a better mom/dad.”

FAFSA is required for Student Financial Aid

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February 11th, 2010 - Posted by Tasha

As everyone knows, a higher education is costly.  For those who are interested in financial aid for college, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (known as FAFSA).   The FAFSA is run by the Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education.  It's the application most colleges use to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid.  Filing your FAFSA is the first step in applying for the more than 170 billion dollars in aid available.

The FAFSA is a necessary step but people often find it to be very complicated, confusing and time consuming to fill out.  You'll be required to gather a number of documents such as your Social Security Number, driver's license, income tax returns, bank statements, and investment records. You'll also need to complete a lengthy online form that requires student info, dependency status, parent financial information and student financial information.  You should set aside several hours to do this.

Applicants often feel overwhelmed by the FAFSA application process.  Student Financial Aid Services simplifies the process and will get you on your way to achieving the financial aid you need for your education.  They will review your FAFSA personally using their unique 450-point FAFSACheck™ error detector and human review.   We recommend Student Financial Aid Services for those who would feel more comfortable having personal help with their FAFSA and would like to make sure they maximize their eligibility for student aid.