Advantages of Online Education

For online education, one needs a standard personal computer with an Internet connection. Many people with family and job responsibilities dont have time to attend the regular classroom studies and find online education beneficial. Online education includes many online courses and online degrees. Let’s discuss some of the advantages of online education.

People can opt for many online courses, in universities where the facility of online education is available. It is very helpful for students residing in remote places. One can study any course of his/her own choice offered by universities around the world, without the physical presence for that course. There is no need for relocation and hence, is cost saving.

Physically handicapped students can go for higher studies without worrying about traveling or being physically present for studies. Also, one can continue education at any stage and update himself with the latest knowledge through online education.

At present, many of the online universities are accredited by recognized educational bodies. Hence, the degrees offered by these universities are accepted all over the world and one can enroll in a top university within the comfort of home.

If somebody is looking for additional training for a better career prospect or promotion, then online education is the best option. It is the most convenient and flexible way of learning and updating one’s knowledge without disturbing the current job.

People can study at their own pace without any strict regulations; there are no class schedules and fixed timings and assignments. Only the quality of work is evaluated, not the speed or the appearance of the student. Even, people can interact online and discuss with the students, scholars, researchers, subject-matter experts and professors for any type of query or problems.

Another advantage of online education is that all the learning and training materials of the online course are archived. One can retrieve and use it anytime via mail or from the school’s website. If somebody has a doubt, he/she can communicate with the college or university through e-mail.

In addition to the above advantages, there are some disadvantages of online education. Student assessment and feedback is limited as compared to the traditional classroom programs. There may be problems about the validity of the degree assigned after completion of the course. In this case, one has to produce certain proofs such as copies of the course assignments and syllabi and most importantly, proof of the college or university’s accreditation. Since, most of the interaction of the teacher and student takes place via mail, sometimes, there may be chances that the student misses the instructor’s advice. Another disadvantage is non-availability of the course of study. Also, one should take care while choosing the online universities, as certain universities are better than the others.

Federal Grants for College Students

The following scholarships and government grants for college students can help scholars realize their academic aspirations.

Federal Pell Grant: This grant is awarded to students strictly on the basis of financial need. In order to apply for the Pell Grant, one needs to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The financial aid is meant for undergraduate students, although students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program may be eligible for the Pell Grant. For the year 2009-10, the maximum amount of money that can be disbursed to students is $5,350. The amount of money that is sanctioned depends on factors like financial need, cost of attending school and full/part time enrollment in school. The money is awarded by the participating schools to the students, usually by check, and the money is disbursed at least once per term or twice a year depending upon the duration of the academic session. Students applying for the Pell Grant need to complete the necessary paperwork that is used to determine their Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) for college. EFC is determined based on the amount of disclosed household financial information.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): This grant is meant for undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients who have the lowest EFC. A person is eligible to receive between $100 and $4,000 annually. The mode of disbursement is similar to that of the Federal Pell Grant.

The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG): This grant was instituted during the 2006-2007 school year and provides $750 for the first year of study and $1,300 for the second year, to students who in addition to receiving the Federal Pell Grant have qualified for the ACG grant on account of meritorious performance. The student needs to be enrolled in a degree program at least half-time, complete rigorous secondary school programs of study as published by the Secretary for each year of graduation, and meet other requirements.

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant: Popularly known as the National Smart Grant, this grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to students who are recipients of the the Federal Pell Grant. Students should have enrolled in school at least half-time and should be majoring in physical, life or computer sciences; mathematics, technology, engineering or in a foreign language that is deemed critical. Moreover the grant, which provides up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study, is contingent to the cost of attendance being less than the amount received in lieu of Pell and Smart Grant.