Distance Learning Boom
October 15th, 2006According to an article in the Journal Gazette, the newspaper featured on Fort Wayne Indiana’s Internet home page, distance learning is booming. As more and more students are signing up for not only Internet classes but full-fledge degree programs, more and more colleges and universities are getting on the distance learning bandwagon and offering dozens of majors online.
The article notes that in Indiana alone, there were 104,000 students enrolled in distance learning classes during the 2003-2004 academic year with nearly 90,000 of those enrollments for online classes.
Higher Education via the Super Highway
Distance learning is nothing new. Many colleges and universities have been offering distance learning classes via cable television since the 90s. However, even though that method of distance learning is still alive, online classes are definitely the majority when it comes to off-campus enrollment.
It can be and often is more expensive per credit hour to attend school online but in almost every instance, the money saved in gas, clothing, lunches out and other incidentals is going to offset the increase in tuition. This is especially true whether you’re serving in the military halfway across the world or an hour or two away from campus.
Scholarships
What about scholarships though? You’re sure not going to save any money if you turn down a scholarship just to sit home in your pajamas. Well, the good news is with some scholarships it just doesn’t matter. If you’re accepted at the University of College, they don’t care whether you’re in class or in front of your computer at home. You’ll find private as well as institutional scholarships that will be awarded to the student enrolled in distance learning as well as both kinds that will not award scholarships to the students enrolled in the distance learning program. It all depends on who is awarding the scholarship and the criteria they have established.
The William S. Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University offers scholarships for distance learning. Check with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University has a comprehensive distance learning program offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Their website states they do offer scholarships for distance learning but don’t state which ones. They do offer contact information though. You can read all about it here.
Non-Resident Savings
The per credit hour costs for distance learning can double if you’re an out of state resident, depending on the institution however many of them offer the same exact per credit hour cost for online attendance. This could end up saving you big bucks if you’re an out-of-state student.
