The Growing Value of Online Education
Scholarships for online degrees are a great way to affordably earn your extremely valuable education. There are many job openings right now, both in traditional fields and newer industries. You might expect that finding a job would be easier than ever with so many opportunities. But actually, that’s not the case at all. This is precisely why education is crucial.
Today’s job market only shows how important higher education is for job security. However, despite the obvious need for a degree, institutions are seeing a significant decline in enrollment. Undergraduate enrollment has been down about 8.5% since 2010. The number 1 cause is the escalating college tuition and fees.
If you want to develop 21st-century competency without breaking the bank, consider online colleges.
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Gone are the days when online learning was stigmatized for being subpar. The Polaris Market Research estimates that the e-learning market is projected to grow by 20.5% from 2022–2030.
Online degree programs bring several advantages to many students. These include:
- Flexibility in setting their schedule and pace.
- Access to a range of programs and courses.
- Opportunities for easy international collaboration and networking.
Beyond these benefits, online learning is also more affordable. Online students don’t have to commute to campus daily or uproot their lives and move to a different location. They also have access to thousands of scholarships for online degrees.
According to the Education Data Initiative, an online degree is $31,165 cheaper. Additionally, students have access to thousands of scholarships for online degrees. As long as the online college you choose is accredited, you can be sure that employers will see your degree as just as valuable as one from a traditional college.
Related Articles:
- How To Get A Scholarship For Online College: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Navigating Scholarships for Online Education: How to Secure Funding
- FAFSA and Financial Aid for Online College
- Online Colleges with Generous Financial Aid
Types of Scholarships Available for Online Students
Several types of financial aid are available for college students, such as grants, loans, and work-study programs. However, the most notable are scholarships.
A scholarship is a gift aid given to a student to help them finance their education. Unlike loans, you don’t need to repay them.
A lot of students ask if there are online education scholarships. Short answer: yes!
In fact, online students can have more access to better scholarship opportunities. How? Online students can compare scholarships for online schooling and select the ones that best fit their needs and qualifications. They’re not restricted to studying at local colleges. They can extend their research to national and even international scholarship programs.
Online college scholarships come in various forms and can be awarded based on various criteria. There are many kinds of scholarships; the two most popular kinds are merit- and need-based.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships for online students recognize students for their outstanding achievements. It can be based on a student’s academic grade, extracurricular, leadership, or other talents. Here’s a quick overview of factors colleges use to evaluate applicants:
Academic achievements
If you are gifted academically, you are likely to be awarded a merit scholarship. Most academic merit awards include requirements, such as a minimum GPA or certain exam results.
Have you aced the ACT or SAT? In your AP classes, did you perform well? If you’re an overachiever, you’ll find yourself in a pool of scholarship opportunities.
In short, you’ll be able to apply for academic-based scholarships if you have a:
- 3.0 GPA
- 1400-1600 SAT scores
- Top class rank
Extracurricular activities
These scholarships consider students with great talent in:
- Sports
- Music
- Clubs
- Community service
These scholarships are also available for online students. However, they are not as common as academic-based merit scholarships. Why? Well, because most of these will require you to continue your talents on campus.
For instance, if you’re good at a sport, you need to participate in team practices and competitions. If you’re an online student, you might not be able to perform your duties.
Merit-based scholarships come with many advantages:
1. It encourages healthy competition.
These scholarships encourage healthy rivalry among students. To get the honors, they must frequently compete against a group of deserving competitors. This excellence-focused atmosphere pushes students to grow. It brings out the best in their leadership and academic abilities.
2. It signals school prestige.
Colleges with numerous merit scholars are perceived as more competitive and prestigious. The presence of these scholars enhances the institution’s reputation and attractiveness to students and faculty members.
Need-Based Scholarships
These scholarships aim to help students who can’t afford college on their own. To qualify for need-based scholarships, students usually have to share their or their family’s income when applying.
There’s no specific income level you have to meet to qualify for these scholarships. It’s important to check out different scholarship programs to find the ones that match your financial situation.
Need-based scholarships come from various sources, including:
- government
- state governments
- colleges and universities
- organizations and corporations
Question: Can you get scholarships for online college? If so, where?
Answer: Yes! Most of these scholarships are accessible through FAFSA, while others are tied directly to college programs. Some scholarships are available through independent research efforts. Students need to understand these differences to prioritize their applications effectively.
Specialized Scholarships for Online Learners
There are three popular types of scholarships for online college students:
1. Subject-specific Scholarships
Your field of study gives out certain scholarships. The most commonly awarded students are those in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). While STEM scholarships are the most prevalent, the following organizations also offer major-based funding:
- Arts degrees
- Business/entrepreneurship courses
- Health sciences
- Language majors
- Social work
One great example of this scholarship is the NursingColleges.com Scholarship. Students enrolled in recognized online nursing schools or programs can receive this $2,500 scholarship. Another example is the AFCEA Stem Majors Scholarships, which gives recipients $5,000.
You may also look into:
- TEACH Grants
- SHRM Foundation
- ASSP Foundation
- Foundation of Academic Nursing
- NSPE Education Foundation
2. Scholarships for Certain Demographics
These types of online degree scholarships are customized based on a range of factors. These include gender, color, and ethnicity. Here are a few examples of these scholarships:
- For African American students. These are found in Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
- For Hispanic students. These are found in Hispanic-serving institutions.
- Tribal Colleges and Universities. These are offered to students from underrepresented backgrounds. These include those from Native American tribes and indigenous communities.
- For students with disabilities. These scholarships cater to individuals with various disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to education.
- For LGBTQ+ students. These scholarships support LGBTQ+ individuals in their academic pursuits and aim to create inclusive learning environments.
- For Women. Depending on the program, women’s scholarships are awarded to women and people who identify as female. Most often, organizations that establish these kinds of scholarship endowments hope to boost the proportion of female secondary school students.
- For military service members and veterans. These online scholarship programs are tailored to support those who have served in the military, providing financial assistance for their education and career advancement.
How to Find and Apply for Scholarships
There are millions of scholarships available both for online and on-campus students. Although the process is likely the same, for some reason, online students have a harder time pinning down scholarship opportunities. Here are a few steps on how to find scholarships for online education:
Step 1: Create a plan.
College is expensive, and a single scholarship might not give you enough to cover all your costs. So, make a plan to explore various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and.
Step 2: Fill out your FAFSA.
This is the most important step in searching for a scholarship for online college. Most scholarship programs, particularly those sponsored by schools, use the data from your FAFSA to assess your eligibility for an award.
Step 3: Check everywhere.
Searching for scholarships requires effort and patience, but numerous resources are available to help. Use online search engines, seek guidance from financial aid counselors, and explore affiliations with clubs or organizations for potential scholarship opportunities. Starting your search early raises your chances of success.
Your social media activity is visible to scholarship committees and others. Review your accounts to delete any posts that could reflect poorly on you. Remember, once something is online, it can be permanent.
Step 5: Give each application your all.
You need to stand out. Make a lasting impression on the scholarship committee by writing essays and personal statements demonstrating your enthusiasm for the subject matter. Here are a few practical tips:
- Ensure your writing is error-free, and get it proofread by a trustworthy individual.
- Track application requirements and due dates using a spreadsheet, and demonstrate your commitment by submitting your materials in advance.
- Don’t forget to adhere to deadlines and always read instructions attentively.
Conclusion: Investing in Your Future with Online College Scholarships
College can be costly, especially if you choose the traditional route. But nowadays, many traditional colleges offer online programs, making education more accessible.
Online students have a lot of the same opportunities as those attending classes on campus, including scholarships. And in some cases, they might even have more advantages. For starters, they have a wider range of schools, giving them more opportunities to compare costs and financial aid options.
The job market is very competitive, and employers ask for more qualifications. Consider online degrees and scholarship programs if you’re worried about the time and financial constraints of on-campus learning.