How To Get Scholarships For Online Colleges

Colleges across the U.S. increasingly offer online programs to meet the demands of distance learners. With benefits like flexible schedules, online programs are a convenient learning option for students with existing work and family obligations. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 61% of students enrolled in at least one distance learning-based course in the fall of 2021

Most college students need financial aid to earn their degree, whether they enroll on campus or online.   The following comprehensive guide explores how to get scholarships for online colleges

How to Get Scholarships For Online Colleges

The procedure for applying for scholarships to online institutions is the same as it is for traditional colleges, with a few modifications for online learning. The following is a step-by-step strategy for obtaining online college scholarships:

1. Loans

Loans are often considered the final resort of college financial aid for online students. Unlike scholarships and grants, college loans must be paid back. The ED offers direct subsidized or unsubsidized loans and also distributes loans indirectly. There are also Direct PLUS Loans (for parents) and private loans.

2. Scholarships

Scholarships are not repaid and might be provided based on merit or other non-need-based factors. To locate and apply for scholarships, students must conduct their research. Many scholarships require students to maintain eligibility – for example, by maintaining a minimum GPA – throughout the renewal period.

3. Grants

Grants are primarily need-based awards, though some grants are awarded based on merit. Like scholarships, grants do not need to be repaid once the student completes their program. The ED is the largest provider of student grants through programs like the Federal Pell Grant. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) automatically considers students with financial need for federal grant funds.

4. Fellowships

Fellowships are often awarded to graduate students. Students typically receive this merit-based award for graduate or specialized postgraduate study in their area of expertise. Fellowship candidates must often demonstrate their potential to contribute to their profession after graduation to earn the award.

5. Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study Program enables participating schools to pay students for part-time work. While job availability varies, schools make every attempt to place students in jobs related to their field of study. Work-study may provide on-campus or off-campus jobs and pay an hourly or salaried wage. Undergraduate and graduate students with financial need are eligible.

Scholarships to study online offered by universities

• American University Online Program Scholarships – All admitted students are automatically considered for the scholarships they’re eligible for, such as the online Master of Public Administration and Policy.
• Berklee Online Music Scholarships – 16 online scholarships of almost US$1,500 each are available for current students of the online school of the Berklee College of Music.
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Welch Scholarship – All new part-time or online students of the Master of Public Health (MPH) will be awarded the $20,000 Welch Scholarship.
• University of Edinburgh Online Distance Learning Scholarships – Various postgraduate scholarships for online students to study part-time at the UK’s University of Edinburgh. There are currently many medical scholarships listed among these.
• University of Manchester Scholarships for Online Master of Public Health – Scholarships for online students from Tanzania, Uganda, or Rwanda which cover all tuition fees, course materials, and examinations for the online MPH degree. Among the requirements is at least two years of relevant work experience.
• Penn State World Campus Scholarships – Various undergraduate scholarships to study online at Pennsylvania State University’s ‘World Campus’ (online campus).
• University of London LLM Scholarships – Offered in partnership with Canon Collins Trust, postgraduate scholarships are available for students from South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe, or Zambia to complete a Master of Laws degree by distance learning. Four scholarship winners will receive full exam and tuition fee waivers. Applicants must be working either full- or part-time and be able to commit at least 10 hours a week to studying.
• Washington State University ASWSU Global Scholarship – Online scholarships for new and returning students of Washington State University’s global campus, based on both academic merit and financial need.
• Western Governors University Scholarships – Various online scholarships to study at the bachelor’s or master’s level, some of which are offered in partnership with other organizations.

Scholarships to study online offered by other organizations

• Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships – Online scholarships for citizens of developing commonwealth countries to study a master’s degree via distance learning, which includes largely internet-based courses. Courses are either offered in partnership with universities in developing countries or delivered directly from UK universities.
• E-Learning Instructional Design & Learning Technologies Scholarship program – Scholarships for US citizens who possess a minimum of five years of post-high school work experience and have been accepted to an eligible US-based online program (related to eLearning Design/Development, Instructional Design or Learning Technology).
• Get Educated Online College Scholarship Program – Scholarships for online students from the US enrolled in an accredited online degree program in the country. You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Open Colleges Photography Scholarship – Merit-based scholarships in which the first-place winner receives a cheque from Open Colleges to cover the complete value of the cost of their online photography course. The second-place prize is a cheque for half of the cost of your course, while the third-placed entrant receives a cheque for a quarter of the cost.
• Online Study Australia Scholarship for Online Learners – A scholarship prize of AU$ 2,000 is available for a foreign or Australian student who is either currently studying online or is planning to undertake online study with a university or college. To enter, you need to write 200 words or less on a theme related to studying online.
• UNICAF Scholarships – Scholarships for online students of any nationality to complete online courses through the UK’s University of South Wales, the US’s Marymount California University, and the Cypriot University of Nicosia.

Additional Sources for Online College Grants

There are private sources for college grants, and many are awarded based on different criteria: ethnicity, cultural affinity, family circumstances, work background, and course of study. In addition, many higher education institutions award grants to students; however, institutional grants are not always available to online students.

When seeking college grants online, it may help to search for your area of study or other criteria specifically. For example, to find grants available to nursing students, you may search for “nursing college grants.” Or, if you are a single parent, you could search for “college grants for single parents.” The possibilities for outside college grants are endless.

How to Apply for Scholarships

Scholarship applications might be intimidating. Creating a system, on the other hand, can help to streamline the process. Begin early, perform research, and follow application requirements in an organized manner. It can make scholarship applications less stressful and more effective.

Here are a few pointers to make the procedure run more smoothly:

• Plan: It’s never too early to start looking for scholarships. Assume each application will take longer than expected. Consider making a mock deadline ahead of the application’s actual due date for extra leeway. Check your school, online databases, and community groups to find scholarships.
• Organization Is Key: Whether you plan to apply for two or 20 scholarships, staying organized can help you maximize your time and cut down on the chaos of the overall college application process. Make a checklist of deadlines and materials to avoid duplicate work.
• Research Thoroughly: Take the time to read up on all potentially viable scholarships as you find them. Then immediately place them in either the “yes” or “no” category. Make sure you understand the terms of each award to avoid missing out on a scholarship that’s a great fit for you or wasting your time on something you don’t qualify for.
• Follow Directions Precisely: Like college applications, scholarships require a specific set of materials and information to determine eligibility. You could be disqualified simply for not following directions or deemed ineligible because of missing materials.
• Perfect Your Essay: Scholarships that require essays allow students to accentuate their strengths and differentiate themselves from other candidates. Take your time crafting a thoughtful response tailored to each opportunity. Always proofread multiple times for typos and grammatical errors.

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Conclusion

While online degree programs are already affordable, receiving one of the many available grants for college can help reduce the cost of your education even more. College grants make furthering your education even more feasible. If you want to further reduce the cost of your online degree program, you can also receive financial assistance through scholarships and student loans.

Another choice for people looking for financial assistance is student loans. Even while loans must be repaid, they can offer quick cash assistance for paying for living expenses, tuition, and other school-related fees. Making educated judgments regarding your financial future requires careful consideration of the terms and circumstances of student loans as well as a detailed study of them.

In conclusion, an all-inclusive financial aid package for online students can be created by combining grants, scholarships, and student loans. Through thorough investigation of these choices and application to appropriate courses, you may lower the cost of your online education and increase your chances of success in both your academic and professional endeavors.

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