Unfortunately, I got way in over my head. The school did not offer grants or scholarships. Financial aid of any kind was not offered. So I was stuck making payments. At the time, this was okay with me. Finances were good, so I could afford it. However, life stepped in and circumstances had me missing payments on a regular basis. I finished my studies, but spent several years paying for a degree that I had rightly earned but was being held hostage by the school until my account was paid up. If only I had had some kind of option for financial aid. Fortunately, today’s online students do have those options.

Let the Government Finance Your Online Education

Students who want to get their education through an online degree program will be happy to know that many online schools today are not only accredited by the government, but are also eligible for federal financial aid. Simply fill out the FAFSA as you would for a conventional college and see what kind of financing you are approved for. The government will often give grants, depending on the cost of your education and your demonstration of financial need.

Your School May Have Something to Offer

Be sure to talk to someone in the admissions, financial aid or accounting department of your online school. They may offer grants and scholarships to students or may have a list of places that will. Be sure to explore this option thoroughly. It never hurts to ask.

Your Job

If you’re a working professional or looking to advance where you are working, seeking an online degree is a great option. It will allow you to continue working and go to school on your own time. Check with your company. Often, some employers offer tuition reimbursement or will finance you education, typically through money set aside for their own educational grant or scholarship program.

Area of Study and Other Free Funding Ideas

Look into grants and scholarships based on your particular area of study. Some of the funding parties will give money to students in online programs, as long as the school is accredited. The same goes for funding based on need, ethnicity, disability, talent, past grades and other things that might set you apart as a determined student serious about your education. There are many website out there such as School Grants that provide updates via Twitter on scholarships and free money available. Look at funding sources regularly and based on your specific needs and career choices and you will most likely find a source willing to fund online degree programs.

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They are providing free of charge archives of their lectures from various courses. You are able to view either the webcast or listen to the mp3 version. The fact that they are willing to provide this information speaks volumes. It also proves that you can get good educational information for free if you are willing to work.

Who said that you couldn’t get a free education online? I guess it all depends on what you are trying to learn, but information is there for the taking.

Here are some of the courses you can view lectures on.

• General Biology
• General Chemistry
• Operating Systems and System Programming
• Economic Analysis (I think everyone needs to listen to these lectures)
• Microelectrical Devices and Services

There are so many more. Go to http://webcast.berkeley.edu/courses.php to check it out. This has to be one of the better methods to get a free online education. Simply put, you can get some high quality online education if you are interested in distance learning.

Now here are a few tips that hopefully will help you when you are utilizing these materials. I listened to a few of the lectures myself and admittedly it is more difficult to stay focused when you are sitting at your computer desk, or laying in your bed with your laptop sending text messages on your cell phone!  LOL, but seriously, when you are doing the distance learning thing, you have to try extra hard to retain the information you gather. Now I am by no means an expert but I figure a few of these tips can help maximize your studying and your time.

• If you can, have some coffee nearby to drink when you fee your mind wander or start yawning
• Cut the TV, and cell phone off
• Take notes
• Have time scheduled just for your lecture time
• Remember that no one is going to do it for you, you will get out what you put in.

That is the basic gist of it, you have to treat this like you have something to gain, because you do. You may or may not be trying to get a degree online, but whether you are or aren’t, you have to approach it has serious as possible. A lot of time you get what you pay for, but in this instance, this free online education is invaluable.

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