Employer Tuition Reimbursement Benefit

Did you know that you can save thousands of dollars by asking your employer to pay for your education? Some companies offer tuition reimbursement benefits, so check with your employer to see if that is a benefit they offer. If not, convince them to pay for your education.

Why Employers are Willing to Finance your College Education

Employers are interested in making sure their employees have the tools they need to perform the job. By earning an online degree in your field, or in one closely-related to your line of work, you can become a valued asset to the company. Employers are more likely to finance your college education if you choose online courses, or a major that is related to your work. Employers benefit from providing tuition reimbursement to their employees because employees are more loyal to the company and usually stay with the company for a long time.

Financial Aid Offered by Employers

Many companies offer education tuition reimbursement as part of employees’ benefits package. Most companies that offer tuition assistance offer it as a perk to attract employees and make sure that they will remain loyal to the company. However, there may be some restrictions as to what online degree programs or courses you can take. Be sure to read the company’s tuition reimbursement policy and abide by their rules or else you may have to reimburse the company for their expenses if you do not follow their guidelines.

Tuition Reimbursement for Working Professionals

Some companies may only reimburse you after you have completed the online course or degree program or have been employed with the company for a certain amount of time.

A few companies have also partnered with a few online colleges and universities to provide education and training for their employees. This could be in the form of trainers coming directly to the place of employment to train workers or employees enrolling in a specific online school that has been selected by the company.

Is Your Employer Paying for your College Education?

I believe that the best way to get a college education is to have someone else pay for it. Convince your employer to pay for your online college education and expenses.

Get the money you need to pay for your higher education. Learn how to win online scholarships in 6 simple ways.

1. Make sure you qualify for the scholarship before applying

When applying for scholarships, make sure you meet the requirements. It is a complete waste of time to go through the entire process of filling out the application, writing an essay and putting all the documents together only to find out you do not qualify for the scholarship. Only apply for scholarships that you qualify for.

2. Maintain an excellent GPA to win online scholarships

If your GPA (grade point average) is not high enough you will not win online scholarships. To increase your chances of winning a scholarship, make sure you have a good GPA that is acceptable for the scholarship that you are applying for. Don’t apply until your GPA is satisfactory.

3. Look for scholarships that are not in demand

Don’t make the mistake by applying for scholarships that everyone else is applying for. Scholarships that are popular and are in high demand are going to have a lot of applicants. Your chances of winning these scholarships will decrease because of the competition. Take the time to find online scholarships that are not so popular.

4. Don’t target a specific major scholarship

Find scholarships that are good for any major instead. By only applying for scholarships that cater to your major, you narrow your pool of college financing opportunities. Usually a specific scholarship such as a pre-law or pre-med scholarship attract the best and brightest students, so if you are not up to par, look elsewhere where the competition is not so strong. Look for scholarships where your chance of winning is above 50 percent.

5. Apply for scholarships that target ethnicity, a special talent or religious affiliation

Applying for online scholarships that cater to a certain ethnicity, talent or religious affiliation is a good way to increase your chances of winning scholarships. Most of these scholarships are overlooked because most students go after the most popular scholarships. However, the popular scholarships are more difficult to win.

6. Write a winning scholarship essay

The essay is one of the most important aspects of winning an online scholarship. Take the time to write the best scholarship essay that will impress the judges. Make sure you read and follow the directions given. Write an essay that is based on the organizations purpose for awarding scholarships and why they should choose you over other candidates.

That’s all there is to learning how to win online scholarships in 6 simple ways. Good luck and best wishes.

1. Funding Online Education is Just like Funding Traditional Education

When searching for ways to fund an online education, all the same factors apply as long as the online degree program is offered by an accredited online college or university and it is properly registered with the right authority. This is crucial so do diligent research before when choosing an online degree program.

2. Scholarships and Grants are the Best Way to Fund Your Online Education

The best way to fund your online education is with scholarships and grants. They are both very similar however they vary in purpose. Typically, scholarships are given based on academic achievement and merit. Grants, most of the time, are based on different qualifications, like; financial need, ethnicity, or geographic location. Many places specialize in helping students find grants and scholarships. A very useful source is the website Fastweb, which is an online database of scholarships and grants.

3. Make Use of Federal Loans and Grants

Federal loans can be used for online education. Federal loans like the Stafford Loans are often packaged with grants and scholarships. Payments for these loans will not start until 6 months after a student finishes or leaves college.

4. Apply to FAFSA as soon as possible

The easiest way to get funding for your online education is apply for financial aid with www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is vital for a student to fill out this application out as soon as possible before the deadlines. The longer an online student waits the less assistance they will receive from financial aid. So, do not wait until the last minute.

5. Be Sure to Check with Your School’s Financial Aid Office

Make sure you contact the college or university’s financial aid office when you are seeking funding for online education. Most schools will assign a specific financial aid counselor to assist students with finding resources to finance their college education and online education is no different.

When you are seeking funding for your online education keep these 5 rules in mind and you would be successful in obtaining financial assistance.

Educational benefits for military families

When it comes to education, the military ensures that it offers all, if you are an active, reserve or National Guard service member, your spouse and family members will get a variety of education benefits. These discounts are applicable if you are serving in uniform or are a retired-veteran.

The various education benefit options include:

• College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP)
• Tuition Assistance
• Tuition Assistance Top-Up
• New GI Bill
• Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
• Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR)

Tuition fee discounts enjoyed by military families

• Active military members can avail one low flat tuition rate for all educational programs which can be up to about 45%
• Retired veterans can get a discount of about $1,000 to $2,000 per year under the Yellow Ribbon GI benefits
• Spouses of active duty military members can get a tuition fee discount of 25%.

Benefits of Education and Tuition Assistance Programs

Though each form of service offers its own education benefits which are quite similar to each other, the army offers comprehensive education and tuition assistance programs. This is dependent on three basic factors like:

• Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps in paying 100% of the tuition fees if you are an active duty soldier with, up to $250 per credit hour. As part of the Army Continuing Education program, you can use the TAP amount to pay for classes which you can also use for advancements in the education.
• College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP). This is applicable if you have existing student loans while joining the Army you can clear it with CLRP instead of signing up for the GI Bill. You can get around $65,000 of your college loans in return for a three-year active duty enlistment.
• Dependent Children Scholarships includes the MG James Ursano Scholarship Program established by the Army Relief Fund (AER) offered for dependent children attending college.

The frequent movement and relocation of the family members can make it quite difficult for family members to complete college and higher education. Owing to this, the Army offers a set of educational programs which makes enrolling to a course and pay for the existing education loans quite easy.

A college education is one of the major investments any individual will make throughout their lives. Many individuals struggle with finding the resources required for a sound tertiary education and have had to resort to seeking financial assistance. Most students will rack up a debt averaging $60,000 by the time they have completed say a bachelor’s degree program and we all know this money must come from somewhere.

Before the advent of online colleges, most individuals went to traditional colleges where they had no problems receiving financial assistance through the various government educational support programs. However, what of this new growth in the online student community, are they accommodated under this system?

Online College Financing

Students of online colleges need not to worry about receiving financing for their studies. The government has acknowledged the contribution made by online colleges and has extended their financial aid to these accredited online colleges. As long as the online college is accredited by the various government affiliated boards such as the Secretary of Education, then its students qualify for student loans.

Types of Online College Financial Aid Available

Online students have several options through which they can receive financial aid. However, this support is restricted to student existing within the US. This aid can be accessed through government and private loans, grants and scholarships.

• Government Loans: Government loans come in the form of Stafford, Perkins and Pell loans. Each of these loans attracts different conditions and interest rates based on the financial situation of the student.

  Stafford loans are divided into two groups. Subsidized loans target students in dire financial conditions. Under this plan, the government foots the interest payments of these students until they have graduated and expired their grace period. Unsubsidized Stafford loans are available for all other students irrespective of their financial condition.
  Perkins and Pell Loan are subsidiary loans that are used to sure up the finances of students. To qualify students must have exhausted all Stafford loan opportunities.

• Private Loans: Private loans are designed for students who do not qualify for government student loans. This may be due to various issues such as immigration, unable to find a co-sponsor, register with unaccredited online colleges or may have exhausted their government student loan. Private Banks lend assistance to these students with loans that are generally above government rates and attract stringent loan conditions.
• Grants: A grant is a gift that covers tuition fees that is not required to be repaid by the recipient. These grants may be from both private and government sources. Generally, to qualify, students should have a GPA between 2.0 to 3.0.
• Scholarships: scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements. Scholarships may cover a part of or all of the tuition fees. They may be offered for various reasons such as community development, talent pooling or targeting of underprivileged students. Many companies also use scholarships as a means of reducing their tax burden through tax initiatives implemented by the government that forces these companies to give back to the communities in which they are located.

Businesses are continuously looking at cost-cutting measures and the ongoing development of long-term business solutions, operations and strategies. This creates an ongoing demand for Finance professionals to help implement and manage these initiatives. Companies large and small are seeking financial professionals to provide guidance, to analyze financial data and to enhance business operations. If you have good interpersonal skills, strong math and problem-solving skills and an aptitude for working with numbers, a degree in Business Finance is for you.

Why Study Business Finance

Finance is very important to the economy. It is how businesses, government and people raise the cash needed to do business. If you decide to run your own firm, a degree in Finance teaches you how to effectively manage your resources and make analysis on what risks to take. You will develop good money management skills and the knowledge on how to invest money and how to raise money. With an online degree in business Finance, you are in a better position for employment opportunities, raises and promotions.

Earn your Degree in Finance Online

Online learning enables students to achieve their career goals without stepping a foot into the traditional classroom. An online classroom environment helps you to fit your degree program into your busy schedule. You will be able to conveniently attend classes at anytime, from anywhere. Although, courses are online, the quality remains the same as on campus. You will have full access to you teacher and online classmates, class assignments and lectures, class projects and discussions, chat-room, 24/7 tech support, online library and so much more, all from the comfort of your home.

Careers in Finance

Earning an online degree in Finance will open a variety of career doors for you. Companies are always looking to employ financial professionals to help their business succeed. The knowledge, skills and training received will prepare you for the real world, where you can apply what you have learned on the job.

There is a wide range of careers you can choose from with an online Business degree in Finance including: budget analyst, financial management, supervisor, financial advisor, private banker, research analyst, portfolio manager, and associate trader.

Essential Employable Skills

Essential employability skills will be addresses through all programs of study. Upon successful completion of the online business Finance degree program, graduates will have reliably demonstrated the ability to apply a systemic approach to problem solving, analyze, evaluate and apply relevant information, take responsibility for one’s own actions and decisions, think out-of-the-box, select and organize document information using appropriate technology and information sources, effective time management, and interpersonal and personal skills.

Employment and Job Outlook

The future looks good for candidates with degrees in Finance as it is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Financial analysts and personal financial advisors held 397,000 jobs in 2006, of which financial analysts held 221,000, and personal financial advisors held 176,000 jobs.

Earning Potential for Business Finance Graduates

Median annual earnings, including bonuses, of wage and salary financial analysts were $66,590 in May 2006. The middle 50% earned between $50,700 and $90,690. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,340, and the highest 10% earned more than $130,130. The bonuses that many financial analysts receive in addition to their salary can be a significant part of their total earnings, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Length of Program and Course Outline

How long the program takes varies for each student. For Associate degree students, it usually takes 2 to 2 1/2 years. For Bachelor degree students with little or no prior college, it will take about 4 to 5 years. Other factors includes, self motivation, commitment and determination, your dedication and the amount of time spend working on your program and the number of credit transfers.

The foundation course outline for Finance graduates focuses on analytical skills, effective financial and management skills, capital budgeting and investments strategies, informational Finance, banking, math and problem solving skills, risk return, interest rates, bond and stock valuation, lectures and case study.

Affordable Tuition

Federal student aid is always an option and is available to those who qualify. There are also loans, grants, scholarships and other outside lending sources that you should consider to help with college expenses. Talk to a financial aid officer to learn what financial aid may be available to you.

Earn your Online Degree in Business Finance Today! ]]> http://www.onlineedublog.com/online-business-degree-finance/feed/ 4 http://www.onlineedublog.com/myths-college-application/ http://www.onlineedublog.com/myths-college-application/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:11:01 +0000 admin http://www.onlineedublog.com/?p=615

The college application is an integral part of the college admission process. The admission departments at colleges require prospective students to complete an application that usually comprises of general to specific details like their academic records, letters of recommendation, personal essays and a list of extracurricular activities. In all this hullaballoo there are certain myths that follow college application process. I thought like talking to you guys about the same in today’s post. Check my list of top 5 common college myths prevailing among students.

Myth #1: Using a Common Application Can Result In Rejection of Your Application

There will be no negative impact on your admission when you use a common application. A common application is a single application form that you can submit to wide variety of participating schools. Most schools accept the common application because it makes the admission procedure relatively straightforward. When a school receives a large number of applications, they get more talented students. The common application is very useful for students as they do not need search for university-specific applications.

Myth #2: Acceptance Is Based On Your Admission Interview

Your admission is not dependent on the interview. Therefore, even if your interview has not gone well, it does not mean that you are going to be rejected by the college of your choice. The main function of interview is to bring prospective students to campus and give them more details about the school and give the school personal contact with the students.

Myth #3: You Have Better Chances of Acceptance If You Attended A Prep School

Your chances of admission do not increase when you attend a prep school. Colleges are interested in a diverse class of students so they want to give admission to students coming from a wide range of schools. Irrespective of the school you have studied, admissions officers give preference to students who are ready to accept challenges and take admission in a tough courses.

Myth #4: A High Sat Score Guarantees Acceptance

If your SAT score is high, it does not mean you are guaranteed admission into a top college. While proper preparation for SAT tests is an absolute necessity, they are not classified as entrance exams. Standardized tests are just one piece of the admissions puzzle. The majority of top colleges look for good SAT scores but their main focus is on the kind of courses you have taken, your performance and extracurricular activities.

Myth #5: Your Application May Be Rejected If You Apply For Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid does not have a negative impact on your admission. As you need to apply for financial aid in line with the college application, make sure that there is no error in either of your forms. To improve your chances of getting admission unto a top college, it is advisable that you study daily and try to get good grades. When applying for grants & scholarships, talk to an admissions officer as they will help you in filling out the application form properly. ]]> http://www.onlineedublog.com/myths-college-application/feed/ 1 http://www.onlineedublog.com/financial-aid-online-degree/ http://www.onlineedublog.com/financial-aid-online-degree/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:32:24 +0000 admin http://www.onlineedublog.com/?p=481

If you are interested in earning an Online Degree but does not have the necessary finance to complete the study, in that situation you need to take admission in an Online University which offers financial aid to their students. The significant factor here is that only accredited online universities provide financial aid to their students.

Grants and scholarships:

Online Universities normally give financial aid to their students in the form of grants and scholarships. Before you apply for any grant or scholarship, it is of paramount importance that you check well in advance whether you are eligible for it or not. If you are eligible for it, next you need to fill out an application form that is being provided by your university. Fill out the application form carefully because any mistake there can lead to the rejection. If you have any confusion, consult the financial aid department of your university immediately.

When it comes to grants and scholarships, financial aid department will also let you know about the grants and scholarships that are being offered by the government and private business organizations. To get grants and scholarships from government and private business organizations, you need to have a good academic record.

Loans:

There are number of private financial institutions operating in the market that offers loans to students so that they can earn online degree without any hassle. Before taking the services of any private financial institution, make sure that you take into account the rate of interest that is being charged by the financial institution and the repayment schedule. Instead of going for adjustable interest rates, it is recommended that you opt for fixed interest rates.

To get loan at low rate of interest, it is advisable that you shop around in the market and take quotes from at least ten financial institutions. Regarding repayment schedule, make sure that it is set on the basis of your financial condition and you are getting a grace period of around three months. During grace period, you are not required to pay any sort of money to the financial institution. ]]> http://www.onlineedublog.com/financial-aid-online-degree/feed/ 5