Online Education

Helping you find the right course and scholarship program

Private Student Loans

Posted by Education Information on October 7th, 2011

According to Forbes Magazine in 2009, two out of three U.S. students graduate from college with student debt on their shoulders, the average bill topping $22,000. This doesn’t include the roughly half of these students who don’t graduate, but still have to pay off their debt. It’s easy to think it doesn’t matter who you owe the money to as long as you pay it back, but it’s not as black-and-white as that.

Student loans in the U.S. are classified as private or federal. Most experts agree that federal student loans are a better deal—they have lower interest, they have fixed rates (i.e. you’re safe from market fluctuations), and there are more of them to go around. Private student loans, on the other hand, charge 12% in interest—about twice as much as federal loans, and almost as much as some credit cards—and the rates are variable, which means they can change every six months or so depending on market indices. Plus there are no laws limiting how much banks can pad interest rates on student loans.

Payment options also differ between federal and private student loans. Federal loan officials have recently put a cap on monthly repayments proportionate to the borrower’s income, so you don’t have to starve paying hefty fees on an entry-level salary. You can also spread out payments over a longer period. Private student loans don’t always offer this option; most have a strict repayment period of 20 years. Mark Kantrowitz of FinAid, a student loan information website, says that even if you could extend the term to 30 years, your payments will shrink by less than 10%.

So why would anyone opt for a private student loan? The most common reason is that college fees are sometimes higher than what the government is willing to lend. Federal student loans only allow you to borrow $27,000 to $45,000 over four years, depending on whether you’re dependent or living on your own. But these days, that amount will cover no more than two years of college (if you’re lucky; in some schools that’s barely enough for a year).

If a private loan turns out to be your only option, make sure to read everything carefully. Published interest rates aren’t accurate; chances are there’s a lot of fine print under it. Before signing, make sure to get a written explanation of the terms, from the rate you will be charged to origination and closing fees (if any) and the mode of repayment. Better yet, consult your school’s financial aid office and get advice on what setup will work best for you.

Online MBA Programs

Posted by Education Information on October 6th, 2011

In the age of hiring freezes and downsizings, what were once thought of as accessories—MAs, MBAs and doctorates, for example—are looking more and more like necessities. MBAs are especially handy in today’s competitive workforce. Sometimes, no matter how much experience you have and how much you’ve helped the company grow, you can still lose out to the new guy with the MBA.

Now here’s the catch: how do you work an MBA into your busy schedule? Most people enter masters programs when they’re already employed, unless they’re on hefty student loans or scholarships. That’s where distance learning comes in. Most universities and colleges now offer online MBA programs, which carry the same credit as their regular courses but don’t require all that travel and classroom time.

Early online courses relied solely on email, but as the technology developed, more and more ways to interact came about. Forums, blogs, and more specialized “virtual learning environments” (VLEs) now allow you to turn the Web into your own classroom, minus the chalk dust. Online MBAs are one of the first to use these innovations to their advantage.

One of the most popular online learning platforms is the open-source program Moodle, which is short for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment. Here you can discuss things with professors and classmates, submit homework, download lessons and resources, and keep track of your marks. Alphastudy, Blackboard, and RCampus also boast similar features.

The best online MBA programs have special admission policies, which can be as rigid as their classroom counterparts (if not more). Since it’s distance learning, you may not have to present your forms in person, although some will require you to show up for an interview. Well in advance, arrange for all your documents to be sent over. Note that universities usually only accept transcripts, scores, and certifications directly from the institution, so you want to get in touch with all the offices concerned.

One thing to remember about taking an online MBA is that it takes discipline, just like any other online course. You get the flexibility of working in your own time, but it’s easy to lose track when you’re not in a room with peers and a teacher looking over your shoulder. Some people simply take to the task better than others. If you’re not sure you’re ready for a distance learning setup, try taking a few courses first and decide if you can handle more.

How to Apply for Scholarships

Posted by Education Information on October 6th, 2011

If you’re lucky, your school may have a well-oiled scholarship program that offers you a scholarship and guides you through the whole process, provided you’re qualified.

However, most of us are in a different kind of system: if you want help, you have to ask for it. That’s often the case in college applications, and it’s starting to be the norm in high school and grade school scholarship programs as well.

The problem is that not many people know how to apply for scholarships, although many are well qualified. Knowing the process is only a small part of the picture. The bulk of it is about selling yourself, much like applying for a job. Start by doing your research: get to know as much about the institution as possible, note the programs you’re interested in, and if you can, ask scholarship holders for a few tips.

If you’re making several scholarship applications, create a separate file for each one. On each folder, make a checklist of requirements and interview schedules, and tick them off as you complete them. Write down application deadlines on the front. Most scholarships require transcripts, SATs or other standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and application essays. They’ll also have their own application forms, which you may be able to download from the scholarship website.

When filling out forms, make sure to answer every single question. If a question doesn’t apply to you, call up the office and ask what you should do. Chances are they’ll just tell you to leave it blank or write “NA” (not applicable), but it’s best to know you’re doing the right thing. It also shows that you’re a careful thinker and are determined to do things right.

Some scholarships will require a personal interview, talent test, or audition. Take note of these dates well in advance, even if you’re not sure you’ll make it to that round. Let the idea sit in your head for a while—imagine interview scenarios, think up possible questions and answers, even think of what you’re going to where. The longer it’s been playing in your head, the more comfortable you’ll be on the big day—even if it turns out nothing like you imagined.

Finally, make sure to check and double-check every page of your application. Scholarships are competitive, and even a small typo can count against you significantly. Have at least two different people proofread the whole thing, perhaps more. There’s no such thing as “too good”; if you think there’s room for improvement, go ahead and use it!

How to Get Your TESOL Certification

Posted by Education Information on October 6th, 2011

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It’s one of the many names given to the English teaching profession, which has boomed in recent years as Anglophone First World countries faced job shortages and people started seeking employment overseas. TESOL is the base qualification in Europe, although other certificates—TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)—are also well recognized.

A beginning teacher’s main question is often how to get your TESOL certification. Certification programs technically don’t require you to have a bachelor’s degree, but most employers do, so it’s pretty much an unspoken requirement. Specializing in English literature or something similar is a plus, but not necessary. Besides that, you need a good grasp of the English language (of course), and preferably some teaching experience, whether in English or some other field.

The TESOL certification course may be given by a college or university, or by an independent institution. The courses may be taken in person or online. Each institution has its own set of courses, so it’s best to look at each one’s offerings and see which one will be most useful to you. The most common approach to second language teaching is called “principled eclecticism,” which means that no single method is said to be correct—teachers are encouraged to explore all methods and pick those that suit their needs.

Since most people seeking TESOL certification are already in full-time jobs, online TESOL courses are very popular. In most cases they will get you the qualification needed to teach abroad, especially in countries with high demand such as China and Japan. Some centers, such as Cambridge and the Oxford Seminars, are better known for their classroom courses. They offer intensive training in both language and teaching, and graduates often have no trouble finding work afterwards.

The certificate itself isn’t very hard to get; you can get it in as little as one month or as long as four years, depending on how much you already know and what kind of career you want (teaching abroad, teaching in public schools, etc.). But there is something to be said about doing well and getting some real learning. The program is not just meant to give you the papers, but also to help you become a good teacher. The more effort you put into it, the more prepared you will be to enter the job market.

The Benefits of an RN to BSN Course

Posted by Education Information on October 6th, 2011

The First World has seen a steady demand for nurses over the last few years. While there’s no shortage of jobs for registered nurses, those who want to move up the career ladder face stiff competition—since there are so many of them, it often takes more than hard work and dedication to stand out. Most nurses cope by taking additional courses and building up qualifications. One of the most popular paths is the RN to BSN (Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program, which allows you to turn your nursing diploma into a bachelor’s degree.

Some people have trouble understanding the benefits of an RN to BSN course. Why get a higher degree when you’re on the right career track? The most common reason, as mentioned above, is advancement. If you want to eventually want to head your own staff or department, or move on to more prestigious hospitals, a bachelor’s degree is pretty much mandatory. Other nurses simply want a bigger salary or better perks, such as travel opportunities. Some nurses may want to go into the academe and do research, having already built up hands-on experience over the years.

Salary differences between registered nurses and bachelor’s degree holders can be significant. An RN can make about $60,000 to $70,000 a year on average, while an RN to BSN graduate can start at $67,000 or more. Of course, these are only averages—the actual figures can be much higher if you consider years of experience (most BSN graduates have already had experience prior to taking the course), job titles, location, and the size of the hiring institution.

These benefits provide the biggest incentive for nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree. While courses don’t come cheap—you can expect to shell out at least several hundred dollars, or more commonly a few thousand—the returns can be exponential. It’s not just in terms of money, but also job stability and employment benefits (such as health and life insurance).

In most states in the U.S., RN to BSN programs are overseen by local accrediting bodies. This means that authorities look at the course offerings and facilities and decide whether they can produce graduates suitable for the workforce. It’s important to get your training from an accredited college or university, whether online or in person, as employers may consider the quality (or perceived quality) of your training in pitting you against other applicants.