College education requires extensive investment in terms of time and money. So students should do thorough research before choosing a school to enroll. The following are some of the on-campus and online college's resources that should be considered when deciding which school to attend.
Online Learning Resources
Accredited online degree programs have increased over the past decade. Online learning has a lot of potential and is particularly appealing to students and professionals who are restricted from attending on-campus classes. Some universities and colleges offer programs that are available completely online. Others offer a hybrid where part of the coursework is completed online and the remaining is completed on-campus. Students are given online access to educational resources such as video lectures, lesson plans, syllabi, quizzes, instructional modules, and simulations activities. This allows students to set a flexible course schedule, and complete coursework at their own pace. In order to succeed in the online setting, students must possess good organizational and time management skills.
Financial Aid Resources
Most colleges and universities cater to the financial needs of their students. The cost of education has increased substantially, so schools have stepped up their efforts to provide students with financial aid to help pay for school. Most students qualify for federal student aid which is distributed according to the financial need of the applicant. Federal financial aid may be in the form of grants or student loans. Federal student loans have lower interest rates than private student loans. Merit based scholarships are also offered by many universities and private organizations. These may be offered on the basis of achievement, talent, or a specific trait; and they do not need to be repaid. Similarly, grants do not need to be repaid, but they are given on the basis of financial need. Many institutions also participate in Federal Work Study Programs where students can qualify to work part-time in order to help cover their educational expenditures.
Employment Resources
Colleges also offer career counseling to their students and alumni, and assist them in their professional development. Students may get this service by making an appointment for face to face discussion or by attending career workshops. They could then discuss their strengths and weaknesses to help determine how they should approach employers. They can specify their interests and discuss possible career opportunities. Networking opportunities with prospective employers are also offered. They could also plan strategies to get experience and find internships and jobs. They may also attend workshops that could help them create effective resumes. Effective interviewing strategies are also explored and students are offered in depth knowledge about specific professions and industries.
Accreditation
The school and the program in which you may be attending should be accredited from a recognized agency. Accrediting agencies evaluate institutions based on the services offered, quality of education, faculty reputation, and admission requirements. Accrediting agencies use the same standards while assessing online learning institutions and traditional institutions. Unfortunately, many fraudulent online degree programs have set up that simply rob students of their money and provide substandard education. A degree from an accredited institution will ensure that your degree will be recognized by future employers. It will also be easier for you to transfer credits if the need arises, and it is important if you wish to continue on in a graduate program.