| A study by the United States Department of | | | | for-profit schools in offering online degrees. |
| Labor found that as education level increased, | | | | You may see results faster than you think. Often |
| wages also increased. Importantly, the study also | | | | adult learners find that their managers are able to |
| found that more education also meant a lower | | | | immediately notice the benefits of their increased |
| unemployment rate for those with higher degree | | | | knowledge at their workplace through new ideas |
| levels*. | | | | and improved productivity. In addition, many |
| Given the current state of our economy, there | | | | advanced degrees take no more than a year to a |
| has never been a better time to build your skill | | | | few years to complete. If you are currently |
| set and knowledge base. Furthering your | | | | employed and hope to stay at your company, |
| education by pursuing an undergraduate degree, a | | | | your employer may offer tuition reimbursement |
| graduate degree or a certificate program can | | | | to help you along the way. There are also |
| make your current job more secure and prepare | | | | numerous scholarships, grants and financial aid, |
| you for the future. There has never been a | | | | including $5,350 in Pell Grants annually and $2,500 |
| better time to go back to school, and getting | | | | in tuition tax credits annually to those that qualify. |
| your degree or advanced degree will improve | | | | I'd suggest you follow 3 Simple Steps to help you |
| your chances of keeping your job. The scheduling | | | | pay for College Education: 1) Use Free Money |
| flexibility most online schools offer also means | | | | First. Students should fill out a Free Application for |
| that you can get your degree while you work so | | | | Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the US |
| that you won't lose valuable work experience or | | | | Department of Education's website to access |
| income. | | | | need-based grants and apply for scholarships at 2) |
| Going back to school can broaden your skills in | | | | Explore Federal Loans. Federal loans offer low, |
| your chosen field, and can be as simple as getting | | | | fixed interest rates and flexible repayment |
| a certificate. Or, if you've been away from school | | | | options, 3) Fill Any Gap With Private Loans. Private |
| a long time, you can upgrade your Associate's to | | | | Student Loans may be available to cover the rest |
| a Bachelor's, your Bachelor's to a Master's or your | | | | of their education costs. |
| Master's to a Doctoral Degree. If you are | | | | So the question is, if there are so many reasons |
| interested in changing careers, but don't have the | | | | why you will benefit from advancing your |
| required experience or education, you can make | | | | education, why wouldn't you do so? It's clear that |
| yourself a qualified candidate by getting an online | | | | making this important investment in yourself will |
| degree in your chosen field. With the | | | | pay dividends through job security and, in the end, |
| advancement of technology in online education, | | | | a larger paycheck and a brighter future for you. |
| many traditional not-for-profit schools have joined | | | | |