Once you have chosen your online degree program, you may be uncertain about how to now ensure your success. You may not even know what steps to take next. Perhaps you are also worried about how you will manage your online studies while juggling everyday life.
However, fear not. There are a few easy steps you can take to ensure you are prepared to start your online degree program.
1. Research and confirm credit requirements: Once you have determined the degree you want to pursue, it’s important to know how many credits you’ll need to complete it. Visit the online degree program’s website and make an appointment to speak with an enrollment counselor and determine the required credits.
If you are looking to transfer course credits, you should also research your existing credits to determine if any will count toward your online degree. For example, ASU Online, the online programs at Arizona State University, offers a transfer credit guide tool to help prospective students determine whether they can use their credits.
[Discover these four steps to transfer online associate credits to a four-year online program.]
Knowing the exact number of credits required to complete your degree will also help you estimate how much time you’ll need to set aside to study for each course as well as when you’ll graduate. Likewise, this will help you with time management once your coursework begins and give you a goal to aim for.
2. Explore financial aid and scholarship options: You should ensure that you are aware of the degree program’s financial obligations before you enroll. Typically, students can receive financial support in the form of scholarships, grants, federal work study and loans.
Knowing the type of degree and credits you need can help you determine many of the associated costs and the type of support that will be right for you. Almost any student can qualify for some form of financial aid regardless of income, so it’s important to be aware of your options.
[Find out how to decipher the true cost of your online degree.]
Your school of choice may also offer interactive tools — such as a cost calculator, budget worksheets and scholarship searches — to help you prepare financially. And be sure to contact the school’s financial aid office to learn more about your options and how to use these tools effectively.
3. Determine your access to student resources: Explore your access to student services and resources. Online students should have access to tools such as digital libraries, online tutoring, career services and academic advisors. Having these resources on hand will help you adjust to life as an online student and build a support system for information, advice and encouragement along the way.
[Discover four tips for using support services as an online student.]
Like many other students, you may know that you want to receive a college education and that an online program is the best fit for you, but you may need help ensuring you are well prepared to accomplish your goals and dreams. These simple steps will help set you up for success before you even begin your online degree program.
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Get Set Up to Succeed in an Online Degree Program originally appeared on usnews.com
