Financial Aid and Scholarships for Online Students

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Despite its affordable price compared to traditional education, online learning still has its fair share of costs. Luckily, you have plenty of options that can lessen the burden and help pay for your degree program. Here are a few options that can get you on the path to an online degree.

Federal Aid

Make sure that you check with the federal government as one of your first steps to obtaining financial aid. Many federal financial aid programs apply to accredited online institutions, making them a great place to begin looking. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible, because this will give you a good idea of your eligibility for federal assistance. The government also offers information on more resources at the federal student aid website. If you are eligible for any of these programs, speak with a financial aid staff member for more information.

Get Educated Online College Scholarship Fund

This biannual scholarship is just for students seeking an online degree. The award is based on both merit and financial aid need, and isn’t specific to one university. Students must be U.S. citizens already enrolled in an accredited online degree program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. The scholarship also requires a 500-word essay on “what an online college degree means to me.” You should attach a copy of your most recent FAFSA, or a tax return.

SR Education Group Scholarship Program

SR Education Group Logo

The SR Education Group is one of the leaders in providing information on online schools. In addition to their fantastic guide to online degree programs, they offer a comprehensive scholarship program for students seeking online degrees. The five scholarships are available to several types of students.

  • The Community College Scholarship is available to students seeking an online degree from a local community scholarship.
  • The Make a Difference Scholarship competition requires students to submit a short video or photo essay explaining how their degree would help them change the world.
  • Military scholarships are awarded for those serving in the armed forces and looking to earn an education.
  • Women’s scholarships are available to females using an online degree program to pursue their degrees.
  • Single-parent scholarships are available to women who are raising families on their own.

The Guide to Online Schools also has plenty of information on online education—you can learn more on their website.

Texas-Based Scholarships

Although these scholarships aren’t just available to online students, they do provide great opportunities for students who wish to seek a degree at Concordia University Texas or any other Texas institutions.

  • The Texas state government has a variety of state and federal grants and scholarships available to students. They include a variety of programs that have different eligibility requirements including some for particular majors or degrees.
  • TELACU LogoThe TELACU Scholarship Program awards hundreds of scholarships to students from Texas. Students must be low-income, first generation, full-time college students. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required for applicants.
  • Each year the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation offers 70 scholarships to students in the Houston area. The scholarship has several requirements, including SAT and ACT minimum scores.

Save Loans for Last

Students should do their best to avoid accumulating large sums of student debt while earning their degrees. But, you may have to use loaned money to pay for your degree program. If this is the case for you, remember these tips:

  • Start with federal loans. The loans from the government are not only the ones with the lowest interest but they are usually the most flexible.
  • Do not take out loans you cannot afford; it could be a risk to your financial well-being.
  • If federal loans are not enough, use reputable organizations to finance your online education. Do your research and due-diligence. Beyond that, you need to look into whether pursuing a loan is a good idea for you at this point.

How Concordia Texas Helps You Pay for Your Online Education        

We understand that earning your degree is a financial investment. That’s why we work alongside you from the start of the enrollment process to find ways to pay for your online education.

Once you’re enrolled, our experienced instructors have developed convenient and flexible courses that allow you to balance all of your time commitments. Our instructors will help you gain the credentials and skills you need to excel in a new career.

If you’re seeking more information on how to learn with Concordia University Texas, visit our request info page.