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Do I have to apply for school
in person? |
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Depending on the university, you
may have the ability to apply and enroll for classes anytime
whether online and/or by phone. Admissions information is typically
posted on the university's website.
When applying to a U.S.-based university, you should be prepared
to prove that you're proficient in English* and able to provide
official school transcripts. With this information, you may
soon be on your way to earning your degree at an online university.
*A passing score on an English competency test
is typically required if your first language is not English
or if you graduated from a non-English speaking school. |
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What admissions requirements
and policies should I know about before applying? |
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Most online universities will
need official copies of your transcripts documenting your previous
education.
Prospective International students may have to submit documentation
of high school graduation or the equivalent. Additionally, students
that have taken college coursework and/or are holding an associate's,
bachelor's or master's degree must submit an official transcript
that has been translated to English.
Transcripts must typically be evaluated by an organization qualified
to evaluate international transcripts and degrees such as Educational
Perspectives. You are typically responsible for paying any
fees associated with having your transcript translated. |
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Do most institutions require that I understand
English? |
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Yes, as most U.S. based universities'
online learning courses are taught in English.
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Will I have to take an English competency
test to be considered for admission? |
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Yes. If your first language is not English
(or if you graduated from a non-English speaking school), you
may need to provide proof of English proficiency or take the
TOEFL exam.
Test of English as a Foreign Language, also known as TOEFL exams
are typically used to measure your ability to use and comprehend
English as it is used in the college or university setting.
The TOEFL program provides English proficiency testing services
for international students planning to study at educational
institutions in the United States, Canada or other countries
where degree programs and courses are taught in English.
You can take the TOEFL test in most regions in the world. To
learn more about the TOEFL, studying for the TOEFL, finding
a test center in your country and more, visit the TEOFL
Web site.
Source: Toefl
website. |
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Can I pay tuition in the currency of my
country? |
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As an International student, one of the first
things to keep in mind is that the majority of universities
require that you pay your tuition and fees in U.S. dollars
only. |
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What type of financial aid options do I
have available? |
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According to the U.S. Department of Education,
a student must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
to obtain federal financial aid. An eligible non-citizen is
one who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C Alien Registration card.
Students are also considered eligible non-citizens if they are
on any of the following statuses: refugee, asylum granted, indefinite
parole, humanitarian parole, Cuban-Haitian entrant, status pending,
or an conditional entrant issued before April 1, 1980. Students
are also eligible if they are citizens of the Federated States
of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the
Republic of Palau.
Source: U.S.
Department of Education Information for Financial Aid Professionals
Library
If you meet the requirements for receiving federal financial
aid, please click
here to learn more about financial aid.
If an International student does not meet these requirements
they have the option of making cash payments or applying for
a private, credit based loan. |
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What type of private loans are available? |
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Private Loans
For alternative loans, International students are eligible for
the following: No U.S. Co-Signer Required (Canadian Students
Only)
Teri
Loan
1-800-255-8374
International
Students
Comprehensive Access Loan
1-800-282-1550
U.S. Co-Signer Required
Citibank CitiAssist loan
CitiAssist® Loans are available to full and part-time undergraduate
students attending accredited four or five year universities
or colleges and full and part-time graduate students attending
accredited graduate schools. Undergraduate and graduate students
who qualify as creditworthy individuals do not need a cosigner.
International students must apply with a creditworthy individual
who is a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident and has a permanent
U.S. address. Please visit the Citibank
website for additional information.
Source:
Citibank Website
Sallie Mae Signature
loans
International students and those students with no credit or
an insufficient credit history will need to apply with a credit-worthy
co-borrower. It is to your advantage to apply with a co-borrower
because your co-borrower's credit determines the lender's interest
rate and fees. After you've made 24 consecutive on-time scheduled
payments of principal and interest, you may apply to have your
co-borrower released (student borrowers must meet applicable
credit requirements at that time). Co-borrowers must be US citizens
or permanent residents, and provide proof of all sources of
income. Please visit the Salliemae
website for additional information.
Source:
Sallie
Mae Website
Cash Payment Plan
Payment plans are typically available to help students fund
their education. At times, in-school payment plans are even
interest free. If you are accepted to a university, a Financial
Aid Specialist will assist you in setting up a personal payment
plan. |
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Will most of my International college credit
transfer to an online university? |
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It's possible, yes. Universities may accept
credits from institutions accredited by any accrediting agency
recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education including U.S.
accredited international institutions. If you are submitting
an English transcript from an accredited Title-IV-eligible institution
located abroad, this will be evaluated the same way transcripts
submitted from accredited schools within the U.S. are evaluated.
Also, the university's Academics Committee can review both your
college credits and job experience to determine exactly how
much credit they will accept toward your degree.
Your previous academic credentials will be compared to educational
programs in the U.S. and you will be placed at the educational
level that suits your educational background. Transcripts are
usually evaluated considering the following criteria:
- Registration with the country's governing academic body
- Course or degree subject area
- Grading scale or criteria
- Unit of credit
- Course or degree descriptions
- Third-party analysis of country's degree comparability
to U.S. degree
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What are the characteristics of an eLearner? |
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Online Learners have several characteristics
in common. First, successful eLearners are comfortable with
computers and know how to navigate the Internet. For some Universities,
it is helpful if you are familiar with real-time Internet chat,
eMail, computer based CD-Roms, and word processing software—and have access to a computer and modem.
Next, successful eLearners are self-motivated, good time- and
energy-managers, and know how to communicate clearly through
writing.
Lastly, for some online learning programs, eLearners must be
willing to commit 10 to 15 hours per week to studying and believe
that high quality learning can take place without going to a
traditional classroom. If this sounds like you, you're probably
a good candidate for eLearning. |
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What type of contact will I have with instructors? |
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At some online universities, you can listen
to your professors lecture during live classes. Some courses
require students to login at specific times and other classes
allow you to view archived lectures for later viewing at your
convenience.
Outside of class, you may be able to confer with professors
during designated office hours or via email. |
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Will I be getting the same education as
I would get in a traditional classroom? |
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Online universities can be the perfect choice
for military students. Many degree programs have been designed
to help you graduate faster than at a traditional college. Additionally,
your classes can travel with you as long as you have Internet
access.
Research comparing distance education to face-to-face schooling
seems to show that studying at a distance can be as effective
as traditional instruction, when there is student-to-student
interaction, and when there is good teacher-to-student feedback.
Based on your academic experiences, you should realize how important
being proactive about this type of interaction can be.
The course content at most accredited online universities is
very similar to that at brick and mortar colleges. Many online
universities boast instructors with advanced degrees and prominence
in their fields. Some would argue that there are more hands-on
learning opportunities and real-world application in online
classes than the large lecture halls of traditional schools. |
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Is a typical online course more difficult
than a traditional course? |
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In general, course content is comparable—not more or less difficult. But there are other factors that
go into the 'difficulty' perception.
One is involvement. Today's eLearning can be pretty exciting
with multi-media courses, real-time group interaction, and dynamic,
online tutorials. Outside of class, students may interact on
group projects through eMail, message boards, chat rooms and
conferencing.
Like traditional college courses, some of the learning takes
place during class experiences and some takes place studying
on your own. Many students feel that they can achieve better
focus online because the material (or exercise) is on the screen,
right in front of them, without the distraction of a room full
of other students.
Another issue is the pace at which learning takes place. Online
courses may run for 5 to 16 weeks, depending on the institution.
A five week course may seem like a quicker timeline than some
courses, but in some cases, you'll be taking just one course
at a time. And, you can view most class lectures at your own
pace—even stopping and restarting when you need to—and studying
when and where it's most convenient.
When one-on-one interaction with an instructor is what you need,
take advantage of more technologically advanced universities
regularly scheduled 'live' office hours. And, get to know the
online resources that your university provides. Some universities
have extensive research and study resources including research
links that save time and effort. Free programs may even be available
to make you a better writer or even a stronger student!
While the courses aren't more difficult, the learning process
is certainly different than traditional classroom learning.
For many, online learning fits like a glove. So, be honest with
yourself about your learning style and preferences. How much
do you get out of the social aspects of being physically present
in a classroom? Or, how focused and motivated can you be on
your own?
If you're a self-driven individual, committed to getting your
degree on your own terms, you should be right at home with the
eLearning lifestyle! |
