Music Roundtable

Let Online College Grants Help Reduce Expenses Of Distance Learning Course Programs

Private colleges and universities are known for small class sizes where students receive individual attention. These same institutions tend to offer frequent opportunities for involvement, more study abroad opportunities and boast higher graduation and retention rates, according to the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Many also associate a private education with pricey tuition.

The cost of private colleges and universities might not be as out of reach as some people think, however. As families and students struggle to pay for college, private institutions are accelerating and increasing their financial aid offerings, according to a recent report in Bloomberg Businesweek. Where the fall 2010 tuition and fees at private colleges and universities on average are 4.5 percent higher than those of last year, scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid are up 6.8 percent, a June report from the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities shows.

Private institutions aren’t only slowing tuition hikes and enhancing scholarships for campus and distance learning programs. In some instances, they’re freezing tuition and offering three-year degree programs, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities President David L. Warren was quoted in a news release as saying. “Our colleges are redoubling their efforts to keep out of pocket costs as low as possible for students and families. . . ,” National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities President David L. Warren was quoted in a news release as saying. “The bottom line for consumers is that they should not rule out a private college just because of the price tag.”

There’s a difference between the “published” rate, or “sticker price,” of college tuition and fees and the net price after tuition assistance is considered. For America’s private colleges and universities, the published rate is about $26,273 and the net price, after financial aid and federal tax benefits, is about $11,870, according to the College Board. Private college and university students in Wisconsin for the 2008-2009 academic year paid an average $4,737 a year, after scholarships, grants and student loans were considered, the website for the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities notes. The average freshman financial aid package totaled $18,478, with 71 percent of that comprised of scholarships and grants that don’t have to be repaid, according to the Wisconsin association.

Students and families can check the website for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities for a list of private institutions that have kept their tuition rates the same as last year. These colleges include the AIB College of Business in Iowa, Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, Fresno Pacific University in California and The Sage Colleges in New York State, according to the site. In Ohio, Ursuline College and the University of Akron have launched three-year bachelor’s degree programs, the national association site shows.

Students might also consider saving money that might otherwise be spent on commuting and meal plans, since many private colleges according to a June 2010 report in USA Today have added or are planning to add distance learning options. Some private institutions have seen substantial enrollment increases as a result of new online learning opportunities, the report noted. The USA Today article focused on Christian institutions that an Eduventures consulting group analyst told the reporter have an advantage in the strongly religious United States and a crowded online learning market.

Distance learning can be particularly appealing to students who have busy schedules that might involve family and workplace responsibilities. Students who enroll in online learning programs might take courses that are entirely online or participate in hybrid programs, spending some time on campus. Scholarships and grants for campus and distance learning programs are often based on a variety of factors.

Scholarships administered by a Minnesota Private College Fund on behalf of 17 institutions are a good example. Some of these scholarships recognize students’ academic successes and community involvement. Others award students who are pursuing specific studies and those who have overcome educational barriers.

Students are typically advised to select colleges and universities first according to their individual interests, needs and goals and then to compare the costs, after tuition assistance such as education scholarships and grants are considered. Students seeking scholarships and grants online for campus and accredited degree online programs at private institutions might look toward large corporations, non-profit associations and community and civic groups as well. It’s important also to consider that the funding options are typically provided in instances where colleges, universities and technical schools are accredited by nationally recognized agencies. This applies to both traditional and online education. The US Department of Education maintains a list of accredited institutions and programs on its website.

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