The cost of a college degree can be staggering. From tuition to housing, and books, the price of getting your degree can add up fast. Fortunately, many online degree scholarships are available and can help you avoid or pay off your student debt.
An online degree is not just for people who cannot attend classes on campus; it is also a great way to reduce the burden of student debt.
There are multiple scholarships available that help students pay off their loans as well as cover the costs of tuition and housing if you live on campus. These options can give you financial aid to pursue an online degree while lowering your expenses and student loan burden at the same time.
Students who take on student debt have an average loan balance of $37,000 after graduation — and that’s just for a bachelor’s degree! The scary truth is that this isn’t even the highest amount of debt someone can graduate with.
Some programs have such high prices that graduates may leave with $100,000 or more in loans! If you want to avoid becoming one of these statistics, keep reading to learn more about some awesome scholarship opportunities for online degrees and other related fields.
6 Distance Learning and Online Degree Scholarships
Before diving into the scholarships, it is important to understand the difference between online and distance learning.
Simply put, online degrees are degrees that are completed 100% online whereas distance learning is completed online, but does include other methods of instruction like video lectures or online seminars.
There are many types of online degrees that exist. One of the most popular is a bachelor’s in business administration (BA). These degrees can be completed in as little as two years depending on your schedule.
Along with BA degrees, there are also master’s degrees that can be completed online. These programs usually take two years or more to finish and are great for people looking to advance their careers.
Many other types of degrees can also be completed online. This includes associate’s degrees, doctorate degrees, and certificate programs.
1. The TD Scholars Program
The TD Scholars program was started by the TD Bank Group in 2005 to help students pay off their student loans. The company has partnered with over 20 different universities to offer grants and scholarships to students who are pursuing an online degree.
As long as you are enrolled in an eligible program, you can receive up to $20,000. This scholarship can be split into two payments for a total amount of $10,000. The only catch is that you have to be employed by the bank after graduation for 10 years.
This may sound like a difficult requirement, but the amount of money you can save by receiving this scholarship can make it well worth your while. The application for this scholarship is typically due in the fall semester. Visit the TD Scholars website to learn more and stay updated on application information.
2. Orgain Scholarship
The Nutrino Orgain Scholarship awards one $500 scholarship to students who are interested in pursuing an online degree.
Applicants must be enrolled in a bachelor’s or associate’s degree program and interested in pursuing a degree in a nutrition or dietetics field. Other requirements include a minimum GPA of 2.5 and submission of a short essay about their interest in nutrition.
If you meet all of the above requirements and are looking for a scholarship to help pay off your student loans, this is a great option. It is administered by Scholarship Management Services and the application is due annually in the fall. Visit the Orgain website for more information on this scholarship and how to apply.
3. New Millennium Scholarship Foundation
The New Millennium Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization that awards scholarships to students who demonstrate financial need.
Along with helping students pay off their student loans, this organization also awards scholarships to students who wish to pursue an online degree. This scholarship is open to students who wish to pursue an online degree in any field of study, but the amount awarded varies on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited program and show financial need. Along with this, they must be a U.S. citizen and legal dependent on a person who has lost their job or been disabled.
Visit the New Millennium Scholarship Foundation Face Book Page to learn more about this scholarship and how to apply.
Read also: Top 10 Schools Offering Animation Degrees Online in the United States
4. IIE Fellowship for Emerging Women Leaders
The Institute of International Education awards the IIE Fellowship for Emerging Women Leaders Scholarship to undergraduate and graduate students who wish to pursue an online degree in the field of international relations or the field of education.
This scholarship awards a cash grant and is open to both domestic and international students. The awardees are expected to complete their degree in two years of full-time study and then go on to pursue a career in the field of international relations or education.
Visit the IIE website to learn more about this scholarship and how to apply.
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5. Rotary Scholar Award
The Rotary Scholar Award is a scholarship that is awarded to students who wish to pursue an online degree in any field.
This award is given each year to 10 students and is worth $20,000 per recipient. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an accredited university and have a GPA of at least 3.0.
This scholarship can help pay off student loans, cover tuition, and contribute to living expenses.
Visit the Rotary website to learn more about this scholarship and how to apply.
6. Scholarships for Computer Science Majors
Computer science majors who wish to pursue an online degree can receive scholarship money to help pay for school. Some of these scholarships are offered by organizations or professional societies while others are offered by universities.
There are many different awards available. Scholarships for computer science majors that focus on an online degree program include:
– The Women in Technology Scholarship from Hewlett-Packard
– The Rackspace Scholars Program
– The Google Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
– The Intel Scholarship for Minority Students
– The Microsoft Scholarship for Students Who are deaf or hard of hearing
– The Oracle Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
– The Cisco Scholarship for Service
– The Oracle Academy Scholarship for Minority Students
– The Yahoo Scholarship for Minorities
– The Samsung Scholarship for Minority Students
– The Scholarship for Student Veterans
Summing up
There are many scholarships available for students who wish to pursue an online degree. From TD Scholars to the IIE Fellowship, many organizations offer scholarships to students with financial needs and a desire to pursue a degree online. The cost of a college education continues to increase each year.
If you are looking to avoid a large amount of student debt, it is a wise decision to consider an online degree. These degrees are flexible and can be completed at any time during the year making them a great option for working adults.
An online degree can also help you avoid paying the high housing costs that may come with attending a traditional campus. It is important to keep your eyes open for scholarships that you are eligible for. These awards can help you pay for school and avoid a large amount of student debt.
Thanks for reading. I wish you success in your online degree scholarship applications.
