Is that online degree really worth anything?

From the USA.gov blog:

Growth in technology has made it easier for more students to have access to online courses to fit higher education into their already busy lives. The flexibility of online courses makes it easy for students to attend class, complete assignments and get their degrees.
But when you’re not meeting with a professor face-to-face or attending classes on a campus, it can be hard to tell a legitimate online college from a fraudulent one. The Internet has made it easier for more and more of these “diploma mills” to spring up and take your money, while granting you a worthless degree.
Diploma mills, so dubbed by the Department of Education, operate without supervision from a state or other professional organization. The degrees they grant are either fraudulent or completely worthless because of a lack of proper educational standards.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) suggests that consumers protect themselves from diploma mills by doing the proper research ahead of time. The BBB also suggests looking for these red flags to alert you to a fraudulent institution:

• Degrees that can be earned in less time than at an accredited postsecondary institution, an example would be earning a Bachelor’s degree in a few months.
• Tuition paid on a per-degree basis, or discounts for enrolling in multiple degree programs. Accredited institutions charge by credit hours, course, or semester.
• Little or no interaction with professors.
• Names that are similar to well known reputable universities.
• Addresses that are box numbers or suites. That campus may very well be a mail drop box or someone’s attic.

Learn more about diploma mills and what to watch for before you enroll in an online university.

It's Back-To-School Time — for Adults

From the USA.gov Blog:

It's Back-To-School Time — for Adults:
August is the time when parents across the country get their children ready for the new school year. It’s a good time to get the kids up to date with their immunizations, and to buy the supplies they need for school.
In the rush to get everything ready for their kids, parents might forget that they might benefit from going back to school too. The federal government offers affordable adult education classes and programs throughout the United States.
Most classes and programs are free, and are offered in locations like community centers, public schools and community colleges. Government-sponsored adult education classes include:

• GED preparation. A GED diploma is equivalent to a high school diploma and is essential for getting a better job. Several adult education programs offer prep classes to help you get a GED diploma. These programs teach basic algebra, physics, civics, and history and are ideal for people who didn’t finish high school. You can find the nearest GED testing center by typing in your ZIP code at gedtestingservice.com.
• Career and technical education. Adult education classes and programs can also help you get practical education and training through work certifications. You can take classes on plumbing, office administration, electronics, mechanics, carpentry, health and even computers. Some of these classes are developed with local employers to help students develop skills that local employers need.
• English classes. These classes are designed for adults who want to learn how to speak, read or write in English. There are courses for beginners and advanced students, but also for native speakers who would like to improve their English skills. If you enroll in these classes you might have to take a test to determine your level of proficiency. These classes offer flexible schedules to accommodate people who work and have family obligations.
• Citizenship classes. If you are a legal permanent resident and are trying to become a U.S. citizen, you might be interested in taking a citizenship prep class at your local adult school. These classes offer everything you need to know to take the history and civics tests required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. You will also have the opportunity to practice the required citizenship interview.
• Education orientation and help for disabled students. Adult education schools are staffed with counselors who can help students figure out which classes to take and which certifications may help them get a better job. They also have tools to help people with disabilities access classes and programs to take full advantage of the resources available.

Find out more information about adult education classes near you by visiting literacydirectory.org.

Youth Exchange Scholarships for High School Students

From the USA.Gov blog:

Youth Exchange Scholarships for High School Students:
The U.S. Department of State offers a number of exchange programs and scholarships for American high school students to study abroad.
If you’re interested in studying abroad, one of these programs could help cover expenses for your trip:
The National Security Language Initiative for Youth offers merit-based scholarships for overseas study of these foreign languages:  Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian and Turkish.
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad Program offers scholarships to spend a semester or an academic year in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Oman, Thailand, and Turkey.
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program offers students a fully-funded year abroad in Germany.
The American Youth Leadership Program offers opportunities for students and educators to travel abroad on a three- to four-week-long exchange program.
Learn more about these student exchange programs.

Encourage Kids to Read This Summer

Encourage Kids to Read This Summer: From the USA.gov Blog: "The U.S. Department of Education launched their annual summer campaign, Let’s Read, Let’s Move. The campaign encourages children to participate in summer reading programs and parents to read to their children more often.
Through summer reading, kids may discover a favorite author that sparks a lifelong love of reading. Summer reading can also prevent learning loss and help prepare a child for the next academic year.

Check out a few reading resources for kids:

• Classic Books Online — Explore time-honored tales, available from the Library of Congress.
• Locate a Public Library — Find reading programs and borrow—rather than buy—books.
• Strong Minds Project — Volunteer to help kids read during the summer.
• Reading and Writing, Grades K-5 and Language Arts, Grades 6-8 — Find a variety of resources on Kids.gov.

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Compare the Cost of Colleges

Compare the Cost of Colleges: From the USA.gov Blog:
"If you’re considering going to college, visit the Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center to learn more about the cost of higher education.

You can search for schools with the highest and lowest tuition prices and see which tuitions are increasing at the fastest rates. You can also find out how much career and vocational programs costs.

Understanding the cost of college can help you make better decisions as you pursue higher education."

Apply Now for Federal Student Aid

Apply Now for Federal Student Aid: From GovGab: "Are you independently wealthy? Me neither, that’s why I relied on federal financial aid to pay for college.
If you’re in college, it’s time to apply for student financial aid. Almost all two- and four-year colleges, universities and career schools use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to award federal student aid, and most state and college aid.
There are three categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study, and loans. I don’t know how I would have managed to afford college without my loans and my work-study job.
Federal student aid covers expenses such as tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, and transportation. Aid also can help pay for a computer and for dependent care.
It’s a good idea to apply for federal aid before other sources, because federal loans usually offer lower interest rates, and have more flexible repayment options than loans from banks or other private sources. Your school’s financial aid office is the best place to learn about the full range of financial aid available to you.
And please don’t get caught up in the scams! The federal student aid application is available for free from the Department of Education.
Apply online today.
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