As the heated battle over illegal immigration continues, a few states have tossed a tuition lifeline to undocumented, primarily Latino, college students.

According to today’s Los Angeles Times:

Ten states have passed laws to allow undocumented college students to pay in-state tuition, and several have expanded access to state-funded health benefits and improved enforcement of wage and hour laws.

Perhaps these states are not just being generous, but are securing and improving their own futures by taking into consideration a few facts:

• College graduates are far less likely to commit crimes.

• College graduates earn more money and have a higher standard of living than non-graduates.

• College graduates help to fill higher-level job vacancies throughout the state.

• Children of college graduates are more likely to attend college.

• College graduates are positive role models for children and others in their communities.

So, by extending a helping hand to undocumented college students, forward-thinking leaders are making a down payment on a more prosperous future for their states.

They are investing in lower crime rates, a well-educated work force, and an overall higher standard of living for the state’s population. They are also insuring better cooperation and coexistence between the people of their state.

Some state leaders may believe they cannot afford to give undocumented college students this type of break.

But perhaps they can’t afford not to do it.

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Do employers accept online degrees? Will they unequivocally hire individuals with an online bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree?

The answers to these questions heavily influence those who are considering an online degree program.

An article in The Economist today, A Triumph of Democracy: Should an MBA be open to anyone?, appears to bolster the notion that a rising number of employers favor online degrees, including online MBAs.

According to the article, the acceptance of online degrees by U.S. employers is particularly evident in India.

There, distance-learning is legislated as a valuable and acceptable means to gain additional credentials, training and higher degrees. According to Indian law, employers must accept accredited online degrees in hiring, promotions and pensions.

So what does this have to do with U.S. employers? Well, considering that U.S. companies are outsourcing jobs to India in droves, this is extremely relevant.

A growing number of U.S. businesses have eliminated departments and moved entire companies overseas in order to shift operations to countries, like India, where employers pay a fraction of what they previously paid to American workers.

Yet millions of highly skilled workers in India receive their training and college degrees online. So by shifting operations to these workers, U.S. employers are wholeheartedly accepting online degrees across the board.

In 2004, both Fox News and USA Today predicted that the outsourcing of high-tech and accounting jobs to India (and other nations) would increase significantly over the years. In fact, hundreds of thousands of U.S. tax returns are prepared in India each year through American accounting firms that may or may not divulge this fact to their clients.

Today’s article in The Economist confirms that India has “. . . a huge and diverse distance-learning market.”

Distance-learning continues to dominate higher education in India in order to meet the needs of 230 million potential students who cannot be served by traditional means. As these students graduate with online degrees, they are integrated into the mainstream of new jobs created by an increasing number of U.S. and foreign businesses.

So, is it possible that U.S. companies could so firmly embrace foreign workers who earned online degrees, yet question the validity of accredited online degrees earned by American job applicants?

It seems that this issue would cause quite a stir in the climate of the current job market, especially if employers attempt to use an accredited online degree as an excuse not to hire someone.

Hopefully, such a hypocritical stance is unacceptable to any honest, well-informed employer.

Instead, taking the few minutes to check the validity of online degrees through the U.S. Department of Education, as well as contacting the Admissions & Records departments of the schools in question, appears to be the best route to insure a win-win situation for all.

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Popularity: 6% [?]

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As the celebrations of the fall of the Berlin Wall continue in Germany, we once again commemorate the members of our armed forces on Veterans Day.

Almost 50 years ago, the city of Berlin was divided by a formidable wall that remained standing for almost 30 years.

East German soldiers patrolled the east side of the wall; and American, British and French soldiers guarded the west side.

My father was a soldier stationed in Germany in the late 1960’s; so I remember the Berlin Wall.

I will never forget traveling into East Berlin as a ‘military brat’ on holiday with my family. We boarded a bus in West Berlin and arrived at Checkpoint Charlie.

There, our paperwork was checked out by U.S. soldiers; and we were given explicit instructions about what to expect on the trip — and how to conduct ourselves. Then the bus drove into East Berlin.

Just a little past the Berlin Wall, the bus stopped.

When I glanced out of the bus window, I saw a mean-looking, well-trained group of uniformed soldiers march up and surround our bus. A few quickly crawled beneath the bus for an inspection, while others walked around it and visually inspected every nook and cranny.

Then, several of them came onboard; and I was suddenly afraid.

They were not friendly fellows. They did not smile, and they certainly did not make small talk.

Instead, they took each person’s passport and stared intensely at the person, then at the passport picture, and again at the person. When it was my turn, I hoped the cold, penetrating stare would not cause me to make any observable misstep.

But I must have done okay; because the soldier moved on and eventually got off the bus with his comrades.

An East German guide boarded the bus and coolly relayed more instructions. The rest of the trip was interesting and uneventful; though we saw only what they wanted us to see — including the majestic Brandenburg Gate.

We were not allowed to talk with any East German citizens, we could not wander off alone, and our bus could not make any deviations from the scheduled tour.

We went through another thorough inspection of the bus before being allowed to cross back into West Berlin; and it was only then that I noticed the tiny crosses that lined the western side of the Berlin Wall — most with flowers, but all standing out as reminders of those who were shot and killed trying to escape into West Germany.

The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961. By the time it began to fall on November 9th, 1989, it stretched nearly 100 miles and was topped with barbed wire.

Historians should continue to remind us of this and other significant events. Without historians, naysayers would attempt to erase or sugarcoat history, in order to promote their own agendas.

Students who major in history should be proud of that choice. And if they can, they should travel to some of the places where key historical events took place.

If they enroll in online degree programs, it will be easier to travel. But online schools and online classes, though convenient, are just one way to pursue a history degree. Community colleges and traditional universities offer additional options.

The Berlin Wall is now gone, thank goodness, but we should remember those soldiers — past and present — who earned the freedoms that America, western Europe and some other countries continue to enjoy.

Soldiers of the U.S. military deserve our highest respect and gratitude, on Veterans Day and every day of our lives, for their generous actions on our behalf.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

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As excited college students prepare to move into campus dorms, they look forward to meeting new roommates, fitting all their belongings into half of a dorm room and registering for classes.

They are not concerned about catching the flu.

That job belongs to health officials at the Centers for Disease Control who are, indeed, concerned.

Even as students and parents prepare to lug heavy boxes into dorm rooms all over the nation, the Centers for Disease Control epidemiologists are working feverishly to head off the potentially serious consequences of a fast-moving, unpredictable — yet still mild — flu virus.

The H1N1 virus, known as the swine flu, has already struck 43,771 Americans in confirmed cases (as of 7-24-09) and continues to move rapidly throughout the population during this unusual summer season. Normally, the summer is not a part of flu season.

Some CDC officials estimate the numbers of flu cases to be closer to a million; since most people who contract the current strain of H1N1 are not tested for it and are able to recover without serious complications.

But the scenario may change in the fall, when school children and college students cluster again together in close quarters.

Although there are only 302 confirmed deaths in the U.S. from the H1N1 virus (as of 7-24-09), the strain is poised to mutate into a more dangerous flu virus that could cause tens of thousands of deaths if not averted.

However, there are preventative steps that may limit serious repercussions of the swine flu:

• Distributing antiviral drugs as needed,
• Students opting for online classes, online schools and online degree programs instead of on-campus classes that force them to be exposed to sick people,
• Educating the public about what to do if they become sick with the swine flu,
• Avoiding crowds when sick or if in a high risk category, like having asthma or a compromised immune system,
• Washing hands frequently to help prevent becoming sick with the flu,
• Covering the nose and mouth with a clean tissue when sneezing or coughing,
• Contacting a doctor if experiencing high fevers or breathing difficulties.

Flu season came early this year, with a head start on the students who will soon begin their college or university studies.

But those who opt for online education may find solace in the opportunity to study in the comfort and safety of their flu-free homes.

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A brand new group of educational benefits arrive on August 1st, 2009, for military personnel who served a tour of duty after September 11th, 2001.

This financial windfall covers major expenses for post 9/11 soldiers and former soldiers who return to school to pursue a college degree or vocational certificate.

The Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 provides financial aid and support to active-duty military personnel and veterans who enroll in accredited online schools, traditional colleges and universities, and vocational schools.

Students will receive all or a portion of the costs for tuition, housing and books if they meet the selective eligibility criteria.

For eligible military members and veterans, the benefits will cover:

• Full tuition up to the amount of the most expensive public college in the applicant’s state,
• $1,000 a year stipend for books & supplies (for veterans only),
• a monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance paid to a military E5 with dependents (for veterans only),
• Tutorial assistance or up to $2,000 for one licensing or certification test,
• The option, for some, to transfer these educational benefits to dependents.

Eligibility requirements for the new education benefits apply to those applicants:

• who are still serving in the military or were honorably discharged after serving at least 90 consecutive active-duty days following 9/11;
• who were released from active duty into a branch of the military reserves following 90 consecutive days of active duty after 9/11; or
• who were honorably discharged after 30 consecutive active-duty days following a service-connected disability.

Additional criteria may apply; but students may enroll in military-approved online degrees, online vocational and certificate programs, and traditional college, university and vocational programs.

Costs incurred before August 1st, 2009, are not eligible for these particular benefits.

Benefits remain active for 15 years following the eligible military tour of duty and are payable for up to 36 months for those who meet all of the necessary criteria.

For further information, check out the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

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Thousands of people who lost jobs during the recession have given up and are no longer even looking for a job.

After months of sending out resumes and making phone calls, they grew discouraged and stopped. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) counted 793,000 of these ‘discouraged workers’ in June 2009. But there may be a brighter day coming for those who choose it.

And who can blame these folks; unemployment is high and employee morale is low. On top of that, the BLS has painted a bleak picture of joblessness in this weak, but slowly recovering, economy.

Yet many employment sectors are losing jobs at a slower rate, which gives hope to those who are banking on a better economy not too far down the road.

And surprisingly, one major industry continues beat the odds by adding new jobs each month.

For June 2009, lost jobs included:

• 136,000 in manufacturing
• 79,000 in construction
• 335,000 in motor vehicles and parts
• 8,000 in mining
• 118,000 in professional and business services
• 21,000 in retail trade
• 27,000 in financial activities
• 21,000 in the information industry

However, there was good news for one major employment sector;

• 21,000 new jobs were added to health care

The BLS reports that the health care industry added an average of 21,000 jobs a month throughout 2009. And in 2008, during some of the worse days of the recession, they added approximately 30,000 jobs a month.

So now, a message to those ‘discouraged workers’. This time off from work may be the best opportunity to consider switching career fields to the one that has remained a bright spot in an otherwise dim economy — health care.

It has proven itself to be a reliable and consistent career area; and a future in this field is promising for those who return to school to train for health care jobs, especially as registered nurses.

To top things off, preparation for some health care careers involves a short investment of as little as 12 months in a traditional or online degree program – for example, the training  to become a licensed vocational or licensed practical nurses takes about a year.

Other health care careers may take an even shorter time to complete — just a few months of classes before snagging a job in a hospital or convalescent home as a nurse’s aide, surgical technician, medical billing clerk, medical receptionist, emergency medical technician or phlebotomist (a health care worker trained to draw blood). Then, while working one of these jobs, workers can continue their education online, with employers often footing the bill.

Low cost tuition fees, federal grants and private scholarships are available for qualified students who have lost their jobs; so affordability is not always a problem.

If you are without a job, now is the time to check into some of these accredited programs for your ticket to a promising job in the growing health care industry.

Then you will be a discouraged worker no more.

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Popularity: 7% [?]

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Summer has arrived; and adult learners may be wondering how to take a cheap vacation without skipping a beat in online classes.

Thankfully, the travel industry is happy to oblige by offering great deals on just about everything. Still, cruising may be among the best ways to save money on a vacation while continuing with online degree studies.

For the price of gas, food, a couple of nights in a mid-range hotel and activities, e-learners and their families or friends could sail away on the vacation of a lifetime.

Just check out these facts about cruising to an online degree:

1. The costs for a 4-day cruise this summer begin as low as $184 per person (before taxes and fees) from Florida, New Orleans or Long Beach, according to today’s 90-day ticker from Vacations to Go, a  website that lists the best cruise deals, especially last-minute bargains. Additional special discounts may apply for past passengers and those over age 55.
2. Cruise costs cover a bundle – ship transportation to exotic ports, 24-hour food, some beverages, lavish entertainment for adults and children, room service, twice-daily cabin cleaning and more.
3. For 4 people staying in the same cabin, the 3rd and 4th persons pay just a fraction of the full fare, generally between 40-60% less. This is a kid-friendly deal for families, but also works well for family gatherings, friends and co-workers.
4. Onboard credits are free money that is offered by travel agents, credit card companies or the cruise line. These are valuable because they are applied to the onboard account and may cover tipping fees, excursions, alcoholic drinks, shopping or other additional costs. A good travel agent can help explore this option.
5. Most ports can be explored without purchasing expensive excursions from the ship. A good guide book from the library can give excellent tips about saving money while seeing the sights on your own.
6. Most ships offer onboard Internet cafes and designated public WiFi hotspots. Some ships, like the new Celebrity Solstice series, offer data ports for Internet access in individual cabins, which is great for online students. Some Princess ships offer the use of individual laptops for the duration of the cruise on a first-come, first served basis. Discounted Internet plans offer cheaper rates then paying by the minute.
7. To save money on Internet rates, online students may opt to gather web research ahead of time. Then on the ship, they can work offline and connect to the Internet only to turn in assignments or email instructors.
8. Tipping is generally not mandatory on the ship; although there are suggested amounts per day to cover cabin stewards, waiters, head waiters, and other staff. Even when the tipping fees are automatically deducted from the onboard account, passengers may raise or lower the tipping amount at their own discretion. However, after observing how diligently the staff works on their behalf, the suggested tips — totaling about $10 per adult passenger per day — often appear to be reasonable to most cruisers.
9. The 3,634-passenger ship, Independence of the Seas, not only provides extensive Internet access, it also offers rock-climbing, a water park, a surf park, ice skating, youth clubs, a full-size boxing ring and sports court, miniature golf, a fitness center, a casino, shopping — plus a multitude of other diversions for those who need extra study time to devote to online classes while family or friends literally dive into the fun onboard.
10. Retirees, homeschooling families and others may find deeper discounts in the fall and winter, as vacationers return to school and jobs. And most cruises that are more than 90 days off usually require only a modest down payment, with the balance due at a later date. Also, bargains extend to world cruises and, amazingly, an online student could travel the world by sea while earning an online degree.

Of course, it is important to ask questions during booking about cancellation policies, passport requirements, taxes, port fees, the minimum travel age for an infant, and what is covered or not covered in cruise fees.

Still, cruising is a wonderful opportunity for online degree students to enjoy a vacation and stay on track with online school, In fact, it may be the perfect way to enhance one’s career while making loved ones happy.

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Popularity: 12% [?]

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Things may get a little easier for some laid-off workers, thanks to Western Governors University.

Adults who lost their jobs within the past 12 months may be eligible for up to $7,500 per person in scholarship money to return to school and work toward an accredited online bachelor’s or master’s degree.

The WGU Economic Turnaround Scholarships are based upon financial need, academic record and other criteria; and students must hurry to apply for the scholarships before the application deadline of June 30th, 2009.

The scholarship winners will be required to enroll in a Western Governors University online degree program in one of four areas: business, information technology, education or health professions (including nursing).

Western Governors University continues to rise to the top of the class in offering high quality accredited online degrees — without charging an arm and a leg in tuition.

Bargain-hunting students should be flocking to this school in droves (just as quickly as they are racing to buy the new $99 iPhone), simply because WGU offers one of the best values available today for those seeking online bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

Founded by the governors of 19 U.S. states and supported by over 20 major corporations and foundations, this competency-based online school is a model of excellence in higher education. The heartfelt mission of Western Governors University is to not only serve the greater community of adult learners, but to also insure access to higher education for first-generation college students, minorities, low-income students and those who are geographically beyond the reach of a local college or university.

Money for school is generally available through WGU’s financial aid office, even before and after these generous scholarships have been distributed. Federal grants and students loans are usually available year round to eligible students.

The WGU scholarships should fully cover the reasonable tuition for up to two and a half terms, long enough to earn an accredited online degree and to continue on the path to a new job, new career and new hope for the future.

For more information about the WGU Economic Turnaround Scholarships, click here.

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Popularity: 9% [?]

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The seed has been planted for the best teachers to see their salaries rise into a six-figure income.

According to the New York Times article, “Next Test: Value of $125,000 Teachers” (6-4-09), one new charter school believes so much in the value of excellent teaching that it recruited and hired a staff of well-trained, top-notch teachers at salaries of $125,000 each a year.

If this becomes a trend, many more students will pursue traditional and online degrees in education, filling up available teaching slots with highly-qualified personnel.

The charter school, known as the Equity Project, offers its teachers about twice the average salary of other public school teachers in New York. But the payoff in excellence is expected to be huge for the low-income students who were selected by a lottery to learn from this select group.

Sure, these teachers will earn their pay with long hours, larger class sizes and high expectations from their employers, but many teachers face the same scenario with much less pay.

If President Obama has his way, the best teachers in the U.S. will be rewarded in the future with higher pay and additional incentives. But opposing voices, including those of the National Teachers Association, may delay this benefit as the details of his education proposals are ironed out and reconfigured.

Still, if the Equity Project is successful, it may encourage other forward-thinking charter and public school administrators to implement the changes that insure a better learning experience for students and a pleasant job environment for teachers.

And since the Equity Project is accomplishing its goals on available public monies, similarly funded schools may be hard-pressed to find reasons to ignore its tacit challenge.

Higher pay for teachers will drive more college students toward careers in education, placing teaching high on the totem pole of lucrative professions. This will raise the bar for teaching positions, insuring that each student receives the best possible education. Accredited online degree programs allow those from other professions to switch to the education field while working to pay bills.

It may be awhile before teachers receive $125,000 across the board; but hats off to the Equity Project for highlighting those who daily pour so much into our children.

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Popularity: 7% [?]

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Online degree students who are on the go will soon have another option for accessing the Internet.

A new device being released on May 17th will transform the space around its users into a personal Wi-Fi hot spot.

Those who are enrolled in online degree programs, online classes and online schools now have a new reason to love completing online college or university homework assignments conveniently on their computers.

The great search for a wireless Internet connection may soon be a moot point for those who ante up the $100 cost for the compact device (with subscription) or $270 (with no subscription, plus a fee each time it is used); because riding in a car, sitting in a park, or sunning on a beach will offer an efficient and effective connection to high-speed Internet.

The portable, battery-powered Novatel MiFi is considered to be a step above the current awkward cellular modems that plug into laptops on the go. Basically, with the new MiFi, a high speed Internet connection is available wherever Verizon has a cellular signal — and no plug-in is required. So if you can make phone calls from the back seat of a car, then you can also hop on the Internet with the MiFi.

According to PC Magazine, “Verizon Launches MiFi Hotspot Without Subscription” (5-7-09), the MiFi is a wireless router with a built-in cellular modem. It only has one button and is capable of providing an Internet connection simultaneously to a maximum of 5 computers within an approximate 30-foot range of the signal.

The New York Times article, “Wi-Fi to Go, No Cafe Needed” (5-6-09), anticipates that somewhere down the road, universal wireless will erase our memories of times past when wireless connections were expensive, limited and often undependable.

But until then, those who rely on the Internet for work, online degrees, or surfing the web can delight in the latest, greatest high-tech gadgets that make cyber-life just a little bit easier.

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Popularity: 7% [?]

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