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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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: 8% [?]

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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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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: 8% [?]

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Attending school in a wheel chair, with a walker or on crutches works well for some students; but others experience exhaustion and frustration

Even with handicapped access and special parking, the process can be difficult and often leaves these students with little energy to complete homework assignments that may be due the next day.

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 21.2 million people had a disability involving a physical limitation, “such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, (or) carrying”. Another 9.3 million lived with a sight or hearing disability.

Although traditional universities generally encourage physically challenged students to apply and take advantage of special services on campuses, many students with physical limitations simply prefer the ease and convenience of online degree programs.

At one time, distance learning was limited to a few certificate or degree programs and involved a lengthy process of mail correspondence. This affected the quality of communication with instructors.

But now, with tens of thousands of online classes, online degrees, online certificates, and online schools, physically challenged students can avoid negotiating the maze of a college campus while earning a marketable, accredited online college degree in an area of interest.

Thankfully, a number of online degree programs suit individuals who are seeking jobs that will conserve their energy and avoid an overload of physical activity. And with many rising professions involving more of the mind and less of the body, it is a win-win situation for all.

A number of energy-friendly career areas are available through online degrees, including:

• paralegal and law
• computer science
• engineering
• software and games design
• business management
• health administration
• accounting
• graphic design

Employers’ growing awareness and sensitivity toward those who have physical limitations promotes a bright future for those who are willing to study and earn the necessary qualification to snag a job that offers independence and satisfaction.

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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: 8% [?]

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Thousands of students in California are experiencing the disappointment of being shut out of community college classes due to steep budget cuts and record enrollments.

High school grads and unemployed workers are flocking to inexpensive 2-year colleges at a time when California state schools are struggling to meet higher demand with skimpier resources.

For example, according to a recent article in the San Jose Mercury, one-third of DeAnza College’s 24,000 students were unable to register for the classes they needed in order to graduate or transfer to 4-year colleges and universities.

But there is another option for those students to consider: online schools.

Students may be surprised to learn that thousands of accredited online schools offer tens of thousands of online degrees and classes — including the foundational courses needed to transfer to traditional institutions of higher learning.

So rather than suffer the stresses of junior college budget woes, community college shut-outs may want to do themselves a favor and invest in online schools that offer what they need.

In addition, tuition bargains do exist among e-learning schools; and students will likely find a price tag that meets their budget requirements, especially if the cost is absorbed by generous financial aid. It is important that potential e-learning students contact several online schools and gather the information that is necessary to make an informed decision about enrollment.

Potential students should also contact any university or college to which they may transfer, confirming that the online school’s classes are transferable to that specific school.

Frustrated students do not have to live with the ups and downs of public college cutbacks — including limited class choices and extended graduation timelines.

They can choose to be proactive and use reputable online schools to fill their educational needs.

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As you peruse the travel websites, the decisions begin.

Will it be a trip to the seaside, or perhaps the mountains this summer? Maybe the ads for rock-bottom tours to Europe and better money exchange rates are enticing. Or for budget-conscious fun-seekers, local trips and camping may fit the bill for a cheap summer trip once the kids are out of school.

But whatever your plans, the summer is a perfect time to upgrade job skills, learn skills for a new job, and move your career up a notch by enrolling in online classes.

With wireless Internet (WiFi) available all over the globe, there is no need to squash summer fun or family outings by remaining at home to attend classes. You can take your classes "to go" with accredited online schools , online degrees and online certificate programs .

Imagine sitting in the RV park under the awning with the family after a day of hiking, fishing and boating. The kids are playing with new-found buddies, or riding bikes within sight, while you complete homework assignments on your computer using the RV’s wireless network.

Or maybe your plans involve one of the heavily discounted bargain cruises that are so prevalent nowadays. Picture yourself sitting in a lounge chair on the promenade deck, breathing in the sea air as sunset approaches, and jotting down thoughts for a paper you will complete later for at the on-board Internet cafe.

A long flight overseas, perhaps on a cheap package deal or through discount airfares to Dublin or Barcelona, might also double as study time for those who are on Delta Airlines. Each day, Delta adds in-flight WiFi to more of its fleet so that passengers may now use the Internet above 10,000 feet. And the fees are reasonable, similar to those charged by hotels.

But whatever fun you choose for your summer trip, e-learning could be a part of it. If you have lost a job and are contemplating a new career, taking time out to get away — whether by auto, boat or plane — can be therapeutic and help prepare you for new employment.

Online schools and your local community college offer a variety of online classes from which to choose.

So take a deep, long breath and peruse the exciting ways to spend your summer vacation. And don’t forget that distance learning can take place almost anywhere you travel.

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Popularity: 6% [?]

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As major newspapers fall out of business, signs of change are also evident in higher learning.

The signs reveal a neon pathway that is clearly visible to innovators and trendsetters, but surprisingly invisible to business-as-usual types.

These education trend indicators inspire tough sermons delivered by education forecasters — warning that traditional colleges and universities are slowly losing ground. And unless higher education administrators embrace rapidly changing technology that daily informs, connects and influences today’s children, these future college students will shun on-campus schools and stampede toward high-tech online schools.

Newspapers were warned in much the same way, soon after the public began receiving its breaking news on the Internet, rather than in paper form — and often hours before it hit the printing presses. But only now are the major newspapers tumbling out of circulation — after years of warnings. So perhaps traditional schools have sufficient time to act.

Administrative visionaries must integrate online classes and online degree programs into their education foundations, or risk going the way of the dinosaurs — into extinction.

In past blog articles, we stressed this message in:

• “No Daydreaming in Class for Future Students“
• “Ten E-learning Trends to Watch for Your Future“
• “New Micro Lectures Trim the Fat, Keep the Meat“
• “College Budget Crisis May Lead to Distance Learning Solution“
• “Online Degrees: Have You Been Left Behind?“

And now, the Chronicle of Higher Education also warns traditional colleges and universities that they may be in trouble.

An article by Kevin Carey, “What Colleges Should Learn From Newspapers’ Decline” (April, 3, 2009), chronicles the chain of events that could determine the fate of many public, and some private, honorable institutions of higher learning.

Hopefully, colleges and universities will heed the warnings, rather than ignore them like the newspapers did.

Our local newspaper lost weight over the past couple of years, shedding reporters, departments and pages. Now it hits the driveway — or the ditch — as a mere shadow of its former self. Soon, it will reach its unplanned resting place of intangibility on the web, a fleeting flicker of information traveling unceremoniously along telecommunication pathways.

And just as a newspaper era will soon be gone, so might ‘Taps’ be chosen among the repertoire for a slew of hallowed halls of education — unless the powers that be finally set their antennae on the neon path to a brighter, higher education future.

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Popularity: 7% [?]

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According to news articles this week, it may take more than just the ‘right stuff’ for students to get into college, and then out again in 4 years.

Even before the threat of massive AT&T layoffs, and while the recession was still being discussed in hushed tones, the possibility of a college education was already in doubt for many who could not afford the cost of rapidly rising tuition.

But in a new twist, the Wall Street Journal reports that public colleges and universities are now themselves feeling the pinch of less state funding along with other disappearing revenues. Affected schools may be forced to limit freshman enrollment and cut back on the number of classes offered. This may extend the time that it takes for students to graduate.

Yet officials are actively seeking solutions to budget problems that have already impacted public institutions in Florida, California and other states.

One of the solutions put forth for struggling schools is an expansion of distance learning programs, which may enable schools to accommodate more students while spending less money. Online degree programs and online courses have been popular for some time now

According to a study of 2,500 colleges and universities, over 20% of all U.S. college students were taking at least one online class in the fall of 2007. The report by the Sloan Consortium, entitled “Staying the Course: Online Education in the United States, 2008″, also stated that “public institutions continue to be the most likely to believe that online education is critical to their long-term strategy.”

E-learning is also a beneficial for students, who save gas and time by taking online classes. 

As higher education officials sort out the pros and cons of how to remain afloat while serving the student population, it probable that students will also seek their own solutions –including taking advantage of low-cost junior colleges, inexpensive online schools and employer-paid education.

And hopefully students will also remember that “where there is a will, there is a way”. 

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Popularity: 10% [?]

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