[mtdk454]

Just wondering if any of you ladies do online classes? I'm looking to go back to school, but figure this is the only way I will be able to now. Also it's still really expensive too right? anyone have an experience to share?

[MommaTrish]

i don't take them because to take online classes through my school is really expensive, and generally not covered on scholarships only grants.

[mtdk454]

hmm well, I don't think I'll have any scholarships. Just starting from scratch. I don't even know If I'll qualify for finacial aid or anything. Can you tell this process is totally new to me! lol

[MommaTrish]

when you fill out your FAFSA it should tell you if you qualify for any help or not. i also don't take them because they tend to be scheduled for chat or meeting at a specific time, and i know if i'm online or at home i'll forget to get on then.

[mtdk454]

hmm, I'll have to do the fafsa. I'm thinking being home is just easier for me as I have no one to watch the other kids If I had to go to a school and sit in classes. What are you going for?

[MommaTrish]

early childhood education (teaching birth-3rd) i'd love to do the online classes actually, and might have to break down and do it next semester since i am due at exam time.

[maryslittlelambs]

I've been taking classes through University of Phoenix for 3 years now. I get some Pell Grant and the rest is financial aid. I like UOP because you take one class at a, the classes are 5 weeks long, no exams and are really easy to get the hang of. I take a week break in between classes, but have taken as long as a month before when I needed to. They really work with you in regards to that.
I've taken 28 classes so far and haven't paid anything out of pocket, BUT I do have student loans. They are expensive, but when compared to having to get daycare, go to class, sit in a class, the stress of exams, etc. it is TOTALLY worth it to me.

The downside...I usually have 2-3 papers per class and then there are learning team assignments (a group of 3-5 people who work online on one assignment). UOP really breaks you into it gently. You first take classes on how to research and write papers, etc. They all count as electives at first. I even got A's in Algebra and Statistics and I am REALLY not good in math at all, but the way it's set up really is the only way I could learn it.

The way it works for me is there usually 2 or 3 discussion questions per week you have to respond to, and then there is participation, which is usually an additional 2 posts 4 days a week. In all honesty I've rarely read the assigned readings. All the books are online, so I'll reference them when writing the papers, but as far as reading chapters x,y & z each week I usually can get what I need to for the assignments by skimming over it, plus instructors usually post weekly outlines which sums everything up nicely.
I was really scared to go back to school. High school was a NIGHTMARE!, but I have a 3.98 right now (okay, A -'s in Algebra, but still!)

UOP assigns you an academic counselor and a finance advisor to work with you. They've always been great about figuring things out and stuff. They let you take classes until you get your financial aid in, which is not like a traditional college at all.

It hasn't always been easy, but I'm glad I'm doing it. They have really good elementary ed classes from what I've heard. I'm going for my bachelor's in Psychology, and should graduate early 2010.

[Ashmama]

I'm working on my Master's in Education in Special Education online with Grand Canyon University now. I absolutely love it. My classes are 8 weeks long and my financial aid covers everything. My teachers usually give us a variety of ways to get our assignments for the week done so we won't be restricted to writing papers every week. I am due to finish in January 2010.

[LJD3Tdance]

Sorry, I've been a student for like my entire life here...(right out of high school into college, and besides one year I've been here ever since) but I always go to BSU for my classes.

[mtdk454]

Thanks girls, looks like I've got lots to learn about going back to school!!

[MommaTrish]

i might look into University of Pheonix I have to figure out something to do for next semester.

[Gina01]

Hey! I was lurking from March DDC when I saw your post. I have been going to University of Phoenix online (associates degree program-they call it Axia College of UOP) since June. My classes are two at a time and they last 9 weeks. So far it has been really easy to keep up with the work. They give you an outline or syllabus that has what each assignment is and when it is due. Like the other person said about reading, I rarely read my chapters for the week either. The cost is up there, mine is about 8500 a year (8 classes). I was able to get 1000 in the form of a pell grant, but the rest is a student loan through sallie mae. I won't have to start paying that back until 6 months after I am finished with school. One week you will have two assignments, then the next you will have one small assignment and discussion/participation questions. You do not have to meet up at scheduled times, but assignments must be turned in by their due date. Of course you can always turn them in early, except for the discussion questions. I do know that the Bachelors and Masters program will cost more and has different time frames and I've decided I will just cross that bridge when I get there and decide what to do then. I should be done with my associates degree in September 2009, but I also went in with 16 credits already. I actually had more like 26 credits, but some they wouldn't accept as transfers because they pertained to nursing and not business, which is what I changed over to.
If you have any questions about it, just let me know

Regina