Would you rather work toward paying for your online education with scholarships rather than with loans? Scholarships, unlike grants, might demand that a recipient meet certain criteria before and after the scholarship is provided. With that said, you might find that the requirements are minimal and the fact that scholarships do not need to be repaid may sweeten your graduation experience.

The search for scholarships and the effort you put into the applications are similar to any other money-finding mission for college. However, scholarships may ask about your GPA (grade point average), your extracurricular activities, your financial status and even about your grandfather’s war record. These applications will vary depending upon the resource, so you need to be sure you are eligible for any funds offered. If you are not a descendant of a Civil War soldier, then you cannot apply for scholarships geared toward those individuals, for instance.

But, federal and state governments provide scholarships as well as colleges, public and private organizations and groups. You may find corporate scholarships geared toward educating more individuals in a particular field, such as science and health care. Like grants for service programs, these corporate scholarships might stipulate that you work for that corporation for a certain time period after graduation. In most scholarship cases, you usually meet a demand for stellar grades or for proven financial need.

Organizations also offer scholarships and grants. For instance, if you or your parents served in the military or on a police force, you may be eligible for various scholarships. If you or your parents belong to a fraternal organization or to a specific religion, you may find college money there as well. Other resources include incentives for disabled individuals, ethnic groups, minorities and for women and nontraditional students. The resources seem endless, and it takes time to discover them all – but it can be worth the effort if those funds help you reach your goals.

You can search for scholarships online for free at sites like Students.gov. Search online, also at college financial Web sites, at school financial aid department pages and through associations that are affiliated with your career or your college goals. You may learn that your local newspaper carries information about scholarships or you can look at corporate Web sites to learn more about funds they offer to send future employees off to school.

The search and application process may seem endless and futile at times, as your rejections may outnumber your successes. But, with each new scholarhip you obtain, the less money you’ll owe when you graduate. A debt-free environment would be the ideal way to begin a new career and a new salary!

If your time is restricted by a career, family, or other responsibilities, you still can advance in your goals with an online education. An online education can offer options that are flexible and cost-friendly, while still fitting the need for today's highly demanding educational requirements in any field. Below you'll find a list of some of the top online universities offering well-regarded, accredited degree programs.

	University of Phoenix — Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate Degrees. University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited universities to offer degree programs online. You can trust an education with an institution that has more than a decade of experience in Web-based educational delivery.
	Kaplan University — Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degrees. Kaplan also offers continuing education, so working professionals can earn professional certificates to advance a career from a highly respected faculty.
	Ashford University — Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degrees. If you want to obtain or complete a degree online, Ashford University is an ideal choice for working adults. This online college is dedicated to providing quality learning opportunities for all students, with programs that are affordable, accessible, flexible and innovative.
	Capella University — Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate Degrees. Working adult professionals enjoy the flexibility and affordability of Capella University's easy-to-use online degree programs. Programs offered include business, education, healthcare, criminal justice, and more.
	Grand Canyon University — Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. Another Christian university, Grand Canyon was recently rated the #1 online university in the United States by OEDb. Degrees are offered in arts, business, IT, education, healthcare, criminal justice, and more.
	Liberty University — Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degrees. Liberty University was founded in 1971 by Rev. Jerry Falwell and today is the fastest-growing evangelical Christian university in the United States.
	Walden University — Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate Degrees. A member of the Laureate International Universities Network, Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Walden's mission is to educate career professionals through online learning to effect positive social change.
	Westwood College — Associate's and Bachelor's Degrees. Well known for their top-notch criminal justice and computer/IT programs, Westwood College was founded in 1953 and has a total enrollment of more than 15,000 students spread across its 17 campuses and online programs.
	DeVry University — Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degrees. DeVry has a history of its students performing well in the job market upon graduation. Since 1975, nearly a quarter of a million students have graduated from DeVry and between 2003 and 2008, 96 of the Fortune 100 companies employed DeVry graduates.
	Boston University — Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate Degrees. Originally established in 1839 and chartered in 1869, Boston University is one of the leading private research institutions in the United States. BU boasts two primary campuses in the city of Boston, study-abroad programs around the world, and an online education program for distance learners.
	Everest University — Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degrees. Everest University Online allows you to earn a degree in a subject integral to your career objectives. You can continue to manage your career, family and home life while meeting your educational goals.
	Strayer University — Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degrees. Active military personnel, veterans, and their family members may find that Strayer is the ideal online learning institute of them, as it is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC).
	American InterContinental University — Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degrees. If you're looking to earn an online degree to improve your career, AIU Online can help prepare you for the journey. No matter whether you are a student just beginning to think about the future or you are a professional interested in advancing your career, you can seek a flexible solution to your educational needs at AIU Online.
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