| If you are thinking about taking advantage of one of | | | | University that has accreditation form the U.S. |
| the many online degree programs offered by colleges | | | | Department on Education is the most sensible choice. |
| and Universities from around the United States, you | | | | The benefits for you, as a student, are numerous. For |
| are not alone. This trend in distance learning has | | | | example, transferring prior college credits from one |
| exploded in popularity, due to the convenience and | | | | accredited college or University to another is easier. |
| flexibility of the diverse types of programs offered. | | | | Accredited colleges and Universities have agreements |
| However, there is something you should keep in mind | | | | with one another to provide smooth transitions for |
| when considering which program to apply to and/or | | | | students. Another huge benefit of selecting a U.S. |
| attend. That is, make sure the program you select is | | | | Department of Education accredited college or |
| accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. This is | | | | University is that you will be able to apply for federally |
| important and beneficial to you for many | | | | funded financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and |
| reasons.Schools are granted accreditation by the U.S. | | | | scholarships. As a student of an online program, you |
| Department of Education for meeting or exceeding | | | | are entitled to financial aid. This obviously makes |
| certain criteria for excellence in quality of education. It is | | | | attending college more affordable, as well as an |
| no different if you choose an online program than if | | | | attainable goal.Yet another benefit of attending an |
| you were to go to a traditional college or University. | | | | online college or University accredited by the U.S. |
| This accreditation falls under two categories: | | | | Department of Education is the legitimacy of the |
| institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation | | | | degree that you earn. Holding a degree from an |
| pertains to the college or University as a whole, where | | | | accredited institution will be more recognized and |
| specialized accreditation pertains to the individuals | | | | accepted by potential employers when applying for |
| academic programs within the college or University. | | | | jobs. In addition, many professional organizations do not |
| Accreditation affects the funding that a college or | | | | acknowledge degree from colleges and Universities |
| University receives from the Department of Education. | | | | that are not accredited, the implication being that the |
| The Department of Education does not govern the | | | | academic standards at a non-accredited institution are |
| colleges and Universities that achieve accreditation. | | | | not held at as high a standard.There are so-called |
| Rather, it works with them to make sure they maintain | | | | online colleges and Universities that do not operate |
| their levels of excellence and assists them in certain | | | | within the limits of U. |
| ways to advance.Choosing an online college or | | | | |