By Online Learning Tips Staff

Probably the best way to find out what to expect from your class is to read the course syllabus. This document will contain everything you need, from your instructor’s contact information to explanations of your instructor’s grading philosophy. Download or print out the syllabus as soon as you access your class, keep it handy, and refer to it regularly. It will keep you on track with your assignments and on target with meeting your instructor’s expectations.

By Ryan Laspina
Senior Specialist, Red Flags and External Reviews at APUS

Working while you are in school may not be the right choice for everyone, but it is something every college student should strive for. It builds work ethic, is attractive to future employers, and gives you a sense of empowerment. Here are a few tips to help you stay on track while you attend school.

By Ryan Laspina
Senior Specialist, Red Flags and External Reviews at APUS

Whether you hear presidential candidates speaking on it, read it in the newspaper, or see it on the news, student loan debt seems to be an insurmountable problem with no solution and no positive consequences. While the total student loan debt in this country is absolutely absurd, that does not necessarily mean that student loan debt is completely negative.

By Dr. Randall Cuthbert
Associate Professor, Emergency & Disaster Management at American Public University

Taking courses from as wide a variety of instructors as possible brings the knowledge from each into your knowledge base. The wisdom becomes uniquely your own and is greater than the sum of the parts. That’s a successful use of instructor resources. Shop for your instructors like you shop for anything else. They all have bios out there. Learn what each has to offer, engage them frequently, and use them to your best advantage!

By J. Mason
Editor, Online Learning Tips

Sitting behind a computer screen gives you the power to do multiple things at once. You can pay your bills, chat with friends, read up on the latest news, and watch the latest Star Wars trailor. If you’re doing all of these things during your classwork time then it sounds like you have a lot of bad habits to overcome.

By Ryan Laspina
Senior Specialist, Red Flags and External Reviews at APUS

The primary source of funding for college expenses for most students is through the Federal Student Aid Title IV program. The Pell Grant, Federal Work Study (FWS), and subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Loans all fall under FSA. While these options are great (especially the Pell Grant which does not need to be paid back), there are other, lesser-known options available for college students who need financial assistance.

By Ryan Laspina
Senior Specialist, Red Flags and External Reviews at APUS

Any U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen that meets basic eligibility requirements is eligible for federal student aid. While meeting basic eligibility criteria is not hard, there are ways that students can lose their FSA eligibility.

By Anna Sommer
Team Manager, Academic Advising at American Public University

Pursuing a degree involves balancing the ultimate goal, degree completion, with all of the small goals that contribute to it. There are three areas that all students need to keep in mind when trying to manage this balance: time, funding, and resources.

By Ryan Laspina
Senior Specialist, Red Flags and External Reviews at APUS

Access to a college education should not be based on how much money you have, but the harsh reality is that college can be extremely expensive. This reality can place many low-income students in high debt. While a student who earns a large income (or comes from a wealthy family) may be able to pay for their college costs up front, most students are not so lucky. There are ways for students to cut college costs, and some of the tips below can help students incur less debt throughout their college career.