Posted by Jonah Mytro on September 17th, 2008
More students than ever were expected to head to the nation’s colleges this fall — 18 million in all.
Early reports suggest that Michigan will reflect the same record-breaking enrollment overall.
And as schools began releasing preliminary enrollment numbers last week, nearly all reported both their freshman class and overall head count.
At Michigan Technological University, enrollment shot up by 4% to 7,014 students this year, boosted in part by a marketing campaign that celebrates MTU’s chilly, remote campus, which includes its own ski slope, said John Lehman, assistant vice president of enrollment services.
Rather than being almost apologetic for its location, the new message is, “We’re a 10-hour drive from Detroit, yes. But we’re a ton of fun,” he said.
That meant MTU hit its 2010 enrollment goal two years early, so much so that MTU rented space from a local Best Western last year to house several dozen students.
The enrollment increase is boosted, too, by a temporary population bulge made up of the children of baby boomers.
Once these larger classes graduate, class sizes are expected to return to typical levels. That means Lehman’s job — which for the past few years has been to grow the school’s student body — is to keep the numbers stable.
“We’re where we want to be,” he said.
Elsewhere, Michigan’s three largest universities — Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University — have not yet released enrollment numbers. But most of the state’s smaller schools are reporting significant increases.
Among the fastest-growing are U-M’s Flint campus, Ferris State University and Central Michigan University.
Still, all this record-breaking comes against the backdrop of another set of records — tuition boosts that exceed the inflation rate, the rising cost of room and board and hefty student loans.
But what’s a student to do? asked Brie White, a freshman at Oakland University, where enrollment is up by at least 23% since 1999.
White said she’ll have to take out college loans to make up the difference between the cost of school and her scholarships. And she’ll live at home to shave expenses.
Posted by Jonah Mytro on September 17th, 2008
Western Governors University has announced that it will offer the WGU Recognition for Military Sacrifice Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to help severely injured service members, their spouses, and the spouses of service members killed in action (KIA) to earn their
degree online to improve their education and their employability.
The WGU Recognition for
Military Sacrifice Scholarship is valued up to a maximum value of $2,000. The scholarship will be credited at the rate of $500 per six- month term, renewable up to 4 terms.
This new expansion of scholarships will allow applicants to earn a degree online in any discipline offered by WGU in its Colleges of Business, Education, Information Technology or Health Professions. These new scholarships are made available through funds from Western Governors University. Over the past 12 months, WGU has awarded over 170 scholarships to veterans, military, and military spouses.
WGU’s online degree programs are focused on adult learning through flexible, technology-based instruction. WGU’s competency-based education approach makes it possible for students to complete the requirements for their degree at a quicker pace and accelerate their program based on their prior experience, academic background and time commitment to study.
The WGU Recognition for Military Sacrifice Scholarship is a competitive program so applications should be submitted as soon as possible. To view eligibility requirements and to learn more about the WGU Recognition for Military Sacrifice Scholarship, please visit
www.wgu.edu/militarysacrifice.
About Western Governors University (WGU)
WGU is the only accredited online university in the U.S. offering competency-based degree programs. The private non-profit university has been a leader in online education for more than 10 years. WGU is the recipient of the USDLA 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning for 2008, awarded in recognition of WGU’s success in expanding access to higher education.
Posted by Jonah Mytro on September 16th, 2008
The following ranking list was generated by the Online Education Database and lists the top 41 online colleges for 2008.
Overall Rank College Average Rank
1 Upper Iowa University 10.813
2 LeTourneau University 11.960
3 Liberty University 12.540
4 Nova Southeastern University 13.323
5 California University of Pennsylvania 14.232
6 Grand Canyon University 14.709
7 Regent University 14.742
8 Champlain College 14.960
9 Westwood College 15.428
10 Tiffin University 16.700
11 Dickinson State University 17.111
12 Walden University 17.500
13 National University 17.758
14 Fisher College 19.887
15 Colorado Technical University 20.165
16 ITT Technical Institute 20.186
17 Kaplan University 20.418
18 Post University 20.467
19 Franklin University 20.547
20 Peirce College Online 20.765
21 Western International University 20.891
22 Florida Metropolitan University * 21.223
23 Bellevue University 21.335
24 Capella University 21.712
25 University of Phoenix 22.722
26 Berkeley College 23.268
27 Granite State College 23.929
28 City University 23.956
29 York Technical College 24.047
30 Salem International University 24.504
31 South University 25.342
32 American InterContinental University 25.382
33 Florida National College 25.553
34 Darton College 25.584
35 Grantham University 25.636
36 Everglades University 26.771
37 National American University 27.175
38 Jones International University 27.554
39 Western Governors University 28.087
40 Herzing College 28.305
41 Ellis College 30.962
Posted by Jonah Mytro on September 15th, 2008
It was announced recently that 8 of the top student loan organizations would adopt a code of conduct when qualifying and funding college students for student loans.
Seven direct-to-student lenders, Nelnet Inc., Campus Door Inc., GMAC Bank, NextStudent Inc., Xanthus Financial Services Inc., EduCap Inc. and Graduate Loan Associates are donating an estimated $1.4mm to help educate students and their families on loan practices helping to eliminate the bait-and-switch tactics, higher-interest private loans and marketed products that appear to be federal loans.
The new code of conduct bans practices including:
* Using logos that make mailings appear to be from the federal government.
* Paying students to get their friends to take out loans.
* Offering prizes such as iPods and gift cards to induce students to take out loans with a particular lender.
* Advertising interest rates that are not available to a majority of borrowers.
We hope that these codes of conduct will be adopted across the board at all student loan providers and help college students and their parents understand and make good student loan decisions.
Posted by glen on September 12th, 2008
Everyone knows that college is expensive. Commuting to college has traditionally been a way to decrease education-related costs. Given the rising gas prices, online education is becoming a viable alternative that allows students to save money while furthering their education.
Over the past few years, the amount of financial assistance provided by federal student aid has tripled for those attending online schools. In addition, Congress has created legislation that makes it easier for students of online education to receive federal loans.
Online education is quickly becoming the method of choice for those who do not have the time to attend a traditional campus based program. It is possible to complete your education or further career without putting your life on hold.
With the job market getting more competitive, the best way to differentiate yourself from others is an online degree. Many schools offer the same course content as campus programs for a much lower cost per credit-hour. For individuals without excess time and/or money, online education is the best way to get ahead without breaking the bank.
Posted by Jonah Mytro on September 4th, 2008
Looking for financial aid to earn your college degree online, all you need to do is apply for federal aid. For 2008, University of Phoenix ranked as the top college to receive federal student aid from the US Government. In addition to UOP, 9 other online colleges ranked in the top 100. The US Government is providing financial aid for people to go to school online and earn the degree they need to succeed. You can find out more information on these online colleges today and speak to an admissions representative about applying and enrolling for the upcoming term.
Top Online Colleges Accepting Federal Tuition Assistance
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX INC
STRAYER UNIVERSITY INC
DEVRY UNIVERSITY INC
AMERICAN INTERCONTINENTAL UNIV
CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY INC
ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INC
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
ARGOSY EDUCATION GROUP INC
STRAYER UNIVERSITY, INC
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY INC
