Online learning has grown significantly in popularity since COVID-19, making education more accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. Whether you've recently graduated high school or are managing a busy life with work and family, online degree programs offer a chance to gain new skills and explore career opportunities. These programs follow a similar setup to traditional classes, including assignments, deadlines, and interactive tools like virtual lectures and discussion boards. With the option to attend live sessions or learn at your own pace, online education provides a flexible and effective way to reach your goals. The possibilities are limitless—why not see where they can take you?
Learn more >>> How to get a Degree Through Distance Learning
How do I Attend Classes Online?
Synchronous Courses
In a synchronous course, classes are structured after a similar format as a traditional classroom with set beginning and ending dates, class times, and submission deadlines. Class members log on to class at a particular time to listen to lectures, discuss class concepts with the instructor and classmates, or complete projects in groups. With a more formal structure, you will need to carve out specific times in your schedule to ensure you can meet the requirements.
Asynchronous Courses
With specific deadlines and due dates to structure the course, asynchronous classes are more flexible for busy schedules. These courses are completed independently, possibly requiring you to check in with a professor or TA from time to time. With this type of flexibility, self-discipline and internal motivation are needed to complete the workload, but this format works well if you need to arrange your schooling around other obligations.
Hybrid Courses
These blended courses have both in-person and online components. If you are participating in a hybrid class, you may have some scheduled in-person meet-ups during the semester. This will be in conjunction with your regular online interactions and assignments.
No matter what course format you choose, know that each type has advantages depending on your needs. Consider your strengths and find which class format suits you best!
What is an Online Course Like?
Technology Proficiencies
If you are looking to take an online course, you should have a basic proficiency in the following:
- Basic computer skills
- Sending/receiving email (including attachments)
- Understanding how to use a web browser
- Be able to conduct searches using a search engine
- Know how to download and install software
- Be familiar with browser plug-ins such as PDF readers, video, audio
- Understand how to use word processing and presentation software
- Be experienced with the following formats: .pdf, .rtf,. doc or .docx, and .txt
- Be able to use document scanners or scanning apps to be able to convert handwritten works to a PDF
- Be willing to self-direct and learn new technologies to complete what is asked of you
Understanding how to access and navigate the various technology dashboards you’ll be involved with may require a bit of a learning curve, but with some perseverance and willingness to ask questions and seek out answers, you should be able to manage whatever you find along your path!
Best Private Student Loans for Graduate School
- Check your eligibility in just 2 minutes
- No fees for origination, disbursement, prepayment, or late payment3
- Skip a payment once per year (once repayment period restarted)4
This information is for graduate and undergraduate students attending participating degree-granting schools. Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents if the school is located outside of the United States. Non-U.S. citizen borrowers who reside in the U.S. are eligible with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident) and are required to provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID to verify identity. Applications are subject to a requested minimum loan amount of $1,000. Current credit and other eligibility criteria apply.
Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 3.72% APR to 16.74% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 5.24% APR to 17.10% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loan origination loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once per month. Although the rate will vary after you are approved, it will never exceed 36% (the maximum allowable for this loan). Please note, Earnest Private Student Loans are not available in Nevada. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and contain our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available while loan payments are deferred.
1You can take advantage of the Auto Pay interest rate reduction by setting up and maintaining active and automatic ACH withdrawal of your loan payment. The interest rate reduction for Auto Pay will be available only while your loan is enrolled in Auto Pay. Interest rate incentives for utilizing Auto Pay may not be combined with certain private student loan repayment programs that also offer an interest rate reduction. For multi-party loans, only one party may enroll in Auto Pay.
2Nine-month grace period is not available for borrowers who choose our Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school.
3Earnest does not charge fees for origination, late payments, or prepayments. Florida Stamp Tax: For Florida
residents, Florida documentary stamp tax is required by law, calculated as $0.35 for each $100 (or portion thereof) of the principal loan amount, the amount of which is provided in the Final Disclosure. Lender will add the stamp tax to the principal loan amount. The full amount will be paid directly to the Florida Department of Revenue. Certificate of Registration No. 78-8016373916-1.
4Earnest clients may skip one payment every 12 months. Your first request to skip a payment can be made once you’ve made at least 6 months of consecutive on-time payments, and your loan is in good standing. The interest accrued during the skipped month will result in an increase in your remaining minimum payment. The final payoff date on your loan will be extended by the length of the skipped payment periods. Please be aware that a skipped payment does count toward the forbearance limits. Please note that skipping a payment is not guaranteed and is at Earnest’s discretion. Your monthly payment and total loan cost may increase as a result of postponing your payment and extending your term.
The information provided on this page is updated as of 02/19/2025. Earnest reserves the right to change, pause, or terminate product offerings at any time without notice.
Earnest Private Student Loans are made by One American Bank, Member FDIC, or FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Finwise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107.
Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340, Oakland 94612. NMLS #1204917, with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770) One American Bank, FinWise Bank, and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America.
© 2025 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE ANY PAYMENT OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THIS OFFER.
- Get your rate in about 2 minutes4
- 4x more likely to be approved by applying with a qualified cosigner5
- No Application or Origination Fees
1Student Loan Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 4.99% - 15.60% (4.99% - 15.61% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 3.99% - 15.60% (3.99% - 15.61% APR).
2Automatic Payment Discount: Borrowers will be eligible to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction on their student loans owned by Citizens Bank, N.A. during such time as payments are required to be made and our loan servicer is authorized to automatically deduct payments each month from any bank account the borrower designates. Discount is not available when payments are not due, such as during forbearance. If our loan servicer is unable to successfully withdraw the automatic deductions from the designated account three or more times within any 12-month period, the borrower will no longer be eligible for this discount.
3Loyalty Discount: The borrower will be eligible for a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction on their loan if the borrower or their co-signer (if applicable) has a qualifying account in existence with us at the time the borrower and their co-signer (if applicable) have submitted a completed application authorizing us to review their credit request for the loan. The following are qualifying accounts: personal checking, personal savings, personal credit card or previous student loans owned by Citizens Bank, N.A. Please note, our checking and savings account options are only available in the following states: CT, DC, DE, FL, MA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, and VT and some products may have an associated cost. This discount will be reflected in the interest rate disclosed in the Loan Approval Disclosure that will be provided to the borrower once the loan is approved. Limit of one Loyalty Discount per loan and discount will not be applied to prior loans. The Loyalty Discount will remain in effect for the life of the loan.
4Get My Rate: Selecting “Get My Rate” only requires a "soft credit pull" which does not affect your credit score. Submitting a full application will result in an inquiry on your credit report.
5Citizens Undergraduate Booked Loans from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024 were 4 times more likely to be approved with a qualified cosigner.
6Multi-Year Approval: Funds available for future use are subject to a soft credit inquiry at time of your next request to verify continued eligibility. After we make the initial Loan to you, you must continue to meet eligibility criteria to obtain additional funds under the Multi-Year Approval feature. Terms and conditions are outlined in the promissory note. Multi-Year Approval borrowers have a 99% approval rate on future requests for additional funds. The additional funds approval rate is based on the percentage of approved Multi-Year borrowers from Citizens between October 1, 2023 and October 1, 2024. The approval rate represents only borrowers who had previously accepted the Multi-Year Approval offer. Please Note: International students are not eligible for Multi-Year Approval.
Information advertised valid as of 05/01/25. Rates and offer subject to change. All accounts, loans and services subject to individual approval.
© 2025 Citizens Financial Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Citizens is a brand name of Citizens Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
- Competitive APRs starting at 3.47%1
- Coverage up to 100% of your school-certified cost of attendance ($1,000 minimum) 2
- Apply online in 3 minutes and get an instant credit decision
College Ave's student loan products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
1All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
2As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
3This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 03/03/2025. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
- AFFORDABLE fixed rates starting at 3.44% APR with Automatic Debit Discount*
- 1% CASH BACK Graduation Reward*
- COVER UP TO 100% of your tuition and eligible living expenses.
* Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent's Terms and Conditions please visit: AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 5/1/2025 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% for credit-based college student loans and 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. The Full P&I (Immediate) Repayment option is only available for college loans (except for outcomes-based loans) originated on or after June 3, 2024. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school, and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. The AscentUP platform is only available to eligible Ascent borrowers and subject to terms and conditions.
The minimum amount is $2,001 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.
- Prequalification: Prequalify to estimate your rate without affecting your credit score
- Online Application Process: Submit online application in minutes
- Flexible Repayment Options: ELFI offers immediate, interest only, partial payment, and fully deferred repayment options
- No Fees: No application fees, origination fees, or prepayment penalties
- Low Rates: Fixed rates from 3.69% to 14.22% and variable rates from 5.00% - 13.97%*
- Award winning Customer Service: Individually paired Student Loan Advisor to guide you through the application process
*ELFI is a nationwide student loan provider offered by Tennessee based SouthEast Bank. ELFI is designed to assist students financially with receiving their education. Subject to credit approval. See Terms & Conditions. Interest rates current as of 01-01-2025. Variable interest rates may increase after closing but will never exceed 18.00%. Interest rates may also differ from the rates shown above. The term of your loan, financial history, and other factors, including your cosigner’s (if any) financial history can affect the interest rate. For example, a 10-year loan with a fixed rate of 7% would have 120 payments of $11.61 per $1,000 borrowed. Rates are subject to change.
Technology Requirements
Most schools will require that you be prepared with the following requirements as a minimum and may have other specifications as well. Your college or university may also rent out different equipment for a semester or year, so check with the tech department for rental options and costs.
A solid internet connection—your institution may have specific upload and download speeds they ask that you have
A reliable computer—though you don’t need the newest and fastest computer to attend an online college, it is a good idea to have a computer no older than five years to handle the bandwidth you’re going to be using
Necessary software—different schools or courses may prefer certain internet browsers and certain file storage products (such as Google Drive or OneDrive) to open and submit assignments
A web cam and reliable microphone or headset—many courses will have you communicating through video on a web cam as well as audibly using a microphone with your professors and peers, and you may also be asked to record yourself for different assignments or projects and send those videos to your instructor.
Typical Assignments for an Online Course
When it comes to the online classroom, there are many similarities to the traditional class. Most colleges use a Learning Management System (LMS) such as Blackboard or Canvas, to house their online classrooms. Each instructor has the ability to post and structure their class as needed within the LMS. When you first log in, you will usually be greeted by your personal dashboard with your classes listed. You can click on each virtual classroom and can access announcements, modules, assignments, and grades, along with other sections that have been enabled for your course.
Some of the most common kinds of assignments you will find are:
Discussion Boards allow you and your peers to make comments about what you are learning as well as respond to one another
Assignments will include instructions on how to complete the assignment, any links you may need to explore, papers you should read, or video lectures you should watch, along with how much the assignment is worth and the due date
Group Projects allow you and other class members to collaborate over specifically created assignments or study groups
Tests/Quizzes give instructions on what is required, a due date and time limit (if set), and may give you the option to retake the test or quiz
Grades will show you all your assignments and the scores assigned in one place along with your overall score for the course
While virtual classrooms can initially seem daunting, they are usually very user-friendly; it just takes some time to become familiar with the interface. Ask for help from your peers as they too have learned to navigate their way through online learning.
Traditional School vs. Online Learning
Online learning allows you the flexibility to learn from anywhere you can get an internet connection. No longer do you have to relocate if you want to study a particular topic that is only offered at a handful of schools. While you may study wherever, online learning also gives you the option to study whenever. An online education gives you the ability to receive an education while you continue in your busy daily life, no matter if it is working, or taking care of the older or younger generation in your life.
Remember to take into consideration synchronous classes that require you to be online at a particular time of day as you plan out your schedule. Online coursework can allow you to move through the material at your own pace, which can be quicker than if you were working through a paced course. This may allow you to complete courses more quickly
What’s the Amount of Time Needed to be an Online Student?
Time management is important in balancing the time needed for your courses, time to study, work, family, and whatever other obligations you may have. When it comes to online classes, much of the learning and studying falls to you. Some online schools are based on a semester schedule which is about 15-weeks and other courses can be on an accelerated pace of 5-8 weeks.
There is a general rule of thumb of what kind of time commitment you can expect—
For difficult subjects, plan to study 4 hours a week for every credit hour. If you are taking a 3-credit course that is difficult for you, you can expect to spend 12 hours a week on it.
For easy subjects, it’s expected you will study 2-3 hours every week for every credit hour. If you are taking a 2-credit course, you should set aside 4-6 hours a week to devote to class.
Not only will you need the necessary time to attend each class, but you will also need time to study and complete assignments.
