Online Degrees — Why They're Perfect For Seniors

You Can Get An Online Degree From Home

Having a degree can open up many life and employment opportunities for graduates — not to mention increase your lifetime earning potential. In fact, a study by Georgetown University found that college graduates earn $1 million more in earnings over their lifetime than people without a college degree. Although life circumstances can get in the way of achieving your goals, it's never too late to start working toward your dreams. Whether you put your family above your career aspirations or jumped straight into the workforce, you may now be realizing the advantages of gaining a college degree.

Online degree programs are perfect if you're a senior or already have responsibilities to work your learning around. Taking classes online can provide the flexibility needed by seniors to pursue higher education. Also, distance learning is convenient for people with mobility issues because they don't have to leave their own home's comfort. In fact, distance learning can cater to many different students, including those with hearing difficulties and those who care for others at home. With online college programs, you don't need to worry about making a daily commute or finding affordable parking. Plus, many schools offer flexible class schedules that you can complete at your own pace.

If you have a computer and access to the internet, you have everything you need to pursue an online degree.

Prestigious School Online Course

Studying for an online degree means the world is your oyster — quite literally! With online education, you can attend college anywhere in the world, including top-ranked U.S. institutions like the University of Florida, Arizona State University, Penn State, and Texas Tech. Over 1,000 top accredited schools across the U.S. offer first-class education in hundreds of degree programs.

Whether you're interested in accounting, web development, or the healthcare field, there's something for everyone. Choose from an online-only school or a traditional college to find online degrees at all levels. It's possible to study for everything from associate's degrees, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs. In fact, more than two-thirds of public and private institutions now offer online courses — with almost 75% of the country's most elite schools offering online degree programs.

Online Degrees For Seniors

If you find the thought of going back to school intimidating, don't worry — many schools offer special services for mature students. In addition, the real-world experience that older students can bring to the classroom adds much-needed depth and perspective. Seniors often find their hands-on skills acquired from being in the workforce incredibly useful.

Pursuing a degree provides the opportunity to interact with like-minded people who share similar interests and also gives you the chance to foster new friendships. As the population grows, more and more seniors are making their dream a reality and returning to school — with some online schools reporting as up to 10% of their student population is over the age of 50.

Tuition Assistance (Grants & Scholarships)

Many seniors have to manage on a limited budget after they retire, but investing in your education always pays off. Online degrees offer the opportunity to further your career prospects while staying close to home. This makes them typically much cheaper than on-campus classes.

It's also useful to know that almost every state offers financial help to senior learners. Some schools even offer free courses or reduced tuition to seniors wishing to pursue higher education. If you're wondering what may be available to you, school financial-aid offices can help you navigate the student loan, grants, and scholarship process. Plus, federal tax credits are available for education, such as the American opportunity tax credit — which provides up to $2,500 annually per student and a lifetime learning credit worth up to $2,000 per year.

Health Benefits

Continued education has been proven to help maintain brain skills and cognitive function, such as reasoning and problem-solving. In addition, keeping your brain active can help to slow the progression of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. There are also lifelong psychological benefits to pursuing a meaningful goal. Not only does seeker higher education give you a purpose, but it can also increase your self-confidence and promote your overall happiness — it's a win-win situation!

Put simply; you're never too old to pursue a new goal in life — or achieve an old one. Whether you've always wanted to learn a second language and travel the world or take a computer course and help your grandkids with their school work, there's a course out there to fulfill your needs. Plus, with more and more degrees available online, it's never been easier. Your first step to achieving an online degree is just a click away. Start your search today for convenient and affordable online degree courses.