What about a virtual education?

There is nothing virtual about the B.A. you can get online. Virtual colleges and distance learning programs are relatively new and a viable option in today's world of technological advances.

Excelsior College Examinations (http://www.excelsior.edu), the oldest correspondence school in the world and America's first virtual college, is a great place to earn a B.A. for about $2,000 without leaving the comfort of your home! With billions of dollars being poured into online learning, millions of students will have degrees from virtual colleges. Although virtual colleges will not replace their brick and mortar counterparts, they are a very attractive option for working adults and students that don't think an on-campus college experience is essential.

Financial Aid can be found, if you look for it:

There are two general categories of aid, outright gifts and inexpensive loans. Sources for these come from federal and state governments, private industry and fraternal and religious organizations. Because this is such a huge subject, it pays (literally) to read several books, and delve into researching on the web. The books and web sites listed below are a great place to start:

"Don't Miss Out: The Ambitious Student's Guide to Financial Aid," by Robert and Anna Lieder. (25th Edition) Today, nearly everyone is eligible for some sort of assistance when it comes to paying for college. With clear prose and irreverent humor, "Don't Miss Out" explores grants, loans, scholarships, and tax credits.

"Bear's Guide to Finding Money for College," by John and Mariah Bear. Did you know that are organizations that exist to solely give money away for college? Want their phone number? John Bear has it for you, as well as hundreds of other resources and suggestions for making your child's college dream come true.

"Financial Aid" [ http://www.finaid.org ] was established in the fall of 1994 as a public service. This award-winning site has grown into the most comprehensive annotated collection of information about student financial aid on the web. This is the best place to start your search on financial aid.

"Salliemae.com" For more than a quarter-century, Sallie Mae has been helping students achieve their dreams of higher education by providing funds for educational loans, primarily federally guaranteed student loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).

Books about college and "un-college":

"And What About College?: How Homeschooling Can Lead to Admissions to the Best Colleges & Universities," by Cafi Cohen. Cafi Cohen, Homeschool.com's Teen and College advisor, answers the questions parents new to homeschooling would ask about college and discusses some of the advantages homeschoolers have over conventionally-schooled peers. Loaded with resources and advice.

"The Average Family's Guide to Financial Freedom," by Bill & Mary Toohney. Whether you consider your family to be average or not, Money Magazine's "Best Personal Finance Mangers in America," Bill & Mary Toohney, share how they were able to provide their daughter with a complete college education for $7,000-including food and lodging! A smart, engaging, "real-life" book about how any family can become financially fit.

"Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees Nontraditionally (13th Edition)," by Mariah P. Bear, John Bear Ph.D. A must read for anyone interested in distance education. John Bear has once again (this is the 13th edition) written an essential reference on alternative education. Virtual colleges, foreign medical schools, degrees from Duke, Stanford and more are listed in this book! Read this before making any college plans!

"The Uncollege Alternative: Your Guide to Incredible Careers and Amazing Adventures Outside of College," by Danielle Wood. Not sure college is the right path for your children? Join the Uncollege revolution and learn that you can create a profitable, exciting, creative, and amazingly successful future without a college degree.

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