Need some inspiration? Here are some well-known or famous people who have earned college degrees via distance learning:

Shaquille O'Neal, NBA player
Master of Business Administration, University of Phoenix, 2006

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California
Bachelor's degree in international marketing and business administration, University of Wisconsin-Superior, 1979

Sasha Cohen, figure skater
studying Nutrition online, Penn State University

Hillary Duff, singer and actress
taking online courses in environmental science, government, and sociology through Harvard Extension School

Jennifer Love Hewitt, actress
completed high school via correspondence classes, Laurel Springs High School, 1997

Adam Graves, NHL hockey player
Associate's degree in Arts, Letters, and Sciences, Penn State University, 1997

Jamie Moyer, MLB pitcher
Bachelor of General Studies, Indiana University-South Bend, 1996

Al Leiter, MLB pitcher
Associate's degree in Arts, Letters, and Sciences, Penn State University, 1997

Feel free to add more!

No list of famous distance learners is complete without Nelson Mandela, who earned his law degree from the University of South Africa in 1989 while imprisoned on Robben Island.

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

According to the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)'s FAQ:

"Since 1890, more than 130 million Americans have studied at DETC member institutions, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Walter P. Chrysler, Walter Cronkite, Barry Goldwater, Charles Schulz, and many other distinguished alumni of DETC members."

Woweee! Remember that "Free Art Test" where you try to sketch a little copy of some drawing, like the profile of a pirate or a deer that looks suspiciously like Bambi? (My favorite was the little turtle.) I wonder if that's the route that Charles Schulz took!

Abraham Lincoln, lawyer and president, did his legal studies by apprenticeship, which is how it was done then, though it is considered nontraditional nowadays. Studying law by apprenticeship, also known as reading the law, is still an option in the following eight states: Alaska, California, Maine, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming, according to Bears' Guide.

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Theodore L. Heiks, BA, History/Political Science, Western State College of Colorado, 1984; MBA, Entrepfreneurship, City University Washington, 1992; MBA, Marketing, City University Washington, 1993

Hello! I am all for Distance Learning as my husband said that he will not help me with funding, he said that I was to old to study and I will be wasting my time and this is something I really need and want right now I am not working and that is good as he wants so I can depend on him for funds, thats the hard part cause he is against me getting in to School but, he doesn't know anything about computers I thought to my self, so how would he know? I am so afraid of not having the funds I need to get started.

any advice out there?  getting a job I know but still help with funding. How do I get financial aide? or can I get financial aide.

From what I know Finanical Aid is allowed for online learners as well. You would probably need to talk to an advisor at hte college whom you are planning on attending.

I am sure some one will post some more information for you. Good Luck

Hmph! That's not very supportive! I'm sorry that he thinks you're "too old"! Perhaps he feels a little threatened by your wanting to learn some new skills and improve yourself?

Well, I say, "Good for you, and you go girl!" Financial aid is available in a variety of forms - from the federal government, from the state government, from the school itself - and depends on the kind of school you attend, the type of degree you are seeking, whether you go full or part time, the state you live in, etc.

Start out by reading this: http://www.elearners.com/guide-to-online-education/online-education-and-financial-aid.asp ... and then be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. To obtain any kind of federal or state financial aid funding, you must complete FAFSA, at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/, each and every year.

What happens next is that your expected family contribution (EFC) is calculated. The EFC is the amount of money that Uncle Sam determines that you can contribute toward the cost of your education. The difference between a school's Cost of Attendance (COA) and the EFC is your gross financial need. This is the amount of financial aid - in the forms of loans, grants, scholarships, etc. that a student may receive. The kinds of aid you can get will vary according to the financial aid package that a school offers.

What kind of degree are you interested in? Associate's? Bachelor's? Is this your first degree? Where do you live?

Hope this helps! 

Hello! I'm Jan

And Thank You for responding; I am interested in Real Estate ( home inspections)

and I would like to take a course in Business Management to obtain an Associate's in both if that is possible but mainly Real Estate.

I live in Texas, and I will check out the sites and I really do appreciate that information.

Thanks Again!

Thank You if this was intended for me, I really do appreciate that.

and you are right, someone did respond to my post and was very very helpful and again I say

Thanks!

Jan:

Hello! I'm Jan

And Thank You for responding; I am interested in Real Estate ( home inspections)

and I would like to take a course in Business Management to obtain an Associate's in both if that is possible but mainly Real Estate.

I live in Texas, and I will check out the sites and I really do appreciate that information.

Thanks Again!

Jan,

FYI: "Average Costs for Texas Colleges" - http://www.collegefortexans.com/paying/collegecostsfull.cfm

Be sure to explore the CollegeForTexans website - it's very useful - http://www.collegefortexans.com/default2.cfm 

Jan, you are NEVER too old to study, and you're NOT too old for financial aid.  If you aren't working, you can even dedicate yourself full-time and complete your program more quickly (which can sometimes be cheaper)! 

My heart goes out to you, and I wish you the best luck. I think you stand to gain a lot by going back to school...if only to prove to yourself that you can! 

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Capt. Kangaroo
- fifty years, no promotions. *sigh*