Nearly all of the 340 DE courses are available by correspondence through the U.S. mail. More courses are being offered on the Internet, where students submit assignments and interact with an instructor and other students on-line. Many other courses include audio tapes, videotapes, and computer disks. There is no admission requirement to register for DE courses. Most courses are self-paced and allow up to nine months to complete the coursework.
Most courses allow year-round registration.
Students may register on line, by fax, mail, or in person. DE courses can also satisfy residency requirements, with approval from colleges. Projects are interdisciplinary or are completed in departments that do not offer an appropriate independent study course. Scholarships University College Student Support Services administers the Tuition Assistance Grant Program and several scholarship programs for UC students, helps UC students to explore financial aid options and obtain aid, and collaborates with the University's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to provide aid for students enrolled in Distance Education correspondence courses. UC grant and scholarship programs are designed for students who reside in Minnesota, who have had to delay or interrupt their education, and have financial need but are unserved or underserved by other grant, scholarship, or tuition reimbursement programs.