The for-profit University of Phoenix, for example, offers the whole range of government money, including Pell Grants, Stafford Student Loans and PLUS loans. Capella University, an online-only school based in Minneapolis, offers federal Stafford Student Loans as well as a loan program backed by the state of Minnesota. Despite being the first legitimately accredited online university, Jones International does not yet offer Stafford Student Loans. However, it does offer Career Training Loans from Sallie Mae, a government-sponsored enterprise. The regulations are incredibly haphazard.
Scholarships are also a confused picture.
Some companies offer to provide unique scholarship services, but Sallie Mae's Web site warns that many are frauds. If you're considering furthering your education, check it out . Students are worth money to schools, regardless of where the money comes from, so it's in the school's best interest to help you. You can even inquire about fellowships, though these are rare for strictly online students. But when your bottom line is at stake, it never hurts to ask.