Before Enrolling in Online Schools

Consumers Digest suggests that students first obtaining the schools formal transfer credit policy in writing before enrolling in online schools(at any for profit school) .  "If consumers are considering a degree in a career field that requires recognition by a professional organization, they should consult the body that grants licenses to do business to ensure that the online school's accreditation is recognized," it suggests.

"Consumers should also find out the official drop date of an online university -- usually buried in student-manual small print -- and closely examine all financial documents, in an effort to ensure that there are no disbursements of funds after withdrawal from classes. In some cases, schools continued to tap student loans even after students stopped taking classes. Clearly, as the deeply troubled banking industry has recently proven, providing billions of dollars in loans to unqualified borrowers has very serious economic consequences."

Watch out for ads that promise fast degree, life experience or work experience degrees.