How to Earn Computer Certifications Online

How to Earn Computer Certifications Online Whether you’re looking to broaden the number of companies you can apply to, or simply would like to learn a new skill, there are many options for technology certification and training online. While most credible certification processes require you to take the exam at an authorized testing location, almost all of them do permit you to do all training and preparation work via the internet.When seeking certification, keep in mind that not all types of certification require applicants to complete online training programs. In many cases, certification can be awarded simply by passing an exam. Most certification providers provide training and test prep, but they often charge additional fees to access it. It’s generally best to check the provider’s website for information on the certification first to get a good feel for what preparation is required and what you’ll need help with. Once you decide that the certification is right for you, note the cost to take the exam, and whether the certification provider offers any online assistance free of charge. Fortunately, there are some excellent resources for preparing for certification online that are available free of charge.Some of the more common certification types include: CompTIA A, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Cisco Certification (CCNA CCNP), Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), and the Certified Novell Engineer (CNE). CompTIA A Certification Employers often ask that those looking for IT type position carry some form of certification. For those looking to work with computer hardware, one of the most common certification sought is Comptia A. The A certification demonstrates that you possess the basic foundation of knowledge necessary to provide IT support and is often considered a good jumping off point for those looking to have a career working with computers. Information on the exam and links to online preparation options are available at Comptia.org. Free test prep can be obtained from ProfessorMesser.com. Microsoft Certified System Engineer The MCSE is a good certification to get if you’re looking for employment with a business that uses Microsoft networked systems. It’s good for those with a year or two of experience with networks and some familiarity with Windows systems. Information on the certification,  as well  as testing locations, is provided at the Microsoft website. Free preparation for the exam as well as training material can be found at mcmcse.com. Cisco Certification Cisco certification, particularly the CCNA, is highly valued by employers with large networks. Those looking for a career working with computer networks, network security, and internet service providers will be well served by Cisco certification. Information on certification can be found at Cisco.com. Free study guides and tools can be found at Semsim.com. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Those looking to work with Microsoft office products such as Excel or PowerPoint will be well served with an MOS certification. While not often specifically requested by employers, an MOS certification is a strong way of demonstrating ones aptitude with a specific Microsoft application. They are also less intense to prepare for than some of the other common certifications. Information from Microsoft on this is available. Free test preparation can be difficult to find, but some practice tests are available for free at Techulator.com. Certified Novell Engineer The CNE is ideal for those looking to, or currently working with Novell software such as Netware. As Novell products seem less used today than they once were, this certification is probably ideal only if you already plan to work with Novell networks. Information on the certification can be found at Novell.com. A directory of free preparation materials can be found at Certification-Crazy.net.Whatever certification you choose to pursue, be sure to review the preparation requirements and costs. Some of the most difficult certification types can take many months to prepare for, so be sure that you’re able to invest the time and resources necessary to get certified. If your virtual certification efforts go well, you may also be interested in earning an online degree.

Cheap Out-of-State Colleges Top 25 Most Affordable

Cheap Out-of-State Colleges Top 25 Most Affordable SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you’re hoping to be far from home for college but are worried about the cost of an out-of-state school, you might run into some issues in the application process. How do you find out-of-state schools that still offer relatively cheap tuition? In this article, I’ve compiled a list of schools that offer the lowest tuition rates and highest rates of institutional aid to out-of-state students who choose to attend. Keep reading to learn what these schools are! What Are Cheap Out-of-State Colleges? First off,it's important to keep in mind that public collegesare the only schools where the moniker "out-of-state" will have any meaning for you tuition-wise.Public colleges usually offer far higher tuition rates for out-of-state students than they do for in-state students, whereasprivate colleges aren't concerned with students' residential statuses. Therefore, you’ll only see public colleges on this list (in other words, schools whose tuition price would be affected based on whether or not you live in the state). I decided that the cutoff for "cheap" colleges would be schools with tuition and fees lower than $15,000. Currently,the average public school tuition and fees for out-of-state residents is $26,290, andI wanted to pick schools that cost significantly less than average for students hoping to attend from out of state. I’ve included the cost for room and board at each of these schools because tuition and fees are often less than the price of room and board.I’m hoping this will give you a better idea of the real cost of attending these colleges. I’ll also provide statistics onhow much aid is typically offered to students at each college so you can see how generous these schools are in helping out students who can’t afford to pay full tuition. Finally, I’ve included stats for admissions rates and enrollment to help you get a better idea of the size and competitiveness of these schools.I did not include schools with open enrollment,so these colleges all have some degree of competitiveness (even if their acceptance rates are in the 90s). The 25 Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges These schools are listed in order of net cost from lowest to highest(based on tuition and fees +room and board −average annual institutional aid). Though some schools might have higher tuition prices, they make up for it by offering generous financial aid to students. Note that some schools did not provide info on average financial aid packages for students; this does not necessarily mean these schools they don't offer any aid to students. All data below comes from the College Board, and all costs are for fall 2018. School Tuition Fees Room Board Avg. Aid Package Acceptance Rate Undergrad Enrollment 1.Minot State University $7,064 $6,610 $9,946 69% 2,956 2.Southwest Minnesota State University $8,632 $7,985 $9,766 62% 6,526 3.Southern Arkansas University $12,786 $6,240 $12,154 69% 3,475 4.Mayville State University $9,399 $7,840 $10,027 48% 1,097 5.Central State University $8,346 $10,232 $,352 48% 1,784 6.West Texas AM University $10,476 $7,196 $9,767 61% 7,394 7.Harris-Stowe State University $9,973 $9,250 $,146 40% 1,442 8.South Dakota School of Mines and Technology $14,021 $8,440 $14,379 - 2,421 9.Henderson State University $10,086 $7,504 $9,279 80% 2,832 10.Louisiana State University Alexandria $14,230 - $5,836 - 3,372 .Northern State University $,471 $8,029 $10,752 88% 3,162 12.Midwestern State University $10,969 $8,877 $10,955 81% 5,330 13.Bemidji State University $8,696 $8,408 $8,025 66% 4,833 14.Alcorn State University $7,144 $9,608 $7,581 40% 3,172 15.Southeastern Oklahoma State University $15,390 $6,970 $13,097 72% 3,070 16.Truman State University $14,581 $8,780 $13,306 67% 5,898 17.University of Minnesota Morris $15,342 $8,342 $12,851 64% 1,627 18.Dakota State University $12,249 $6,873 $7,789 84% 2,962 19.University of South Dakota $12,425 $8,216 $8,620 87% 7,648 20.University of Nebraska at Kearney $14,503 $9,878 $12,008 82% 4,843 21.Missouri Southern State University $13,934 $6,865 $8,367 95% 6,021 22.Oklahoma Panhandle State University $9,133 $4,695 - - 1,138 23.Southwestern Oklahoma State University $13,935 $5,830 $5,769 - 4,623 24. Rogers State University $15,210 $8,616 $9,422 83% 3,696 25. Arkansas Tech University $15,848 $7,870 $9,235 95% 10,781 Fort Hays State University campus- though I'm not sure why this picture makes it look like a miniature model ... Why Are These Colleges So Cheap for Out-of-State Students? Why are the tuition prices on this list so low? For a significant number of these schools, there is no difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. With the increasing level of competitiveness in higher education, less well-known schools are using low prices to entice students to attend. The affordability of a college education has become a huge concern as tuition prices continue to rise at most schools. The best way for more obscure schools to increase their viability in the higher education market is to lower their price tags. This gets them on lists of "best value" schools (like this one!) and leads to a strong reputation for caring about the financial struggles of students. Some of these schools are simplydedicated to reducing the impact of financial concerns on those who choose to attend their college,whether they're in state or out of state. For example, Delta State University charges the same tuition rate for all students regardless of their residential status, stating that, "These rates are established to increase financial equity, reduce the impact of financial considerations on educational policy, and increase uniformity across the university." A Final Word: Remember, It’s Not All About Cost After seeing the low price tags on all these schools, you might be tempted to forego your other priorities in favor of a loan-free future.However, there are many factors to consider besides cost in the college search process. Even if you know it will be difficult for you to pay for college, many schools offer generous financial aid packages to those with demonstrated need.Avoid sacrificing your preferences for location, academic programs, and campus life just so you can spend less money on college. Before you make a decision based on how expensive a school is,think about the following: How big the school isand whether you think you’ll prefer a large or small environment Where the school is located in the country and whether it lines up with how far away from home you want to be The school'sprogram strengths and whether they align with your own interests- what opportunities do you want to have available to you in college? The social scene- do you want to be at a party school or one that caters toward smaller gatherings? Are you interested in Greek life at all? Overall quality of academics based on its admissions rate and student feedback The environment beyond the campus- do you prefer a large city or a small town? Once you’ve made up your mind about these key factors, you can move on to comparing schools based on financial criteria.It’s OK to compromise on some things, but be sure you know what’s most important to you so you end up with the best possible college experience. If you’re not sure where to start and need more specific advice, readour step-by-step guide to the college search process.You can also look at some highly reviewed college search websites to learn more information about schools that interest you. What's Next? Still not sure what you're looking for in a college? Read our articles on whether you should go to a school close to home and whether you should attend a large or small college. Application fees are the first hurdle you'll have to overcome when paying for college. Take a look at this list of colleges that don't charge any application fees to see whether you might be able to save some money in the application process. Many of the schools on this list have fairly small student bodies. Read this article to learn what you should expect from a small college environment and to figure out whether it's really the best choice for you. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: