How Idaho Online Education Works

Before you enroll in your first class, find out how Idaho online education works. Learn more about enrollment, class requirements, degrees, and more here.

Admission & Enrollment

The admissions requirements of Idaho online education institutions will vary according to the type and level of degree you are pursuing. For all schools, you must have earned your high school degree or GED. Some schools require that you be currently employed in order to pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree so that you have a context to which to apply the things you learn. During the admissions process, you will be paired with an academic advisor who can tell you more about the admissions and enrollment process. If you are admitted, you can usually begin classes almost immediately if the school has open enrollment. You can view course schedules, register, and purchase textbooks on the school's site. Once you are admitted, you will receive a login name and password that will give you access to these resources and your classes through the school's online portal.

Paying for Classes

When you applied to your Idaho online education program, you should've also completed a financial aid application. Most students who pursue online degrees qualify for some aid, whether from federal, state, or institutional sources. Students who plan to enroll in classes in the future and will need financial assistance should complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. Your school will likely require the completion of the FAFSA before they will consider you for any type of aid. In addition to your academic advisor, you might also be referred to a financial aid advisor to help you navigate the tuition payment process.

Attending Class

Most schools allow students to access their online classrooms at least one day in advance of the first day of classes. Students can log in, download important documents, tour the classroom, and post their introductions to the message boards. Your class instructor will typically post items like the course syllabus, reading materials, policies and procedures, and other important information to the general forum of your classroom. Depending on the nature of the class, you may also receive the names of the people in your learning team or group.

Participating

Idaho online education classes tend to emphasize participation strongly. In most online courses, both the quantity and the quality of your participation constitute a large portion of your grade. You school will likely have specific requirements regarding how often you must post comments to class discussions and what qualifies as substantive participation. For instance, your school may require students to post at least three substantive comments four out of seven days of the week. These participation requirements are in addition to the other assignments, projects, and readings you must complete for the class, so you should expect to devote a significant amount of time to each online class you take. If you have any questions, please read our Frequently Asked Questions page.