Question

i will learn tons on the open source stuff,but i have a pell grant id like to use to take SOME online courses-i refuse to get bogged in student loans.anyone know where i can take online courses without endin up with 20 grand in loans to pay back?

Answer 1

your going to have to be way more specific in what you want to study and you might want to go into a classroom some time, a lot of places don't respect online degrees.

Answer 2

i want to study computer science..but im on disability-which means im broke-and i dont

Answer 3

Rhiana, I'm in the same boat. In the UK, you pay about £25,000, about $45,000 for a Mickey Mouse degree from a ' New University', a uni that was a polytechnic a few years ago. Factor in another £15,000 in lost earnings - assuming part-time, minimum wage, over three years - and it becomes plain stupid to go into higher education. The standards are rubbish and they don't do CS.

I'd go with the MIT Open Course stuff that you've already found, anything relevant from O'Reilly and then look to start or join an open source community to get some real world skills and some credentials for your CV.

I disagree with the the assertion that 'a lot of places don't respect online degrees'. A significant percentage of companies, maybe a third or so, demand degrees from highly prestigious universities, they couldn't care less if you got your degree online or at a crappy uni, they consider both to be essentially worthless. Note, these companies are often financials or military contractors and that type of thing.

Most companies do not care for degrees, recognising the fact that most people go into higher education to dodge getting a job. This isn't a quality employers are looking for. If you can put stuff like...

Education:
MIT - 6.00 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming

...the fact that it contains the acronym MIT will grab enough attention, the fact that you did these courses off your own back, on your own time, is impressive and, assuming you've got credentials from an open source community or previous employers, they'll know you're genuine.

I don't know what you can do with your grant, but maybe look at doing something relative - I know it's the oldest and worst fall-back in programming, but there's always maths : )

I wish you all the best for the future, Carl

Answer 4

Carl,you make great sense!Now if I can find someone new to the MIT computer science courses like me-to be my study partner, id be doin great on that path..:)-thanx..
peace

Answer 5

Let me know if you need any help mate : )