Pennsylvania Distance Learning: Answers to Your Questions

1. What is the Pennsylvania Distance Learning Association?

The Pennsylvania Distance Learning Association, or PDLA, is a regional chapter of the United States Distance Learning Association. PDLA serves Pennsylvania plus neighboring states Delaware and New Jersey. The non-profit organization promotes the development and application of distance learning for training and education.

2. What is Project IDEAL?

Project IDEAL is a national program consisting of several states that partner to develop effective distance learning programs designed for adult students. The organization strives to improve the quality of online education throughout the United States. Pennsylvania is one of Project IDEAL's member states.

3. How many students were enrolled in online education programs of study during the 2006-07 academic year?

An estimated 12.2 million students were enrolled in college-level, credit-granting distance learning courses during the 2006-07 academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

4. How many traditional institutions offered distance learning programs during the 2006-07 academic year?

During the 2006-07 academic year, 66 percent of two-year and four-year Title IV degree-granting postsecondary institutions offered distance learning courses, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

5. What are two benefits of obtaining advance degrees?

Two benefits associated with obtaining an advance degree include an improved chance for employment and a greater earning potential, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

6. What is the primary requirement for a distance learning program to be eligible to receive federal student aid?

For a distance learning program to be eligible to receive federal student aid, the institution offering the course must be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education specifically for accreditation of distance learning.

7. What are the six requirements students must meet in order to be eligible for federal student aid?

The six requirements that students must meet in order to be eligible for federal student aid include:

• Demonstrating a financial need.
• Proving U.S. citizenship or eligibility as a noncitizen with a valid Social Security number.
• Enrolling in a degree- or certificate-granting eligible program of study.
• Showing that he or she is qualified to receive a postsecondary education by having earned a high school diploma, passing an approved ability-to-benefit test or fulfilling the requirements of a high school education in a home-school setting approved under state law.
• Registering with Selective Service (for male students between the ages of 18 and 25 years).
• Maintaining a minimum level of academic progress once he or she has enrolled in school.

8. What is the Council for Higher Education Accreditation?

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or CHEA, regulates academic accreditation throughout the United States. Governed by a 20-person board of college and university presidents, institutional representatives and members of the public, CHEA maintains a database of 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities as well as 60 accrediting agencies.

9. Why is accreditation important when choosing a school?

Accreditation is the gold standard among higher education institutions, demonstrating the academic quality of an institution. Accreditation not only is used by the federal and state governments as a requirement for federal student aid and other government funding, accreditation protects students against academic fraud or abuse.

10. What are four benefits associated with distance learning?

Distance learning:

• Offers convenient and flexible schedules;
• Focuses on education versus social activities;
• Provides individualized instructions for students; and
• Helps the environment by reducing the need to commute, the use of paper and energy use by physical campuses.