Students Resources

We often receive requests from students for information about how they can find online courses in the United States - many are international students. ITC doesn't offer online courses itself, but we have listed the ITC members that offer distance learning courses to students below. We also have several other resources below that might be of help. Please feel free to contact Christine Mullins at cmullins@itcnetwork.org or 202/293-3110 for more information.

Finding Online Courses
Most states in the United States have created Web sites so you can see all of the online courses that colleges and universities are offering in their states. You can find these links on ITC's website under Statewide Virtual Networks.

Most universities in the United States offer courses at a distance. You might contact a college that offers program you are interested in and ask about the courses they offer online.

We have listed some course directories on this Web site - search on "online course directory." Note that many directories are sponsored - so they are not complete listings because colleges have to pay the sponsors a fee to have their courses listed and many choose not to.

Accreditation
It is important that you check to make sure the college from which you are interested in taking courses is accredited by the United States Department of Education so you know future employers and other educational institutions recognize the courses or degree program you choose for their academic integrity.

Unfortunately, plenty of people are happy to take your money and offer nothing in return, or an educational degree or certificate that nobody will recognize. This is particularly true for online courses since it doesn't cost much to put up a Web site and ask people to send money. Law enforcement officials have a difficult time locating the origin of these Web sites to prosecute them. Many of these fraudulent colleges and universities target international students because they know they are not as familiar with colleges and universities in the United States. For example, they might change the name slightly so it sounds like a famous college.

The United States Department has an online search engine to check the college or university's accreditation status. Make sure you have the correct spelling of the college's full name when you conduct your search.

Student Financial Aid
Applying to take an online course is usually exactly the same as registering to take any course from any college or university in the United States. Most colleges and universities have a student financial aid office that can help you and you should check there form more information. However, here are two Web sites from the Department of Education to help.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
FastWeb Scholarship Search Engine

Information for International Students
The following organizations might be helpful if you are not located in the United States and you are searching for grants or educational opportunities that could help you in your region.
Academy for Education Development
Institute for International Education
UNESCO
US Agency for International Development
The World Bank

Members of the Instructional Technology Council
ITC members are some of the largest providers of online courses in the United States and Canada. Please contact the ITC members listed below for information on their distance education courses: