President Obama’s Recovery Act in 2009, wasn’t only focused on jobs. The Commander in Chief realized one of the best ways to improve a citizen’s income is to advance the person’s education. As such, a major part of the Act, $225 billion of it, is dedicated to contracts, grants and loans, including college loans, and $500 million of that will have a direct impact on online colleges.

One of the more inspiring things the President has said is his acknowledgement that: “All along that education pipeline, too many people”, he said in a speech last year, “are slipping through the cracks. It’s not only heartbreaking for those students; it’s a loss for our economy and our country”. If you need more information about college grants, look on the internet.

He is particularly concerned that only 29% of Americans have a college degree, where many other industrialized nations have more like 40%. Another statistic is only about 40% of Americans who start school actually complete their studies to become a college graduate. The rising costs of education, approximately eight percent per year, means many who start will not be able to finish as costs outpace their abilities to finance.

For example, in his first year of office alone, the President dedicated $500 million to have community colleges develop new online education programs. From there, he wants to have these courses available to all students who can get online, from their desktop to the new Amazon Kindle. Actually, what’s truly amazing is he wants to see 20-25 new government-approved courses available per year.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Board of Education estimates an online degree costs a little under 40% less than going to on-campus courses. USA Today reported last year that going on campus for a 4-year degree is $150,000, while the cost is $65,000 for a Bachelors degree at an online university. There is an abundance of information about scholarships online on the web.

These days one can get an online degree in nearly every subject, from vocational trade certificates to Masters. Many online academies offer classes as comprehensive as the top schools throughout the world. Many are actually created and offered by these same top schools. It’s no surprise the President is a fan of online education. Students get the same education online and attending this way allows more students to participate as they are able to work and attend classes at the same time.

Going online has other cost-saving benefits, too. They can include cutting commute time, possible baby sitter fees for working parents, and the wear and tear constant commuting does on vehicles, among others. Another incredible value is a student can take the course at a time that’s more convenient to his other needs, not when the course is offered on campus. This can also be of value to working parents, who need to be at home as much as possible for their children.

College loans for students are a means to help get your education on track. Researching scholarships and grants for online school will provide you with information for your individual situation. More education means more choices – appreciated at every level.

If you’ve served in the U-S armed forces, the government wants to say thank you. Making a college education accessible is just one of the ways. Through college grants and the GI Bill, the U-S government has millions of dollars available to veterans and their dependents to help pay for college. The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are just two places veterans and their dependents can look for education funding.

The best known military education program is the Montgomery GI bill, or MGIB. The bill became law in 1944 under President Roosevelt. Since World War II the bill allowed more than two million veterans to attend college. The GI bill provides monthly benefits for active duty service members, reservists and veterans. To qualify you must have served at least two years on active duty and have your high school diploma or the equivalent. The GI bill pays for 36 months of education benefits, an estimated $40,000 value.

The GI Bill is not considered financial aid by colleges and universities, because the money is paid directly to you. That means veterans are still eligible for student loans, scholarships, and Pell Grants. However, GI Bill payments reduce the amount of student financial aid you are eligible to receive. GI money can be used not only for tuition,but also, fees, books and living expenses. The tax-free money can also be used to pay for independent study programs, required continuing education, licensing, certification, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. Once you leave the armed services, you have ten years to use your benefits.

Last year, Congress approved a new GI Bill. The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides education benefits for service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001. The Post 9/11 GI Bill covers 100% of tuition. It also provides a monthly allowance for housing and up to $1000 a year for books and supplies. The new bill does not refund military members for courses completed before July 2009.

Armed Forces Tuition Assistance, TA, is a benefit for eligible members of all the armed services. Each division can pay up to 100% of tuition expenses of its members. TA is not a loan, it’s like money a veteran has earned. Each arm of the military has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process. Unlike money from the GI Bill, tuition assistance is paid directly to the school.

Private scholarships and grants provide more than $300 million for members of the military, veterans and their families. Many scholarships are awarded to veterans fitting a specific description. Veterans of foreign wars, disabled veterans and veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom are just a few of the scholarships available. Even if you are getting money through the GI Bill, college loans can be used to off-set the costs of books, fees, and living expenses.

Don’t forget your years in the service gave you valuable experience and training. Much of that can be used for college credit. The American Council on Education, ACE, can help you and your school figure out how many college credit hours you’ve completed even before you arrive on campus.

The government has programs in place to help military veterans and their dependents with grants for college. The GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, scholarships and grants offer money to help going to college affordable.