You may be shy and reticent of going to a brick-and-mortar College and is money the only other thing stopping you from education? Are you physically challenged, stay-at-home mom, high school grad, or a struggling first-rung employee? If the answer is yes and if you are also interested in furthering your education but have been unable to do so for want federal financial aid. You have just won an education-jackpot!

Both houses of Congress have voted to alter the “50-50 Rule”. Government financial aid for online students was given to accredited universities only if the online universities offered more than 50 percent of their classes online. So, now all accredited universities can offer financial aid to online students.

You can now start your MBA program from the comforts of your home with government aid paying the university. It’s a win-win situation for most people who have had the time but not enough money to pursue studies online.

It goes without saying that universities (the traditional kind) are happy to offer more classes online and offer education to students from all walks of life. A computer and broadband connection and now financial aid from government and you are set to get your dream education and a better career.

There are concerns that Uncle Sam might be funding diploma mills but financial aid is available for accredited colleges only and all the more reason now to go for an accredited program. So approach your university of choice and start filling up those forms and yes there is some extra paper work to be done now.

Watchdog organization, Sloan Consortium’s 2005 report shows that over 2 million college students are currently enrolled in online courses. We can expect a huge increase in this number with the ‘50-50 rule’ being done away with by congress.