Military members continue to take advantage of online degree programs

Military members continue to take advantage of online degree programs

According to a new report by Bloomberg.com, members of the U.S. military are increasingly pursuing post-secondary online degrees from for-profit institutions.

Approximately 29 percent of college-enrolled active-duty members of the military are working toward their degree through a distance education program. Nearly 40 percent of federal tuition assistance is given to those participating in online programs.

"It's about flexibility and options," noted Rick Cooper, vice president of military and corporate programs at Columbia Southern University in Alabama, quoted by Bloomberg. "You can enroll any day of the week, any week of the year."

According to CityTownInfo.com, the increased enrollment in online education is due to the Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008.

The bill provides higher education benefits to members of the military who have served since September 11, 2001. The assistance includes tuition, housing allowances and book stipends.

The online education sector grew 13 percent last year and had been growing at about 20 percent in previous years. Nearly one in four students take at least some college courses online, up from one in 10 in 2002, Reuters reports.