Online degree programs may help students earn scholarships, become entrepreneurs

Online degree programs may help students earn scholarships, become entrepreneurs

Students enrolled in online courses may be eligible for financial aid options, including those that can help them start their own businesses.

ServiceMaster and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) have announced a partnership to provide financial assistance to women and minorities wishing to pursue careers in environmental science and entrepreneurship.

The cleaning company and non-profit organization will begin the ServiceMaster Environmental Studies Scholarship program in the fall of next year. Two African American students entering their senior year in an environmental science or related degree program will receive $10,000 scholarships to put toward tuition costs.

The CBCF will also help ServiceMaster select the beneficiaries of its Shane Battier Minority Franchise Scholarship program, which awarded 10 franchise licenses and financial assistance to help females and minorities open their own ServiceMaster locations last year. The company has committed to choose 24 more awardees over the next three years.

Both initiatives aim to "reduce disparities in education and economic development and have the potential to make a real difference in creating a diverse, global workforce," said Elsie L. Scott, president and CEO of the CBCF.

Online universities may help potential entrepreneurs and environmental scientists stay focused on their careers while gaining marketable skills.