how do people afford distance learning college courses?

I have gone through distance learning online university courses and everything is so expensive... how can anyone (other than the ones who can) afford it? One course at 800 USD and that doesn't include books or anything else that you have to pay for. Are there any options? (asking specifically about online degree programs - I live abroad)

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  1. I am enrolled in Western Governors University in their teaching program and it costs me about $3,000 a term (6 months) not including books, but I can split that into two payments and do as much work as I can in that time. If you are motivated enough you can fly right through the classes and it won't cost much at all. Have you applied for financial aid? There's always student loans, too.
  2. I suppose it might depend on your degree. But you have to think it through and shop around. Here is my example: I left a drug store manager job, i wanted out of retail. I started an online college degree. It was for an Associates in Health Administration. It would have cost me $17,000 dollars. I did some thinking and realized that lots of the classes would center around management and finances. I already had that experience. I switched colleges and changed my degree to an Associates in Health Information Technology, I will practically be able to get the same type of job that i was wanting. The price of the degree at the new college is $3,800.
  3. I haven't had to pay for anything and while it does seem expensive you have to look at it in a different perspective. You can go to college full time and not work and pay your loans off later or you can go to school online where your schedule is much more flexible and you are able to work and pay your loans off while you go to school. You can apply for grants and scholarships as well.
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  5. You are right, it is expensive. I am working on a PhD currently, and I have to fund $1400 plus books for every 3 credit course. And I shopped for quite a while to get to this program, which is about as low-cost as any I have found. You have to find the money wherever you can. I put it on a credit card, and then pay each month. This way I split the cost into 3 or 4 payments (to the card), depending on whether I will finish the course in 3 or 4 months. It takes a good bit of discipline, and planning. Now, if you cannot do this (you mention living abroad), perhaps you can find a loan program in your abode similar to SalliMae, or the like. These can be painful when you are done and have to start paying them off. I was not willing to go that way. I want to get to the end debt free. Loads of options, depending on your present circumstances. Keep trying.
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