Do Online Colleges Provide Student Support? Here’s What to Know

When it comes to student support, many online learners feel that they’re left out of the conversation. Universities may offer a multitude of resources to on-campus students, but they often fail to provide the same support in a way that works for online learners.

It’s crucial to consider student support when choosing an online degree program.

However, you want a university that doesn’t just convert traditional campus resources into a virtual format. You deserve support and services that are tailored to your needs as an online learner. 

In the digital age, it feels like everything happens online. We connect with friends through social media, hop on Zoom calls for work, and further our education online. What many people don’t talk about is how lonely it can feel to live so much of your life online—especially for online learners.

Traditional college students have no shortage of opportunities to build community on campus. But if you’re an online learner, that isn’t always the solution. You’re busy—you’re juggling full-time work and family alongside your education. Hours and even days of travel might stand between you and your college campus, making it impractical to utilize in-person resources like in-person tutoring or counseling.

More than that, you aren’t seeking the same resources and support that in-person students crave. As an online learner, your needs are unique to your situation and goals.

That’s why online student support is top of mind in higher education. It gives you:

• The tools and resources to navigate your online degree program
• Opportunities to connect with other online learners like you
• A reminder that faculty and staff see you and are here to support you
• Access to student services that will help you stay on track to graduate

We’ve covered why student support is important for online learners. Follow-up question:

What does online student support look like in action? While every college is different—and some online institutions offer more support than others—there are several types of student support that are most common:

1. Student success support
2. Academic and tutoring resources
3. Financial aid services
4. Professional development and career services
5. Wellness resources and mental health services

If you never interact with real people as an online student, you start to feel like you’re on your own. To address this, some online colleges have a team of student success coordinators. These dedicated staff members provide support and resources solely to online students—from helping you connect with your professors to assisting you with securing accessibility services or accommodations. 

Since they only work with online learners, they are well-equipped to help you through challenges unique to online education. Student success Your student success coordinator knows you by name. They’re there with you from the day you enroll in your program to the day you graduate. And instead of offering impersonal support and infrequent communication, they focus on you as an individual.

Gone are the days of coming to campus to receive academic support. As an online student, you can complete your academic advising virtually. This is a crucial part of not only choosing your degree program but also staying on track to finish strong. Many colleges have academic advisors who work specifically with online students—meaning they’re familiar with program offerings and can advise you on your unique degree plan.

Another common resource for online learners is virtual tutoring and academic coaching. You can typically schedule virtual appointments with peer tutors in a variety of academic disciplines, as well as receive feedback on essays from your college’s writing center.

For many people considering online education, the biggest obstacle is paying for college. And especially if you're an adult learner, this might be the first time you've applied for financial aid since high school—or ever. Online colleges have attempted to remedy this problem by investing in online financial aid advisors. 

Since they focus on online students, they’re prepared to address common points of concern that come into play for online learners—such as complex financial situations, previous student loans, or eligibility requirements. They’re here to demystify the financial aid process and help you understand your options.

Career preparation is top of mind for all learners—but especially for online learners. After all, you may be returning to school with the goal of advancing in your career or transitioning to a new field. You want to know that your online college is ready to support you both academically and professionally. Luckily, many online colleges have increased their online career counseling offerings accordingly. 

You'll be able to connect virtually with your college’s career services office and take advantage of their resources without coming to campus. Your career services office can help you explore career options that are aligned with your online degree program. And once you have your dream job in mind, they can help you with your next steps—whether that’s providing resume tips or doing a mock interview with you over Zoom.

Many online colleges that offer academic support still overlook an integral aspect of student support: student mental health and wellness. Online colleges stand out from the crowd when they make these resources readily accessible both in person and online. It shows that they truly prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of online learners—a group of students who often miss out on the support they need.

When deciding on an online program, services to look for include options for virtual counseling sessions through the college or a third-party provider. Some colleges also offer options exclusively available to online learners, such as anonymous peer communities through virtual clinics like TimelyCare.

We just threw a lot of information at you. Try not to feel overwhelmed. Instead, let this empower you to ask questions and find the right online college for your needs.

When evaluating online student support, here are some key points to remember:

1. What accessibility services are available for online students?
2. Is support available throughout the online experience—not just one area?
3. Is the college proactive when it comes to providing student support?

You may have additional factors to consider depending on your goals and situation. That’s okay! These questions are just a starting point—and will help you determine whether a college’s online student support will meet your needs.

At the University of Cincinnati, supporting online students isn’t an afterthought; it’s our priority. As the first university in the country to offer online courses, we understand that you can't take a one-size-fits-all approach to online student support. 

That’s why UC Online is designed with your success in mind. We provide numerous student services and resources unique to online learning—from application to graduation. Our dedicated team of Enrollment Services Advisors and Student Success Coordinators ensure that you feel supported and seen even if you never set foot on campus.

We encourage you to ask questions and explore your options as an online student—and we’re confident that we can provide you with the support you need to thrive. 

Ready to get started? Connect with your Enrollment Services Advisor today and learn what UC Online has to offer. There’s never any pressure. We’ll meet you where you’re at.