It is no secret that the cost for a college education has increased in recent years. At the same time, the amount of federal aid available to students has decreased. The difference could mean more out-of-pocket expenses for you. But the answer to your financial aid dilemma could be as close as your company’s human resources office.

A survey of 1,428 chief financial officers conducted by Robert Half Finance & Accounting found that 46 percent of their companies provided some form of tuition reimbursement.

Under these company reimbursement programs, companies pay for employees to continue the education needed to maintain professional certifications and credentials. They also cover the cost of an employee’s education when he or she is working toward a certificate, diploma or degree for the first time.

“I enrolled in an accelerated Bachelor’s program at Webster University in Kansas City because my company is picking up the tab,” said Jonice Daniels. “I have always wanted to get a degree, but with two children in private school and one in daycare, finding the money to go to school has been impossible.”

Daniels, like many other workers, took advantage of her company’s reimbursement program. “It was free money for college,” she said. “It didn’t make sense to pass that up.”

If you are considering going back to school to complete your degree or you want to get career training or earn a degree for a new career, your employer might be able to help. Stop by your company’s human resources office to see if your company is among the 46 percent that offer tuition reimbursement.

After a few years of a sluggish economy and slow hiring, things are looking up for college graduates.

According to a study done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers expect to hire 14 percent more college graduates this year than in the previous year. That means salaries will also be higher.

“It’s the best [college job market] in four years,” Andrea Koncz at NACE was quoted as saying in a recent USA Today article. “With the economy improving, there is more demand for college grads.”

Even those who are not college graduates can take advantage of the increase in hiring. The number of accelerated training and degree programs means that you could literally enroll in a program today, and be a college graduate in a year. As long as the economy continues to improve, hiring will increase. That leads to stronger starting salaries and more job choices for college graduates.

If you are not currently a college graduate, now is a great time to consider a degree program or a career training program.

Historically, the college system has been flawed. It is geared specifically for students who have just completed high school, usually between the ages of 18 and 22. But more recently, colleges have been making more and more concessions for non-traditional students, including working adults. Colleges are making it easier for working men and women, many of whom are supporting their families, to complete their degree.

There are many myths about degree completion that need to be debunked to ease the minds of working adults considering obtaining their degrees. Below, we will try to debunk five of these myths.

It?s too late for me.
Frankly, no, it is not. It?s never too late to return to school. That is why many universities offer online courses, weekend courses and telecourses. They exist to help the working adult get back into college. Many teachers offer study sessions, just in case there is something you don?t understand.

I won?t succeed in college after all these years.
Says who? Just because you?ve been out of school for a long time, or even if you?ve never been to college, that doesn?t mean you won?t succeed now. You can?t be afraid to try new things, and you can?t be afraid of failure. Failure is the worst-case scenario ? the best-case scenario is your dreams come true.

Going back to college can?t really help me.
Sorry, wrong again. There are many benefits of returning to college. It?s a great way to gain education and better yourself. It?s a great way to learn about a new field so you can start a new career. And even if you don?t plan on starting a new career, it?s a great way to impress your current boss and move up in your current field.

I won?t have time for my family between work and school.
That?s the beauty of online degree completion courses. You study the lessons and do the homework when and where you want. Telecourses allow you to videotape your courses and get to them whenever you can. Weekend courses are on a rigid schedule but generally don?t bite into too much of your weekend. These courses are planned around your convenience.

It?s just a combination of the above factors. I?m scared.
Don?t be afraid to change your life. It?s your life, and it?s in your hands. The next step is up to you. Make the leap ? contact a counselor and discover how degree completion can make a difference in your life today!

For more information about Degree Completion, check out these schools with degree completion programs.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there were 2.9 million degree-seeking students age 35 and older in 2001. Nearly 1 million U.S. students enrolled in courses that took place completely online in 2004, twice as many as two years earlier, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported. These students returned to school in search of career advancement or new skills to make a career change, or to fulfill lifelong goals of earning degrees.

Online Degree programs have been the driving force in enrollment increases, and for good reason. Distance education offers new levels of convenience and flexibility to earning a degree. Not only can you be a student without ever sitting in a physical classroom, but you can take your virtual classroom everywhere you go.

With a computer and an Internet connection, you can interact with classmates from around the country, discuss homework assignments with professors, submit papers or tests and participate in group study sessions. Distance learning gives you the same level of education without the rigid structure used in traditional schools.

Whether you are just getting started in your Degree program, looking to complete your degree or earn an advanced degree, distance education might be the perfect solution for you. Many career schools, technical schools and traditional public and private schools offer Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree programs online. Online degrees are available in many career fields like Business, Criminal Justice, Healthcare, Information Technology, Marketing and a host of others.

Offering far more than just an education, online Degree programs provide options for non-traditional students and those who never considered degree programs before.

"It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to have access to distance learning," said Marilyn King, Montana State University - Bozeman’s Assistant Superintendent for Instruction.

If you are tired of thinking about going back to school to get your degree because it would require quitting your job or relocating, now is the time to give distance education a try.