Much to my surprise, I was eligible for some financial aid that even included consideration for educational supplies and housing support. To prevent the back-and-forth shuffle, know that you must first complete the FAFSA, delegate the university or universities of your choosing to receive the information, then connect with your university to find what financial support is available to you. Even if you’re not sure that you will enroll in the fall, include the university to avoid delays should you decide to matriculate.

Once I was accepted to Concordia Irvine and my financial data became available, Concordia Irvine contacted me with a financial aid offer. They gave me the opportunity to accept the financial offer or accept less than the offered amount.

While there was a temptation to accept considerably more than what I felt I needed, I reminded myself that whatever I borrowed to pay for my tuition and expenses would have to be repaid. Choosing less than what the FAFSA qualified me for still allowed me to cover my tuition and educational expenses for the year.

If you are fortunate enough to pay for your tuition and educational expenses from your own personal budget, know that Concordia Irvine offers an excellent program for a reasonable fee. However, if that fee still incurs a cost beyond your current budget, don’t be afraid to apply for financial aid. You might be surprised what is available to you, making your educational dream a reality.

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That was my thinking before Concordia University Irvine (CUI) introduced me to their online program in education technology. A program where one class is taken every eight weeks, with an online class session collaborating with a cohort and a professor in the comfort of your home or chosen WiFi-connected location, made attaining my advanced degree feasible and within reach. It’s as if CUI evaluated my specific needs and tailored its program accordingly, allowing me to schedule my studies outside my work schedule.

With time at a premium, I didn’t worry about time lost driving through traffic or looking for parking. I focused on one class at a time for eight weeks. Many of the class assignments were relevant enough to begin incorporating them with my student lessons immediately — a win/win for me and the students to whom I am committed.

Many of the professors are themselves working teachers in the elementary or secondary schools. They understand about conference schedules, district vacations/breaks, and the obligatory open house and back-to-school nights. Your assignment due dates, online classes, and projects can be adjusted accordingly. These accommodations make completing classes, and ultimately the program, much more convenient.

Keep in mind, however, that this is advanced education, which means the rigor and quality of the teaching require a serious work ethic. CUI allows you the convenience to apply that work ethic while continuing your full-time teaching assignment. Although it’s no walk in the park, neither is it a walk through hot coals …  and CUI will be walking with you.

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I finally convinced myself to dive in and apply to an online university. After jumping through all the admissions hoops, I was finally accepted … and subsequently rejected from a for-profit university I interpreted the disappointing experience as divine intervention for abandoning further academic pursuit. What I realized later was that the divine message wasn’t “Give up the dream,” but “Look elsewhere to fulfill the dream.”

Enter Concordia University Irvine (CUI). After remembering what happens to a dream deferred, and not wanting my dream to fester and run, I attended an information session for CUI. I remember the presenter telling me at the end of the session that if I didn’t enroll at CUI, I should enroll somewhere. “Wow,” I thought. “He actually cared.” After I gathered the necessary enrollment requirements, I took the plunge and enrolled at CUI; and so began my return to academia.

For the next two years, I experienced guidance, faith-filled encouragement, and camaraderie amid the rigors of current, advanced, applicable technology in education. Had I known I would experience all that, I would have pursued my second masters of arts degree many years sooner. The professors were knowledgeable in their subject areas. They also recognized that in the ever-changing world of technology, new information could come (and be readily incorporated) from us students during the course of our program. Nearly all my professors were still actively involved in teaching at the elementary or secondary level, and were sensitive to our challenges as working students.

Several professors were instrumental in my journey’s success as they encouraged me to continue while dealing with personal challenges within my own family. Additionally, support and camaraderie from my cohort developed to a level I never thought possible in an online program. Two years flew by, and now I proudly hold a master of arts in education technology. You’ll never hear me say the journey was easy; however, you’ll never hear me lament that the journey was impassable. I can thank my professors and my cohort for my journey’s successful culmination.

I absolutely loved the experience, loved the education, and loved the outcome. Indeed, I loved getting my masters from CUI!

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