What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa and MasterCard through our secure credit card transaction site. Visa and Mastercard payments are processed through Moneris Solutions.

We accept personal cheques, bank drafts, and money orders by mail or courier.

For ultimate security, our Canadian customers may pay their course fees using online and telephone banking through Royal Bank, CIBC, BMO, TD/Canada Trust, and ScotiaBank. 

How does the Diploma Program Payment Plan work?
First, a student must choose a start date and end date for the chosen program. This process is done in consultation with the Career Counsellor and is based on the number of hours in the program and the number of hours the student is able to study per week.

Then the Payment Plan works like this: The initial payment of 50% of the total tuition fee is payable on the start date. The balance of the fee may then be paid in monthly installments over the duration of the study term. 

If the student finishes early, he/she must pay the balance of the tuition fee before the Official Transcript of Marks and Diploma will be issued.

Let's do an example:
Student A has chosen to start the Automotive Service Technician Diploma Program on March 19. The tuition fee is CA$3795.00 and the number of hours in the program is 455.

If Student A is able to devote 15 hours per week to study, then the overall length of the program would be 455 hours / 15 hours per week = 30 weeks or 7 months, making Student A's end date October 18.

Based on this scenario, Student A would make an initial payment of CA$1899.00 on March 19, and six monthly installments of CA$316.00 on the 18th of each month, starting April 18 and ending September 18.

Can I get help deciding which courses to take?
Yes, our Online Career Counsellor is available in “Live Chat” during office hours and by email 24/7.  “Live Chat” is accessible only from the Career Counsellor page of this internet site.  You may also choose to take advantage of the online career assessment tools offered on the Career Counsellor page.

How soon can I start my studies?
As soon as we receive confirmation of your payment, we will email you a unique username and password, which may be used to gain access to the classroom.  Your course(s) will be set up in the classroom ready for your access.  Depending on the payment method you have chosen, this entire process can take as few as 1 business day for credit card or online banking transactions or as many as 15 business days for cheque, money order, or bank draft payments.

Where do I find the classroom?
From anywhere on www.theonlinecollege.com (this site) you may click on the “Go to Class” icon to be redirected to the classroom site, or you may access the classroom site directly at http://www.theonlinecollege.net/.  You must have a valid username and password to enter the classroom area.

If I have questions about my courses, can I get help?
Yes, there are two ways to get help with questions about your course content:  (1) Post the question in study hall for classmates and/or tutors to answer; or (2) Email your question to help@theonlinecollege.com.  A course tutor will respond to your question as soon as possible.  Please be as specific as possible in your questions.  Diploma Program students have a program instructor to handle their course questions and GED Preparation Course students are assigned a GED coach upon enrollment.

If I need technical assistance with my computer, browser, or internet connection, can I get help?
Yes, the IT staff at The Online College can help you with minor technical difficulties; simply email your question to support@theonlinecollege.com.  An IT staff member will respond to your question as soon as possible.  Please be as detailed as possible in describing your technical difficulties.

Will my current computer equipment be suitable for taking courses from The Online College?
The best way to diagnose if your current equipment is suitable for taking our courses is to access the free demo courses from the homepage or by clicking here.  Generally speaking, if you currently have a Pentium class computer, an internet connection with at least a 56K modem, and a working email account you should have an enjoyable online college experience.  Because most of our courses contain audio-visual presentations, you must have sound capability in your system.

In our master course catalogue, we have identified any courses that are not currently compatible with Netscape 6.0 or with Macintosh computers.

Do I need to purchase any software to take courses from The Online College?
Our courses are completely self-contained; thus if you have a current-version internet browser (with the popup blocker turned off) and email capability, you’ll do just fine.  If your course content is software related, you may wish to own (or have access to) that particular software so that you can practice your new skills.

Do I need to download any programs to take courses at The Online College?
Many of our courses contain interactive audio and visual lessons that require a unique player.  You will be prompted to download the player the first time you attempt to access one of those courses from your computer.  If you wish to access your lessons from many different computers, you will be prompted to download the player the first time you study on each computer.

Is there a set timetable for my studies?
All courses are self-paced; thus, you may study 24/7 from where-ever you like, for your entire study term.

Are you registered with any government agencies?
Yes, in Saskatchewan, correspondence and online colleges must register with Consumer Affairs Saskatchewan under the Sale of Training Courses Act.

Who recognizes your courses?
Wherever applicable, our courses were designed to prepare learners for industry certifications such as MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist), CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), CNE (Certified Novell Engineer), CHA (Certified Hotel Administrator),and CIW (Certified Internet Web Professional).  Read more about industry certification tracks.

What is a course?
The Online College offers over 1000 individual online Certificate Courses in business skills, computers, customer service, graphics, networking, programming, and much more.  Here are three examples of courses:  Adobe Acrobat CS—Fundamentals; Microsoft Word 2003—Fundamentals; and Conflict Resolution.  Each course is 4-20 lessons in length,

What credentials do I get when I finish a course?
Learners receive a Certificate of Completion for each course completed successfully.

How much do courses cost?
The Online College course prices start at CA$39.95 (US$29.95).

How long do I have to complete a course?
For a single course, you have three* months from the date we receive your payment to complete your course.

*For some of our professional certification courses, such as Certified Financial Planning and Six Sigma Black Belt, learners have six or twelve months (as appropriate) to complete their studies.  Please check the detailed course description to see if it notes a 6 or 12-month completion time.

If I need more time to complete my course, can I get an extension?
Yes, you may request ONE free one-month extension from the Principal.  The Principal will process your extension only if you make your request prior to the original end-date of your course.

What is a Package Deal?
We have packaged popular combinations of courses from our master catalogue to offer learners a significant cost savings.  For example, the Corel WordPerfect Package contains four courses and is offered to learners for CA$119.95 (US$95.95) – a 40% saving.

How long do I have to complete my courses?
To allow you ample time to complete all courses included in your Package Deal, your study term will be preset to expire twelve months from the date we receive your payment.

If I need more time to complete all the courses in my Package Deal, can I get an extension?
Yes, you may request ONE free three-month extension from the Principal.  The Principal will process your extension only if you make your request prior to the original end-date of your package.

What credentials do I get when I finish the courses in my Package Deal?
Learners receive a Certificate of Completion for each course completed successfully.  Thus, if there are four courses in a package, and you successfully complete three of them, you will receive three Certificates of Completion.

What is a Monthly Access Subscription?
For those who love to learn, The Online College offers month-to-month access to libraries containing approximately 50 related courses.  For example, the PC Essential Skills library contains over 60 courses in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Lotus 1·2·3, WordPerfect, Windows XP, and much more.

How much do Monthly Access Subscriptions cost?
Monthly Access Subscribers pay an initiation fee plus a monthly subscription fee ranging from CA$49.95 to CA$74.95 (US$39.95 to US$59.95).

How do Monthly Access Subscriptions work?
Once we receive confirmation of payment of your initiation fee for a selected library, we load all courses from your chosen library into your unique student user area.  You then have 24/7 access to those courses Until you cancel your subscription or choose not to make your monthly payment.

If I stop making my payments, can I restart my Monthly Access Subscription without paying another initiation fee?
If you stop making your Monthly Access Subscription payments your subscription will be cancelled; therefore, you will be required to pay the initiation fee to restart your subscription.

Can I change my subscription from one library to another?
No, you may not simply “change” your subscription from one library to another because changing to a new library requires loading a whole new set of courses into your student user area.  You may, however, subscribe to more than one library at the same time.

What credentials do I get when I finish the courses in my library?
Learners receive a Certificate of Completion for each course completed successfully.  Thus, if you successfully complete twelve courses, you will receive twelve Certificates of Completion.

Can I share my Monthly Access Subscription with a friend?
Your student user id and password are unique to you and only you.  Any sharing of your user id is a breach of the Terms of Use Policy of The Online College, and may result in the termination of your user access.  Besides, the Certificates issued for any successfully completed courses will display your name – not much use to your friend.

What is a Diploma Program?
Diploma Programs have been designed to prepare graduates for employment in targeted occupations.  For example, the Pharmacy Technician Program contains topics specifically tailored to those seeking employment in the field of pharmaceutical support.

What credentials do I get when I finish my Diploma Package?
When they have successfully completed all requirements, graduates receive a Diploma as appropriate for their chosen programs.  Two examples of credentials are Diploma (Medical Transcription) and Diploma (Pharmacy Technician).

How much do Diploma Programs cost?
Tuition fees for Diploma Programs range from CA$695.00 to CA$5995.00 (US$595.00 to US$4795.00).

Do I have a teacher or am I completely on my own to learn all the concepts in my Diploma Program?
Students enrolled in Diploma Programs at the Online College are assigned an instructor or a team of instructors to guide them through their studies and to offer encouragement (or a kick in the butt) as needed.

How long are Diploma Programs?
Most of The Online College’s Diploma Programs can be completed in 12 months.  Each program has a suggested completion time; however, students may complete early or extend their study terms (subject to the policies spelled out in the Student Handbook).

QUESTIONS ABOUT GED PREPARATION[Top]

What is the GED?
The GED (General Educational Development) Tests measure the academic skills and knowledge expected of high school graduates.  Recognized throughout North America, the GED Testing Program has served as a bridge to education and employment. The GED Tests provide a reliable vehicle through which adults can certify that they possess the major and lasting outcomes of a traditional high school education.

The tests are designed to measure the general knowledge, ideas and thinking skills that are normally acquired through four years of high school but which are gained in a different manner. Many acquire knowledge and skills through work experience, reading, social interaction and communication, and informal training.

The GED Tests consist of content area tests in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. The tests also measure communication, information-processing, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. A rigorous exam, passing scores for the GED Tests are set at a level sufficient to ensure that just six in ten graduating high school students will pass.

The GED Testing Program is jointly administered by three separate entities: the GED Testing Service of the American Council on Education; each participating state, provincial, or territorial government; and each of the 3,400 Official GED Testing Centers that serve as the main point of contact for GED candidates in communities across North America and overseas.

[Top]

Who writes the GED?
GED candidates are a richly diverse group. Some have recently left school. Others have been out of school for several years. Most take the tests to qualify for further education, or to qualify for a new job or promotion; others do it to encourage younger family members to stay in school. Many who take the GED Tests are preparing to enter a college, technical institute or university. GED graduates have gone on to become successful doctors, public servants, office workers, mechanics, technicians, college professors, business people, writers and artists.

[Top]

Why should I write the GED tests?
The General Educational Development (GED) test provides individuals with the opportunity to earn a high school diploma, a credential recognized as a key to employment opportunities, Advancement, further education and financial rewards.   The GED Tests allow people to prove what they know. Every Canadian province and territory recognizes that passing the GED Tests demonstrates the knowledge and skills of a high school graduate.

[Top]
How much does it cost to write the GED test?
It typically costs no more than $60 to take the GED, but in some cases may be taken at no charge to the individual. The cost to write the GED tests in Saskatchewan is $35.00.

[Top]

Where can I write the GED tests?
There are more than 2,800 different locations in the world where you can take the GED Tests. Local testing centers in the United States and Canada can be located by calling the toll-free hotline at (800) 626-9433 (800-62-MY GED), or by calling your GED contact person.

[Top]

Do I have to take a course to prepare for the GED test?
You are not required to take a preparation course; however, most people find it beneficial to do so. There are many choices of preparation programs, from night classes to boot camps. Consider the online GED Preparation courses at The Online College, available in US (English), Canadian (English), and Canadian (French).

[Top]

Will I get my Grade XII by taking the online GED preparation program at The Online College?
Preparation courses prepare you to take the Official GED Test. Even though you may do very well on the tests that are part of the prep course, you will only get your Grade XII Diploma by writing and passing the Official GED Test.

[Top]

How long does it take to complete the preparation program?
Most people need about 3 months to adequately prepare to write the GED Test.

[Top]

If I need more time to prepare, can I get an extension?
Yes, you may request ONE free one-month extension from the Principal. The Principal will process your extension only if you make your request prior to the original end-date of your program.

[Top]

Will I have a teacher if I take the online preparation program at The Online College?
Upon enrollment, you will be assigned a GED coach, who offers assistance with GED course material and, equally importantly, provides encouragement as needed. Our online coaches also monitor the GED study hall to make sure that learners receive correct, timely answers to their questions.

[Top]

Will I be able to pass the GED examination after taking The Online College’s GED preparation program?
Our GED preparation program should prepare you to pass the exam. However, we cannot guarantee that you will be successful on The Official GED Test, as there are many factors that determine a candidate’s performance, such as testing room conditions, personal crises, and/or level of exam anxiety. We can say, though, that you will have an advantage because you will be prepared with knowledge.

[Top]

Is the GED Preparation Program at The Online College complete, or is there something else to buy?
The courses are completely online and self-contained. If you wish to buy additional study books or reading books as you prepare for the GED, you may do so, but you are not required to purchase any additional materials.

[Top]

What are the GED tests like?
With the exception of Part II of the Writing Test, which requires you to write an essay, all questions on the GED Tests are multiple choice. The questions vary in difficulty and cover a wide range of subjects.

Language Arts - Writing (120 minutes)
The Language Arts -Writing Test has two parts. Part I contains 50 multiple-choice questions that require you to revise and edit workplace, “how-to,”and informational documents. Part II assesses your ability to write an essay about a familiar assigned topic. The scores earned on both parts are combined and reported as a single score.

Part I: Multiple Choice (75 minutes)
30% Sentence Structure – Correct sentence fragments, run-on sentences, comma splices, improper coordination and subordination, misplaced modifiers, and lack of parallel structure.
30% Usage – Correct errors in subject-verb agreement, verb tense, and pronoun reference.
25% Mechanics – Correct errors in capitalization, punctuation, spelling (restricted to errors related to possessives, contractions, and homonyms.)
15% Organization –Restructure paragraphs or ideas within paragraphs, identify topic sentences, create unity and coherence in the document.

Part II: (45 minutes)
200-250 Word Essay –In the second part of the Language Arts - Writing Test, you will write an essay about an issue or subject of general interest. The essay topic will require you to present your opinion or explain your views about the assigned topic.  You will have 45 minutes in which to plan, write, and revise your essay. You will be given scratch paper on which you may jot
notes, outline, and first draft. The answer booklet has two pages of lined paper on which you will write your final essay.

[Top]

Science (80 minutes)
The Science Test consists of 50 multiple choice questions in the following content areas:
45% Life Sciences
20% Earth and Space
35% Physics and Chemistry
Test questions require you to understand, interpret, or apply information that is provided on the test or that is learned through life experience. The information may be a paragraph, chart, table, graph, map or figure.

[Top]

Social Studies (70 minutes)
The Social Studies Test contains 50 multiple-choice questions from the above content areas. (Note: There are different
Canadian and U.S. versions of the Social Studies Test.)
25% National History
20% Economics
25% Civics and Government
15% World History
15% Geography
Most of the test questions are based on written and visual texts drawn from a variety of sources, including academic and workplace texts, as well as primary and secondary sources. The information provided may be one or more paragraphs, a chart, table, graph, map, photograph, cartoon or figure. In every case, to answer the questions in the Social Studies Test, you must
understand, apply, analyze or evaluate the information provided.

[Top]

Language Arts - Reading (65 minutes)
The Language Arts -Reading Test contains 40 multiple choice questions that measure your ability to comprehend and interpret workplace and academic reading selections and to apply those interpretations to new contexts. The questions ask you to understand, apply, analyze and synthesize information that you are given in the reading sections.
75% Literacy Test
25% Nonfiction Prose
Literacy texts constitute 75% of each test and include at least one selection from each of the following areas:
• Poetry
• Drama
• Prose fiction before 1920
• Prose fiction between 1920 and 1960
• Prose fiction after 1960
Nonfiction texts constitute 25% of each test and include two selections on nonfiction prose from any two of the following
areas:
• Nonfiction prose
• Critical review of visual and performing arts
• Workplace and community documents, rules for employee behavior, legal documents and communications (for example, letters and excerpts from manuals.)
The reading selections in the Language Arts - Reading Test range from 200 to 400 words, with poetry running from 8 to 25 lines. A purpose question appears in bold before each selection; the question is designed solely to help you focus and provide a purpose for reading the text. You are not asked to answer the purpose question. Each selection is followed by four to eight questions.

[Top]

Mathematics (90 minutes)
The Mathematics Test assesses your understanding of mathematical concepts and the application of those concepts to various
real world situations. The following four major areas are tested on the Mathematics Test:
25% Numbers, number sense & operations
25% Measurement and Geometry
25% Data, Statistics and Probability
25% Algebra, Functions and Patterns

The Mathematics Test is divided into two equally weighted parts, each containing 25 questions. On Part I of the test, you may use the Casio fx-260 calculator to compute answers. A calculator will be provided for your use at the official GED Testing Center. Because estimation and mental math are critical skills, you are not permitted to use the calculator on Part II of the test.

Although 80% of the mathematics questions are multiple-choice, 20% of the questions require you to construct your own answer. Rather than select from five choices, you must record answers on either standard or coordinate plane grids. Both Parts I and II of the Mathematics Test have multiple-choice, standard grid, and coordinate plan grid questions.

[Top]

Can I see some sample questions?
The Official GED Testing Service website contains sample questions in each of the six test areas. Click here to see the sample questions.

[Top]