When looking for an online college, ask prospective schools if their degrees are accredited. Avoid online degree mills that will cost you money and give you very little benefit. Visit the websites of established colleges that have added distance learning to their available options.
Ask about financial aid. Schools that offer distance learning often have financial aid options. The financial aid office online will answer your questions about who can apply and how to do so. They will email you the appropriate forms. It never hurts to ask.
Once you are enrolled in an online school, set up a strict schedule. The joy of taking college classes at home is that you can "go to school" on your own schedule. But that does not mean you "go to school" when you feel like it. In order to be successful at taking college classes online, you must schedule classwork, homework, and study time into your daily or weekly routine. Otherwise, you will fall behind.
Be proactive with your online professors. If you have questions, don't hesitate to email your teachers. Visit your online classes' chat rooms as much as you can to discuss the subject with other students. This takes the place of meeting one another in a study hall or chatting in the coffeehouse. Conversing about the work with your teachers and sharing ideas with other students are important parts of learning.
Become familiar with online libraries and databases. A good place to start is questia.com. If you take courses at home because of mobility issues, or if you are in a remote area, this step is vital to your success. Online research can be used by people who intend to request the books they find from their local library. Your online college should have some library resources online.