A lot of attention has been focused on how rising fuel costs will have a detrimental affect on the tourism and travel industries, telecommuting, and especially the agriculture industry. But an industry that may gain (Yes, I said GAIN) the most could be online education, or distance learning; especially in those areas where a large percentage of the student population consists of adult learners who must commute to local campuses.

Think about what it costs you to drive:

Let's assume that your automobile gets 20 miles per gallon and gas is prices at $4.00 per gallon.

If you commute 20 miles per day (10 miles to and from school), for a 12 week semester, at 5 days per week for attending classes it will cost you an extra $240 per semester for fuel. That does not take into account wear and tear on your vehicle or insurance and parking fees.

Compare that to what you would pay if you were attending an online program:

Fuel is still $4.00 per gallon.

Your car still gets 20 miles per gallon of gas.

You still attend classes 5 days a week for each 12 week semester.

You still live 10 miles away from the campus.

So, your total fuel bill would be...let's see if the mathematicians among us can get this....

Well, it would be $0.00, because you did not drive to your classes.

I know that was a really simple math problem, but have you thought of the implications of what it really means?

If you attend a minimum of two semesters per year you would save at least $480.00 per year by 'attending' classes online. This also does not take into account the affect that you would have on the environment by not releasing pollution into the atmosphere through driving your automobile.

Now, someone might say that I have not included the cost for having access to an internet connection; and that is a valid argument. Except that, if you are reading this, chances are that you must already have access, somehow, to the internet (whether at home or work) and thus that cost is already being taken into account (by somebody). Either you are paying for at or your employer is.

How can you take advantage of this opportunity?

Check with the university or college that you are attending. Many of the classes that you may be taking, or need to take in the future, might already be offered online. If they are not currently, maybe there is a process for petitioning the administration to consider allowing your courses to be delivered in an online format. An extreme option, though in all likelihood, one which will be used more often than not, is to transfer to a college or university that does offer you the ability to take your courses, and achieve your goals, online.

Even if you cannot 'attend' your classes online every day; for every day that you do not have to drive to attend your courses you will save a minimum of $4.00 at the rates mentioned above.