If you want to use your new online criminal justice degree to land a job in law enforcement, you will find the most success with federal safety jobs, rather than police jobs at the state and local levels.{{ad91}}

Many state and local governments are strapped for cash and are not hiring new police officers, at least for the next two years, says Jason Abend, executive director of the National Law Enforcement Recruiters Association in Arlington, Va.

However, he says, there are some bright spots. Consider these federal government positions, which will allow you to gain valuable policing skills as well as a foothold in the government hiring system:

Looking to save money on online college costs and cut the expense of online education? You may be able to deduct some—or all—of what you spend on distance learning from your income tax bill by using education tax deductions.

Tax deductions are a great form of financial aid.  Tax deductions are subtracted from your total taxable income. They may reduce what you owe the IRS by putting you in a lower income category.{{ad91}}

Uncle Sam is helping students with a host of tax credits—including a new, expanded education tax credit as part of the federal stimulus program.
 
These popular tax credits save you money by cutting the amount of income tax you owe.

As you work through your 1040 or 1040EZ form and calculate your adjusted gross income, you will see what your tax is based on the chart the IRS provides. You can subtract your tax credit directly from your tax bill, reducing the amount you must pay the government.

For example, if you look up your adjusted gross income in the tax chart and find that you owe $4,000, and you qualify for $2,500 in education tax credits, you can subtract $2,500 from $4,000—meaning you will only owe the government the difference ($1,500).