What If You Are Stationed Overseas
There are also colleges and universities that have contracts to be able to have classes at overseas military installations.
If you are overseas, you can check and see what is available where you are.
Being able to take classes there means you wont have to put your education on hold while you are stationed overseas.
What Makes A College Military Friendly
Many colleges claim to be military friendly. But what characteristics mark a truly military-friendly college?
First, military-friendly colleges accept education benefits like the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program. These benefits help military service members earn a college degree. Second, these schools have offices for military and veteran affairs to help students access resources and connect with a broader community. Third, these colleges often grant credit for military experience and training. Finally, military-friendly colleges offer resources to help graduates plan their careers.
Apply For Financial Aid
Though veterans are eligible for generous educational benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, they do have limits. Sometimes, veterans may find themselves unable to fully cover the cost of college with these benefits alone, and they should be aware of the options available to help them pay for college.
That is why all veterans who apply for college should submit the free FAFSA application to determine what federal and state financial aid they may be entitled to in addition to their GI benefits. Grants and scholarships can be especially helpful, as they do not need to be repaid.
Financing your education isnt something you should worry about after youve enrolled at an institution, just like you shouldnt drive off the lot in a brand new car that you clearly cant afford, says McCarty.
He suggests veterans ask questions like:
- Does the school participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program? If so, do they offer limited or unlimited contributions?
- Do they have grants or scholarships specifically for veterans?
- What will my out of pocket costs be ?
- Will I have to incur any education debt, either through federal or private loans, in order to obtain my degree?
- If so, what is my plan for repaying those loans?
Remember that any debt you incur now will be repaid later with interest, he says. What kind of a lifestyle will you have when this debt is added to any other financial obligations you have?
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Should I Join The Navy Or Go To College
You will gain a lot of soft skills in the Navy that translate well to college life. The Navy can give you a better head start. Better job while in college. If you do need to work while in school, its possible you can use the skills you learned in your Navy rate to get a better job.
Do Special Forces smoke?
Prevalence of current smoking was significantly higher among Special Forces personnel compared to regular forces. . Combat exposure was categorised based on number of risk events experienced.
Is Army Special Forces training that hard?
The Army has three categories of Soldiers: Enlisted Soldiers, Warrant Officers and Commissioned Officers. will not be easy. Special Forces training is rigorous and highly selective, but the courage and strength you will gain as a candidate will stay with you your entire life.
Why did soldiers smoke in ww2?
During World War II, free cigarettes were again distributed to soldiers and even included with ration kits. Soldiers were encouraged to smoke to relieve boredom and improve morale, and in 1943 their demand helped U.S. companies manufacture 290 billion cigarettes.
Graduate & Professional Opportunities
Joining America’s Navy doesn’t mean giving up your plans for a master’s, doctorate or other graduate degree. Instead, you’ll be encouraged to reach your academic goals by working in an environment where advanced education is supported.
Click here to learn more about graduate and professional opportunities.
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Find A Veterans Group On Campus
Any college or university with a substantial number of veteran students is likely to have a veterans group or veterans center on campus. These centers are designed to help answer the specific questions that veteran students might have but also act as a source of community for many veterans.
Community is extremely important, says McCarty. The camaraderie and sense of community in the military are palpable, and its perhaps the number one thing many vets will say they miss most after separation.
While student veterans organizations and veterans centers are important resources, McCarty stresses that other student clubs and groups can be just as important and impactful.
I encourage our new vets to join a student group. It doesnt have to be the SVO. But they need to seek out a community that works for them, he says. When youre a part of a community, youve got people looking out for you.
Navy Olmsted Scholar Program
This program allows active duty officers the chance to learn a foreign language in two years of graduate-level education at the expense of the Navy. The program aims to turn out officers who are fluent in foreign languages, appreciate other cultures, and learn about different regions through overseas travel. Sailors do not have to have a background in foreign languages to apply.
- Award amount: This program will cover the cost of tuition. Sailors are still considered to be on active duty for the duration of their education, so they will receive their regular paychecks and benefits.
- Eligibility: Officers must have served on commission for at least three years but cannot have served more than 11 years of federal service by the time of candidate selection. They will need to provide their scores on the Defense Language Aptitude Battery and the GRE, official transcripts, an essay on why they want to be part of this program, and a letter of endorsement from their commanding officer. Sailors will incur a service commitment three times as long as their participation in the program.
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Should I Go To The Marines Or College First
Honestly, enlist right now first before college, then when your four years is up, go to college and join an officer program, and use all the military benefits you have to pay for college.
Can I go to college then join the military?
You can join the military part-time and go to college: You can serve in the military part-time , get free career training, train a weekend a month and two weeks a year , and earn money while you go to college.
- 2 days ago
Federal Student Aid Application
Students, regardless of whether Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits pay all or some of college costs, may obtain additional financial aid for education by preparing a federal student aid application . The amount of military aid a student receives for a college education does not defer eligibility or reduce the amount of student aid that student could receive from the four federal grant programs – Pell, SMART, ACG, and TEACH – and many of the state student aid programs.
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National University Seeks Motivated Students
Advisors at NU look for military students who are motivated, focused, and want to do better in life. These students may not have been successful in the classroom before entering the military. But military service can change all that.
A lot of students go to different schools and dont do well because they dont know how to balance military commitments, Spittler says. But she explains when theyve been in the military for a while, theyve learned discipline and accountability, and have developed the motivation to move up in rank. So all of this makes a difference when they decide to return to the classroom. In the application process, their high school grade point average is not as important as their current level of motivation, according to Spittler.
While a student with a low high school GPA may be embarrassed when they first approach an advisor, Spittler says she and her colleagues are understanding and will ask: What is different now?
In an interview process, the advisor gathers information and asks questions that help the student determine their reason for seeking more education, and to help understand if they are ready.
She finds that, most often, prospective military students are usually ready and prepared for the challenge of college after serving in the military for a year or two. Additionally, the educational benefits theyve earned help ease the decision.
With all that lined up, Spittler adds, So why shouldnt they go to school?
How Does The Va Calculate Post
About Ryan Guina
Ryan Guina is The Military Wallets founder. He is a writer, small business owner, and entrepreneur. He served over six years on active duty in the USAF and is a current member of the Illinois Air National Guard.
Ryan started The Military Wallet in 2007 after separating from active duty military service and has been writing about financial, small business, and military benefits topics since then. He also writes about personal finance and investing at Cash Money Life.
Ryan uses Personal Capital to track and manage his finances. Personal Capital is a free software program that allows him to track his net worth, balance his investment portfolio, track his income and expenses, and much more. You can open a free Personal Capital account here.
Featured In: Ryans writing has been featured in the following publications: Forbes, Military.com, US News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, Reserve & National Guard Magazine , Military Influencer Magazine, Cash Money Life, The Military Guide, USAA, Go Banking Rates, and many other publications.
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Military Or College The Money Angle
Attending college has grown steadily more expensive through the decades and often requires taking out student loans to get a degree. The U.S. News & World Report says that more than 60 percent of students use student loans, graduating with an average debt of $29,000.
If you enlist first, you can use the GI Bill’s benefits to attend college at considerably less expense, Villanova University explains. Your school may translate some of your military training and experience into college credit, shortening your college time. When you enlist in your late teens, you can end your military career young enough to attend college and launch a career.
You may not even have to wait that long, according to National University. Attending college while you’re in the military is also an option. Many colleges will work with you to develop a schedule that fits around your duties. If you’ve served long enough, you can claim GI Bill benefits while still serving. Even if you haven’t been serving that long, the military provides tuition assistance of $4,500 a year.
It’s also possible to serve in the military, leave for college and then rejoin later, Military Benefits points out. This option may be simple or near-impossible, depending on details such as the type of discharge you received. In some cases, you might have to repeat basic training in others, the military will be happy to invite you back on board.
Can You Go To School On Base If You Are Deployed
Yes, the University of Maryland University College was awarded a 54-month contract offering undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate classes in 9 locations downrange.
This will allow service members to attend classes and further their education while they are deployed.
They also have locations in Europe and North Africa, including seven in Italy and 19 in Germany.
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Can I Afford To Go To School While Im On Active Duty
Active-duty servicemembers are eligible for Military Tuition Assistance, the most common form of military financial aid assistance. The program pays up to $4,500 each fiscal year for tuition and other school expenses, aid that can serve as an important motivator for students.
If someone in the military has served long enough, they may become eligible for GI Bill benefits. However, these benefits have a few limitations for those on active-duty. Spittler explains one caveat: the housing allowance isnt available to those still serving.
With the GI Bill, theyre not going to get the housing allowance because theyre already getting that in the military, Spittler says.
The GI Bill is more likely to come into play during active reserve duty when members of the military can use the GI Bill for on-site classes. The GI Bill is also popular among veteran students. In addition, all or part of any unused GI Bill education benefits can be gifted to a spouse as long as the request is completed while the servicemember is an active member of the armed forces.
These financial perks are motivators for active-duty servicemembers to enroll in college, Spittler says. Another financial boost can come from increased rank and pay. For example, Spittler explains if someone is moving closer to a bachelors degree, they do get points toward moving up in the ranks and being promoted to the next rank.
Navy Education Programs For College
Whether you are in the United States Navy or looking to join, there are a few different ways that the Navy can help further your education. There are schools and programs to further educate yourself and work towards the career you would like to have. Here are some of the Navy Education Programs to help you achieve your career goals.
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The Military Will Likely Cover Most If Not All Of Your College Education
If youre an active-duty member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, you are entitled to tuition assistance from your particular branch.
Theres a chance your branch might pay up to 100 percent of your college tuition expenses incurred toward earning a degree. If the full amount is not covered by this tuition assistance, you might be eligible to use the GI Bill as well. This scenario is known as using the top-up program. This additional funding often covers the difference on any remaining tuition amount for college coursework.
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How Long Do You Have To Be In The Military To Get Free College
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to 100% of your tuition and fees, depending on your length of service and whether you attend public or private school. To receive the full benefit, you must have served at least 3 years. However, those who have only served 90 days of service can cover as much as 40% of their tuition costs.
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The Benefits Of Furthering Your Education While Serving
Whether you plan to stay in the military after your expiration-term of service or go into civilian life, pursuing an education while you are still serving can make a lot of sense. Here are five reasons to pursue education now.
Expert Interview: Lizz Galea Us Air Force A1c
U.S. Air Force A1C Lizz Galea, 23, is from Kalkaska, Michigan, and is currently stationed at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom, about 75 miles from London. She decided to join the Air Force in April 2019 and officially enlisted in the DEP in May 2019. She is taking online classes in pursuit of an arts and sciences degree from Northwestern Michigan College, located about 25 miles from her hometown. She has a particular interest in dietetics and hopes to eventually work as a registered dietitian for athletes.
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Prepare For The Asvab Test
Be prepared to study for the ASVAB test. Studying for the ASVAB is crucial to qualify for more military branch options and careers. Dont stress out too much though, if you take the test and wished you had scored higher, you are able to take the test again. Also, if you have a college degree, you may be able to enlist at a higher rank.
If you have children, you will need a guardian who is willing to provide care while you are away. You will attend basic training and your schooling, on a full-time basis, away from your family. Even if joining the reserves, you have to complete basic training and your tech school. Each military branch basic training length varies and tech school length depends on your career choice. Some schools are as quick as eight weeks, while others are one year long.
Can You Go To College While Serving In The Military
A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at AIU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.
If you serve in the military and are thinking of moving forward in your education, then it is possible to pursue a degree while continuing your service. Online programs and military-friendly schools offer flexibility to help active military students balance higher education and service obligations.
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