Military Education Benefits
Often while one goes through the transition of divorce, other transitions are occurring at the same time.
It may be that a divorcing service member is leaving the service and transitioning to a new career or a nonworking spouse might suddenly be looking for work. This is the time to consider military education benefits.
Vanessa Goodfriend works with Redstone College and today, as a guest blogger, her article below reminds us of the many important educational programs offered to service members and their spouses. She has many family members either in active service or retired from various branches of the United States military.
Submitted by Vanessa Goodfriend:
Attending School after Military Service
Military personnel may wonder what it is they want to do after they have completed their military service. Going to college and pursuing a degree can be a large step to take, but one that can open up many doors to the future. A degree can ensure many job opportunities and a steady income for a military family. Fortunately, the United States appreciates its service men and women and provides them with financial aid, reduced tuition costs, and many incentives to attend college after military service.
Financial Aid for Education
The first question anybody going to college is going to ask themselves is how to pay for it. There are many opportunities for financial aid for military men and women. Some of the programs are:
- Post 9/11 GI Bill,
- Yellow Ribbon Program,
- Montgomery GI Bill,
- Veterans Educational Assistance Program,
- Pat Tillman Foundation
- DANTES
Many colleges offer lower tuition rates for people who have served their country. With so many tuition assistance programs available to military vets, the real challenge may be deciding where to go and what to study.
Military Spouse Education Programs
Military spouses aren’t left out of the fun. As of October 2010, the Department of Defense reopened the MyCAA (My Career Advancement Accounts) program. MyCAA can provide up to $4,000 of Financial Assistance for military spouses, making the decision to go back to school easy. Another popular program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, has a special provision allows service members to share their GI Bill with their immediate family. Military spouses might negotiate to delay a divorce to participate in some of these programs.
Military Education – Online Programs
Along with traditional on-campus schools, many colleges are implementing online programs. These programs are designed to allow everyone interested, to have the chance to get an education on their own time. Many people wonder how they will have time to go to college. By taking advantage of schools online, a student will be able to have their cake and eat it to, attend school and hold down a job. An online college can be more affordable and often, also comes with some financial aid.
Course of Study for Military Men and Women
As soon as the decision is made to attend school, students next concentrate on choosing a major. Service members have been around planes, have experience with in-field repairs and know what it takes to dedicate themselves.
Redstone College sets a good example offering many programs with hands-on training, free tutoring, waived registration fees, and scholarships or reduced tuition rates with proof of military status. It doesn’t matter if you are in active duty, a member of the reserves, a veteran or a retiree – all of these incentives are available to you. Many programs can be completed in less than two years. Some Redstone programs popular with military students are:
Avionics, HVAC, and aircraft mechanic training are careers that are in demand and cater to military personnel. An Associate, Bachelors, or Masters Degree in any of these programs would be beneficial in a job search. It is important for people to find a career that they will enjoy, and attending school after (or even during) military service is the best way to accomplish this.
Military Education Resources:
Military Financial Aid
Military Spouse and Family Educational Assistance Programs
Montgomery GI Bill
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