Best Colleges For Military Spouses - Each college has a list of criteria that applicants look for to determine a particular school's fit. Most students want institutions that are affordable, have academic programs that interest them, and meet their living needs. There are many other things that military and veteran families need to keep in mind.
While the post-9/11 GI Bill® allows many service members and veterans to attend participating colleges and universities for up to 36 months, not all GI Bill® approved schools offer the same opportunities. It's important to research your options to find military-friendly colleges. You don't need to sign up for the first school that crosses your radar.
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To help you weigh your options, we've compiled a list of the five most important elements every student serving in the armed forces should look for in a college.
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Not all colleges are equal in supporting the special needs of military families. Consider these five options when looking for an institution that will prepare you for a thriving career in the civilian workforce.
The Armed Forces experience is not just about equipping service members for success in a particular field of military service. There are a number of transferable skills you will acquire during your career. Applying your work toward a degree makes sense, but not all schools see it that way.
When looking for a military-friendly college, check to see if the institution you're considering accepts military training for academic credit. Attending one can significantly shorten the time it takes to earn your degree and move on to the next stage of your career.
For example, one of the factors that helped Massachusetts Global University achieve Gold Military Friendly® status is the school's policy of accepting up to 46 credits for military experience. UMass Global also awards college credit for passing scores on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST).
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Although your GI Bill® benefits may cover a significant portion of your higher education expenses, many military and veteran students have residual expenses. This is especially true if you attend a private school or a public school as an out-of-state student. Fortunately, some colleges participate in military and veteran education programs that can help. Try to find a GI Bill® approved school affiliated with government programs like the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Education Enhancement Program, also known as the Yellow Ribbon Program, is a provision of the Post-September 11, 2008 Veterans Education Act. Participating colleges and universities agree to provide additional funding to eligible students for GI Bill® eligibility at no additional cost. Massachusetts Global University is proud to be a part of this network that offers unlimited access and support to every qualified student.
It's also true that active duty military personnel and their spouses can complete many online programs for tuition at an institution like UMass Global.
Various scholarships for students with military experience can also help with your studies at some schools. Explore opportunities such as the AMVETS National Scholarship Program, the Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarship, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the AFCEA Military Veterans Scholarship.
Military & Veteran Friendly College Programs
In addition to the important educational benefits you seek, you should check to see if the college has an active support system to provide ongoing guidance and networking opportunities for the military population. There is a special office or center for students who have served in higher schools.
For example, Massachusetts Global University has a Veterans Resource Center that provides a dedicated social space for the military community to gather or host networking events. Students also have access to academic counseling, tutoring, study skills workshops, mental health counseling, and specialized career counseling. There is even a special support staff that includes many retired military personnel.
Some schools hold induction events or special information sessions for potential military and veteran students. Many colleges have special student orientation and mentoring or boarding programs for students with military experience.
Although they are often overlooked, the benefits to family members of those who have served in the armed forces are important. If you have a spouse or dependents, this may be a very important consideration for you in your college search.
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For example, you can look for a school that participates in the Military Spouse Career Account (MyCAA) program. It provides financial assistance to military spouses seeking licenses or credentials that lead to employment in portable career fields.
You can also find colleges that accept tuition assistance from survivors and dependents. Assistance is available under this program to dependents of veterans who become permanently disabled or who die as a result of an injury or death while on duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship is another option. It provides 9/11 GI Bill® benefits to children and surviving spouses of service members killed in the line of duty.
As you take steps to ensure you are prepared for success transitioning into the civilian workforce, choose a college with a positive experience with its students. See graduation rates, student loan default rates, and student satisfaction rates for the institutions you're considering.
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Graduation rates help demonstrate that a school is effectively educating students from start to finish. Student loan default rates generally reflect how well a college is preparing its students for career success. Student satisfaction scores help determine how likely graduates are to recommend their alma mater to friends and family.
Finally, as a military or veteran student, you may have a number of commitments outside of school. Whether you maintain active duty or reserve status, balancing a full-time job and/or raising children, flexibility can make a world of difference.
It's best to look for a college that offers both fully online and self-paced program options. If you want to know which method is best suited to meet your needs, you can take a ten-question quiz: "What kind of online learner are you?"
When thinking about using your earned benefits for a military education, it's best to look for colleges that are well-prepared for your unique needs as a service member, spouse or dependent. The above items will help you decide which schools should be on your short list.
Financial Aid For Military Family Members And Dependents
To learn more about one of the top military-friendly colleges in the country, visit the University of Massachusetts Global Military and Veterans Services page.
By submitting this form, I agree that UMass Global may contact me regarding educational services at the telephone number provided. I understand that my consent is not required for admission to Massachusetts Global University. Privacy Policy Domestic Military and Veterans Benefit Education Scholarships and Grants for Military Spouses and Children: Find and Apply for the Best Scholarships for You
Looking for help paying for college? Grants and scholarships are available year-round for military spouses and children.
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Best Mycaa Programs: Spouse Scholarship & Tuition Assistance
Although the cost of higher education has been rising faster than inflation for decades, higher education does not have to be debt. Grants and scholarships for military children, military spouses and other active duty students are available year-round and, unlike loans, never have to be repaid.
The second best scholarship news is that some require little effort. Sorting through scholarship applications and deadlines online can be the most time-consuming part. Once you know what and when you're applying, any scholarship will require your basic personal information and a short essay or personal statement.
Searching for scholarships can be overwhelming because there are thousands of scholarships out there and many resources to find them online. You don't want to waste your time sorting through scholarship pages and pages that don't suit you. That's why it's helpful to use tools to help you find and sort through any military-related scholarships you might qualify for.
Militaryscholar.org, the military scholarship database hosted by the Fisher House Foundation, can direct you to many military-specific scholarships that may be a good fit for you.
Military Veterans Admissions & Benefits
Joining the military may be a big part of who we are, but it's not the only thing that qualifies you for a scholarship. Business associations and non-profit organizations with different goals all offer scholarships aimed at specific populations. In fact, there are scholarships for almost anything you can think of. Are you a first-generation college student? Are you a golf enthusiast? are you left handed Do you like community service or writing poetry?
Associations, clubs and organizations often have scholarships based on membership or location. For example, your local spouses' club may have an annual scholarship fund to help spouses and dependents in higher education. don't be
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