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Warrior-Scholar Project Partners with Yale University to Host One-Week Winter STEM Program for Veterans

Education

While most college first-year students are recent high school graduates, for some, higher education is made possible by military benefits — leading many veterans to struggle with adjusting to the college experience after serving.

In an effort to help student veterans acclimate to civilian life and successfully complete undergraduate programs, national nonprofit Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) has partnered with Yale University to host a virtual Winter STEM Academic Boot Camp from Dec. 13-18. The intensive physics-based curriculum, offered at no cost to enlisted service members, is designed to help veterans prepare for an academic environment while learning strategies to become better students.

The WSP-Yale Winter STEM Academic Boot Camp is open to veterans who have transitioned out of the military or active duty service members who are within two years of separation and haven’t already participated in a WSP STEM boot camp. Veterans looking to jumpstart their education can learn more about the program and apply here.

Though the program is being held completely online in response to the pandemic, students will have the opportunity to learn from Yale faculty, including the esteemed Marla Geha, professor in the Astronomy and Physics departments, and Jack Harris, professor of Physics and Applied Physics. Additionally, students will receive mentoring from fellow veterans and begin to adjust to a formal learning environment — all key components of the in-person program that were adapted for a virtual setting.

“The STEM program [at Yale] was informative, and I had a lot of fun! I feel more comfortable going into an introductory physics class,” said Ciara Slusarz, a U.S. Navy veteran who participated in the WSP-Yale 2020 summer boot camp. “Having a class with very passionate instructors and students definitely helped me understand and appreciate the material and made me feel like I would be able to do well in this sort of college class.”

The first-ever WSP program was piloted at Yale in 2012, making this the ninth year that the university has partnered with the national nonprofit — bolstering the school’s reach to local veterans. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, over 184,000 veterans reside in Connecticut. Often, service members face extraordinary challenges acclimating to civilian life and Warrior-Scholar Project helps them find camaraderie and guidance during a challenging time in their lives. Support from Yale University and investments made by foundations, corporations, and private donors cover the entire cost of the program for participants. Since the program began, nearly 200 veterans have attended WSP at Yale University.
About Warrior-Scholar Project

Warrior-Scholar Project empowers enlisted veterans and service members to excel at four-year universities. Through intensive and immersive one- to two-week academic boot camps, participants gain skills required for success and support for the cultural shift from the military to higher education at top-tier schools. Throughout WSP’s free resident education programs, students are traditionally housed on campus, and engage in challenging discussions with accomplished professors, receiving tailored instruction on key skills like analytical reading and college-level writing. 2020 academic boot camps follow a virtual version of this program due to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Warrior-Scholar Project is a national nonprofit with programs at public and private colleges and universities across the country. For more information, visit www.warrior-scholar.org.

About Yale University
Since its founding in 1701, Yale has been dedicated to expanding and sharing knowledge, inspiring innovation, and preserving cultural and scientific information for future generations. Yale’s reach is both local and international. It partners with its hometown of New Haven, Connecticut to strengthen the city’s community and economy. And it engages with people and institutions across the globe in the quest to promote cultural understanding, improve the human condition, delve more deeply into the secrets of the universe, and train the next generation of world leaders.

Military veteran graduates from college alongside his daughter

EducationStories

NORFOLK, Va. – A father and daughter from Portsmouth, Virginia, are now bonded by their college graduations from the same school and on the same day.

Marvin Fletcher, a retired U.S. Marine and Army veteran, told Fox News Digital that he was shocked when he found out that both he and his daughter SaNayah Hill, 17, would be graduating from Tidewater Community College at the same time.

In a phone interview, Fletcher said he felt overwhelming pride when he learned that his daughter had completed her career studies certificate in emergency medical service as a dual-enrollment student — before even finishing her junior year at Deep Creek High School.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunity that TCC afforded myself, as well as other veterans, and my daughter,” Fletcher said.

He earned his associate’s degree in applied science in management after serving for four years in the Marine Corps and eight years in the Army.

Fletcher added, “I’m humbled and honored to have served. And I like the fact that my daughter wants to serve in the medical field in her own way.”

The father-daughter pair completed their graduation march on Monday, May 9, at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

Click here to read the full article on FOX.

Nebraska teen accepted to all five military academies; sets out to serve America

EducationGovernment

By Angelica Stabile, FOX News

High school senior Noble Rasmussen intends to serve his country well — and all five U.S. military academies seem to agree.

The Nebraska teen joined “Fox & Friends” on Friday to celebrate his acceptance to all five academies.

He then announced on the program that he’ll be attending the United States Air Force Academy in June.

Rasmussen, a cadet with the Civil Air Patrol, said that his interest in applying to each school was sparked from a desire to represent and serve the United States as a whole.

“I want to serve my country the best I can,” he said. “So applying to all academies [presented] the option to serve anywhere.”

“I feel like it’s my duty to serve my country.”

VIDEO: Watch the interview on FOX & Friends

While the “noble” sentiment of military service complements Rasmussen’s first name nicely, his mother, Cheri Rasmussen, said that was his parents’ exact intention when they named him.

“Our prayer for him his whole life was just to have that noble character of honor, honesty and integrity,” she said. “Just to kind of rise above and have that high moral principle.”

“God has blessed us with that, and we see those qualities of leadership and maturity in Noble.”

Continue to Fox News to read the complete article.

Fort Leavenworth Military spouse continues education at 49

EducationMilitary Spouse

Kate Hanlen posing outdoors in flowery dress smiling

Great Bend Tribune

When Kate Hanlen went on a mission trip to Honduras at the age of 19, she didn’t know she would discover her career calling that would be 30 years in the making.

“We were there to help build buildings and paint mostly,” she said. “One day there was this six-year-old girl that was on the other side of a fence, and she spoke Spanish and I did not, but she showed me her leg and it had a big wound on it. I ran and grabbed a medical kit we had, and I didn’t know very much but I helped her as much as I could and I thought ‘Lord, if this is what you’re calling me to, I embrace it.’ Since that day, I’ve always prayed that my hands will be used to help as many people as possible.”

That pivotal moment caused Hanlen to enroll in nursing school, but after two years she wasn’t sure exactly in what specific arena she wanted continue helping people so, she enlisted in the Army reserves and served as a combat medic for eight years. During that time, she met her husband who was active duty and they married in 1995. Over the next 26 years, they had six children and traveled the world as a military family with her often handling all the parental duties when her husband was on deployments.

“We’ve traveled all over the world,” she said. “However, the needs of our family were always my treasure. I wanted to be with my kids, make our house a home since we did move so much.”

With her husband retired and four of her kids out of the house and the youngest two not far behind, Hanlen realized her amazing journey as a mother was going to transition into a stage that would allow her time to focus on herself.

Her son had utilized Barton’s LSEC courses in high school at Fort Leavenworth so he could graduate college more quickly. These classes are offered on scholarship to soldiers and their families that are stationed at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley.

“My son and I came down to the Army Education Center and we couldn’t believe we were able to take these classes at no charge, she said. “I kept asking them ‘Are you sure a bill for thousands of dollars isn’t going to show up in a few months?’”

Of course, no bill ever showed up, and now Hanlen is utilizing Barton’s LSEC classes at Fort Leavenworth to fill in some gaps on her transcript that she needs to finish her pre-requisites before transferring to St. Mary’s University to finish her nursing school. At that time, she hopes to find a job in hospice care.

Read the complete article here.

Rhodes Scholar Excels on All Fronts

Education

black female in U.S. Navy Uniform also pictured palying soccer and standing in front of fighter jet

Established in 1902, after the passing of Cecil John Rhodes, the Rhodes Scholarship has sought out some of the world’s most outstanding young leaders to pursue a complete expense paid education at the University of Oxford. Over a hundred years later, the scholarships are the oldest and one of the most prestigious academic honors in the world.

Rhodes Scholars are chosen based on high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership and physical vigor. The value of the Rhodes Scholarship varies depending on the academic field, the degree pursued, and the college chosen.

This year, out of the 820 applicants chosen to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship, only 32 were awarded, including to Midshipman 1^st Class Senior, Sarah Skinner, of the U.S. Naval Academy. She will be the Naval Academy’s 54^th Rhodes Scholar.

Skinner is an honors political science major, with a Chinese minor, at the U.S. Naval Academy. Her honors research is aimed at evaluating the overall effectiveness of middle power nations and middle power institutions in mitigating hegemonic competition and conflict between the U.S. and China. This past summer, she studied Taiwanese virtually through National Taiwan University.

Additionally, Skinner has held numerous leadership positions at the Naval Academy, including her current position as the 21^st Company commander, where she oversees 150 midshipmen. She has previously served as both the 21st Company drill sergeant and honor sergeant. Skinner is also the Navy Women’s Rugby team captain, was selected to play for the USA’s Rugby Olympic Development Program, and a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society.

Skinner is a 2018 graduate of Marist School in Brookhaven, Georgia, and she plans to pursue a Master of Philosophy in international relations at Oxford University. Her education and transportation to and from England will be covered entirely through her scholarship. After completing the Rhodes Scholarship program, Skinner will continue her naval service in the surface warfare community.

Source: The U.S. Naval Academy, The Rhodes Trust

Your Top GI Bill Questions Answered

Education

man At Desk In Modern Work Space With Laptop

Whether you’re already utilizing your GI Bill benefits or looking to begin using it as part of an educational New Years’ resolution, you may have questions about how to get the most out of your benefits. Here are some of your most popular GI Bill questions, answered.

I need to apply. How do I do that, and what do I need?

Applying for the GI Bill can be done in a variety of ways. One of the easiest ways to do so is online at www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/, but if you prefer, you could do it by mail or in person at your local VA office. Accredited representatives are also available to help you apply for your benefits should you need them. You will need to bring your social security number, bank account direct deposit information, and an understanding of your education and military history to complete the application.

I am enrolled in school. When will I receive my benefits from VA?

You will generally receive payment within two weeks of verifying your enrollment at the end of the month (or within one week if using direct deposit), but many things affect when you receive your payments. Your school must submit your enrollment to VA for processing to begin. If it’s the first time you are using benefits, it will take longer to process your payment than if you are re-enrolling. In general, it takes about a month to process an original claim and about a week for a re-enrollment. If VA needs to verify your service, things such as remarks from your certifying official on your enrollment can make processing longer. Processing times are longer in the fall than during other terms due to the volume of claims VA receives.

If you are receiving benefits under Montgomery GI Bill — Active Duty (MGIB-AD/Chapter 30) or Montgomery GI Bill — Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR/Chapter 1606), you must also verify your enrollment at the end of each month to receive payment for that month. Benefits are paid after each month of school is completed.

How does the Post 9/11 GI Bill affect active duty veterans?

Veterans who have served at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001, and received an honorable discharge will qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. To be eligible for the full benefit, a veteran must have served at least three years of active duty after September 10, 2001. Those who qualify for the MGIB-AD or the MGIB-SR will have the option to choose which benefit best suits their need.

The correlation between time served and the percentage of the maximum benefit payable is as follows:

36 months or received a Purple Heart: 100%

30 continuous days on active duty and discharged due to service-connected disability: 100%

At least 30 months, but less than 36 months: 90%

At least 24 months, but less than 30 months: 80%

At least 18 months, but less than 24 months: 70%

At least six months, but less than 18 months: 60%

At least 90 days, but less than six months: 50%

What type of active duty counts for a Reserve or Guard member regarding the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

The following active duty qualifies for Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility:

All Title 10 active duty supporting named contingency operations.
Title 32 service for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing or training the National Guard.
Title 32 service under section 502(f) for the purpose of responding to a national emergency.
All voluntary active duty, with the exception of active duty for medical care and medical evaluation.
Title 10 service under 502(f): Title 10 service under 12301(h) for the purpose of receiving service-related medical care.
A reservist who receives a Purple Heart for service occurring on or after September 11, 2001.
Service under 12304, 12304a, and 12304b orders, mobilization to provide assistance in response to a major disaster or emergency or for preplanned missions in support of combatant commands.
Individuals ordered to active duty under section 12301(h) of title 10, USC to receive authorized medical care, to be medically evaluated for disability or other purposes, or to complete a required Department of Defense healthcare study.

All forms of inactive duty training (drills and funeral honors), as well as annual training, do not qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit.

How do I verify my enrollment?

If you’re receiving the Montgomery GI Bill — Active Duty or Selected Reserve, use the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or call our toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-VA-ECERT (1-877-823-2378) to verify your attendance.

If you’re receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you don’t need to verify your attendance.

Are VA Education Benefits taxable?

No. Any veterans’ benefits paid under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should not be reported as income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You will not receive a W-2 from the VA. Per IRS Publication 970:

“Payments you receive for education, training, or subsistence under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are tax-free. Do not include these payments as income on your federal tax return.

If you qualify for one or more of the education benefits discussed in chapters 2 through 13*, you may have to reduce the amount of education expenses qualifying for a specific benefit by part or all of your VA payments. This applies only to the part of your VA payments that is required to be used for education expenses.”

What if I receive a failing grade in one of my classes?

If you fail a class, you receive a “punitive grade” for that class. A punitive grade is a grade that doesn’t count as earned credit but is used in determining a student’s progress toward graduation requirements. This means that the grade you receive counts in your overall degree progress, albeit negatively. Since this grade counts towards your graduation progress, you are not required to repay any GI Bill money you received for that class.

You may retake the class in an attempt to receive credit towards graduation or raise your grade for the course, and you may receive GI Bill payment for retaking the class.

To learn more about your benefits or to answer any other questions you may have, visit gibill.custhelp.va.gov for more information.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship for Veterans

EducationSTEM

Female cadet with backpack and laptop against American flag. Military education

The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship allows some eligible Veterans and dependents in high-demand fields to extend their Post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship benefits. Read below to find out if you’re eligible for up to 9 months (or $30,000) of added benefits and how to apply.

Am I eligible for the Rogers STEM Scholarship (GI Bill extension)?

You may be eligible for this scholarship as a Veteran or a Fry Scholar if you meet at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these must be true:

You’re currently enrolled in an undergraduate STEM degree program or qualifying dual-degree program, or
You’ve earned a post-secondary degree or a graduate degree in an approved STEM degree field and are enrolled in a covered clinical training program for health care professionals, or
You’ve earned a post-secondary degree in an approved STEM degree field and are working toward a teaching certification

Full eligibility requirements

To be eligible, you need to meet all of the requirements listed here for your situation.

If you’re currently enrolled in an undergraduate STEM degree or qualifying dual-degree program,

All of these must be true:

You’re enrolled in a qualifying undergraduate STEM degree program that requires at least 120 standard semester credit hours (or 180 quarter credit hours) to complete, and
You’ve completed at least 60 standard credit hours (or 90 quarter credit hours) toward your degree, and
You have 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill (or Fry Scholarship) benefits left.

To find out how much of your benefits you have left, check your Post-9/11 GI Bill Statement of Benefits.

Note: You can’t use the STEM scholarship for graduate degree programs at this time.

If you’re enrolled in a covered clinical training program for health care professionals

All of these must be true:

You’ve earned a qualifying degree in a STEM field, and
You’ve been accepted or are enrolled in a covered clinical training program for health care professionals, and
You have 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill (or Fry Scholarship) benefits left. To find out how much of your benefits you have left, check your Post-9/11 GI Bill Statement of Benefits.

If you’re working toward a teaching certification

All of these must be true:

You’ve earned a qualifying post-secondary degree in a STEM field, and
You’ve been accepted or are enrolled in a teaching certification program, and
You have 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill (or Fry Scholarship) benefits left. To find out how much of your benefits you have left, check your Post-9/11 GI Bill Statement of Benefits

How we prioritize scholarships

If you meet these eligibility requirements, we can’t guarantee that you’ll receive the Rogers STEM scholarship.

We give priority to Veterans and Fry Scholars who:

Are eligible for the maximum Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit (100% level), and
Require the most credit hours compared to other applicants
Which degree programs can I use this scholarship for?

You can use this scholarship for undergraduate degree programs in these subject areas:

Agriculture science or natural resources science
Biological or biomedical science
Computer and information science and support services
Engineering, engineering technologies, or an engineering-related field
Health care or a health-care-related field
Mathematics or statistics
Medical residency (undergraduate only)
Physical science
Science technologies or technicians

Download the full list of eligible STEM degree programs (PDF)

Note: We updated this full list of eligible programs in March 2021.

How do I apply for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship?

You can apply online right now. The online application should take you about 15 minutes to complete.

What happens after I apply for this scholarship?

We usually make a decision about each scholarship within 30 days. We award scholarships on a monthly basis. If we need more information from you to make a decision, we’ll send you a letter.

If we approve your application, you’ll get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail. This is also called a decision letter. Bring this COE to the VA certifying official at your school. This person is usually in the registrar’s, financial aid, or Veteran’s office at the school.

If we don’t approve your application, you’ll get a denial letter in the mail.

What’s STEMText?

We use STEMText to communicate with you about your Rogers STEM Scholarship benefits through text messages.

If you receive the Rogers STEM Scholarship, we’ll send an opt-in text message to your primary phone number. We’ll ask if you’d like to receive updates about your VA STEM benefits by text message. To participate, respond “yes” within 7 days of receiving this message.

You can also use STEMText to verify your attendance each month. Verifying by text instead of email can help you get your housing payments faster. We’ll send you a text message each month asking if you attended your STEM courses. To verify, just respond “yes.”

Go to our STEMText video (YouTube) to learn more.

Read the complete article posted on the VA Website.

Why Veterans With GI Bill Benefits Still Take Out Student Loans

Education

Why are so many veterans taking out student loans when GI bill benefits cover full tuition and fees at public universities, and at least partial tuition and fees at private universities?

In new survey results released today, The Pew Charitable Trusts found that most veterans who take out student loans do so to pay living expenses. Even though bill benefits also include stipends to cover books, supplies, and housing allowances, veteran borrowers face unique challenges and often have to juggle additional financial obligations, such as child care.

Nearly 6 in 10 U.S. military veterans who have taken out student loans cite living expenses, such as housing and child care, as their main reason for borrowing, according to a first-of-its-kind, nationally representative survey of veterans who have taken out student loans.

The survey—conducted for The Pew Charitable Trusts among veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001—helps shed light on a key mystery: why so many are taking on student loan debt despite having access to robust Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

A separate Pew analysis done earlier this year using U.S. Department of Education data found that just over a quarter of veterans in undergraduate programs took out loans, with a median amount of $8,000 in the 2015-16 academic year.

The questions in the survey were crafted to give a better sense of how veterans use the borrowed money, including a request to rank the expenses covered with student loan dollars. Among the key findings:

58% of those who took out student loans said they borrowed primarily to cover living expenses. The most commonly cited were housing costs (21%) and day-to-day expenses, such as groceries and child care (17%). (See Figure 1 for more detail.)
42% cited educational expenses as the primary cost they borrowed to cover. Most chose tuition and fees (36%), while a small proportion selected books and supplies (6%).

Read the complete article on Pewtrusts.org

Answering Your Top Questions on the Yellow Ribbon Program

Education

Veteran in uniform holding books with a U.S. flag behind him

The Yellow Ribbon Program, as many veterans turned students know, is a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that can help cover the expenses that do not automatically apply for veterans.

Unlike the GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program acts similarly to a scholarship, in that it must be met by certain criteria and enter into an agreement between your school and the Department of Veteran Affairs. This provision, though helpful, can come with a lot of questions on its proceedings. Here are some of the top questions on the Yellow Ribbon Program, answered.

What do I need to qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

To qualify to receive the Yellow Ribbon benefits a veteran must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Served at least 36 months on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service)
Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service
Served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break) on or after September 11, 2001, and were discharged after 60 days with a service-connected disability
Are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a Veteran or a service member who has served for at least 36 months on active duty and qualifies at the 100% level
Are a Fry Scholar (eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program on or after August 1, 2018

What does my school need to qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

For schools to eligible in the Yellow Ribbon Program, they must adhere to all of the following criteria:

Must be an institution of higher learning
Offers the Yellow Ribbon Program
Hasn’t offered the Yellow Ribbon benefit to more than the maximum number of students in their agreement with the VA
Has certified your enrollment with the VA and provided Yellow Ribbon Program information

How do benefits work through the program?

Money to help pay for the higher cost of tuition at a private school or for attendance as a nonresident student at a public school. If you qualify, your school will contribute a certain amount toward your extra tuition and fees through a grant, scholarship, or similar program. Whatever contribution is provided will be matched by the VA.
Do all students in the Yellow Ribbon Program receive the same amount of funding?

This depends on the school. Schools can choose to offer different amounts to students based on 2 factors:

Student status (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral), and
Type of school (college or professional)

For example, a school could provide $1,000 for undergraduates, $1,500 for graduate students and $2,000 for doctoral students. The school also could provide $1,800 for students in the school of engineering and $2,500 for students in the school of nursing.

Will all of my tuition and fees be paid if my school participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program?

This depends on the agreement we have with your school. Your school’s agreement with the VA states how much it will contribute and how much we’ll match. This amount makes up all or part of the difference between what the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay and the unmet tuition and fees.

What fees will the program cover?

The Yellow Ribbon Program may cover any required fees to your education. This does not include penalty fees, room and board, and study abroad programs that are not required to your graduation.

Do I have to attend full time to be in the Yellow Ribbon Program?

No, part-time students may also qualify.

If I participate in the program this year, will I automatically receive the same amount of funding next year?

Yes, as long as you stay enrolled without interruption.

If I leave my school, but return after a semester, am I still approved for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

If the school still offers the program, they must continue to give you funding as long as you meet all of the requirements listed below:

Make acceptable progress toward completing your school
Stay enrolled in the school without a break (following the school’s policy)
Have money left in your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits

Source: Wikipedia and the Department of Veterans Affairs

10 Tips for College-Seeking Veterans

Education

These tips are courtesy of the National Association of Veterans’ Programs Administrator (NAVPA).

These are their 10 best suggestions for returning veterans thinking about going to college as reported to U.S. News and World Report.

Start by applying. Whether you are a first-time college student or a transfer student, you must fill out an application. Go to the school’s website to find the requirement and deadlines. Provide transcripts and test scores as needed and your DD-214 for credits you might have earned while in the service. Take a tour of the campus—either online or in person.
Meet the School Certifying Official. Find the Veterans Office on campus and introduce yourself. You will be asked to provide various documents and complete different forms so your enrollment can be certified to the VA.
Get your GI Bill benefits. There are many different programs and a wide variety of education benefits offered by the VA. The Post-9/11 GI Bill (including Transfer of Benefits), Montgomery GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, to name a few. Additionally, individual states offer varying opportunities to National Guardsmen (some of the benefits come with different levels of eligibility). Whether you are a reservist, in the National Guard, or on active duty, you should check the VA website or discuss your benefits with the school’s certifying official. You can find a wealth of information—as well as the application for benefits—at the GI Bill website.
Apply for financial aid. All students can apply for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by going to http://www.fafsa.gov. This aid can be for grants, loans, and/or work-study.
Apply for scholarships. There are many types of scholarships available based on merit, academics, or athletics, as well as private and general scholarships by area of interest. Some schools offer scholarships specifically for veterans. You just have to look. Check the school’s website and always remember: do not pay for any scholarship application.
Find a place to live. The key to being placed in housing is making sure you indicate you are a veteran on all forms. By doing so, you may be able to select a roommate from the beginning. Otherwise, you might be assigned a room with traditional students (just out of high school), which can be awkward with your recent military experience. Many colleges have housing set aside for veterans; make use of it.
Get an advisor. Every student is assigned to an advisor. Some schools have advisors specifically for veterans; smaller schools may not, but curriculum is standard for majors at each school. Interaction with the advisor will assist you in developing a suitable educational plan, making your course selections, and determining your major. This person will get to know you and empower you in decision-making skills in education, career, and life choices.
Take the CLEP. The College Level Examination Program is a series of exams you can take to test your college-level knowledge on what you have learned through on-the-job training, professional development, etc. There is a wide range of exams both general and subjective, with up to six credits each. The cost of a CLEP is fractional compared to the cost of tuition and fees. It could assist in skipping general introductory courses, general education classes, or could even demonstrate your ability in a foreign language.
Connect with other veterans on campus. Veterans Centers are popping up on many campuses. They are the place to meet other veterans, to do peer-to-peer networking, to connect student veterans with resources, and to help you to get involved or simply hang out. If there is no center on campus, start one. Student Veterans of America can assist you in forming a chapter at your school.
Get career training and develop skills. Career services and job placement are available for you while getting your education. Resume writing and mock interviews are offered. You can be placed in an internship or co-op program related to your career goal and earn college credits as well as a stipend or small paycheck.

Source: Aims Community College

VA Expands Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits for Dependents

Education

African American male soldier holding his daughter with a US flag

For many, the opportunity to pursue education and training beyond high school is not easily within reach. When military members are asked why they serve, the available GI Bill® education benefits are often one reason.

As a part of their earned benefits, active-duty men and women can also transfer all or part of their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouse and/or dependent children. This is called Transfer of Entitlement (TOE). Those wishing to transfer entitlement to a dependent must be sure to do this while still on active duty.

The option to transfer education assistance to dependent family members provides them with the financial means to pay for their education and training.

However, until recently, this benefit was not available to all dependent children. With the recent passing of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, commonly referred to as Isakson and Roe, beginning January 6, 2021, service members can transfer all or part of their Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement to their ward or foster child. This new law changes how VA administers education benefits, and more importantly, is a major step in recognizing the diversity of the nation’s military families and their unique needs.

According to the Department of Defense, more than five million people are part of today’s military family. The men and women who serve in our nation’s armed forces are a diverse group. So, too, are their families, to include spouses, children and other family members who represent varying demographics, experiences and needs. With the implementation of Isakson and Roe, VA is able to address the needs of more families and ensure that the GI Bill’s purpose is further realized.

Now, even more military dependents can receive help paying for tuition, books and housing using Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits. Eligible dependents, who are pursuing a degree or certification in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) field, can maximize their benefits through the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship. To help pay for higher out-of-state, private or graduate tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover, the Yellow Ribbon Program provides additional assistance.

In addition to education and training, GI Bill benefits can provide other assistance to eligible students, such as help with paying for certain test fees and help with deciding on the right school or program, using the GI Bill Comparison Tool.

In support of our nation’s military families, VA will continue to do its part to acknowledge the differences that make them unique, while ensuring that their unique needs are also met.

Source: VAntage Point (blogs.va.gov)