The Military, Education, & Financial Aid

Just a heads up about DANTES/CLEP/DSST Tests. I know the Navy is changing their policy for free testing. Now the first test is free, and the retest will cost.

This is a drastic change, as they cost about 100 bucks! So now you need to definitly study. In the past im sure guys would take the test, then study.

 

The Air Force recently announced the same thing - no free retests.

 

As an active duty Navy Sailor, I dont understand why they were not doing this before.

 

Also, I know University of Louisville caps credit costs at 250 per credit for Active Duty Military, and University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX and Liberty University gives book vouchers to active duty military.

 

It's a DANTES thing, DoD-wide.

 

Hey guys,

I recently applied for graduation from TESC. I am on active duty and am contemplating using my TA for the remainder of my enlistment (3 more years) on grad school. I've noticed that TA for undergrad is freaking fantastic, as most schools will reduce their tuition to the military TA cap (hey, even if they are getting paid less, that's more money that they would have made if students chose to go elsewhere because their tuition was higher than the cap!) but I was wondering if there were any master's programs that did the same?

From my limited research it looks like I will have to come out of pocket. Anyone know any schools that are close to the TA cap?

Thanks

 

Oklahoma State University seems to offer master's degrees at TA cap for military, however I'm not sure if you have to be stationed there or a resident of OK. You can always email them and ask. Good luck with your master's whatever you decide!

 

Being stationed there or being an OK resident is not a requirement.

This may be the best deal out there for a U.S military member that wants a MBA.

 

It is definitely on my list after I get my bachelor's, I don't see how any other RA college can compete with it.

 

DoD Seeks Applicants for STEM Scholarships

Three hundred students interested in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM field) have the chance to get a nearly full ride for their undergraduate or graduate education through a program sponsored by the United States Department of Defense.

Applicants must be at least at least 18 years old. The deadline is Dec. 1, 2010.

DoD Seeks Applicants for STEM Scholarships -- Campus Technology

 

A friend of mine from when I was enlisted is currently on the bootstrap program (or something similar, I don't know the exact name), which is paid leave from AD to finish your degree and return as a commissioned officer. He is getting his degree in Civil Engineering, so there is definitely space for commissioned officer CEs in the Air Force.

Also (not meant to skew his decision, just a personal interjection), having lived on many different military installations around the world during my short 6-year career, I enjoyed the quality of life the most on Air Force bases. Although, I don't know of many other groups who are as well respected as the Army Corps of Engineers or the SeaBees. There are benefits to being in every branch, I guess.

Different branches of the military have programs set up to pay back student loans of officers. I also believe that he would qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill once joining and remaining active for a few years.

 

A small speciality within the Army, Environmental Science and Engineer Officer, Medical Funcational Area, 72D/E. It is part of the Medical Service Corps, true engineer, unlike Corps of Engineer, where you are lucky to use your degree unti you have 20 years on and get assigned to a District office. Most of the time in the Corps of Engineers, you are blowing stuff up or clearing IEDs. I have been a 72E in the Army for 17 years, they offer direct commission also, best deal going. You get to take EIT, PE, and work as an engineer. They also send you for MS and PhD if you apply, full pay and school paid for. I left active duty before going that route because I wanted to work in law enforcment, but stayed in the reserves.

Navy and AF also have similar specialites, check them out. AF is a bio-medical engineer and Navy is in the Preventive Medicine field, but all are engineers and get to work as engineers.

 

DOD Improves Troops’ Access to Quality Education

Defense.gov News Article: DOD Improves Troops

Interesting article. Some snippets:

“Defense Department officials are taking extensive measures –- from education reviews to agency partnerships -- to ensure service members have access to quality education and learning opportunities in their off-duty hours, a DOD official said.”

“With such a widespread educational offering, officials are working to ensure that tuition assistance dollars, intended for off-duty education, are well spent. All institutions participating in tuition assistance programs must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Education Department, Gordon said. And colleges and universities on installations must adhere to additional criteria.”

“The Defense Department, Gordon said, also contracted with the American Council on Education to conduct the Military Installation Voluntary Education Review, which provided a third-party independent review of the DOD’s on-installation programs.”

“To further bolster educational services, officials will implement a new policy, effective Jan. 1, 2012, that requires every institution participating in the tuition assistance program to have a memorandum of understanding with the Defense Department. This MOU includes an agreement that institutions must participate in the new review process, he said.”

 

Does the POST 9/11 GI BILL cover the cost of obtaining a private pilots license at a part 61 school?

 

This link will answer your question. https://www.gibill2.va.gov/cgi-bin/vba.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=24&p_created=996594425&p_sid=ei3oh8sk&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MiwyJnBfcHJvZHM9MCZwX2NhdHM9MCZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9cGlsb3Q*&p_li=&p_topview=1

 

Hi Ted Heiks. Regarding your worry

. I believe if he has great brain, he won't stay on the battlefield that long. My cousin's husband is a military man and he was out on the field about twice or more but not more than five times, if I'm not mistaken. He always attend trainings and stayed in the office - more of managing role.

 

First thing I want to ask is why your niece boyfriend want to join military? mostly if he will join military of course he will be deploy.. the only question is where and how long? and that would be a decision from his superior.