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Connecting Veterans to Schools

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Every veteran has a story to tell. And our children need to hear those stories. This November, it’s important that we work on connecting veterans to schools so that our future generations know and understand the meaning of selfless service.

There are easy ways to bring stories of military service into our schools this month and throughout the school year.

Connecting Veterans to Schools

Bringing veterans and their stories into schools is just missing two key components: action and cooperation.

It’s important that teachers and schools take action to bring Veteran’s Day programming into their classrooms and schools. Worksheets and coloring pages are great, but learning about veterans is more meaningful when children can hear the stories first hand.

Local veteran’s organizations and military units can reach out to local schools, offering to send in guest speakers or provide learning opportunities. Taking this first step can lead to an ongoing relationship with schools, bridging that military/civilian divide!

How Military Units and Veteran’s Groups Can Connect with Schools

Military units — active duty, reserve or National Guard — are relatively stable even though the actual personnel might change over time. All it takes is just one person or unit reaching out to a teacher or school to build a relationship.

First, talk to your unit, base, or regional public affairs office. They will have guidance about how to connect with non-military organizations. There might already be relationships in place that you could draw on while setting up a Veteran’s Day program.

Next, contact area school districts, individuals schools, or use a personal connection at a school. Ask if the school is open to guest speakers from your base or command. Explain that your team will be sharing age-appropriate stories about military service and why they’ve chosen to serve.

Every military base should also have a School Liaison Officer (SLO). This individual, or office, should already have developed connections with on-base and local public schools. Talk with the SLO to find out the best people to talk to at the school(s). Or work together to build a Veteran’s Day program for schools.

How Schools and Teachers Can Connect with Military Veterans

It just takes one teacher with an initiative to build a great Veteran’s Day Program!

First, check with your school’s administration to learn the process to bring guest speakers to your classroom. You can also reach out to colleagues. Gauge their interest in participating in this program.

Then, connect with local military bases, units, and veteran’s groups. Try:

Outline what you are looking for, the ages this presentation would be reaching, and several ideal dates and times.

Once you have speakers on board and the go-ahead from your school leadership, set up the Veteran’s Day schedule! Make sure to include supporting activities and resources for teachers to use in their individual classrooms, too.

Get help building your own Veteran’s Day program with resources from the History Channel’s Take a Veteran to School Program.

Veteran’s Day Resources to Use in School and at Home

There are great ways to build connections to Veteran’s Day at your school or at home even if you can’t get an in-person speaker.

One great starter activity is to read an age-appropriate book with your child or students. Operation We Are Here has an excellent list of children’s picture books. The Cincinnati Library goes beyond picture books with recommendations for Veteran’s Day books from early readers to adults.

Next, you might consider reading “In Flanders Fields,” a famous poem about World War I by John McCrae. It has become connected with Veteran’s Day. Older students can dive deeper into the meaning of this poem, examining the history and symbolism behind the words. Younger children can listen to the poem and share their feelings or impressions. Another idea, for all ages, is to create art inspired by “In Flanders Fields.”

The National Education Association and the Georgia 4H program both have complete lesson plans available to teachers.

The NEA features several Veteran’s Day lesson plans aimed at elementary, middle, and high school students. Teachers, and parents or homeschooling families, can access individual lesson plans. Each lesson plan comes with directions, linked resources, and supplementary materials.

Georgia’s program has a complete packet that includes Veteran’s Day resources for teachers and students. It’s aimed at elementary and middle school students, but can be leveled up for older children. The entire document is printable. Parents could even print out just the pages they need. Or download this as a PDF ebook for on-the-go use on a tablet.

Whether you’re hosting guest speakers or DIYing an in-class lesson, it’s super important to share our veterans’ stories.

How will your local schools be celebrating Veteran’s Day this year? We’d love to hear your stories!

Advance Your Career by Earning Your Degree Online with Cal U

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the California University of Pennsylvania. All opinions are 100% mine.

Veterans and military spouses know how to get things done. And oftentimes they get things done without the guidance of a supervisor.

But this internal drive to cross items off a to-do list or to accomplish personal goals is difficult to convey on a job application.

It’s hard to explain that even though you don’t have a college degree, you can definitely do that job. You know you can do it because you’re already doing these tasks in your current workplace. But you aren’t getting paid for them because you don’t have a college degree.

Frustrating, right?

The California University of Pennsylvania understands this frustration. That’s why they are working on ways to reduce this frustration by offering online degrees to veterans and military spouses.

Advance Your Career by Earning Your Degree Online with Cal U

Cal U offers veterans and military spouses a career-focused education with more than 100 undergraduate degrees, 50 professional and graduate programs and more than 75 fully online.

One of Cal U’s most popular online programs for veterans and military spouses is its master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion. The program provides a way for military spouses and veterans to turn their passion for a health lifestyle into a career.

Did you know that a master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion from the California University of Pennsylvania has a 98% placement rate?

Are you curious about Cal U’s exercise science and health promotion program? Here are the top three frequently asked questions about this 100% online program.

Should I quit my full-time job to earn my college degree?

Short answer: No.

Long answer: You shouldn’t have to choose between a paycheck and a college degree. But many within our military community do.

We’ve all seen the service member who decides to wait to start college until after he separates from the military. We’ve seen the military spouse who says she’ll go back to school once her children are grown and gone. We’ve seen the military spouse who needs that advanced degree to move into a management position, but she feels like she has to choose between school and work.

With the online program at Cal U, you can have both. You can work full-time during the day and be enrolled in college classes in the evening.

Cal U officials told us that many Cal U students take classes while on active duty. Cal U’s 100% online program provides a flexible higher education option for those who think they don’t have the time or the money to earn an advanced degree.

What happens to my enrollment at Cal U if we get PCS orders?

Short answer: Nothing.

Long answer: Cal U cares about you, not your ZIP code.

Cal U students are enrolled in online courses from all 50 states and from more than 20 countries.

As an online student, you will be fully engaged with your professors and peers through Cal U’s interactive approach to higher education. Cal U was the first college to launch a 100% online master’s degree in exercise science.

Another point to consider is that depending on when you start the exercise science program at Cal U, you may be able to complete it before you pack your bags for your next duty station.

Cal U’s master’s degree program, which includes professional certification recognized by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, can be completed in 12 to 18 months.

My military life is unpredictable. Will Cal U professors get that? 

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: You are among friends at Cal U. Nearly 200 veterans and military dependents are currently attending classes at Cal U’s campus in California, Pa. More than 500 are taking courses online.

The California University of Pennsylvania Office of Military and Veterans Affairs offers free comprehensive support for veterans, eligible dependents, service members of the National Guard and Reserve and active duty service members. They also help veterans maximize their GI Bill benefits with tuition discounts.

Pro-tip: Cal U is a MyCAA eligible university. Military spouses should check to see if they qualify for MyCAA before enrolling at Cal U.

The Cal U Global Online program provides discounted tuition costs for active duty members and veterans of all military branches, as well as their spouses and eligible dependents. You can find out more information about this program at its Cal U Global Online website.

U.S. News & World Report listed Cal U Global Online bachelor’s programs among the nation’s best for veterans in 2017.

Cal U is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) consortium of schools, the National Association of Veterans Program Administrators and the Pennsylvania State System Veterans Advisory Network.

They are ready to offer veterans and military spouses the flexibility and support to earn a college degree. Connect with them today!

For more information about earning a degree in exercise science and health promotions with Cal U, click here.

Why You Should Consider Attending a Yellow Ribbon School

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Ahhhh, college. New experiences, exciting challenges, and mountains of student debt. A college education is becoming increasingly expensive. If there’s a chance to cut costs, you should jump on it!

All of this makes Yellow Ribbons schools a great choice for military-connected students.

The Yellow Ribbon program offers the opportunity to decrease your out-of-pocket costs for earning a college degree. It’s a pretty sweet deal.

Why You Should Consider Attending a Yellow Ribbon School

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers outstanding educational opportunities to military-connected college students. For qualifying beneficiaries, GI Bill benefits provide funds to cover the resident tuition and fees at public colleges.

If you’re going to be attending a private college or enrolling as a nonresident at a public university, there might be a gap between the GI Bill and the bottom line. That could leave you footing the difference. An education at a private or out-of-state college is definitely not cheap!

This is where the Yellow Ribbon Program comes in.

At select schools, there is a fund-matching program available to help reduce the total tuition costs.

Yellow Ribbon 101

Students at private schools or attending as an out-of-state resident, are entitled to the lesser value of their school’s tuition and fees or the national maximum funding for an academic year.

To help GI Bill beneficiaries cover a difference between their entitlement and their tuition, schools may elect to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This is a voluntary program that does not impact your GI Bill entitlement or funds.

Participating schools select how much of their tuition and fees they are willing to cover. Then the VA will match those funds, and send that payment directly to the school. Both sets of funds are then applied to the final bill.

In order to qualify, students must meet specific criteria.

Only 100% GI Bill qualified veterans and/or their designated beneficiaries are eligible. Yellow Ribbon Program funds are not available to active duty service members or their spouses. However, the children of active duty service members may be eligible if their parent is qualified at the 100% level.

The percentage of eligibility is determined by the service member’s service record. To reach the 100% qualification level, and be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, troops must serve at least 36 months on active duty or have served for at least 30 consecutive days before being honorably discharged for a service-related disability.

Yellow Ribbon Fine Print

The Yellow Ribbon Program sounds ideal! Extra money straight from the school and matching funds from the VA. What could be better?

However, there are some caveats.

First, veterans and their designated beneficiaries must qualify for full GI Bill benefits, based on the veteran’s service record. Not all veterans will qualify for 100% GI Bill funding. This is required to be eligible for any Yellow Ribbon Program.

Next, your selected school has to opt-in to the Yellow Ribbon Program. This is a voluntary opportunity, and not all public or private schools elect to participate.

Each school decides their own level of funding and the number of awards available in an academic year. This means that even if your school is part of the program, all funds for this year might have been awarded. You will still be able to apply your GI Bill, but there will not be Yellow Ribbon funds from the school applied to your bill.

Each year, a list of participating schools is released by the VA. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Award amounts may vary based on enrollment status and level.

In order to qualify, you must first apply to a Yellow Ribbon school and identify that you are eligible per the GI Bill qualifications.

Receiving Yellow Ribbon funds this year does not guarantee that your school will participate in the future or that they will contribute funding at the same level. However, your school should notify you of changes or if they are leaving the program.

If you do qualify for and receive Yellow Ribbon funding, this is a good program to help make higher education more affordable

Did you participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program when you earned your college degree? What was your experience with this program?

Invest in Your Career with an Affordable Master’s Degree

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the California University of Pennsylvania. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you want a degree with a 98% job placement rate?

Did you know that a master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion from the California University of Pennsylvania has a 98% placement rate?

Veterans and military spouses can invest in their careers with an affordable online Master of Science in exercise science and health promotion from the California University of Pennsylvania. Cal U’s 100% online program provides a flexible higher ed option for those who think they don’t have the time or the money to earn an advanced degree.

Through this online master’s program, you can be enrolled as a graduate student while working full time.

You don’t have to choose between attending college classes and earning a paycheck.

You can study at a historic state university from the comforts of your home with your high-speed internet connection.

Cal U students are enrolled in online courses from all 50 states and from more than 20 countries, and university officials point out that many students enroll while on active duty with the military.

Did you know that Cal U was the first college to launch a 100% online master’s degree program in exercise science?

Through their interactive approach to online curriculum, Cal U students can engage fully with their professors and classmates. You won’t feel like you’re missing out because you’re logging into class from a laptop instead of sitting in a lecture hall.

Invest for Less Time, Less Money

Veterans and military spouses can earn an online master’s degree in less than 2 years and without staggering student debt.

Cal U’s master’s degree program, which includes professional certification recognized by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, can be completed in 12 to 18 months. With this streamlined approach to grad school, you can earn your master’s degree before you move to your new duty station.

The California University of Pennsylvania Office of Military and Veterans Affairs offers comprehensive support for veterans, eligible dependents, service members of the National Guard and Reserve, and active duty service members. They help veterans maximize their GI Bill benefits.

Cal U also offers discounted tuition costs for active duty members and veterans of all military branches, as well as their spouses and eligible dependents. You can find out more information about this program at its Cal U Global Online website.

Invest in a Career That Leads to Employment Opportunities

A master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion offers veterans and military spouses an investment in employment opportunities. Cal U graduates are leaders in fitness, athletics, health and wellness at companies throughout the country.

I’m amazed by the variety of jobs that you can do with a master’s degree in exercise science and health promotions.

You can work at a hospital, at a fitness company, at a health care company or with a professional sports team.

You can teach at a community college or for an online certification program.

You can work for the Department of Defense or you can be an entrepreneur.

Earning a master’s degree in exercise science and health promotions is the first step to a dynamic career.

In today’s economy, everyone is searching for an in-demand job that will give them the flexibility to work in any location around the country. Everyone hopes for a job with a competitive salary. Everyone wants to feel satisfaction at their job. Everyone wants to feel like they are contributing to their community and helping those in their community.

At least that’s what I want for my career. I also want to be in a career field with 98% placement.

Do you?

Invest in your career today by earning a Master of Science’s degree with Cal U. Click here to learn more about the California University of Pennsylvania.

Turn Your Passion for a Healthy Lifestyle into a Portable Career

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the California University of Pennsylvania. All opinions are 100% mine.

Military spouses desire portable careers with flexible work schedules. These men and women, many of whom are veterans themselves, understand that the careers they picked when they were 22 years old may not be compatible with the military lifestyle.

But just because their first choice for a career isn’t going to work doesn’t mean they want to give up on having a career completely.

Many military spouses have a passion for healthy living. They exercise 5 days a week at their on-post fitness center. They search the commissary for affordable healthy meal options for their families.

Let’s be frank: military spouses and veterans tend be gym rats.

Why not take your passion for eating healthy and exercising and turn it into a portable career?

Military spouses and service members can earn a bachelor’s degree in health and wellness or a master’s degree in exercise science through a 100% online program at the military-friendly California University of Pennsylvania. This affordable option, thanks to the university’s military tuition program, offers a pathway to new professional opportunities for military spouses.

The master’s degree program includes professional certification and can be completed in 12 to 18 months.

The California University of Pennsylvania Office of Military and Veterans Affairs offers comprehensive support for veterans, eligible dependents, service members of the National Guard and Reserve, and active duty service members.

Here are 3 reasons why military spouses and service members should consider earning an exercise science degree with the California University of Pennsylvania.

You can earn your bachelor’s degree from your house anywhere around the world. Cal U offers virtual classes that are 100% online. Online classes are a great option for military spouses and veterans.

With online classes you can complete your coursework uninterrupted while moving from one military base to another. You don’t have to worry about enrolling in a new university and hoping your credits transfer.

As long as you have a high-speed Internet connection and a modern computer, you have the flexibility to take online class anytime and anywhere. You can schedule your college classes around the demands of your daily life.

Online classes are a benefit for service members who want to earn a college degree while they are still on active duty. I know several sailors who earned a wellness and fitness degree and work as personal trainers on their nights and weekends. With this degree, they earn extra income doing a job they love during their free time.

Also, a degree in exercise science may be the first step in owning your own fitness center when you transition out of military service.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for athletic trainers was $41,600 in 2010, and demand in the field is expected to grow by 30% through 2020.

Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree from Cal U is an affordable option for service members and their spouses. The Cal U Global Online programs provide discounted tuition costs for active duty members and veterans of all military branches, as well as their spouses and eligible dependents.

Their Military Tuition Discount Program is a reason to consider enrolling at Cal U.

The average student in the Class of 2016 has $37,172 in student loan debt. My husband and I carried a lot of student loan debt into our marriage. It wasn’t easy, but we finally paid off our student loans after 5 years.

Nobody wants to have student loan debt. While Cal U’s military tuition discount program doesn’t mean that you will attend college for free, it does mean that you don’t have to graduate with the burden of hefty student loan debt. By enrolling as online student, you won’t pay fees for on-campus services you don’t use.

The staff at Cal U are also ready and willing to help veterans understand how to maximize their military education benefits including the GI Bill.

Did you take a semester of college prior to enlisting? No problem. The Cal U staff will help you transfer those credits to your new program.

Pro-tip: Cal U is a MyCAA eligible university. Military spouses should check to see if they qualify for MyCAA when enrolling at Cal U.

Cal U is the leader in the study of exercise science. Cal U was the first college to launch a 100% online master’s degree program in exercise science. This curriculum was designed for online students to help them achieve their education goals. This online program allows students to interact fully with professors and classmates and form a network of professional peers.

The university partners with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) for the latest industry-focused program in fitness, health and exercise science. Plus, its students earn industry recognized certification through NASM through the program.

Join forces with Cal U and earn your degree in wellness, fitness or exercise science today. Click here to learn more about the California University of Pennsylvania.

5 Ways to Gain Professional Skills Without Going Back to College

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I’ll admit it, there was a time when I wanted to be a famous actress. I wanted to devour a screenplay and give my own personal flair to the leading character.

I also wanted to be an innkeeper.

And a baker.

And a wedding planner.

Oh, and of course, a famous author.

While I haven’t quite been able to add all of those things to my resume, I have managed to stay gainfully employed over the last 20 years despite moving every few years. Up until recently, I did it without a college degree.

Don’t get me wrong, if you have a chance to get a degree, I highly recommend it, but going back to school isn’t the only way to learn new professional skills and boost a resume.

Here are a few of the ways I built up my skill set.

5 Ways to Gain Professional Skills Without Going Back to College

Free College Classes

This sounds off, right? How does taking free college classes mean not going to college? When those classes are part of an adult learning program, of course.

You can tap into the wealth of knowledge college professors and instructors have to offer by looking into local adult learning classes. Many times the classes are taught in the evenings or on weekends in local high schools or community centers.

Want to learn a new computer skill?

How to select the proper wine for a steak dinner?

Take a quality photograph?

You can learn all of these things and tons more by signing up for one of these courses. Plus, it’s a great way to meet and network with others who have similar interests.

Volunteer

Can I just tell you how many great nonprofit organizations out there would jump for joy to have someone who is willing to learn and is giving of their time? Volunteering is a great way to jump into an organization and learn about how they do things.

I learned a great deal about people management and branding while working for a nonprofit.  Find a cause that speaks to your heart and then look for a way to get involved.

Volunteermatch.org is a fantastic resource and offers both local and online volunteer opportunities.

Lynda.com

If ever there was a paradise for learning software and creative skills, Lynda.com might be it. Want to learn how to use Photoshop? How to create an effective social media campaign? How to create a WordPress site? Lynda.com offers all of these and more.

I love that you can learn on your own time and at your own pace. A subscription is required, but it’s well worth the access to hundreds and hundreds of training videos.

Temporary Positions

There is nothing better than on-the-job training. I worked for several temporary agencies when I was a young military spouse.

Each job did 3 things:

1. Provided a paycheck

2. Gave me real-life experience to add to my resume

3. Taught me something new

The first two are a given if you show up on time. Learn something new required me to pay attention to my surroundings and to ask questions.

If someone needed an extra set of hands or eyes, I was quick to jump in. Exposure to new software and industry practices is another benefit.

Plus, many temporary agencies have training programs. I worked for Robert Half International for a long time and they have a great training network available to their temporary employees. Not only can you take training courses, but then you can test to demonstrate you’ve mastered a new skill.

Internships

Sometimes a good internship can be hard to come by, but with a little work, you can find them. Some are reserved for college students, but there are still plenty more open to everyone.

Some internships pay, many do not.

Like volunteering, internships are a great way to see how successful businesses operate. But unlike volunteering, internships are designed to help you learn.

Even as I’m writing this post, I’m eyeballing an unpaid remote internship opportunity with a literary magazine. It won’t bring in a paycheck, but it will give me a chance to hone a skill I already have and provide another great bullet for my resume.

What professional skills are you looking to add to your resume?

What the New GI Bill Means for Military Families

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Brace yourselves. Changes are coming to the GI Bill as we know it.

President Donald Trump signed the Forever GI Bill into law in August 2017. With this new bill, changes are in the works, including transferring benefits, housing allowances and the deadline to access GI Bill funds.

What the New GI Bill Means for Military Families

Time Limit

Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, beneficiaries had 15 years to use their earned education benefits. With the new GI Bill, there is no time limit to complete a degree, license or education program.

This is arguably the most important change to the bill since it extends the time that beneficiaries have to complete their education.

It allows for unexpected life events or changes along the way.

This is limited to veterans, troops and designated dependents who became eligible on or after January 1, 2013.

Housing Allowance

Under the current GI Bill, non-active duty students rate the Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) for an E-5 with dependents based on the location of their school. Additionally, students receive a portion of the total allowance based on how many credits they are taking. In order to qualify, students must be enrolled at greater than half-time.

Starting Jan. 1, 2018, the housing allowance will be calculated using the reduced BAH schedule.

Previously, the GI Bill has been exempted from the yearly 1% BAH reduction started in 2015 and ending in 2020. Students using the GI Bill before January 1, 2018, will continue to receive their current housing allowance rates.

Additionally, the location used to calculate housing allowances will be tied to the location where students physically attend classes. This could impact students who attend a satellite campus in a location with a lower BAH rate. This change goes into effect on Aug. 1, 2018. Students enrolled before this date will follow the current rules.

Housing for members of the reserve will be prorated by quarter, semester or term starting on Aug. 1, 2018.

Expanded Access

Currently, eligibility for GI Bill benefits is calculated based on time in service or discharge due to service-related injury. Under the Forever GI Bill, all Purple Heart recipients will be rated at the 100% funding level or with 100% of their tuition and fees of in-state tuition paid for.

Additionally, certain members of the Reserve will be eligible for benefits under certain conditions. If Reserve troops deployed to support a combatant command or within their state in response to a natural disaster, they may now be able to access GI Bill benefits. This includes Reservists who deployed in these capacities after 2009.

Reservists who used the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) will now be able to access the GI Bill under certain circumstances. Students who qualified before Nov. 25, 2015, but whose benefits have expired may choose to have that time in service credited toward the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This change applies to coursework started after Aug. 1, 2018.

Previously, students could be considered eligible for 40% of total GI Bill benefits (40% of in-state public college tuition and fees paid for) based on time in service. This category has now been eliminated.

Instead, the 60% level has been expanded to include more veterans. The minimum benefits level is now set at 50%, meaning that up to 50% of tuition and fees at an in-state public college would be paid by the VA.

Overall, more veterans and designated beneficiaries will be able to access higher education or career training with increased funding possible.

Transferring Benefits

Veterans can designate a dependent to receive GI Bill benefits. In the past, if that person passed away, the benefits disappeared.

Now, veterans are able to select another eligible dependent should their original designee die. Dependents who have received benefits are also able to pass on the GI Bill to another designee. This is only able to happen after the veteran who earned the benefits has passed away.

This now allows GI Bill benefits to continue on beyond the veteran or original designee in the event of death. This could prevent these valuable benefits from going unused.

Extra Protection

If your college closes before you earn a degree, the GI Bill now offers protections. Time spent at a college that has closed can now be partially or fully reinstated.

Students can also potentially earn GI Bill time back for courses that were not approved or for courses in which no credit was earned.

This is retroactive to programs, courses and colleges that were discontinued after Aug. 1, 2015. The change takes effect 90 days after the bill was signed.

Programs and Licenses

Students may begin using their benefits at accredited area career and technical schools that provide post-secondary education and/or vocational skills. This allows students to pursue a career path outside of traditional college level education.

Veterans at the 100% benefits level, with at least 60 credit hours of work and who will be reaching the end of their benefits before they complete an eligible degree in science, math, engineering, medicine or certain teacher training programs can apply for an extension.

This is a one-time 9-month benefit bonus. It cannot be transferred or be used in conjunction with the Yellow Ribbon Program. There is a $30,000 cap. This change begins on Aug. 1, 2019.

Entitlement charges for professional licensing and certification exams will be prorated based on the actual amount charged for the test.

Additional Benefits

Spouses and dependents who qualify for the Fry Scholarship may now also access the Yellow Ribbon Scholarship as well. This opens up new funding possibilities to supplement the GI Bill at private colleges or out-of-state schools. Purple Heart recipients will also be qualified for Yellow Ribbon Scholarships. These changes take effect on Aug. 1, 2018.

Beginning on Aug. 1, 2022, active duty troops using the GI Bill will be able to access the Yellow Ribbon Program. This will expand their ability to complete coursework at a larger number of institutes of higher learning while still serving their country.

Students who were eligible under the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program now have 36 months of benefits instead of 45 months. This change applies to students who enroll after Aug. 1, 2018.

This same change increases the amount payable per month to $1,224 for full-time students, $967 for students enrolled at three-quarter time and $710 for half time enrollment. This increase is effective Oct. 1, 2018.

Will these changes to the GI Bill impact your family? Share your thoughts in the comments.

How to Know if Your College Is Military Friendly

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Perhaps the greatest gift we can give ourselves and our children is an advanced education.

My oldest is finishing up her first college semester and it has been an eye-opening experience for both of us. Luckily, her chosen school is extremely military friendly. A tour of the campus included the opportunity to meet with a military veteran turned school administrator and ask the litany of questions we had compiled.

If you are a service member, veteran, military spouse or military family member looking to further your education, make sure you take advantage of the benefits that military affiliation can bring.

If enrolling at a military-friendly college is on your list of things to do, here are 6 things to look for when considering an university:

Is This College a Yellow Ribbon School?

Established by the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the Yellow Ribbon Program can help veterans and children of active duty service members to offset the cost of college tuition. Typically, GI Bill benefits will pay for tuition and fees at public institutions, but are limited to a nationally capped amount for private institutions (currently, just under $22,000 per academic year).

Universities and colleges participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for additional funds. A Yellow Ribbon school will contribute a specified amount of money toward tuition and fees, an amount then matched by the VA.

Not all private universities participate in the program, so if the cost of getting a degree, even with GI Bill benefits, seems out of reach consider looking at a Yellow Ribbon school to help offset the costs.

You can find more information about the Yellow Ribbon program and a list of participating colleges on the VA website.

Does This College Have a Student Veteran Affairs Office or a Veteran Student Organization?

A quick tip-off that a school is military friendly is the availability of staff and personnel dedicated to veteran and military students. It’s always nice to talk to someone who has been there done that.

Student Veteran Affairs staff members can be tremendous sources of information when you are trying to figure out the intricacies of the GI Bill and campus life.

Some colleges even offer veteran-only study halls and sponsor veteran and military-family oriented social events.

Does This College Allow for In-State Tuition Rates for Military Personnel and Families?

Surprisingly, at least for me, not all schools offer in-state tuition rates for military dependents. Most schools will offer in-state tuition for active duty dependents with a copy of the sponsor’s orders.

Thanks to a new law, passed just last year, in-state tuition is now guaranteed for all veterans and their dependents for the 3 years following separation from the military.

However, outside of that time frame, availability for in-state tuition depends on the institution.

Are There Plenty of Options for Housing within GI Bill Housing Allowance?

In addition to paying tuition and fees, the Post-9/11 GI Bill also allows the children of active-duty service members, veterans and military dependents to receive a housing allowance to help offset room and board expenses. Typically, that amount is the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for the ZIP code for your college or university.

Pro-tip: Make sure there are several options for housing within that range of pay. Military-friendly universities will sometimes also reserve a set number of on-campus housing options for military dependents and veterans, but you won’t know unless you ask.

Do They Offer Flexible Schedules?

For active-duty service members or working veterans and dependents, flexible scheduling options are a must. Many universities and colleges offer short-term course study or online class options.

Even some of the largest universities offer online courses, so don’t assume just because it isn’t local, it isn’t military friendly. Some also offer discounts to military service members and their dependents for online programs. Again, ask about a flexible schedule when meeting with university representatives.

Does This College Offer Credit for Military Experience?

For veterans and active duty service members, you can save a ton of time and expenses by using your on-the-job training as substitutes for some degree-required classes.

Many universities and colleges will evaluate your military training records and award you college credit for things you already know. You may earn credit for basic training.

There may be a small fee for transcript evaluation, but many military-friendly colleges will waive that fee for military-affiliated students.

As someone who only recently earned her bachelor’s degree, my hat is off to anyone who is willing to make that commitment.

No matter the university or college you chose, take the time to find out what opportunities and options they have for military students. The resources are out there, so take advantage of them.

Did you attend a military-friendly college? Tell us about your experience in the comments section.

Now Is the Right Time to Transfer Your GI Bill to Your Kids

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A benefit for military service members is the GI Bill. While many take advantage of the great opportunity to go to college with this financial support, others choose to pass it on to their spouse or children.

This option wasn’t always available and might not remain so, which makes now a great time to decide if transferring your GI Bill is the right move for your family.

Now Is the Right Time to Transfer Your GI Bill to Your Kids

Talk to your spouse and children to see if transferring your GI Bill benefits to one or all of them is the right decision for your family. Don’t wait until politicians change, take away, or make receiving these benefits harder.

What is the GI Bill?

The GI Bill is a government program that helps service members meet the financial needs of continuing their education once they leave the military. It was initially only available to the service members who met certain qualifications. Over the years the rules and benefits have changed.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the latest form of the bill. It provides money for approved educational programs for up to 36 months of school for service members, which must be used within 15 years after leaving active duty.

In 2009, a law was passed to allow service members to transfer these benefits to their spouses, children or both.

Who is eligible?

Any service member that completed 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, that is on active duty, or that was honorably discharged or discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days is eligible.

What is covered?

Monetary funds are available to cover up to 36 months of educational courses for approved programs that include higher education, vocational training and now flight school for example. Other financial support may be provided to cover a monthly housing allowance, annual books and supplies and one-time rural benefits.

Am I eligible to transfer my GI Bill?

In order to transfer your GI Bill, service members must meet certain requirements. Anyone on active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and also meets these requirements may transfer benefits:

  • Has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval and agrees to serve 4 additional years in the Armed Forces from the date of election.
  • Has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval, is precluded by either standard policy (by service branch or DoD) or statute from committing to 4 additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.
  • Transfer requests are submitted and approved while the member is in the Armed Forces.

Why transfer your GI Bill now?

If you, as the service member, do not have any intention of using the entire 36 months of educational benefits, you might want to consider transferring some or all of the benefit to family members. The government started this program as a way of helping service members transition out of the military as well as an incentive to join the military. You have earned these benefits, so don’t let them go unused.

Last year Congress discussed changing the GI Bill benefit to make it more difficult to transfer to family members. They talked about increasing the number of years the service member must commit to in order to transfer the benefit. They also discussed limiting the scope of the benefit.

No legislation on this has been brought up, but the possibility is there. Why leave it to chance if you don’t have to?

How do I transfer my GI Bill?

Active duty service members may designate, modify and revoke a Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) request on the Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) website.

After approval, there is one more form to turn in before a family member can use these benefits. Family members are required to apply to use the transferred benefits by submitting a VA Form 22-1990e with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Is there anything else I need to know about transferring the GI Bill to my spouse or children?

Family members enrolled in DEERS that are eligible for benefits at the time of transfer are able to use the benefits.

Spouses are able to use the benefits at the time of transfer, but children must wait until the service member has completed at least 10 years of service. The child or spouse can use it while their sponsor is actively serving or after they leave the military.

Military children cannot use the transferred GI Bill until they finish high school, or an equivalent, or turn 18 years old. The child is entitled to the monthly housing allowance even while their sponsor is on active duty, but the spouse is not. A spouse has 15 years to use the benefits once the service member separates from active duty, but the child does not have this restriction. They do however age out of eligibility at 26 years old.

Talk to your spouse and children to see if transferring your GI Bill benefits to one or all of them is the right decision for your family. Don’t wait until politicians change, take away, or make receiving these benefits harder.

Has your service member transferred his or her Post-9/11 GI Bill to you or your children?

 

5 Tips for Writing Your College Application Essay When You’re a Veteran

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You’ve served in the Armed Forces and you’re ready for the next chapter of your life. For many veterans, the next stop after separating from military service is college. And why not? You earned your GI Bill, you might as well take advantage of this military benefit.

But attending your first-choice university may not be as simple as you think. The college application form may be lengthily and require the dreaded personal essay. This essay is an essential component of applying for colleges and can’t be overlooked or rushed through.

When you’re a veteran writing a college application essay you may be asking yourself

“should I talk about my military experience?”

For many veterans, you went to boot camp right after graduating from high school, so your past experiences are solely your military experiences.

Your deployments, specialized training and overseas assignments have shaped you as an individual and will influence your experience as a veteran turned college student. Here are 5 tips for writing your college application essay when you’re a veteran.

5 Tips for Writing Your College Application Essay When You're a Veteran

What questions do you have about writing your college application essay?

Talk Positively About Your Military Experiences

Anyone who has spent more than 5 minutes in the military can easily list their complaints, but what about the positive experiences? As a service member you were taught leadership skills, problem-solving techniques and focused discipline. In your college application essay, you may want to write about the projects that you were in charge of, the troops that you led and the maturity that you have gained through these experiences.

College admission board members are looking for college students who are mature leaders for their campuses. That’s a positive asset for veterans looking to attend college, so write about this advantage in your essay.

Discuss Your Personal Challenges

Everyone, and I mean everyone, has overcome a personal challenge. What was your personal challenge and how did you work through it?

As a veteran, you’ve done more and seen more in your 6 years in the Army than most people will in a lifetime. Your exposure to stressful circumstances and learning to work through them are all personal challenges that you can discuss in your college application essay.

Maybe you’re still working through a personal challenge. That’s OK too. Write about how attending this university and earning a specific degree will help you overcome your challenge.

Channel Your Personality

Don’t be afraid to be you in your college application essay. The college admission board members want to get a sense of you and your personality through this essay. It’s hard to shine in 300 words or less, so that’s why you need to focus on your unique personality strengths.

If you aren’t sure if your essay is highlighting your personality, let your spouse read it. He or she knows you better than anyone else. They can tell you if your essay is showing your polished personality or if it’s too generic.

Forget the Military Alphabet Soup

Once you start talking in military lingo, it’s hard to break the habit. But you need to remove any military jargon and acronyms from your college application essay. If you write TBS, FOB or OCONUS in your essay, the university staff member reading your essay will most likely be confused. Search your essay for military-speak and try to translate as much of it as possible into civilian talk.

Not sure if you removed all the military jargon? Ask a friend, who isn’t in the military, to read your essay. The military alphabet soup will jump out at him or her immediately.

Don’t Write or Revision Alone

Your college application essay is a vital component of your application. You shouldn’t write it the night before your application’s deadline and submit it without someone else reading it. Everyone makes typos. Spellcheck won’t catch every mistake, so ask for help.

Writing a college application essay isn’t easy for anyone. Even English majors struggle with finding the right words to express themselves and their aspirations.

The struggle is normal, but there are many resources to help veterans as they transition from active duty to college student. Take advantage of these resources and use them to help you write your best college application essay.

What questions do you have about writing a college application essay?