2019 Digital Scholarship Guide

PRESENTED

FINANCIAL AID FOR MILITARY SPOUSES

TIPS FOR

TRANSFERRING CREDITS

by AFM Staff

Marla Bautista

Bianca Strzalkowski

by Lizann Lightfoot

wo years ago, after first entering a college classroom 18 years prior, I walked across a stage in Maryland and was handed a degree with my name on it. In that audience was my Marine Corps husband who witnessed the entire journey, our three boys, my parents, and my best friend. It was a day I never thought I would see, but one that makes me so damn proud of myself whenever I see that piece of paper on my wall.

Being a military spouse means many things, like having an upclose view of the sacrifices required for freedom. It also sometimes means the road to your own goals is twisted, not straightforward. It can be hard to watch your service member chase down their dreams, attain promotions and accolades, while watching from the sidelines. It is why I have always thought it is so important that spouses find something of their own. Yes, we want to be a cheerleader for our husband or wife, but we too have ambitions that need to be fought for and worked on and accomplished.

Employment has long been a focus within our community, but education is an important stepping stone in standing out in a desired profession. Whether it be by way of a college degree, license, certification or professional development, continuing education expands our horizons. It is why we focus on compiling a list of funding sources annually for service members, military spouses and dependents. I understand the hard choice between providing for your family, but wanting to go to school.

Within the pages of this resource list, you will not only find dozens of vetted organizations providing scholarships and grants to military-affiliated students, but there is also information on helping you to succeed in the pursuit of an education. Make this the year you take a hard stance at getting something done for you. We look forward to watching you achieve your graduation day!

I am so very proud of you,

Bianca M. Strzalkowski

Managing Editor

Getting started: New student checklist

Congratulations! You have decided you want to start school or continue on your education path. With the vast amount of resources and information out there, it is important that you research your options so that you can find a school that meets your needs.

It can feel like an overwhelming process to know where to begin, and how you start can determine your overall educational experience. Depending on which stage of this decision you are at, we’ve put together some key things to think about in terms of goal setting, research, funding, and more!

LET’S GET STARTED:

• What do you want to study? What is your goal: degree, certification or licensure?

• Are you interested in attending online, in-person, or hybrid (which allows you to do both)?

• Check that the schools you are interested in have proper accreditation (see pg. 20).

• Full time schedule vs. Half time schedule? Evaluate your current life circumstances and what they will be throughout an entire semester or program, including deployments, moves, parenting responsibilities, work, etc.

• Meet with an advisor to create a successful academic plan.

• Explore the various funding options (see pg. 8).

• Fill out your FAFSA through the Department of Education to determine eligibility for a Pell Grant, student loans, work-study jobs.

• Evaluate if you have prior learning that can count for credit. An academic counselor can assist you with this.

• Decide if CLEP is an appropriate option for you, which allows you to test out of certain entry-level courses, saving time and money. Free for military and some dependents.

to

steps take start at the of your semester

by Rebecca Alwine

January marks the start of a lot of new things. A new year, new goals, new diets, and a new semester. Make sure you start your semester off on the right foot by committing to some organization, some preparation, and an open mind.

Update your calendar

Your life is busy, and this semester is just a part of it. Start it off right by taking all of your obligations, classes, and meetings and putting them in your calendar. By doing this right away, you’ll discover a few things that will save you some stress later on.

Avoid conflicts

When adding the important dates from your syllabus and overlaying them with work or family obligations, you’ll know right away that your work trip and your midterm are the same week. This allows you to talk to your professor weeks ahead of the deadline to work out an alternative. Professors will respect this planning and be more likely to work with you than if you email them in a panic the day it’s due.

Get ahead

Knowing all of your deadlines will help you plan better. It is very tempting to take the first few weeks of the semester easy, but if you start reading ahead or start the research for your final paper in those “light” weeks, you’ll be able to maintain a level of work instead of doubling up later on. This same technique will allow you to take a lighter week later on, if you have something else that comes up.

Avoid surprises

It is terrifying to realize that you have a 10page paper due in three days because you forgot to write down a deadline. Something that was written in the syllabus, but not discussed fully may sneak up on you if you don’t write these dates down at the beginning. Save yourself from these scary surprises by putting all class deadlines on your calendar, not just the final exam.

Find your people

The relationships you have with people make or break life. Group projects where everyone pulls their own weight are more enjoyable – and usually more successful – than ones where one person pulls all the weight. You’ll want to forge some relationships early on to help start the semester strong.

Try sharing notes

Life happens, and sometimes you miss things. If attending an in-person class, you may miss a lecture and need to get notes from someone. For classes that have a considerable amount of reading, you may find a partner or two who are willing to read different sections and swap summaries. If you prove yourself as a hard worker early on, you’ll be more likely to find others who are willing to work with you when you need help.

Set up for group projects

For some reason, professors love group projects. Maybe it’s because they reinforce teamwork or are an accurate portrayal of how the real world works. Whatever the reason, group projects are often discussed at the beginning of the semester, and then due dates sneak up on you. Laying out the roles and responsibilities of each part of the group will help start the project off on the right foot.

Whether this is your first semester of school or your last, chances are you could use a little help getting (or staying!) or organized. Start the semester off strong with these quick life hacks.

Touro University Worldwide designs programs for military-connected students

By AmeriForce Exclusive – Sponsored

Not only does Touro University Worldwide have a scholarship program for active duty, Guardsmen, Reservists, retirees, veterans and military dependents, but it has a foundation for success.

Monique Bergman, TUW’s lead student veteran advisor, says that advisors are trained by militarycertifying officials, like Registrar and Provost, to make sure staff and faculty are best able to serve the needs of its military students. Additionally, the school has many foolproof methods in place to guide military-connected students to success.

“We accept military experience as potential transfer credits when applicable to their degree plan and contingent on the student providing

their military transcript(s),” Bergman said. “We offer disability services to those students who wish to apply, and we have a career resources page for students that they may find helpful.”

Furthermore, the university has a flexible add/drop policy that allows students to not be penalized when the military interferes with completing a course.

Dr. Shelia Lewis, a TUW professor, has worked with many military students and appreciates how disciplined and goal-oriented they are. She also understands that deployments and permanent change of stations can be disruptive.

“The major struggle to help them overcome is to know that we are here to help them and not to worry

when they fall a little bit behind based upon deployments,” Lewis said. “The greatest achievement is when they learn that, as military students, they actually have quite an edge in higher learning and they know more than they gave themselves credit for.”

A cost-effective education

The Military Achievement Scholarship provides up to 40% off tuition at TUW, and applies to any of its degree offerings ranging from an associate in general studies, bachelor’s in social work, to a master’s in psychology. Plus, the GI Bill is accepted.

Active-duty Marine Leah Connell is currently undergoing TUW’s Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program, and says she

chose the program because not only is it accredited, but it also allows her to take classes wherever the military sends her and was one of the only schools that provided the program she was interested in. Plus, it’s affordable.

“It [the scholarship] has benefitted me enormously as I am an enlisted member and out of pocket college costs can be expensive,” Connell said, “so any amount really helps to keep my dream on track of completing my master’s degree.”

Former Marine Sgt. Brian Ngo also benefited from the scholarship when he utilized it to obtain a doctorate in Human and Organizational Psychology.

“[It] provided the most cost efficient way for me to attain my doctorate with my GI Bill benefits having been exhausted,” he said.

In the end, it is all about Connell and Ngo achieving their education goals by getting a degree in hand. For Ngo, he has been able to pursue a teaching career, and use the groundwork he learned at TUW to begin creating better work outcomes

for veterans. Connell also wants to give back to the community.

“I plan to work as an LMFT for service members and military veterans specifically assisting with those experiencing PTSD, trauma and everyday military-related stresses,” Connell said. “I want to help this community because I have lived and understand that lifestyle.”

Their career goals started by reaching out to TUW advisors and working with them to break down

the multiple benefits offered. From there, it was giving their best efforts despite any hurdles military life put in their way.

Visit Military Achievement Scholarship to learn more about how Touro University Worldwide helps military-connected students reach their education goals.

“Creating an outline of the work, postings and reference material at the beginning of the term will have you performing well.” -Brian

Ngo

“This program takes discipline and re-prioritizing of time and activities, though it can be done!” -Leah Connell

“Get started quickly with the goal to finish even while pushing through life’s challenges.” -Dr. Shelia Lewis

Military Spouse Scholarships

By AFM Staff

ompleting an education is hard enough without having to stress about how to pay for it. If you are a military spouse thinking about college or already working on a degree, you’re in luck. This is the time of year when organizations start accepting applications for military spouse education assistance programs. Yes, that’s right. There are programs – scholarships, loans, and grants -- designed with you in mind. But, it’s going to take some work and a lot of organization.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Who’s eligible: Spouses of active duty or retired sailors and Marines.

The basics: Interest-free loans and grants for undergraduates at an accredited two- or four-year education, technical or vocational institution.

Application cycle: Nov. 1, 2019 - May 1, 2020.

Air Force Aid Society

Who’s eligible: Spouses of active duty and Title 10 Reservists, and widows.

The basics: Needs-based grant ranging from $500 – $4,000.

Application cycle: January - April.

Army Emergency Relief

Who’s eligible: Spouse of an active duty or retired soldier or the widow of a soldier who died while on active duty or while retired.

YEAR-ROUND SCHOLARSHIPS

National Military Family Association

Who’s eligible: Spouses of any of the seven U.S. military branches that are married to an active duty, reserve, guard, medically retired, wounded or fallen service member, is a dual-service spouse or is a divorced 20/20/20 benefits spouse.

The basics: Awards are available for career funding, degrees, clinical supervision towards licensure in the mental health profession and business expenses.

Application cycle: Rolling basis.

My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)

Who’s eligible: Spouses of service members with the rank of E1-E5; W1-W2; O1-O2.

The basics: A maximum tuition assistance benefit of $4,000 can be used toward an associate’s degree, license or certification. Application cycle: Rolling basis.

BRANCH AID SOCIETIES

Each service branch has an equivalent branch aid society that supports service members and their families through various programs including education assistance.

The basics: Need-based scholarship program for spouses pursuing their first undergraduate degree.

Application cycle: Rolling basis.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Who’s eligible: Spouses of Coast Guardsmen.

The basics: Loans and grants for a degree, license or certification.

Application cycle: Rolling basis.

PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS

Florida Advisory Council on Military Education

Who’s eligible: Spouse of any active duty, guard, or reserve service member of the

A few ahead consider time: to of things

Here is the latest list of financial aid offerings for the military community:

U. S. Armed Forces who reside or are stationed in Florida, or are enrolled at a Florida institution.

The basics: Multiple $1,000 scholarships are awarded each year.

Application cycle: Dec. 1 - Mar. 15.

Southeastern Council on Military Education (SECOME)

Who’s eligible: Students (spouse, veteran, active duty and/or guard/reserves) attending a SECOME member institution that has a minimum of six credits who also reside in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia or Alabama, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The basics: The organization will award scholarships ranging from $750 to $1,500. Application cycle: February - May.

Pat Tillman Foundation

Who’s eligible: Current spouses of veterans or active duty service members, including surviving spouses.

The basics: $10,000 scholarship to assist with academic expenses, such as tuition, fees and books.

Application cycle: Feb. 1 - 28, 2020.

ThanksUSA

Who’s eligible: Spouses of U.S. military personnel pursuing an undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, vocational or technical school. Spouses can also use the award for non-degree licensure and certification programs. Additionally, it has the Helping Hand Scholarship for spouses of service members, including National Guard and Reserves, who have been disabled or are fallen during their service. The basics: Students receive an award of $3,000 for educational expenses. Helping Hand Scholarship recipients can be granted up to a maximum of $38,000 over three years.

Application cycle: April - May.

CTU Patriot Scholarship

The basics: Colorado Technical University

will award 50 scholarships.

Application cycle: Spring.

Hope For The Warriors

The basics: Five different categories of scholarships help students pay for tuition, books and supplies.

Application cycle: April - May.

Council of College and Military Educators (CCME)

The basics: The organization awards $1,000 scholarships.

Application cycle: July - November.

Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation

The basics: Naval aviator dependents are eligible for this scholarship that can grant up to $3,800 for undergraduate tuition. Application cycle: Oct. 1, 2019 - Mar. 1, 2020.

Chief Petty Officer Scholarship Fund

The basics: Immediate family members of an active duty, retired, reserve or deceased Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy are eligible to apply for the scholarship, offered annually.

Application cycle: Deadline is typically on April 1.

LOCAL SPOUSE CLUBS

There are dozens of spouse clubs colocated to military installations around the world including OCONUS locations. These organizations are a place of camaraderie for spouses, but also participate in philanthropic activities, like scholarships and charitable giving. At the start of each new year, the clubs usually open up applications for scholarship programs with specific eligibility requirements. Some necessitate applicants to be a member and some do not.

How to find them: A simple internet search of your installation and the phrase “military spouse club” should produce results. Also, the club may be officer, enlisted

or combined. Below are a few examples of those currently offering education assistance:

Fort Huachuca Community Spouses’ Club, Ariz.

Details: Annual scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors, current college students and military spouses who are pursuing their initial undergraduate degree or technical certification. Applicants must be dependents of U.S. military (active duty, Reserve, National Guard, retired or deceased) or DOD civilians (active, retired or deceased) whose sponsor is assigned to or living in the greater Fort Huachuca area. Applications are available around midDecember each year. Deadline to apply is typically in March.

The Officers’ Spouses’ Club in Yuma, Ariz.

Details: Grants and scholarships are available to military dependents within a 50-mile radius of Yuma. Applications historically must be received by March.

Military Spouse Association of Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Details: The scholarship — that can be applied to undergraduate or graduate studies — is open to spouses and dependents who have an active duty or retired sponsor from Camp Pendleton, or is a widow. Application cycle runs from January to March.

Monterey Bay Officers’ Spouse Club, Calif.

Details: Its merit-based scholarships are available to military dependents of active-duty, retired, or deceased military members living in the Monterey County area or military dependents of Naval Postgraduate School alumni living anywhere. Deadline to apply is estimated to be in April.

Education Travis Spouses’ Club, Calif.

Details: Scholarships for graduating high school seniors, college/continuing education students and military spouses attached to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif.

Ft. Gordon Spouses’ and Civilians’ Club, Ga.

Details: The club offers two scholarships: a merit-based scholarship and a continuing education scholarship. FGSCC accepts applications on a rolling basis.

Wright-Patterson Officers’ Spouses’ Club, Ohio

Details: The scholarship is available to active duty spouses stationed on base, retiree spouses who live within 100 miles of the base, spouses of deployed, deceased, prisoner of war or MIA service members, and/or even a foreign military spouse stationed to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Deadline to apply is in March.

The Tinker Spouses’ Club, Okla.

Details: Eligible military spouses should check the website for most current details on qualifications and application deadlines.

Fort Meade Officers’ Spouses’ Club, Md.

Details: Open to local Fort Meade-affiliated dependents including spouses pursuing post-secondary education including undergraduate or graduate degrees, or a technical certification.

The Association of Fort Bragg Spouses, N.C.

Details: The application cycle runs from Feb. 1, 2020 to Mar. 30, 2020.

North Country Spouses’ Club, N.Y.

Details: Fort Drum dependents are eligible for the SFC Jared C. Monti Memorial Scholarship. Application cycle runs in early spring; check its website for eligibility and deadlines.

Lackland Spouses’ Club, Texas

Details: Spouses and widows of service members assigned to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, are enrolled in a San Antonio-area community college, at home with their military sponsor are eligible for the scholarship. Applications typically accepted in the spring until March.

Andersen Officers’ Spouses’ Club, Guam

Details: It awards annual, merit-based college scholarships and grants to qualifying military dependents with ties to Andersen Air Force Base and Guam communities. Visit its website for current year deadlines.

Yokota Spouses’ Club, Japan

Details: Yokota-based active duty spouses can use the scholarship for trade schools plus master’s and doctorate degree programs. Applications typically accepted in the spring until March.

The Bavaria Community and Spouses’ Club, Germany

Details: Scholarships are available to spouses of active, retired or deceased U.S. military service members that reside within the USAG-Bavaria Military Community at the time the scholarship is awarded. Applications typically accepted between March and April.

NATIONAL SPOUSE CLUBS

Just as there are local spouse clubs, similar organizations exist on the national level that want to support military spouse education, too.

Navy Wives Clubs of America

Who’s eligible: Various offerings are available, including a scholarship for spouses of Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. Deadline: March 31.

FOR MILITARY KIDS ONLY

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

Who’s eligible: Children of active duty, reserve, or veteran U.S. Marine or U.S. Navy Corpsman. Additional eligibility details can be found here

Scholarships for Military Children Program

Who’s eligible: Dependent unmarried children under age 23 of active U.S. military duty personnel, reserve/guard and retired military members, or survivors of U.S. service members who died while on active duty or survivors of individuals who died while receiving retired pay from the military, may apply for a scholarship. Application period: Mid-December through February 15, annually.

If your organization has a scholarship program for service members, military spouses or dependents, and you want to be added to the list, email the details to managing.editor@ameriforcemedia.com.

Transferring credits across duty stations

by Bianca Strzalkowski

Every college credit earned equals a whole lot of time and some hard earned dollars, so it makes sense that students want to hold on to what is rightfully theirs. Cue a PCS move, or some life circumstance that forces you to change schools, and there is a likelihood you will lose those credits in translation. This scenario is frustrating for several reasons, including setting you further back from completing your degree or program.

It is up to you to serve as an advocate for your college education, which means taking certain steps for what may be the inevitable in this on-the-go military life: relocation.

Here’s four tips for protecting your college credits in the event of a PCS move:

Choose a school with proper accreditation.

A school’s accreditation determines its value in the world. Simply finishing a degree at one college may not hold the same weight as having your name attached to another, and that factor is important in qualifying for financial aid and standing out to an employer. Why?

Agencies are forged with evaluating the quality of the education provided by a postsecondary institution. “Accreditation” is

review of the quality of higher education institutions and programs, according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

There are several ways to research a school’s accreditation, such as through the Department of Education or CHEA

Maintain copies of your course syllabus and a course catalog for the year you

started at the college.

While the names of a course may vary from institution to institution, the core of what is taught within those classes is likely similar. Saving a syllabus for each course serves several purposes:

• It is helpful for building a resume later because it outlines exactly what you learned, and

• It is a tool to help you make the case at your next school about what the curriculum entailed.

Create a portfolio for courses that includes the official description of the course, the syllabus, and your instructor’s contact information. Also, save a copy of the course

catalog from the year you entered the institution.

Choose wisely.

As soon as a military family hears whispers of moving orders, there are traditional steps we take. Checking out housing, doctors, jobs, and schools for our kids may be among the areas researched. Expand that PCS checklist to include college options, whether that be brick and mortar or online is completely up to you. Though, at some duty stations, in-person colleges may be limited so it may be time to consider virtual learning.

Either way, when researching schools you can always speak to an academic counselor before committing to find out how many of your college credits will transfer, and read the policy on credit transferability to know your options and rights ahead of time.

Don’t give up.

If you are initially told a course won’t transfer to your new school, don’t give up. Make the case for yourself by requesting to speak with a school administrator and presenting your evidence (as referenced in point number two).

It is possible that your new school doesn’t have a full understanding of your course curriculum, and you need to advocate for the course transfer. And, if you are stationed near an installation, enlist the assistance of the base education centers or student veteran’s representative at the new school.

Military life is full of enough unknowns that when we are gifted with a ‘known,’ it can help with making certain decisions. Among those likely components of this lifestyle is moving, which can in fact happen every few years. Picking the right school is important for many reasons, including what value that education will hold in your future aspirations and career. Choose wisely. Research. Do your homework.

Must-have tools for students online

by Lizann Lightfoot

Signing up for online classes can be an exciting step towards your goals, but it can also be intimidating—particularly if you are not used to online classrooms. The tools listed here are essential for online students. Some are required to participate in virtual classes, while the apps or websites are useful for streamlining your work. Get ready to be a productive online learner!

Software Gadgets

Microsoft Office Suite is essential for every student, whether their classes are online or in a traditional setting. Yours should include updated versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Microsoft OneNote is useful for keeping notes and class materials organized in one place. Text, links, and images stored there can be searched, copied, and pasted as needed.

Adobe Reader is necessary to open and read PDF documents. The free version is fine for most students, although upgrades may be required for specific classes.

Adobe Flash Plug-In is important if your class has any online lectures. The free version is probably already on your computer. But you’ll need to make sure it is updated so you

can watch videos on your computer. All-in-one printer that can print, scan, and make copies will be useful for many online courses. Even though most materials and textbooks can now be accessed online, you may find it easier to print out the class syllabus and some of the reading materials, and you may need to scan or copy notes for some assignments.

Noise-canceling headphones can help you focus on your classwork at home or in distracting locations. If they have a built-in microphone , they can also be used for class discussions or webinars.

Flash drive or thumb drive is essential, not only to back up your work, but also to transfer it to other devices as needed. Many assignments will be too large to email.

Portable charger for your phone or laptop, so you can get work done anywhere—at the library, coffee shop, airport, or on the sidelines of the Little League game.

Apps

Calendar or planner apps such a MyHomework can help you organize your assignments by task and by due date, so you don’t fall behind. You can even set reminders that will appear on your phone or email telling you to log in to a discussion, post a comment, or complete a project.

Bibliography apps like EasyBib or BibMe can help you create a bibliography for your papers. Any time you use an outside source, it will need to be cited. But formatting varies depending on the type of class. These apps help you create a properly-formatted citation that you can drag and drop onto your paper.

Note-taking apps like Evernote , Notely , or Todoist allow you to create unlimited pages of checklists, tasks, assignments, due dates, schedules, etc. You can upload images and links directly into the app, storing them in one organized place, so you will have access to them anywhere you need to get work done.

Trello allows users to create boards containing lists, tasks, assignments, links, and more. Part of its appeal is the drag and drop capability, allowing you to move tasks from a “To-Do” board to a “Completed” one.

Rocketnote lets you upload your hand-written notes, and it converts them into text that can be transferred into documents or other note-taking apps.

Websites

Voice-recording apps like Audionote or QuickVoice Recorder allow you to dictate notes that can be converted into text. Use them to transcribe lectures or your own brainstorming. Once converted, they can be searched like a traditional text document.

Google forms from the Goodle Drive app allow you to create documents that multiple people can edit in real time. This is perfect for group projects and discussions for online students scattered around the world.

Anki lets you create flashcards to help you learn new facts, vocabulary, or even a foreign language. It’s a great study tool for memorization.

Brain.fm has music that is scientifically chosen to help you be productive and get more done. Try it out when you need the perfect background track to write your next assignment.

Freedom is a program that will block distracting social media apps on all your devices. You can get more homework done if you stay focused and don’t keep checking your phone for notifications.

Purdue Owl is a free writing resource website that helps you properly format citations and check the grammar in your written assignments.

Academic Research sites, such as ISeek , InfoMine , Paperity , and InfoPlease give you access to published academic papers, encyclopedias, and thousands of trusted sources for academic research.

Grammar-checking sites, such as Write Check or Grammarly will help you clean up your writing so you submit your best work.

EndNote will help you organize your references and create proper citation format for your notes and bibliography.

UnPlag checks your submissions for plagiarism, so you can verify your work is original and decide when you need to cite a paraphrased idea.

IFTTT.com can be used to send you a text whenever your Gmail account get an email from a specific person. This is a useful way to stay current on email from a professor or group project.

Tutor.com offers free online tutoring for military families. Their experts include college-level subject experts who can assist with math, writing, and science assignments. If you are struggling, you will benefit from the guidance of a free tutor.

More than a spouse:

Completing

by Marla Bautista

Marla Bautista, pictured with her husband Ulisses, at their current duty station of Fort Drum, NY.

Photo by Sarah Lisle Photography.

I was hesitant to apply for college because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Well, I knew what I wanted to do, but I didn’t know how to go about it. As a military spouse, I constantly heard about programs that will help with the cost of school, but I wondered how to complete a program without the physical stability of living in one place throughout the duration of my studies. Today, there are so many ways to complete courses no matter what your zip code is, such as online and hybrid options.

After applying for school, attending classes, and finally graduating, I have some tips to share that worked for me—and can work for you.

Finding a school that’s right for you

There are a plethora of schools contending to meet your academic needs. Firsts things first. What are your academic needs? There are a few questions you’d want to ask yourself in order to determine this.

• Have you previously attended school and have college credits that need to be transferred?

• Is there a specific degree or educational field you are seeking?

• Also, what are you time constraints when attending school?

The answer to these questions will help you decide which school is right for you. Some schools offer degree programs that others may not. If you have credits from another college, find out if they will be accepted at the college you are hoping to attend. You’d be surprised, but not all colleges accept similar course credits from other schools, and some will even accept them but may consider them as an elective.

Also, choosing to attend school at a convenient time is probably one of the most critical aspects of successfully completing your degree. Maybe going to college at a physical location isn’t convenient for you right now. Try looking into schools that allow you to complete the same program online, or in a hybrid mix that is a little in person and mostly online.

Got financial aid?

Then there’s the topic of actually paying for the program. You may be eligible for Pell Grants, Army Emergency Relief (AER) grants, MyCAA funds (limited to specific ranks and programs), subsidized and unsubsidized loans, or scholarships.

Going back to school was always something I wanted to do, but the moving that comes with being a military wife made it seem like an impossible feat. As the years went by, the thought of being financially and academically responsible, while taking time away from my family was something that stifled my goal of receiving a higher education.

In addition to being a college student, Bautista juggled life as a military spouse, avid volunteer, mother, and entrepreneur. She finally found a formula to make it all work and completed her dream of earning a degree.

I will admit, if you want to get a large amount or all your schooling paid for, this category will require some research. For example, Army spouses like myself quality for the Spouse Education Assistance Program through AER. For those of you affiliated with other service branches, each has its own offering some type of financial aid assistance. Then there’s scholarships , which are like getting free money because you are not required to pay it back. All you have to do is meet the organization’s requirements, provide previous educational documentation, and possibly complete an essay or an interview. Simple enough, right? Check out Scholarships for Military Members and Dependents and get an early start on your college funding.

The Department of Education offers Pell Grants annually, which can cover most of your tuition if you qualify. You must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and include proof of income or tax documentation to be considered for this funding.

If you’ve applied for every scholarship and grant and still cannot cover the cost of your tuition and other fees, student loans are another option, though they require a repayment plan upon completion of your degree plan or if you’ve stopped going to school for longer than the allotted deferment period.

Getting started

Now that you’ve filled out your application, been admitted, and your school finances are situated, you are ready to choose a degree plan and individual courses. If you have not decided what you specifically want to go to school for, don’t fret. You can still begin taking classes. General education courses are necessary no matter what academic path you choose.

When I first began taking classes as a military spouse, I started taking one general education course at a time. For me, jumping into a full-time school schedule was something I did not feel I was prepared for. I was advised to start off slow. Once I was engaged, and comfortable enough to balance my home life with my school schedule, I took more courses. For more information about what classes and how many you should take, talk to your school’s advisor.

School tips

If you are attending school face to face or taking online courses, have a tangible copy of your course syllabus accessible. I created a binder for all my studies, just like I had in high school. The binder had a divider, a two-pocket folder, and paper for each class I was taking. This helped keep my schoolwork organized and helped me stay on task.

Further, communicating with your instructors is key. If you have questions, don’t understand the materials, or have life circumstances that are putting you behind, communicate.

You may also be able to find a study group, online or in-person.

Going back to school should be a great experience. Find a school that offers your preferred degree plan. Get your finances in order and get to work. It’s only hard if you make it. Why not make it simple and fun? Getting a higher education can lead to financial success, and the knowledge you gain will be used to make our world a better place.

Photo by Sarah Lisle Photography.

Marla Bautista always wanted to go to school, but she worried about the time it would take away from her family. Submitted photo.

Understanding accreditation

by Bianca Strzalkowski

One of the most important pieces of research you will do as a student relates to understanding a prospective school’s accreditation. Colleges, universities, and individual programs are evaluated by a certain set of standards, and accrediting agencies are the ones charged with ensuring the postsecondary institution maintains those standards.

In fact, checking a school’s accreditation is a critical factor to consider when deciding where to invest your education dollars. Just like with any big commitment, doing your homework can make the difference between a good or bad experience. One consequence of attending a school without proper accreditation is the value of your degree can be diminished, affecting financial aid options, transferability and employability.

To assist students, the Department of Education maintains a database of accrediting agencies to review. There are also individual websites specific to the types of schools you may be considering, such as by location.

For example, because of the rise in attendance of virtual learning programs, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission is a valuable resource in reviewing distance education programs up to the professional doctoral degree level.

There are also options to search the regional accreditation of a school at sites like Council of Higher Education Accreditation Or, if you are searching for a very specific region, like options near duty stations in the Southeastern U.S., check out Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

In addition to reviewing accreditation, there is a benefit in

getting feedback from people who have attended the school or work directly in academia.

Those options for vetting schools include:

• Checking the list of schools within the Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) Network:

• Asking current and former students for feedback through Rate My Professors or social media groups, and

• Reaching out to organizations who work directly with military-affiliated students, such as State Advisory Councils on Military Education (ACMEs) or Student Veterans of America,

The bottom line is, the cost of education is expensive. Doing the legwork now can save you a headache later and just as you would with any major purchase, a college investment requires due diligence. Incorporate enough time in your process to do a thorough review and pick the school that offers you a quality education that will pay dividends for your future career goals.

4 ways to get organized as an online student

by Lizann Lightfoot

Becoming an online student will change your life. Before you can reap the benefits of your education, you need to make changes that will help you stay focused. When you make the effort to organize your assignments, your time, your space, and your notes, your productivity will soar and you will get the most out of your online classes. Use these strategies to stay organized!

Organize your assignments

Print out the course materials ahead of time. The most important item is the course syllabus, which can often be accessed at least a week before the class begins. Take the time to read through the entire syllabus. Highlight each assignment and write down the date it is due. Seeing the course outlined like this will help you stay on top of your homework.

Use a planner or calendar to write down each week’s assignments and their due dates. Some people prefer a paper planner. Others like an online calendar. Either one is fine, as long as you are consulting it regularly and mapping out your priorities. For larger assignments, break them down into smaller tasks with respective due dates. For example, if a major research paper is due in Week 5, you may spend Week 1 researching a topic, Week 2 gathering resources, Week 3 finding quotes, and Week 4 writing a draft.

Set reminders on your phone, either

using a Google calendar, your phone alarm, or a little help from Alexa. These can remind you to post your weekly forum discussions, to follow up with a classmate, to respond to the professor’s email, or to begin an assignment. It’s important to develop a system that works for you, especially if you are taking more than one online class at a time.

Organize your time

Schedule your work. Once you know the expectations for the class, you need to break down your weekly responsibilities into small chunks of time that you can commit to. A common schedule is to do readings early in the week, post to the online

forum by Friday, and interact or reply to classmates throughout the weekend.

Are you someone who prefers to do homework at the same time every evening? Or will you do better sitting down for longer periods two-to-three times per week? At the beginning of each week, review your assignment and plan out the days or hours when you will attack each step of the homework.

Communicate with your loved ones. Some weeks in the semester will be more demanding than others. When you have big assignments due, make sure they appear on your calendar and take priority over other activities. Communicate these dates with your spouse so they can plan around you. They might re-schedule social activities or take the kids out of the house for a few hours.

points on your assignments because your toddler ate your homework or your spouse moved your books when they were cleaning.

yourself visiting often. This will make it easier for you to cite your sources in class forums or papers.

Organize your space

Have a designated work space where you store your class materials and supplies. And no, we don’t mean the corner of the couch in front of the TV. Set up a quiet, well-lit area where you can do readings, take notes, and complete assignments with minimal distractions. Some people work best in a quiet room. If you have young children, that might mean going to the local library. Others prefer some background noise or music, such as a coffee shop. Wherever you work best, just make sure you won’t lose

Organize your class notes

Microsoft OneNote helps you organize all your notes in one place. You can save notes you create yourself, notes from websites, and even the assignment instructions from the course syllabus. Information gathered in OneNote can be copied and posted onto other documents, which makes it easy for you to compile information or organize the course material.

Bookmark websites you use for research, or any site you find

Manage your inbox. Emails can pile up quickly, depending on your school’s system for online forum discussions. Create multiple folders to organize your school emails, and plan out time each day to check them and respond to any that are important. When you post to an online discussion forum, make sure to check the discussion thread regularly throughout the week so you can respond to comments from the professor or other classmates.

Create folders on your desktop to store all your materials for each class. That way, everything will be organized in one place. This is especially helpful when you take more than one online course. If you need to, create subfolders within each folder for research, notes, assignments, papers, etc.

Use organizational apps. There are numerous apps and websites designed to help online students. Check out our huge list on page 19.