Careers & Continuing Education Winter 2019

Fall 2015 Winter 2019

MILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA MILITARYNEWS.COM

GPA COURSES MILITARY SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT

PROGRAMS BIOLOGY

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ARTS HAMPTON ROADS

RESOURCES FOR VETERANS page 9

JOB FAIR SUCCESS STRATEGIES page 10

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TO E UID ENT & G UR LOYM TIES ON O Y P NI TI EM RTU UCA PO R ED P O HE HIG

MARKETING

TUITION ECONOMICS

NURSING

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CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION WINTER 2019

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BOOT CAMP LAUNCH PAD

VETERANS ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM In the military, you served our nation and acquired knowledge and skills. Risk management. Performance under pressure.

Perseverance. Leadership. We want to help you take those same skills to the civilian world and create a successful business. The Veterans Entrepreneurship Program at the UTC Gary W. Rollins College of Business provides hands-on learning, personalized interaction, and exposure to inspiring role models. Program is provided FREE to all participants.

Apply now for 2019!

utc.edu/vep

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Pam Bullock MNV ART DIRECTOR

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The contents of this special section are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. government, the DOD, the DoT or the U.S. Coast Guard. Opinions of contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Military Newspapers of Virginia or The Flagship®. The availability of these newspapers and the appearance of advertising in these publications, including any inserts or supplements, do not constitute endorsement by the federal government, the DOD, the DoT, the U.S. Coast Guard or Military Newspapers of Virginia of products or services advertised. Military Newspapers of Virginia is a private firm in no way connected to the Department of Defense or United States Coast Guard.

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SECO and MSEP 101: made for military spouse employment What service members should know when choosing a college Military Times ranks TCC the best two-year college for vets in Virginia Special benefits for Virginia, Hampton Roads residents

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Job fair success strategies “Funding a college education” program on base

An explanation of education advancement exams Financing your child’s college education

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CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION WINTER 2019

SECO AND MSEP 101: MADE FOR MILITARY SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT From Military OneSource

If you’re a military spouse looking for employment, meet the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership. Made exclusively for the military spouse, these initiatives can help get you career-ready and find a great job.

The Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program, or SECO, was created specifically for military spouses—to connect you with tools and resources, including education and training help, career coaching and exploration, career connections and much more.

If you’re looking for a job, check out the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, or MSEP. It’s a part of the SECO program, and connects employers with educated, trained and qualified military spouses like you. Access job listings and featured hot jobs, MSEP partners and more.

THE SECO PROGRAM: What’s in it for you?

Make connections. Stay informed. Get hired. That’s what the SECO program is all about. On the MySECO website, you’ll find resources and tools related to: • Exploring careers and your own skills • Education, training and licensing options • Getting yourself workplace ready • Networking and finding jobs • Scholarship opportunities • Entrepreneurship Guideance WHAT’S WAITING FOR YOU ON MYSECO? Highlights include: • Comprehensive career coaching services: SECO career coaches offer specialty consultations six days a week at no cost to military spouses. You can also take

advantage of the many career coaching packages to help you meet your unique needs. To schedule an appointment with a SECO career coach, call 800-342-9647.

• Online career coach discussions: Career coaches will answer your employment questions on Facebook during Career Coach Live events. Network with other military spouses and learn tips from the experts to help you succeed. Topics cover everything from scholarships and finding the right school to professional etiquette and turning perceived obstacles into strengths.

• Your own MySECO Profile: Manage your job search process. Build an individual career plan, with the help of the MyICP Wizard, based on your goals, occupational interests, challenges and growth opportunities.

• Explore the labor market: Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook to learn about job descriptions, work environments, educational and licensing requirements and salaries.

• Resume toolkit: What do employers want to see? MySECO gives you samples and an easy-to-use template from the information in your profile. Be sure to use the Resume Builder for a simple method of developing the perfect resume based on information in your MySECO Account Profile.

• Military Spouse eMentor program: Link up with an online community and receive personalized career guidance, advice, support from more experienced military spouses, career mentors and mili-

MILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA MILITARYNEWS.COM

tary spouse-friendly employers.

• SECO Scholarship Finder: Find scholarships on a site you can trust. You can also use the database to search for opportunities for your college-bound kids.

• Self-assessments: Access your values and skills with powerful tools that will help you explore the career or education path that best suits your personal journey.

• LinkedIn Premium upgrade: Military spouses can upgrade to LinkedIn Premium at no cost during a PCS or separation from the military. This year-long offer allows spouses to begin their job hunt and build networks as soon as they receive orders.

Some features on MySECO are available only to authenticated users. So take time to register today and begin your journey to learn, advance and succeed.

THE MILITARY SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIP The Military Spouse Employment Partnership has more than 390 partner compa nies and organizations that have hired over 125,000 military spouses. The MSEP Job Search, found on the MySECO website,

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homepage.

• MSEP Candidate Search: Allow MSEP partners looking for employees to directly search for you by opting into the MSEP Candidate Search from your account settings.

has hundreds of thousands of active jobs listed around the world. Highlights include: • Active jobs: The Job Search feature connects you with open jobs by job title, location, industry, partner and more. You can even search for telework jobs and work-from-home opportunities.

• Hot jobs: View jobs that immediately need to be filled and read a quick summary of the position on the

Here for you: SECO career coaches As a military spouse, you’re serving our country too. It’s important that you have access to the resources you need for successful job-hunting. We hope you’ll take advantage of them, especially connecting with our career coaches.

Spouses of active-duty service members in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and members of the Reserve Component, regardless of activation status, are eligible for career coaching services.

A coach can help you at any stage of your career— from looking for the right school to connecting with potential employers. Contact a SECO career coach at 800-342-9647 or you can use the Live Chat feature in the header of the MySECO website for additional guidance.

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CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION WINTER 2019

WHAT SERVICE MEMBERS SHOULD KNOW WHEN CHOOSING A COLLEGE From Military OneSource

Thinking about college? You already have the discipline it takes to pursue higher education. From big universities to small colleges, you have plenty of options and each has something unique to offer.

Here’s how to compare your college options and find the right institution for your education goals.

THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT COLLEGE Look beyond the beautiful lawns and libraries in all those college brochures.

You need to balance the cost and logistics of going to school with what you want to accomplish with your degree. There’s a right fit for you and your priorities.

• Tuition and costs: While most schools offer tuition assistance to service members, certain institutions can be more affordable, like in-state or public universities. Private schools can sometimes be costly. To reduce the amount of debt

Meet Your Future Employer Feb 27, 2019 May 30, 2019 Oct 16, 2019 Meet dozens of military-friendly employers face-to-face at one of the most professional career events in Virginia. Sponsored by Corporate Gray, which has a reputation for getting great employers and candidates together for an efficient and effective experience, this event is especially for transitioning, former, and retired Military of all ranks (Enlisted/NCO/ Officer); all services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard); and all occupational specialties. Free admission for ALL candidates Military Members, Spouses, and Civilians.

Military-Friendly Job Fair Virginia Beach Convention Center 9 am until 12 noon

Pre-register to receive an employer directory before the job fair, and upload your resume so that employers can have early access to it.

www.CorporateGray.com

NORFOLK POLICE DEPARTMENT NORFOLK.GOV/POLICE 757.664.6688

MILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA MILITARYNEWS.COM

you graduate with, research each school’s tuition and financial aid offerings carefully.

• Courses and programs: Some schools specialize in certain areas of study, such as engineering or nursing.

If you have a specific area of focus that you want to pursue, narrow down your choices to schools with those programs. If you’re considering graduate school or a higher professional degree, look into which schools offer those specific fields of study to help you make the next transition to graduate school.

• Location: Choosing a nearby state school or local private college allows you to stay in your current location and commute from home to class. By enrolling in evening or weekend classes you could continue to work or maintain your status in the services.

GPA COURSES PROGRAMS BIOLOGY ARTS

MARKETING

TUITION ECONOMICS

NURSING

HOW TO CHOOSE Once you know what your college goals are, these tools can help you find the right fit for your needs.

• The College Navigator lets you search through over 7,000 schools. Compare location, tuition, courses and financial aid information for universities and colleges

College Navigator: Nces.Ed.Gov/CollegeNavigator DoD Voluntary Education Partnership DodMou.com/Home/InstitutionList

When you’re devoted to something, you don’t stop. Which is why, as a veteran transitioning to civilian employment, you’re still seeking service-centered careers. The transition to MSC is seamless - you and other veterans use the skills you’ve developed in the military to complete MSC’s missions. At the same time, you gain job security, take pride in the job you do and continue to serve our country by supporting the U.S. Navy as civil service mariners.

Communications Officers and Electronics Technicians can bring Radio Communications, Information Technology, Data Systems, Intel and LAN Administration skills to multiple positions at MSC today with sign-on bonuses offered!

Ships Communication Officer - IAM $43,192 Bonus

Chief Radio Electronics Technician - IAT $34,326 Bonus

First Radio Electronics Technician - IAT $31,503 Bonus

Take Command of Your Career

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nationwide. You can even save your searches to a spreadsheet to revisit and revise your list.

• The Department of Defense’s Tuition Assistance program provides information on tuition costs at over 2,600 schools that are eligible to receive military tuition assistance. Compare costs, fees, grants, GI Bill® and other financial aid opportunities.

• Search the Department of Defense’s Voluntary Education Memorandum of Understanding site to see which schools are participating in the federal tuition assistance program.

There are so many resources for service members to find the right college or university at the right cost, no matter where you live or what you hope to study. Military OneSource is here to help you start the next chapter.

Stop Searching,

KEEP SERVING

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info@sealiftcommand.com 888-891-4577 www.sealiftcommand.com

MSC is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.

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CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION WINTER 2019

MILITARY TIMES RANKS TCC THE BEST TWO-YEAR COLLEGE FOR VETS IN VIRGINIA From Tidewater Community College

Tidewater Community College has been recognized as the topranked two-year school in Virginia for its support of veteran and military students, according to 2019 rankings released

by Military Times on Monday.

Rankings are based on the results of Military Times’ Best for Vets: Colleges annual survey – a comprehensive schoolby-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement – as well as a detailed review of public data collected by federal agencies.

TCC, which has a Center for Military &Veterans Education (CMVE) on each of its four campuses, ranks fifth overall and is one of two Virginia Community Colleges in the top 10. Southwest Virginia Community College checks in at No. 9.

“Our priority at the CMVE continues to be serving military-related students, whether they be active-duty, transitioning military, veterans or their family members,” said Batanya Gipson, interim director of the CMVE. “We strive to make the CMVE a one-stop shop, where our military-related students can receive help with academic and career advising and learn how to use their GI Bill® funding and other college and community resources that can help them achieve their education and career goals.”

About 35 percent of TCC’s enrollment is military-related students.

The CMVE continues to work to secure approval for students to use GI Bill® benefits and SkillBridge funding. The colCenter for Military & Veterans Education TCC.Edu/Military

lege offers a digital court reporting program geared specifically toward military and their families. TCC was recently recognized for its partnership with Virginia Natural Gas, which provides training for transitioning military.

The college’s Solar Ready Vets program, which prepares sailors for careers in the solar industry, is in its third year. TCC also introduced a Career Studies Certificate in Inside Machinist last year that provides opportunity in the manufacturing and maritime industries, an ideal fit for former military members.

Military Times Best for Vets: College survey is an editorially independent, objective and rigorous news project in its ninth year. This feature evaluates the many factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families. About 500 colleges took part in this year’s survey, and less than half received recognition in the survey.

The survey asks colleges and universities to disclose academic outcome and input data, describe many aspects of veteran culture on campus and meticulously document a wide array of services, special policies, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties. Military Times also factors in data from the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments, as well as three Education Department sources: the IPEDS Data Center, College Scorecard data and the Cohort Default Rate Database.

MILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA MILITARYNEWS.COM

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NATIONAL RESOURCES www.fedshirevets.gov www.va.gov fafsa.ed.gov www.ed.gov www.bls.gov/ooh dol.gov/VETS

SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR VIRGINIA, HAMPTON ROADS RESIDENTS Whether you’re interested in going back to school or finding a job, you’re in the right place. Virginia and the Hampton Roads area offer extra benefits and assistance beyond what is available nationwide.

Extra help may be available to active-duty, retired and discharged military members and their families, and in at least one instance, to civilians who work for the military, as well. Make sure to check information listed for veterans on websites and mention your veteran or family member status when talking to representatives.

Resources are listed throughout this Careers and Continuing Education special section and additional governmental information at these links listed at right.

VIRGINIA RESOURCES www.dvs.virginia.gov www.vec.virginia.gov www.vawc.virginia.gov www.schev.edu

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Nucor Steel Hertford County, NC, Inc., a division of the nation’s largest steel and steel products manufacturer, and largest recycler is seeking to assemble a hiring pool of qualified applicants to fill multiple Production Team Member positions.

We are looking for good candidates who are willing to work both day and night rotating 12 hour shifts.

What you can expect with a career at Nucor: • New team members can earn up to $55k with an average division salary of approximately $85k • Benefits Including 401k, Profit Sharing, Health and Life Insurance and Much More • Stability with a company that has been around since 1969 with no layoffs • Growth and Promotional Opportunities Individuals who would like to learn more about opportunities at Nucor Steel Hertford County located in Cofield, NC should visit www.nucor.com/careers/.

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CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION WINTER 2019

JOB FAIR SUCCESS STRATEGIES From Military OneSource

Job fairs are a great opportunity to network and be proactive in the employment process. In order to make the most of these opportunities, set realistic expectations for what you hope to achieve.

Prepare for the job fair like you would for an interview, have a plan for when you arrive, make a good impression with the recruiters and be sure to follow up with any connections you make.

PREPARE • Research. The week prior to a job fair, find out which companies are participating and learn more about them. What are some interesting things the company is currently working on? Does the company have new leadership or a new product? These tidbits can be used as conversation starters that will impress a recruiter and possibly open the door to a new opportunity for you.

• Dress for an interview. Job fairs typically involve on-the-spot interviews, so present yourself as you would for any other kind of interview. A suit is most appropriate, even if you’re applying for a tech-

nical job. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

• Prepare. For your top employment choices, consider preparing folders that include your resume, cover letter, recommendations and appropriate work samples.

• Carry plenty of business cards. Give the business cards to recruiters and other job seekers you meet. They need not be expensive or fancy. A simple design will do. Make sure they contain your name and contact information: phone number, email and address.

• Organize. You may want to carry a portfolio or

clipboard to easily manage and collect information. Be sure to have a pen for taking notes.

• Relax, breathe and smile. Do your best to make a strong first impression.

• Walk around. Get the lay of the land, see where your top companies are located and plan your connection strategy.

• Network. Talk to other job seekers and ask questions. Find out what types of positions they’re seeking, and tell them a little about yourself. You never know who they might know, or if you might be able to help them with an introduction. Don’t hesitate to exchange information if you make a connection.

• Visit booths. You may want to start by practicing your personal pitch with recruiters who represent companies where you may not want to work. Have a list of top companies you really want to visit and check them off as you go. This will keep you from introducing yourself to the same recruiter twice by accident. Listen to the “interviews” in front of you to get

MILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA MILITARYNEWS.COM an idea what to expect and develop questions based on what you hear.

SPEAKING TO RECRUITERS • Connect. Make eye contact, smile, state your name and shake her or his hand. Use a prepared elevator speech - a 10-second summary of your bio, your skills and your achievements. Make sure to rehearse the speech until it becomes comfortable.

• Listen. Pay attention, respond to questions and ask for more information. When appropriate, hand your resume to the recruiter and pause for them to do a quick review. Be prepared for questions about specific examples of your experience.

• Keep it brief. Recruiters are typically swamped, so be mindful that your conversation may be limited to a few minutes. If appropriate, ask questions about next steps, applicant qualifications or any suggestions they may have for you.

• Get recruiter contact information. Request a business card, and if one is not available, ask the recruiter for their email address. Conclude the conversation by thanking them for their time.

• Step aside. Make time to write conversation notes before you move on to the next recruiter. If the previous recruiter mentioned she went to Florida State, capture that information. If she told you the company will hire for your desired position soon, write it down.

Summarize your job fair experiences immediately in order to take full advantage of the event.

FOLLOW UP • Call or email. After a few days, call or send an email, thanking the recruiters for their time and the information they provided. If you send an email to the recruiter who mentioned she went to Florida State, it is appropriate to write, “I’m the administrative assistant at the job fair who discussed Florida State with you.” That reminder could help her recall the conversation. Just taking the time to follow up will separate you from

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many job fair attendees.

• Stay in contact. If the recruiter responds back to you, stay in contact.

Keep an eye open for articles about their organization or industry and don’t hesitate to forward them on with a note. If you see the perfect job for you in their organization, and you’re qualified, apply for the position and then email the recruiter and let him or her know you applied.

• Build your network. If you connected with other job seekers and traded contact information, you should follow up with them as well. You never know when they might have a job prospect for you, or vice versa.

If you need information or personalized assistance with your employment search, or have questions about education opportunities, visit the Military OneSource SECO page, or call 800-3429647 to talk with a career coach.

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CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION WINTER 2019

“FUNDING A COLLEGE EDUCATION” PROGRAM ON BASE From Military OneSource

Hosted by the Navy Voluntary Education Program at Naval Station Norfolk, the upcoming schedule is as follows: Naval Station Norfolk Wednesday, February 6, 2019 11:30 A.M. Building IE, downstairs classroom # 7 “Funding a College Education” is presented by Darryl Greenwell, and will focus on: • College selection and application process • Federal aid (grants, loans, work study, etc)

• State aid programs • FAFSA, FAFSA changes/updates, plus financial aid applications, procedures, & processing • Scholarship 101—survive the scholarship search and application process • Guest speakers—Local scholarship representatives • Other various areas/items of concern, and a Question and Answer session

VTC’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) will conduct a college financial aid presentation, “Funding a College Education,” at Naval Station Norfolk.

Each session includes information which will assist rising high school JUNIORS & SENIORS, parents of all high school students, adult learners opting to return to college later in life, plus all others who may be facing the rising expenses of college in the very near future. High school students are welcome to attend with their parents, however we do not encourage creating a negative impact on their school attendance or classroom/school requirements.

Local scholarship representatives will be on hand to provide informa-

tion on their programs and awards, and they do plan to stay afterwards for your individual questions.

This program is FREE and open to all military personnel (active or reserve), retirees, family members, and other base employees/personnel, including contract and DOD civilian employees Normal base access is required; no special base pass arrangements will be made for this program.

One-on-one appointments can be scheduled with an EOC counselor following the presentation.

MILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA MILITARYNEWS.COM

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AN EXPLANATION OF EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT EXAMS From Military OneSource

You’ve been tested before and have the determination it takes to study hard and be prepared. Doing so on education advancement exams, which assess your skills, can help you earn your degree faster. Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, or DANTES, offers free or discounted tests for military members. By learning which tests to tackle and how best to prepare, you’ll be ready to master exam time and be one step closer to your higher education goals.

DEFENSE ACTIVITY FOR NON-TRADITIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT EXAMS Completing particular DANTES-sponsored exams allows you to earn credits toward a college degree so you may be able to get your degree faster. Here are the basics on these tests.

• ACT. The ACT is designed to assess general educational development and measure performance of intellectual tasks required of a college student. The ACT is composed of four academic tests that measure academic development in English, mathematics, reading and science. Funding eligibility for service members varies based on type of testing location.

• College-Level Examination Program. The CLEP exam allows you to test out of 33 test titles in subjects where you may have gained knowledge such as from work, education or military experience. Administration and examination fees are DANTES-funded for eligible service members for the first attempt on all titles only.

• DSST, formerly known as the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests. Prometric’s DSST test is a form of prior-learning assessment offered via 38 college-subject exams. This nationally recognized credit-by-exam program grants college credit for learning outside of the classroom like on-the-job training, military experience or independent study. DANTES funds fees for the first

success. The test is based on knowledge developed through coursework in the following areas: reading, writing, language and math. Funding eligibility for service members varies based on type of testing location.

attempt on all DSST titles only, for eligible service members.

• General Education Development Tests. The GED test consists of four content areas designed to measure the high school level of adult learners who are not high school graduates. The content areas are math, science, social studies and language arts. DANTES reimburses the test fee one time for eligible service members.

• Graduate Management Admission Test. The GMAT is available through some college and university test centers. This computer-adaptive test includes verbal, quantitative and analytical writing questions. The GMAT is reimbursable (one time) for eligible service members.

• Graduate Record Examinations. The GRE is a computer-based test available through select college and university test centers. DANTES will

pay for one GRE General and one GRE Subject exam per lifetime for eligible service members.

• PRAXIS I and II. The PRAXIS I is a Pre-Professional Skills Test, or PPST, with three separate subject-area tests in reading, math and writing. Some states require students to pass the PPST before starting a teacher education program, or as a teacher-licensing exam. The PRAXIS II is a timed subject assessment focused on principles of learning and teaching. The exam offers more than 100 test subjects. Some states require you to pass this exam before teaching certain subject areas. Both PRAXIS exams are reimbursable one time for eligible service members.

• SAT. The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT assesses critical thinking skills needed for success in college and future career

TEST PREP SCAMS Protect yourself as you prepare and sign up for these exams. Be careful to avoid scams that could potentially waste your time and money. Keep an eye out for any test prep program that attempts to: • Pressure you to buy test prep materials for exams you don’t plan to take • Give you purchasing credit with a third-party vendor • Contact you at home with direct sales • Promise college credit without enrolling in a college or university • Include dictionaries or encyclopedias on book lists.

Before you spend your hard-earned money on any test prep materials, contact your education services specialist.

A specialist may be able to guide you to no-cost or low-cost materials through the education center, installation library or local college bookstores.

Your education is a worthwhile investment of both time and money. Save a little of both by taking advantage of the available DANTES-sponsored exams.

Get more information on these exams at www.dantes.doded.mil.

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CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION WINTER 2019

FINANCING YOUR CHILD’S COLLEGE EDUCATION From Military OneSource

So, your child is ready for college — and you’re ready to support their education goals. Now you just need to figure out how to pay for it. Luckily, you’ll find lots of resources to help military families like yours to finance your child’s college, from saving plans to scholarships.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MILITARY FAMILY SCHOLARSHIPS There are numerous scholarships available to children of service members. Each varies depending on eligibility, so check carefully to find the scholarships right for your child’s educational goals, then apply, apply, apply.

• The Defense Commissary Agency created the Scholarships for Military Children Program in recognition of the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force, and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community.

• Military service relief organizations offer scholarships and no-interest loans for family members.

TRANSFERABILITY OF GI BENEFITS The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members to transfer their education benefits to immediate family members, including a spouse and/or child.

• The recipient must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System, or DEERS,

at the time of the transfer.

• The transfer must occur while the service member is on active duty.

• The service member can transfer up to 36 months of their benefits.

APPLY FOR GRANTS In addition to scholarships, there are plenty of education grants which families don’t have to repay. To begin the grant process, start with FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Most colleges and universities use this form to determine students’ eligibilities for aid, grants and scholarships. Here are some of the grants available: • The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is for students whose parent died as a result of military service in either Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001.

• The FSEOG, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program, provides needbased grants for low-income undergraduate students.

• Federal Pell Grants are for undergraduate students without an existing degree.

COMPARE YOUR FINANCIAL AID AND LOAN OPTIONS If you’re taking out a loan, be sure to read the fine print. Each college or university will offer a host of financial aid packages, so research each carefully to make sure you’re signing onto the right one. These options also allow you to borrow directly from the government.

• Use the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s “Know Before You Go” tool to create a personal financial aid spreadsheet to compare which loans and aid your student qualifies for.

• Direct Stafford Loans are low-interest and available to both undergraduate and graduate students.

• PLUS Loans are also available for both undergraduate and graduate students.

HOW TO START SAVING NOW You’re already well equipped to start saving for your child’s college education and have the discipline to commit to it. It may seem daunting, but there are plenty of ways to put some money away now that will pay dividends to your child’s college education down the line.

• Coverdell Education Savings Accounts let families save up to $2,000 for college, and other members of the family, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, can also contribute here.

• State-run Qualified Tuition Programs, or 529 Plans, allow families to lock in today’s tuition rates for state schools. These accounts also grow generally tax-free and offer a variety of tax benefits.

MILITARY ONESOURCE EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL CONSULTATIONS Service members and military families can contact our education and financial counselors for one-on-one guidance on college savings programs and advice about choosing and affording college. Call 800-3429647 or connect online to schedule your consultation.

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We’re here to help. Your kids’ goals are as important as your own, and Military OneSource has your back at this exciting next step for your family.

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