Paying for Master's degree

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 11:57:42 -0500

I am currently in my first semester with Liberty University in their MBA program and was wondering how everyone has paid for their masters degrees? We are trying to just cash flow the whole program and hope for some scholarships to come through. I want to avoid using TA since it accrues more service time at my grade. Are there any secrets or scholarships out there that have been useful to you?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 2:21 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:21:31 -0500

I paid for my MA with the GI bill. That was way back in the early 90s, so I'm guessing things have changed significantly since then. Back then we could use the GI bill while on active duty. Not sure that's still the case. Even though I had VA benefits for my master's, I still paid a fair amount out of pocket. I guess it's a trade-off for you, CPT Private RallyPoint Member: more time if you use TA vs. out of pocket expenses. No real free lunch, I guess.

Response by SSgt Rilene Ann made Jun 29 at 2015 12:45 AM

SSgt Rilene Ann — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 00:45:22 -0400

Will be paying back loans till death do us part

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jun 29 at 2015 7:45 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 07:45:58 -0400

I went the long-term schooling route for my masters degree. I incurred an additional service obligation, but I was staying in until retirement anyways, so I didn't care. The Army PCSd me to school, paid for my tuition/fees, and left me alone so that I could focus on doing well in my classes. Once I graduated, they PCS'd me to my utilization assignment. A few years later, I repeated the process for my PhD. That approach isn't for everyone, but it worked for me.

Response by SFC James Reeder made Jul 26 at 2015 10:30 PM

SFC James Reeder — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 22:30:08 -0400

I used TA and Top Up for what the TA didn't pay for. I graduated back in 2011 before all the changes took place. Bought most of the books for my classes on-line as opposed to the costly university bookstore.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 10:33 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:33:56 -0400

I paid for mine using TA and MGIB Top up. I have some time until I plan to get out, so the service commitment doesn't change my plans at all.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Sep 25 at 2015 10:37 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:37:30 -0400

Great question. As an LT, you likely have at least 2yrs left on your ADSC. Check around with the education officer or TA reg guidelines...you could be able to to squeeze a semester or couple of quarters in before ADSC becomes an issue.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Sep 28 at 2015 12:07 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:07:05 -0400

Your comments infer that you're planning on getting out before too long. If that's the case, scholarships may be your only option (since you've ruled out tuition assistance, and you most likely won't qualify for grants). If you plan on making it a career, the Army has tons of long-term schooling programs where they will send you to school, keep you on the payroll, and pay for your tuition. The Army sent me to Syracuse to get my MBA, paid for all of my tuition, and helped with the costs of books/supplies/etc. I owed the Army 3.5 years of a service obligation, but that was it. Since I wasn't planning on getting out before retirement, I didn't care about the service obligation. I later used a similar Army program for my PhD.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 8:48 PM

1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 20:48:32 -0400

How is that program by the way? I too am looking at liberty to get my MBA and I am debating whether or not to use TA. Were you able to get by with paying out of pocket?

Response by Sgt David Butler made Apr 12 at 2018 9:17 PM

Sgt David Butler — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 21:17:14 -0400

My company paid for my MBA studies.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2018 10:17 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 22:17:32 -0400

I paid for my first Masters with TA and GI Bill, second was free from Naval War College, third was free from National Intel Univ. at DIA. I expect the fourth to be free from Army War College.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Apr 12 at 2018 10:35 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 22:35:02 -0400

My GI Bill paid for my Undergrad studies and one semester of Grad School. I had to get student loans for the rest of my Grad School studies. I had gotten my Bachelors and Masters after I left the military.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2019 9:59 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 09:59:20 -0400

I used my GI Bill since I used my TA for my bachelor's and didn't want to wait until 10 years TIS to start my Master's.