Posted on Sep 29, 2015
The Kids Are Back in School, Why Aren’t You?
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(Image courtesy of American Military University.)
Summer is over and the kids are back in school. Is the timing right for you too? Whether you’re a military spouse, currently serving or a veteran—many military parents take advantage of this newfound time to focus on individual goals when school is back in session. For many, completing a degree implies more opportunities. Based on my career serving as a former senior admissions representative, recently promoted to Veteran Liaison, serving American Military University (AMU) students, there are five guidelines I’ve defined for students looking to return back to school.
Make your education fit into your hectic schedule:
Time management is a key component to success as a student, online or traditional. Since most online learning is asynchronous, students have the option of fitting education into their schedule. This means you can learn 24/7 using your mobile device or computer and complete your weekly assignments based on a schedule you choose that fits your busy life. This enables you to log in to complete your classroom discussions, writing assignments, and tests at your optimal time of day. This flexibility is incredibly empowering whether you’re an on-the-go spouse or deployed military.
Maximize military experience for additional credits:
No matter where you decide to attend, be sure that the school offers military transcript evaluations. I encourage you to work with your college advisors to explore all of your options. AMU provides and Transfer Credit Evaluation and Prior Learning Assessment programs to help you get the credit you’ve earned through your military training, job experience, or other learning outside of the traditional classroom. You can also optimize your credits by choosing a program that closely relates to your military background like criminal justice, cybersecurity (IT), intelligence studies or homeland security, among many others options.
Educate yourself on your financial aid options:
There are many options to choose from including military Tuition Assistance (if Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve), Veteran’s Benefits, Federal Student Aid, Employer Benefits, as well as self-pay. It’s important that you work with a respected, affordable university that understands military life so that you’re able to maximize the benefits you and your family have earned.
Find and connect with other military-community students while you study:
Social media communities are a great way to connect with fellow students online. These groups are a great way to see motivational student success stories, school announcements, and are an open environment to ask questions and get feedback from students and alumni. AMU has a major presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and RallyPoint – just to name a few. We utilize these channels to connect with our students at a deeper level, and find it’s a great way to communicate with them. If you’re currently serving, you can locate one of our many Military Outreach Representatives near your local military installation. Don’t be afraid to network because there are many people out there who are eager to help you with your educational goals.
You’ll always have a strong support network.
Get Started:
Research the programs that are of interest to you. Every school has their own set of requirements, and you’ll want to make sure that it’s accredited. Also ensure that they have accommodating features to your military career, and shift in priorities. If you’re ready to take the next step with AMU, I invite you to contact me or a member our helpful admissions team at [login to see] . You can also apply now online at http://rly.pt/2kisjJY .
There is no better time than today to think about your educational goals and what school would be a good fit for you. Whether you are state-side, currently deployed, or transitioning to your post-military career, know that there are options available if you’re serious about seeking a degree and a peer community online.
If you have any specific questions, please comment here.
Summer is over and the kids are back in school. Is the timing right for you too? Whether you’re a military spouse, currently serving or a veteran—many military parents take advantage of this newfound time to focus on individual goals when school is back in session. For many, completing a degree implies more opportunities. Based on my career serving as a former senior admissions representative, recently promoted to Veteran Liaison, serving American Military University (AMU) students, there are five guidelines I’ve defined for students looking to return back to school.
Make your education fit into your hectic schedule:
Time management is a key component to success as a student, online or traditional. Since most online learning is asynchronous, students have the option of fitting education into their schedule. This means you can learn 24/7 using your mobile device or computer and complete your weekly assignments based on a schedule you choose that fits your busy life. This enables you to log in to complete your classroom discussions, writing assignments, and tests at your optimal time of day. This flexibility is incredibly empowering whether you’re an on-the-go spouse or deployed military.
Maximize military experience for additional credits:
No matter where you decide to attend, be sure that the school offers military transcript evaluations. I encourage you to work with your college advisors to explore all of your options. AMU provides and Transfer Credit Evaluation and Prior Learning Assessment programs to help you get the credit you’ve earned through your military training, job experience, or other learning outside of the traditional classroom. You can also optimize your credits by choosing a program that closely relates to your military background like criminal justice, cybersecurity (IT), intelligence studies or homeland security, among many others options.
Educate yourself on your financial aid options:
There are many options to choose from including military Tuition Assistance (if Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve), Veteran’s Benefits, Federal Student Aid, Employer Benefits, as well as self-pay. It’s important that you work with a respected, affordable university that understands military life so that you’re able to maximize the benefits you and your family have earned.
Find and connect with other military-community students while you study:
Social media communities are a great way to connect with fellow students online. These groups are a great way to see motivational student success stories, school announcements, and are an open environment to ask questions and get feedback from students and alumni. AMU has a major presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and RallyPoint – just to name a few. We utilize these channels to connect with our students at a deeper level, and find it’s a great way to communicate with them. If you’re currently serving, you can locate one of our many Military Outreach Representatives near your local military installation. Don’t be afraid to network because there are many people out there who are eager to help you with your educational goals.
You’ll always have a strong support network.
Get Started:
Research the programs that are of interest to you. Every school has their own set of requirements, and you’ll want to make sure that it’s accredited. Also ensure that they have accommodating features to your military career, and shift in priorities. If you’re ready to take the next step with AMU, I invite you to contact me or a member our helpful admissions team at [login to see] . You can also apply now online at http://rly.pt/2kisjJY .
There is no better time than today to think about your educational goals and what school would be a good fit for you. Whether you are state-side, currently deployed, or transitioning to your post-military career, know that there are options available if you’re serious about seeking a degree and a peer community online.
If you have any specific questions, please comment here.
GI Bill
College
Transition
Higher Education
Command Post
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 20
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SFC (Join to see)
good job. I am 4 classes away form my first degree. I have my graduation planned for august 2016.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
MAJ Keira Brennan, Congratulations! Please relish and appreciate attaining a goal. Don't forget to set a new one! Nice that you showed us the Diploma!
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Great piece SGT Shontae Patsaricas! I've heard the importance of networking already touched on here. I can't reiterate this enough when it comes to going through higher ed programs. I had a few active duty colleagues really help me through some of the hard material and organization I needed to complete a degree while working full-time in the Air Force. Just having someone there to hit the high points of things you should be focusing on is huge. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to admissions staffs, professors, and career counselors. They are invaluable resources.
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I really believe education is the key to life's successes. Education affords one much more than a good job/income but also opens ones eyes to the world around them, matures the immature, and educates those who saw little value in education.
I am thankful every day that I had someone believe in me and push me back to college when I was closing in on a military retirement. I took the chance and got off active duty, earned a professional degree, resumed my military career as an officer which has afforded me a better retirement. My girlfriend then, now wife, saw something in this ole Seabee now physical therapist.
I am thankful every day that I had someone believe in me and push me back to college when I was closing in on a military retirement. I took the chance and got off active duty, earned a professional degree, resumed my military career as an officer which has afforded me a better retirement. My girlfriend then, now wife, saw something in this ole Seabee now physical therapist.
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MSG William Wold
My former spouse had a brother that at the time had a 4 year degree, most of it paid for by the GI bill. He was one of those lucky RTO grunts that survived Vietnam. He couldn't find a job but one that he wanted would require two more years, so he did that, then came out and none were available in the area he wanted to live, so he went back to school again. Then a job came up and they wouldn't hire him because he was over qualified. Then his wife passed away from complications of a ruptured ulcer. Distraut, he went back to school for yet another degree where in college he met someone 12 years younger than him. She graduated and they got married; she became a teacher at a Christian school. 5 years later they decide to have children, and worked a deal with the school that he would be her substitute teacher while she was on maternity leave. His first actual job since 1971.
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CDR Terry Boles
MSG William Wold
Wow, what a story and you know there are many like this out there.
In my clinic we were talking about this topic and it is interesting listening to stories like these.
Wow, what a story and you know there are many like this out there.
In my clinic we were talking about this topic and it is interesting listening to stories like these.
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PO3 (Join to see)
I did a certificate, 2 Associates, 2 Bachelors, and a Masters (all in a row) thanks to the the Hazelwood Act (being a Texas Veteran and attending a state school), Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI Bills. Looking back, it didn't FEEL like I was in school for 8 years, but I'm glad to be done and finally working in a career and not simply a job (although I DO have the itch to go back for an MBA)...
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CDR Terry Boles
PO3 Mike Glade
You sound like a education nut like a good buddy of mine, 3 doctorates with one being Med school this year....blows my mind he went to Med school after a full 31-year AD career. Maybe he just needed a new career :)
I like the Hazelwood Act, my wife used it for her masters program. She had to do some finagling to get discharged in Texas with her duty station at RAF Lakenheath UK, but she pulled it off with terminal leave and her final checkout at a Texas base.
Good luck with all your future endeavors!!
You sound like a education nut like a good buddy of mine, 3 doctorates with one being Med school this year....blows my mind he went to Med school after a full 31-year AD career. Maybe he just needed a new career :)
I like the Hazelwood Act, my wife used it for her masters program. She had to do some finagling to get discharged in Texas with her duty station at RAF Lakenheath UK, but she pulled it off with terminal leave and her final checkout at a Texas base.
Good luck with all your future endeavors!!
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CMSgt James Nolan
I would love to take 2 at a time, but just squeezing one in is a trick. Way to go.
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SFC (Join to see)
CMSgt James Nolan - I actually took three at once and managed to keep my GPA at where I want it. Now I am just 4 classes away from my Associates. ITs not the end, though. I have found out that I love school and learning. More so than when I was in high school.
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CMSgt James Nolan
SFC (Join to see) Yes. Especially because I am paying for it.....in my last course though, I do have to say I had one assignment left, a research paper, worth 20% of total grade. That is pressure. I had a 78% without the paper, so, because I was tired, and the research paper was on "What went wrong in the OJ trial", and it was to be a long paper, I though very seriously about doing the cover page and for the body just writing "OJ DID IT". I would have gotten a passing grade LOL, but I had no idea if I would 1: have that professor again, 2: be subject to some kind of academic discipline for being a smart ass. But it would have been really funny.
That is fantastic that you were able to do 3 at a time. That is almost a full load for a full time student, and you were busy saving the world as your real job!
That is fantastic that you were able to do 3 at a time. That is almost a full load for a full time student, and you were busy saving the world as your real job!
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SFC (Join to see)
CMSgt James Nolan - You completed the class, that is all that matters. For me, I wish I had started sooner than I did. I would have my Bachelors by now.. But never too old to learn.
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Excellent post! I worked full time and was able to obtain my degree in five and a half years. My degree opened the doors to the career that I wanted. The G.I. Bill is the best benefit that comes from serving. Active duty personnel and veterans have distinct advantages over civilians attending college. These advantages are discipline, drive, and the ability to focus on the tasks at hand to accomplish the assigned tasks. College can be challenging at times, but it is also fun and richly rewarding.
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PO1 Tony Holland
I agree - returned to school after serving and completed my degree as well. But that said, the best benefit of srving is the serving itself.
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PO3 (Join to see)
Sgt (Join to see), another benefit (when i served at least) was that CLEP tests were free. Why PAY for a class if you can test out of it?
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Reminds me of the Who song SGT Shontae Patsaricas the Kids Are All Right.
Hopefully many who are young will take advantage of opportunities to return to school and both benefit from education and help their classmates by sharing what they have learned in the field.
Hopefully many who are young will take advantage of opportunities to return to school and both benefit from education and help their classmates by sharing what they have learned in the field.
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SFC (Join to see)
While awaiting for the new FY tuition assistance to kick in, I applied for Federal Student Aid and got approved for a grant to cover my last 4 classes.
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I have my admissions interview for Grad school next week - hopefully all goes well.
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A diploma may help you get a job, but it won't help you keep it or grow in it. That takes skills. Inasmuch as the skills needed in the job market today are evolving faster than ever before everyone needs to be working on developing the ones they have and acquiring new ones every day. That's equally true in the military and the civilian world.
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SN Alex Tufail
Because even with the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program, and the Grants I would still have to take out a loan for around 20k, and that is not an option for me.
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PO3 (Join to see)
SN Alex Tufail, what school are you looking at where this would happen? I was a Veteran's Education Benefits Certifying Official and I want to tell you that your scenario shouldn't occur, ever. Yellow Ribbon will cover tuition and most fees even at an expensive private school, and then the school is supposed to "write off" the rest. It's how they are able to be eligible to receive those VA funds in the first place. There wasn't a semester that I was in school (2 Associates, 2 Bachelors, and a Masters) where I didn't get a refund on my financial aid thanks to the GI Bill and grants. Let me know if you want to go to school and would like help.
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I am, and it is a pain in the (insert expletive here). Will be over soon...
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CMSgt James Nolan
SSgt (Join to see) - You know, I am bitching about it, but I really have learned a few things from the classes. The writing is a pain, but it is good for me. Plus, the wife loves telling everybody she is married to a College Senior (LOL). Appreciate the support though brother. See ya soon.
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CMSgt James Nolan
Col Rebecca Lorraine My goal is to get Masters, so I can teach Criminal Justice or at an Academy when I retire. I should have done this a great many years ago.
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PO3 (Join to see)
Col Rebecca Lorraine - I loved getting my degree in Anthropology, I just wish it had been worth more than the paper it was printed on!
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At this point, unless you are a recent high school graduate that wants the experience of leaving the nest and striking out on your own in the fun and structure of a major traditional campus-based university, there is no reason to continue to think in terms of restricted semester starts or application deadlines. This is "old" school. I find the freedom of scheduling and the self-empowerment of the learner in the online classroom best suits my needs as a working, adult student.
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