Life - Scholarship
Opportunities
Scholarships
for Military Children
program opens for business
Check with any of 264 commissaries worldwide for information on
how to apply for a $1,500 scholarship in the 2007 Scholarships
for Military Children program. The DoD Education Activity is
also supporting the program and will have applications available
at www.dodea.edu.
For complete information on eligibility and how to apply, go to www.militaryscholar.org.
The SFMC program has awarded over $4 million to nearly 3,000
military children worldwide over six years of existence.
Administered by Fisher House Foundation, the program is funded
by various suppliers and manufacturers selling groceries in
commissaries worldwide. The program is also receiving increased
donations from community groups and foundations outside the
commissary industry. The public can also donate to the
scholarship program through the militaryscholar.org
Web site.
Military
Educational Benefits
Full
Time Student
Programs have been set
up in the military which allow you to attend school full-time
while either deferring your military commitment until graduation
or by participating in a reserve or National Guard organization
while in school.
Active
Duty Programs
Every branch of the service offers some kind of
scholarship program. These programs change often and have
specific qualification requirements.
1.
Montgomery G. I. Bill
Through the Montgomery GI Bill, you can qualify for money for
college at any two or four-year college, vocational school, or
correspondence course. With Active Duty, you commit to full-time
duty (usually for four years but there are also 2, 3 and 6-year
programs) with one branch of the military. While serving, you
can qualify for college money by contributing $100 per month for
12 months ($1,200 total) through payroll deduction. You are then
eligible for $536 a month for 36 months for a total of $19,296!
(four year program) You can use this money as a part-time
student while serving, or as a full-time student when your duty
is completed.
2.
Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines offer these programs at
select colleges and universities throughout the country. If you
qualify, the ROTC program offers a unique college experience!
During the first two years you can attend ROTC classes, such as
military science, and participate in training activities.
During
the your junior and senior years, you may receive a full
scholarship, including tuition, books, board and other expenses.
This requires a commitment to serve as an officer
for a minimum of three years after graduation.
3.
Specific Scholarships
Part-time
Student
1.
Montgomery GI Bill
The
reserve component of the MGIB allows you to serve in the
military branch of your choice on a part-time basis (usually two
weeks a year and one weekend per month for six years). During
that time, you can earn up to $9,180.00 in total benefits.
Unlike Active Duty, the Reserve does not require you to
contribute any money to your benefits. You become eligible for
up to $255 a month for up to 36 months after you complete basic
and technical training and you can attend class full-time while
you serve.
The
Army and Air National Guard requires the same commitment of time
(six years) as the Reserve and provides the same amount of
college money (up to $9,180) but may also entitle you to
additional state money for college. You may even be eligible for
up to full tuition some state schools!
2.
College Funds
If you qualify for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps of Coast Guard
College Fund Programs, You could receive as much as $50,000 when
combined with the Montgomery GI Bill!
3.
Community College
The Community College of
the Air Force, an accredited two-year college, offers more that
70 associate degree programs in scientific and technical fields,
free of charge for Air Force enlisted personnel.
4.
Tuition Assistance
Most branches offer a
tuition assistance program in which you may be reimbursed up to
75% of any tuition you pay. This may also apply to your spouse
and children!
