Online Education Attracts Veterans
Posted By: Natasha Bright // Category: distance learning universitiesAttending college online is an economically smart choice for any student and studies show more military veterans are making that choice. Recent changes to the student loans are making college more affordable for service people, veterans and their dependents and they’re taking advantage of them.
According to a recent poll, more veterans are choosing to study online. You can study from anywhere at anytime, which allows. students to work or travel as necessary. Active duty military students can even take courses while stationed overseas. Online students pay e-tuition. That means you pay in-state tuition, even if you live out of state.
Online courses are a great choice for the part-time student or students exploring their options. For example, a military member could enroll to complete a degree or take a few classes in a particular field of interest. Some schools don’t offer bachelors degree programs online, but offer courses toward a particular area of study.
Last year, Congress updated the 1944 Montgomery GI Bill. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill offers 100% paid military scholarships for service members with 90 or more consecutive days in the armed forces since the September 11, 2001 attacks. The bill also provides money for housing and up to $1000 a year for books and fees. Some veterans say the new changes are like having unlimited funds to for their education.
In August of 2009, Congress voted to revamp the 1944 Montgomery GI Bill. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill offers 100% paid military scholarships for military members who have served 90 or more consecutive days in the armed forces since the September 11, 2001 attacks.
One veterans magazine ranks colleges and universities that are doing the most for America’s veterans. The list includes four year colleges, community colleges, online and trade schools. To make the list, schools must show substantial efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students and be accredited.
The U-S armed services says college enrollment has been increasing since 2007, with service members taking over 700,000 college courses. Those numbers include online courses which allow veterans to maximize their time while pursuing a degree. Military service people can hold jobs or spend time with family while studying, and still receive grant for online school needed. Universities are repeatedly expanding their online education programs to accommodate military service members. Schools are offering more ways for soldiers to get a college degree while juggling military, professional, and personal lives.
Veterans have more incentive to go to college since a change to the GI Bill makes higher education 100% affordable. Veterans interest in college grants and scholarships has sparked, and online degrees may be a way to get them.