You’ve made the rewarding choice to go back to school. By pursuing your education goals, you can expand your job opportunities and boost your earning power. But where should you start?
And what military spouse scholarships are out there to help?
Start with Spouse Education and Career Opportunities — SECO. The SECO program can provide you with the resources you need to get back in the education game. The MySECO website, built exclusively for military spouses, ensures you have 24/7 online access to information fora successful return to school.
Visit the MySECO Education, Training and Licensing section to identify your education path, plan for your education and compare colleges. You can also connect with a career coach who can help you decide on an education path and how to pay for it.
Choosing the right education and training
Got a career in mind? The career you choose will determine the type of program you’ll need. Take a look at the differences between each program and decide what’s best for you.
■ Certificate Program:
Can take a few weeks, months or years to complete, depending on the subject matter. Typically focuses on specific skills and are offered at community colleges or technical schools.
■ Associate Degree:
Takes about two years to complete. Offered by community colleges, an associate degree focuses on entry-level specialization within a field.
■ Bachelor’s Degree:
Takes about four years to complete. Four-year colleges and universities award a bachelor’s degree in the arts or sciences.
■ Advanced Degree:
Takes anywhere between two and four years to complete. Degrees beyond a bachelor’s degree can include master’s, specialist, professional and doctoral degrees.
Options for a mobile military life
Don’t let a move stop you from going back to school. Consider online education or satellite campuses. You can discover and compare schools based on location, learning format, the ability to transfer credits and more with the College Scorecard on MySECO.
Scholarships for military spouses
Wondering how much is this going to cost you? Fortunately, there’s help out there. Check MySECO for financial assistance resources and career development opportunities offered specifically to military spouses and family members.
The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides eligible military spouses with up to $4,000 in financial assistance for licenses, certifications or associate degrees to pursue an occupation or career field. Military spouses can sometimes take advantage of their spouse’s GI Bill® benefits. Visit the veterans’ benefits section online for more information.
The U.S. Department of Education provides billions of dollars of educational loans and grants for qualifying students each year. In order to be considered for financial aid, you’ll need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
To view the FAFSA form, and for more information, visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
