Get Educated!
Military Friendly Schools help spouses succeed.
by Josie Cellone
The tens of billions of dollars in tuition money, now available with the recent passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, has intensified an already strong desire by college to court veterans and military families into their classrooms.
Our Military Friendly Schools list (www.militaryfriendlyschools.com) can help you find the best program for your family. The comprehensive guide honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools which are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans and their families as students.
Schools on the list range from state universities and private colleges to trade schools. The common bond is their shared priority of recruiting students with military experience.
These two spouses attended University of North Dakota, a Military Friendly School and a campus that the women say really appreciates the military families:
Name: Valleri Merrill
School: University of North Dakota
Degree: Master of Science in Instructional Design and technology
Web site: www.und.nodak.edu
Current Location: Grand Forks, N.D.
Spouse: Air Force
Married: 2 years
How she did it: “I really like attending class in person but I know we’re going to leave in the next year,” Merrill said. UND’s hybrid program allows her to visit campus while she’s local and continue her program online after her family relocates. “I didn’t want to put school off until after the move, and with UND’s program I didn’t have to worry about finding a school to transfer to.” Merrill likes how online students log in at a set time and can see the instructor. The virtual students can also chat with the professor, and people in class can interact with people online. Her unique degree examines the psychology behind corporate training programs and how to design curriculum for public school systems.
Name: Angela Bell
School: University of North Dakota
Degree: Pursuing Ph.D. in Education
Web site: www.und.nodak.edu
Current Location: Fairfax, Va.
Spouse: Air Force
Married: 10 years
How she did it: Every time the military has moved Bell’s family, she has taken it as an opportunity to expand her education. “Moving around like we do, it’s difficult to jump right into a job,” said Bell, who has worked as an ESOL teacher and consultant for school districts. “By going back to school, I don’t have to reinvent my career. I can stay on a career path that keeps my passion growing.” With the latest move from Grand Forks, N.D., to Northern Virginia, Bell worried about losing her compensation as a graduate assistant. “I was really scared because I wasn’t sure how I was going to finish without racking up a lot debt.” She said the MyCAA funds available through Military OneSource “answered her prayers” and helped pay for the tuition while she finishes her dissertation.