scholorships or other

[newnavywife1]

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone knew about programs out there to help spouses with the tuition bill? I just finished my Associates in Paralegal and next week I am starting my BS in Management.

I'm looking basically for grants or scholorships.

[8404]

How's this for a start?

National Military Family Association Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program

http://www.nmfa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Spouse_Scholarship

Military Spouse and Family Educational Assistance Programs

http://education.military.com/money-for-school/spouse-family/military-spouse-and-family-educational-assistance-programs

Statistically, military spouses contribute more to family income than their civilian counterparts. As a result, spouse employment issues are critical to military family welfare and reenlistment decisions. Family Centers provide information and referral on employment, education, training, and volunteer opportunities for spouses.

http://www.defenselink.mil/mapcentral/spouse.html

Scholarships, Tuition Remission and Discounts for Military Spouses

http://www.defenselink.mil/mapcentral/spousetuition.html

[AndiRRT]

Don't forget about federal programs out there. Income guidelines for federally funded education programs are very liberal.

Also, if you go into the right field, there is such a thing as having the loans cancelled. I found this out by accdent when dealing with a loan officer from when I was in school before, then went back as a non-traditional student. I was worrying about getting the loans paid off so I could start up again. In casual conversation, I mentioned I was an RT. Come to find out allied health professionals are eligible for this. 20% of certain loans cancel out each year, so I have no payments to make, and after 5 years I will owe a big fat 0! Healthcare fields are not the only ones these apply to, but I am not sure of all of the applicable fields.

Do NOT be afraid to utilize resources in your community. There are state, city, and county programs out there for which you may qualify.

And the old standby. Keep those grades up once back in school. It was amazing to me how many people wanted to pay for my school when they saw my academic record! LOL

While I do not have a lot of experience with military spouse programs, I have tons of it with other programs. Feel free to PM me if I can help in any way!

[newnavywife1]

All the scholorships that I have found were for thosewho attend campus not for those who attend college online.

I am already in debt, why not just continue on that road.. lol

[newnavywife1]

I just finished my Associates in Paralegal and now starting next week I am going for my BS in Management. So I doubt that any loans will be gone will not work for me.

[Doc'sGirl]

I can sympathize! I'm a resident of Tn, getting married next year and hopefully starting pre-nursing at a community college in NC. I dont qualify for Tn scholarships because I'm going to school in NC and dont qualify for NC scholarships because I'm not a resident. I'm also going to need to work, and I cannot work full-time and go to school, so I'm gonna be working part time and going to school part time...try to find a scholarship for a part time student...impossible! I'm not even sure how the loans will work out either, I'm just hoping and praying it all works out and gets taken care of.

[newnavywife1]

Doc's Girl,

I have loans from PA and here in NC. I guess you could say that I am a resident of NC but my college is out of Iowa. So how is that going to work with the scholorships. I figured it was easier getting a loan, but man wouldn't it be nice to get money that you don't have to pay back besides the Pell grants and such.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

If you go to school, attending training or thinking about it -- you need to submit a FAFSA application.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

FAFSA is step one for all sorts of student aid.


http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp

[newnavywife1]

HMC,

I filled out my FAFSA. I hate those things. But yah, I did it. The only thing it did for me was give me a Pell Grant and more loans.. lol

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

The only thing it did for me was give me a Pell Grant and more loans.. lol

Grant = fee money that does not need to be paid back

Subsidized loan = all payments are deferred and the gov pays the interest for as long as you are in school.

Gee... is that all...? ;-)

[newnavywife1]

HMC, what about unsubsidized loans. I got some of those too. As you can tell, I don't know much about my financial aid and such. I have been in school on and off for 9 years... since I was 23. I just wish I could find something that wouldn't give me a bunch of loans to pay off later down the line.. but I will take what I get

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

Payment is still deferred but the borrower is responsible to pay all the interest, not the gov. However, sub & unsub loans are about the same after you have been out of school for >6 mo. Payments begin and the borrower becomes responsible for the interest charges.

If you return to school contact your borrower because in many cases student loan payments return to a deferred status as long as you remain a student. There are several other triggers that may defer payments as well.

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/studentloans.jsp
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/repaying.jsp?tab=repaying

After you are out of school, it is typically best to consolidate your student loans and lock in a low fixed interest rate. That will typically save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. However, read the details and shop around for the best deal before you do it. If I remember correctly, there are "one time only" provisions that you "use or loose" when consolidating

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/consolidation.jsp?tab=repaying

Without knowing any specifics about your case, I'd say go for scholarships. The initial application is the most difficult, but after that they typically get easier because the applications are so similar.

Some find it hard to write a bio and articulate their goals, but once the first one is done you use that as a template for the other applications. Many schools hold workshops on how to complete the application or write your info. Most school also publish/post booklets that contain hundreds of scholarships that students may apply for. Certain programs, better grades, and higher needs will qualify students for more opportunities. There are also lots of military associations of every type and memorial funds that provide scholarships. You would be surprised how many go unfilled each semester because no one took the time to apply. I know a classmate that got $500 for doing little more than writing a single paragraph.

Fast WEB - http://www.fastweb.com
CollegeNet - http://www.collegenet.com/mach25/app
College Board Scholarship Search - http://www.collegeboard.com


Be sure to check VA, Fed and State veteran benefits that you may qualify for (as civilian, mil spouse, mil dependant, etc). My family has the PAINFUL experience of learning too late that we all could have gone to college for my dad's Vietnam service. In California, children of veterans with a VA disability rating may attend CSU campuses tuition-free until age 24. Unfortunately we did not know that until we were all too old to get the benefit. (It is also another reason why I am such an a**hole about proper documentation and keeping a copy of important papers. Too many personnel screw themselves and their families out of hard earned benefits.)

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.asp
http://www.gibill.va.gov/
http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm