Military:
Go Army or maybe you’d rather go Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard. No matter the branch, today’s military offers you a great way to build your future. Through military service you can learn relevant job skills, become more disciplined and mature and find out what it means to be focused on a goal. In order to qualify for military service, you must be a U.S. citizen or have proof of permanent residency, have a high school diploma or equivalent, enjoy good health, have minimum scores on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and be at least 17.
There are thousands of different jobs within over 140 career fields available in today’s military. Your job assignment comes from a combination of your preference, skills, ASVAB scores and the needs of the military at the time you want to enlist. If your preferred job is not open when you plan to enlist, ask a recruiter about the military’s Delayed Entry Program.
The military offers many educational benefits. Military service does not mean you have to put your education on hold. Those who enlist have the opportunity to make rapid educational and career progress through a variety of credit and tuition support programs. For example, you may be able to earn military school credits through the course work you take to learn your service job. The American Council on Education works with the Department of Defense and institutions of higher learning to certify military training and experience for college credits. If a military school doesn’t offer college credit, it may instead lead to certification in a specialized technical field.
In addition, you can work toward a college degree through Servicemember Opportunity Colleges (SOC). SOC is a group of over 1,800 colleges and universities that agree to transfer credits among themselves for military members and their families. Wherever you’re stationed, you may be able to continue your college studies via SOC. Course work can be done in the classroom, by computer, or by mail.Click here for details.
Among the tuition plans is the military’s Tuition Assistance Program, which pays up to 100% of the cost of tuition or expenses up to a maximum of $250 per credit and a personal maximum of $4,500 per year per student. This program is the same for full-time duty members in each military service. Selected military reserve and National Guard units also offer a Tuition Assistance Program, although the benefits may vary from the active duty program.
The Montgomery GI Bill offers up to $39,636 in tuition in return for a three-year commitment of full-time duty. You contribute $100 a month for a year and get $1,101 a month for three years. You can use the GI Bill for college degree programs and for certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeships/on-the-job training, and correspondence courses, among others. Members of the Reserve and National Guard are also eligible for the G.I. Bill, although at reduced rates.Click here for details.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a new program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. Based on your length of active duty service, you are entitled to a percentage of the following: (1) cost of tuition and fees within certain limits; (2) a monthly housing allowance; and (3) a yearly stipend of up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies. For program specifics,click here for more information.
College Fund Programs (also known as the Montgomery GI Bill “kicker”) are available for those who enlist in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. If you qualify upon enlistment, you could receive up to $65,000 towards your college tuition when combined with the Montgomery GI Bill upon honorable discharge. Enlistees who are awarded the College Fund by the Marine Corps or Coast Guard receive additional dollars that can make up a significant part – or all – of the funds needed to complete a college education.
These are just a few of the educational benefits available when you serve in the military. For more information about these and other benefits, check out the following websites or contact a local recruiter:
- U.S. Army(419) 782-3221
- U.S. Navy(800) 282-1384
- U.S. Air Force(419) 574-2453
- U.S. Marine Corps(419) 782-9663
- U.S. Coast Guard
Job Shadowing:
Job shadowing is a technique that provides insight into a job outside of what can be achieved from reading about it or completing research. The definition of job shadowing is on-the-job training and career development by shadowing a person doing the job that you're interested in and where the interested person can ask questions and learn new skills.
People generally shadow someone before deciding on their future career, but it’s also done by people studying related courses. This is also a cost-effective way of getting the information you need, as it often doesn’t include any costs for traveling or paying for a place in a training course.
If you know the career path you want to take but are unsure of the best route for your personality or skill set, job shadowing is for you. We’ve put together 10 huge advantages so you can check if it’s the right option for you.
Following are some of the reasons you should consider job shadowing:
● You test out possible careers
● You learn about an organization’s culture
● You learn from colleagues’ experiences
● You build professional connections
● You learn practical skills
● You get a glimpse into a job’s perks and challenges
● You gain work experience
● You’ll have a safe place to ask questions
● You discover the areas you can improve in
● You explore other career interests with your employer
Sites for Career Exploration:
Career Builder(Click on the Advice and Resources tab for career exploration and job search tools.)
Career Explorer(Explore the career you want and the training you need.)
Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook(Information is given on various careers and their potential earnings.)
Mapping Our Future(Find out how to choose a career and how to reach your career goal.) No Major Drama(This site looks at different college majors that are right for you!)
US Department of Labor Statistics(Information is listed about occupations)
FASFA
How To Prepare for the 2025–26 FAFSA® Form
Prepare now so you can complete the 2025–26 FAFSA form as soon as it’s available on or before Dec. 1, 2024. Here are some ways you can get ready:Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one).Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.