Some great press on the FREE Personal Financial Boot Camp offered to military members by the New England College of Business and Finance! With 50 people enrolling in the first day, obviously the military loves it as well.
This is a great benefit with no catch - we just want to get those really interested in business to continue on to get their degree. And it is a great way for military members to try an online course and see how they like it.
The "money quote" - "There is a tremendous financial strain on military members and their families and this online boot camp is designed to give them the skills and long term planning necessary to reduce that strain," said Howard Horton, President at New England College of Business and Finance. "Financial literacy is essential for anyone but with long war time deployments, multiple moves, and the requirements for continued education, our military members have the greatest need for this online course," he said.
Military
Thank you for Serving
6.29.2010
Transcript Review
Lamar University is the latest of our schools to really move forward with helping military members achieve the education goals. The one thing I hear from all military members is that they want to earn their degree in the shortest period of time. In order to do that they need college credit for military experience.
Now Lamar University in Texas is offering a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences that allows military members to maximize their credits for experience and military training. They are ready to provide you with an unofficial transcript review from your military transcript, CLEP and previous course work.
It is a great opportunity and we have a great team in place that is ready to help!
Now Lamar University in Texas is offering a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences that allows military members to maximize their credits for experience and military training. They are ready to provide you with an unofficial transcript review from your military transcript, CLEP and previous course work.
It is a great opportunity and we have a great team in place that is ready to help!
Borders has 25% Discount for Military!
From Yahoo Biz -
ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Borders® is again demonstrating its support for active and retired military personnel and their families – this time with a generous 25% discount off the list price of almost everything in store (with some exclusions) beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, June 29 through Sunday, July 4. In addition, the company has also teamed with Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a nonprofit organization that represents this nation's disabled veterans, to host a Mobile Service Office (MSO) at select Borders stores in Maine, New York, California and New Mexico Friday, July 2.
ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Borders® is again demonstrating its support for active and retired military personnel and their families – this time with a generous 25% discount off the list price of almost everything in store (with some exclusions) beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, June 29 through Sunday, July 4. In addition, the company has also teamed with Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a nonprofit organization that represents this nation's disabled veterans, to host a Mobile Service Office (MSO) at select Borders stores in Maine, New York, California and New Mexico Friday, July 2.
6.28.2010
MyCAA: latest
Here is the chronology of the MyCAA coming back statements:
- Early May: I heard from someone involved with program that it would be coming back in June
- May 8: Secretary Gates tells a group at Fort Riley that "within the next two weeks we’ll reopen the program, with a substantial increase in the funding" (note two weeks would have been May 22nd)
- June 18: DoD releases a statement saying MyCAA will come back in the "not too distant future"
So I have gone from optimistic to confused as no one has ever really clearly defined when exactly the not too distant future will happen.
I continue to have a building group of military spouses waiting to start moving forward with their education goals when DoD finally gets this going again.
Credit for Military Courses
Now that New England College of Business and Finance is offering college credit for military courses, we all need to better understand the process. The military transcript you have can really help but you need to understand how that translates into a degree. NECB is now ready with an unofficial transcript review which will ultimately lead to roadmap for your college degree.
If you haven't looked at your military transcript, you can look at the American Council on Education (ACE) to determine how the training you have completed in your military service would translate into college credits. For instance, Naval Flight Officers could get 6 lower division baccalaureate/associate degree credits for their advanced navigation course. Or the basic airframes course could earn my former AM's 5 semester hours for their associate degree.
But just piling on a bunch of credits doesn't really get you anywhere if it doesn't shorten the time to your degree. You need to find the right credits for the degree you want. You have to start with an unofficial transcript review to give you an idea of which courses will really move you towards your educational goals.
So always look for a military friendly school that does provide that transcript review for you. It is why we are putting together the American University System - to help provide even more degree options for military members that will maximize their military training/credits.
If you haven't looked at your military transcript, you can look at the American Council on Education (ACE) to determine how the training you have completed in your military service would translate into college credits. For instance, Naval Flight Officers could get 6 lower division baccalaureate/associate degree credits for their advanced navigation course. Or the basic airframes course could earn my former AM's 5 semester hours for their associate degree.
But just piling on a bunch of credits doesn't really get you anywhere if it doesn't shorten the time to your degree. You need to find the right credits for the degree you want. You have to start with an unofficial transcript review to give you an idea of which courses will really move you towards your educational goals.
So always look for a military friendly school that does provide that transcript review for you. It is why we are putting together the American University System - to help provide even more degree options for military members that will maximize their military training/credits.
6.27.2010
mycaa
Read the update on the latest mycaa changes!
More on the MyCAA program and how it works. Hopefully coming back soon and want all the spouses ready to take advantage of this amazing program!
6.25.2010
Military Education on Youtube
The EduMilitary youtube site is live!! Don't want to read the blog, you can find out about GI Bill, Post 9/11 GI Bill and MyCAA from our informative youtube videos. This our introduction with more to come.
DEA - VA benefit
I got another great question the other day. The daughter of a soldier had used the full 36 months of her dad's Post 9/11 GI Bill to get her bachelor's and start teaching. Now she wants to get her master's. She wondered if their was any program available since her dad was 100% disabled due to a service connected disability.
The answer is yes. She is eligible for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance program or DEA. Under the Rule of 48, if a person qualifies for two or more GI Bills, that person can get a combined maximum benefit of 48 months. Since she used 36 months, she would get an additional 12 months of benefits to earn her master's degree.
Since the American College of Education Master's in Educational Technology she wanted takes 18 months, she would only have 6 months to pay on her own. With that good news she is going to enroll.
The answer is yes. She is eligible for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance program or DEA. Under the Rule of 48, if a person qualifies for two or more GI Bills, that person can get a combined maximum benefit of 48 months. Since she used 36 months, she would get an additional 12 months of benefits to earn her master's degree.
Since the American College of Education Master's in Educational Technology she wanted takes 18 months, she would only have 6 months to pay on her own. With that good news she is going to enroll.
6.24.2010
MyCAA - watch the fees!
Great post over at military.com from a spouse who is using MyCAA. She found here grades were on hold because she had not paid the fees. Turns out MyCAA will not pay any fees. So if your school is one of those that has a lot of fees you could be paying an additional $300 out of pocket.
So make sure you check the fees - MyCAA is trying to figure out how to save money. There are plenty of programs out there without fees (like the schools on the right - American College, NECB, FIU, Lamar etc.) that can ensure you don't have to pay a lot for a degree.
MyCAA was so popular that they are now making it more complex to reduce the expense. Those who are in the know, will benefit the most.
So make sure you check the fees - MyCAA is trying to figure out how to save money. There are plenty of programs out there without fees (like the schools on the right - American College, NECB, FIU, Lamar etc.) that can ensure you don't have to pay a lot for a degree.
MyCAA was so popular that they are now making it more complex to reduce the expense. Those who are in the know, will benefit the most.
Budgeting 101
One of the biggest personnel problems in the military is money. Our service members don't get paid a lot and trying to manage their money has always been a huge problem. It is the main reason you see so many of those sleazy pay-day loan sharks just outside of every base.
So when the New England College of Business told me we could offer a Personal Finance Boot Camp to our military members for FREE - I jumped all over it. Yesterday, I sent it out to all base Education Service Officers and we had over 30 already enroll.
That is 30 military members who are going to learn about the following and end up with a personal financial plan. PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD - this is a great deal that is not going to last.
Financial Bootcamp
This online, self-paced training course is designed to give you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Financial Literacy. Once you successfully complete the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion!
Learning process:
· Online reading material
· Online lectures
· Financial activities
· Scenario-based Assessments
· Final module – a financial plan for your life
Course Outcomes:
· Explain how financial literacy can reshape your financial future
· Understand the value of education on your income potential
· Apply budgeting and investment knowledge/skills to increase net worth
· Interpret and user risk management tools to protect assets
· Develop actionable plans to improve your financial condition for life
Course Modules:
· Make it! Your earnings
· Manage it! Spending, saving, budgeting
· Multiply it! Saving, investing and risk
· Protect it! Insurance, fraud, identity theft
· Pay for it! Paying for college, weddings, home, estate planning
Today’s financial climate is difficult for everyone and making the most of your military pay is critical. This course is designed to help and it is being made available for FREE to military members as a way of saying thank you for your service.
Enroll today at:
www.necb.edu/MilitaryFinance
So when the New England College of Business told me we could offer a Personal Finance Boot Camp to our military members for FREE - I jumped all over it. Yesterday, I sent it out to all base Education Service Officers and we had over 30 already enroll.
That is 30 military members who are going to learn about the following and end up with a personal financial plan. PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD - this is a great deal that is not going to last.
Financial Bootcamp
This online, self-paced training course is designed to give you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Financial Literacy. Once you successfully complete the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion!
Learning process:
· Online reading material
· Online lectures
· Financial activities
· Scenario-based Assessments
· Final module – a financial plan for your life
Course Outcomes:
· Explain how financial literacy can reshape your financial future
· Understand the value of education on your income potential
· Apply budgeting and investment knowledge/skills to increase net worth
· Interpret and user risk management tools to protect assets
· Develop actionable plans to improve your financial condition for life
Course Modules:
· Make it! Your earnings
· Manage it! Spending, saving, budgeting
· Multiply it! Saving, investing and risk
· Protect it! Insurance, fraud, identity theft
· Pay for it! Paying for college, weddings, home, estate planning
Today’s financial climate is difficult for everyone and making the most of your military pay is critical. This course is designed to help and it is being made available for FREE to military members as a way of saying thank you for your service.
Enroll today at:
www.necb.edu/MilitaryFinance
6.23.2010
HAPPY 66TH GI BILL
Missed it yesterday but it was the 66th Anniversary of the creation of the GI Bill! A great day for all veterans and now to all servicemembers, their spouses and their families. A fantastic way for this coutnry to show that we really do mean it when we say:
"Thank you for your service"
"Thank you for your service"
6.22.2010
MyCAA - the delays continue
Stars and Stripes is reporting that MyCAA will come back on in the "not to distant future". Wow - thanks for pinning it down for us. The other big concern is that they don't want spouses using this for education - but more for job training/certificates. They want spouses to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill for college.
Not Good.
First - if you need a good job, you need a college degree - if you have one, an advanced degree will open up more job opportunities no matter where you move.
Second - military families really need to save the GI Bill for their children because college is so expensive.
Third - and this is key - you have to have 6 years in to be able to transfer education benefits. You know which spouses need education NOW - those with the least amount of time in service.
MyCAA is there to help spouses increase opportunities for employment with education dollars. Let's make sure it actually does that!!
Read the DoD Release.
Not Good.
First - if you need a good job, you need a college degree - if you have one, an advanced degree will open up more job opportunities no matter where you move.
Second - military families really need to save the GI Bill for their children because college is so expensive.
Third - and this is key - you have to have 6 years in to be able to transfer education benefits. You know which spouses need education NOW - those with the least amount of time in service.
MyCAA is there to help spouses increase opportunities for employment with education dollars. Let's make sure it actually does that!!
Read the DoD Release.
Marine earns college degree in Afghanistan
Great story about Marine Corporal Aaron Taylor using online degree completion to finish his degree during his tour in Afghanistan. So cool -
Protect Convoy -> Finish Degree
I am always amazed by those serving in harms way. But when you can do your job protecting a convoy at war, stay in contact with your family and still manage to finish your college degree, it just totally blows me away.
In August Corporal Aaron Taylor will graduate from Lamar University even though he is currently deployed in Iraq. His story is like so many others in the all volunteer service - he felt it was his duty to enlist even though he was close to finishing his degree.
But just before he left, he found out about the 100% online degree completion program at Lamar and felt he could get it done while on deployment. And he did. He will walk in the Lamar graduation in August.
The best in the military have an incredible focus on goal completion. I cannot tell you how rewarding it is to help these amazing professionals achieve their education goals. We recently set up unofficial transcript review so that our potential military students know where they stand and what they need. We are hitting the bases next month with two degree completion programs that will take that transcript review and create a roadmap to their bachelor degree.
In geometry, the shortest distance between two points is a line - for bachelor degrees, the shortest distance is online degree completion through New England College of Business and Lamar University.
Congrats to Corporal Aaron Taylor - be safe and we look forward to seeing you at graduation!
In August Corporal Aaron Taylor will graduate from Lamar University even though he is currently deployed in Iraq. His story is like so many others in the all volunteer service - he felt it was his duty to enlist even though he was close to finishing his degree.
But just before he left, he found out about the 100% online degree completion program at Lamar and felt he could get it done while on deployment. And he did. He will walk in the Lamar graduation in August.
The best in the military have an incredible focus on goal completion. I cannot tell you how rewarding it is to help these amazing professionals achieve their education goals. We recently set up unofficial transcript review so that our potential military students know where they stand and what they need. We are hitting the bases next month with two degree completion programs that will take that transcript review and create a roadmap to their bachelor degree.
In geometry, the shortest distance between two points is a line - for bachelor degrees, the shortest distance is online degree completion through New England College of Business and Lamar University.
Congrats to Corporal Aaron Taylor - be safe and we look forward to seeing you at graduation!
6.21.2010
TEB: part 2
It is amazing how fast mis-information gets out about a program. Because service members and veterans can opt into Post 9/11 GI Bill from Montgomery GI Bill, they all assume they can also transfer their education benefits (TEB).
Unfortunately I have had to tell three people that they cannot.
If you are not on active duty, you cannot transfer the benefit. The VA website is a little vague but it does say - but only active duty members can go on the site to actually transfer the benefit. It makes that pretty clear in the policies on the DoD site.
Here is a more in-depth process for Transfer Education Benefit.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this benefit is only for members of the armed forces today - not veterans.
Unfortunately I have had to tell three people that they cannot.
If you are not on active duty, you cannot transfer the benefit. The VA website is a little vague but it does say - but only active duty members can go on the site to actually transfer the benefit. It makes that pretty clear in the policies on the DoD site.
Here is a more in-depth process for Transfer Education Benefit.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this benefit is only for members of the armed forces today - not veterans.
More GI Bill Questions
I had a couple of great discussions last week with Veterans and service members on using their education benefits.
The first question came from a child of a veteran. The veteran is 100% disabled from service. She had used his GI Bill to complete college but was wondering if there was any way to pay for her master's. I asked her to contact the VA and look at Chapter 35 Survivor & Dependent Educational Assistance Program which does apply to sons and daughters between 18 and 26. I don't think a lot of people know about the DEA program and it looks like a great option for her to get her master's in educational leadership from American College of Education.
The second question was from Iraq: a Soldier wanted to start using her benefits to begin an online program before rotating back to the US. It is a great plan and a great idea. Things had slowed down enough for her to get started. I did talk to her about getting an unofficial transcript review, getting credit for her military service then completing a bachelor's at NECB. Unfortunately she wanted an Information Systems degree and we don't offer that through through American University System - so I had to steer her to another school.
The final question was from a Veteran who was thinking of getting a second master's degree in educational technology. But he has a son who starts college in the fall. He prepaid the tuition in Florida - but as a father of 2 girls in college, I told him the books and room/board would suck up quite a lot of money. He is probably going to move his MGIB to Post 9/11 GI Bill and then transfer education benefits (TEB) to his son.
On the business side, only one ended up in our schools. But always a huge win helping Veterans and Service Members advance bring their education goals to reality!
The first question came from a child of a veteran. The veteran is 100% disabled from service. She had used his GI Bill to complete college but was wondering if there was any way to pay for her master's. I asked her to contact the VA and look at Chapter 35 Survivor & Dependent Educational Assistance Program which does apply to sons and daughters between 18 and 26. I don't think a lot of people know about the DEA program and it looks like a great option for her to get her master's in educational leadership from American College of Education.
The second question was from Iraq: a Soldier wanted to start using her benefits to begin an online program before rotating back to the US. It is a great plan and a great idea. Things had slowed down enough for her to get started. I did talk to her about getting an unofficial transcript review, getting credit for her military service then completing a bachelor's at NECB. Unfortunately she wanted an Information Systems degree and we don't offer that through through American University System - so I had to steer her to another school.
The final question was from a Veteran who was thinking of getting a second master's degree in educational technology. But he has a son who starts college in the fall. He prepaid the tuition in Florida - but as a father of 2 girls in college, I told him the books and room/board would suck up quite a lot of money. He is probably going to move his MGIB to Post 9/11 GI Bill and then transfer education benefits (TEB) to his son.
On the business side, only one ended up in our schools. But always a huge win helping Veterans and Service Members advance bring their education goals to reality!
6.18.2010
End of Navy Ed
A comment was left on the blog about my concern, as a former navy pilot, that I wasn't getting more invitations to Navy Education Fairs. Turns out - they are not having any. The Navy is really cutting back on education support spending.
I have also heard from ESO's that they may centralize/automate their function. Just after those discussions I read about the Navy's new Virtual Education Center opening. Seems to be coming true and now they are cuttin education fairs?
I understand the cuts and the need to be lean and that technology can reduce the amount of manpower needed. But with an all volunteer force, it seems like education is a worthwhile investment to keep retention higher and recruiting costs lower. I don't think anyone works harder at making sure our service members feel appreciated than our ESO's
But that's just me.
I have also heard from ESO's that they may centralize/automate their function. Just after those discussions I read about the Navy's new Virtual Education Center opening. Seems to be coming true and now they are cuttin education fairs?
I understand the cuts and the need to be lean and that technology can reduce the amount of manpower needed. But with an all volunteer force, it seems like education is a worthwhile investment to keep retention higher and recruiting costs lower. I don't think anyone works harder at making sure our service members feel appreciated than our ESO's
But that's just me.
6.17.2010
$300,000 for Military Child Education
Thank you Lockheed Martin for providing $300,000 to launch a Military Child Education Coalition initiative. They are partnering with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) with a goal of providing more AP courses in math and science to children from military families.
NMSI CEO Tom Luce want to "provide consistent, high-level education and ensuring that these students receive the skills they need to succeed in today’s highly-competitive, highly-technical world"
It will start in high schools that serve Ft. Hood and Fort Campbell and eventually expand to over 100 high schools.
Nice step forward for a better education for service member's children.
NMSI CEO Tom Luce want to "provide consistent, high-level education and ensuring that these students receive the skills they need to succeed in today’s highly-competitive, highly-technical world"
It will start in high schools that serve Ft. Hood and Fort Campbell and eventually expand to over 100 high schools.
Nice step forward for a better education for service member's children.
6.16.2010
Military Financial Literacy
FREE Financial Literacy Boot Camp
This online, self-paced training course is designed to give you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Financial Literacy. Once you successfully complete the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion!
Learning process:
· Online reading material
· Online lectures
· Financial activities
· Scenario-based Assessments
· Final module – a financial plan for your life
Course Outcomes:
· Explain how financial literacy can reshape your financial future
· Understand the value of education on your income potential
· Apply budgeting and investment knowledge/skills to increase net worth
· Interpret and user risk management tools to protect assets
· Develop actionable plans to improve your financial condition for life
Course Modules:
· Make it! Your earnings
· Manage it! Spending, saving, budgeting
· Multiply it! Saving, investing and risk
· Protect it! Insurance, fraud, identity theft
· Pay for it! Paying for college, weddings, home, estate planning
Today’s financial climate is difficult for everyone and making the most of your military pay is critical. This course is designed to help and it is being made available for FREE to military members as a way of saying thank you for your service.
Enroll today at: www.necb.edu/MilitaryFinance
This online, self-paced training course is designed to give you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Financial Literacy. Once you successfully complete the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion!
Learning process:
· Online reading material
· Online lectures
· Financial activities
· Scenario-based Assessments
· Final module – a financial plan for your life
Course Outcomes:
· Explain how financial literacy can reshape your financial future
· Understand the value of education on your income potential
· Apply budgeting and investment knowledge/skills to increase net worth
· Interpret and user risk management tools to protect assets
· Develop actionable plans to improve your financial condition for life
Course Modules:
· Make it! Your earnings
· Manage it! Spending, saving, budgeting
· Multiply it! Saving, investing and risk
· Protect it! Insurance, fraud, identity theft
· Pay for it! Paying for college, weddings, home, estate planning
Today’s financial climate is difficult for everyone and making the most of your military pay is critical. This course is designed to help and it is being made available for FREE to military members as a way of saying thank you for your service.
Enroll today at: www.necb.edu/MilitaryFinance
Military Financial Literacy
FREE Financial Literacy Boot Camp
This online, self-paced training course is designed to give you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Financial Literacy. Once you successfully complete the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion!
Learning process:
· Online reading material
· Online lectures
· Financial activities
· Scenario-based Assessments
· Final module – a financial plan for your life
Course Outcomes:
· Explain how financial literacy can reshape your financial future
· Understand the value of education on your income potential
· Apply budgeting and investment knowledge/skills to increase net worth
· Interpret and user risk management tools to protect assets
· Develop actionable plans to improve your financial condition for life
Course Modules:
· Make it! Your earnings
· Manage it! Spending, saving, budgeting
· Multiply it! Saving, investing and risk
· Protect it! Insurance, fraud, identity theft
· Pay for it! Paying for college, weddings, home, estate planning
Today’s financial climate is difficult for everyone and making the most of your military pay is critical. This course is designed to help and it is being made available for FREE to military members as a way of saying thank you for your service.
Enroll today at: www.necb.edu/MilitaryFinance
This online, self-paced training course is designed to give you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Financial Literacy. Once you successfully complete the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion!
Learning process:
· Online reading material
· Online lectures
· Financial activities
· Scenario-based Assessments
· Final module – a financial plan for your life
Course Outcomes:
· Explain how financial literacy can reshape your financial future
· Understand the value of education on your income potential
· Apply budgeting and investment knowledge/skills to increase net worth
· Interpret and user risk management tools to protect assets
· Develop actionable plans to improve your financial condition for life
Course Modules:
· Make it! Your earnings
· Manage it! Spending, saving, budgeting
· Multiply it! Saving, investing and risk
· Protect it! Insurance, fraud, identity theft
· Pay for it! Paying for college, weddings, home, estate planning
Today’s financial climate is difficult for everyone and making the most of your military pay is critical. This course is designed to help and it is being made available for FREE to military members as a way of saying thank you for your service.
Enroll today at: www.necb.edu/MilitaryFinance
A Good Deal?
When selecting a university, service members must be acutely aware of the actual price. There is the perception that if a program is online it must be cheaper - and that is not even close to the truth.
Even Wal-Mart is having trouble getting a bargain - and they should know how to find one. They recently contracted with an online provider who is going to give course credit for working at Wal-Mart providing a great education benefit for employees.
But associate degrees will still cost $11,700 and bachelor's degrees will cost $24,000 according to community college spotlight. Hardly a bargain when compared to community colleges and when you compare to schools that are really focused on affordability like New England College of Business and Finance.
The irony is not lost - Wal-Mart went with a higher priced option. A little better bargain hunting could have produced a better deal.
Even Wal-Mart is having trouble getting a bargain - and they should know how to find one. They recently contracted with an online provider who is going to give course credit for working at Wal-Mart providing a great education benefit for employees.
But associate degrees will still cost $11,700 and bachelor's degrees will cost $24,000 according to community college spotlight. Hardly a bargain when compared to community colleges and when you compare to schools that are really focused on affordability like New England College of Business and Finance.
The irony is not lost - Wal-Mart went with a higher priced option. A little better bargain hunting could have produced a better deal.
6.15.2010
Post 9/11 GI Bill
Great article in the Chronicle of Higher Ed on the Post 9/11 GI Bill - who is using it and where are they going to school. "Veterans Use New GI Bill" doesn't really have any surprises. Since military schedules are tough to predict, online programs are the primary choice. And since for-profit colleges/universities dominate the online market, they are getting the largest share of military members using GI Bill education benefits.
I do believe a shift is coming. Service is still the key - and more Education Service Officers are getting a little annoyed with some of the higher pressure sales tactics that are causing service members some problems. Bigger is not always better.
The article doesn't take into account other programs like MyCAA and Tuition Assistance. Yesterday I was working with a spouse who is using MyCAA and part of her husband's GI Bill for her master's degree (at FIU's CMBA program). He is using Tuition Assistance to finish his Bachelor's in business (NECB Bachelor's in Business Administration). And they are saving the remaining GI Bill for their kids to go to college.
How cool is that? Now that is an education benefit package if we can help support the entire military family.
I do believe a shift is coming. Service is still the key - and more Education Service Officers are getting a little annoyed with some of the higher pressure sales tactics that are causing service members some problems. Bigger is not always better.
The article doesn't take into account other programs like MyCAA and Tuition Assistance. Yesterday I was working with a spouse who is using MyCAA and part of her husband's GI Bill for her master's degree (at FIU's CMBA program). He is using Tuition Assistance to finish his Bachelor's in business (NECB Bachelor's in Business Administration). And they are saving the remaining GI Bill for their kids to go to college.
How cool is that? Now that is an education benefit package if we can help support the entire military family.
6.14.2010
Military Financial Literacy
Great new FREE resource for military members and their families. An online financial literacy course from the New England College of Business that will help them understand their current financial state, create a plan and a budget!
Pretty amazing - please help spread the word on this great military financial resource.
Pretty amazing - please help spread the word on this great military financial resource.
Free Financial Literacy Course for Military
The New England College of Business and Finance (NECB) is providing a FREE Financial Literacy Course for military members and their spouses. NECB has over 100 years of experience educating business and military leaders in financial literacy, a critical skill for any professional.
NECB is providing this exclusive opportunity to enroll in our free Financial Literacy Bootcamp for military members. While working to build your financial IQ, you will create a personal financial plan by applying budgeting, investment, and risk management skills. Upon completion of your self paced course you’ll receive a certificate demonstrating your knowledge and competence in Financial Literacy.
Please help spread the word as we have limited space for this course. Sign up today at the New England College of Business.
NECB is providing this exclusive opportunity to enroll in our free Financial Literacy Bootcamp for military members. While working to build your financial IQ, you will create a personal financial plan by applying budgeting, investment, and risk management skills. Upon completion of your self paced course you’ll receive a certificate demonstrating your knowledge and competence in Financial Literacy.
Please help spread the word as we have limited space for this course. Sign up today at the New England College of Business.
White House note on MyCAA
I sent the following note to First Lady Obama today through the White House Communication. I think we need to keep the pressure on to get MyCAA back!!!
First Lady Obama;
Thank you for your support of military families. At this critical time for our volunteer force, keeping our military families feeling appreciated is absolutely critical.
I would like to ask that you continue to focus on the MyCAA program for military spouses. Secretary Gates told families that it would be turned back on by now and it is still not available to spouses.
A promise broken is far worse than no promise at all.
Thank you again for your support and please continue to reach out to these incredible families who must endure so much for the strength of our country.
Respectfully, Dave Saba
First Lady Obama;
Thank you for your support of military families. At this critical time for our volunteer force, keeping our military families feeling appreciated is absolutely critical.
I would like to ask that you continue to focus on the MyCAA program for military spouses. Secretary Gates told families that it would be turned back on by now and it is still not available to spouses.
A promise broken is far worse than no promise at all.
Thank you again for your support and please continue to reach out to these incredible families who must endure so much for the strength of our country.
Respectfully, Dave Saba
First Lady at Camp Pendleton
First Lady Michelle Obama visited with military families at Camp Pendleton to show support and to build further support. Great quote: “One percent of America may be fighting our wars, but 100% of America needs to be supporting you in that fight.”
Skeptics said she is just trying to help Senator Boxer in a tough election.
From the military perspective - as long as the result is further support for military famlies, it's all good. Unfortunately, her words have not quite translated to actions that help yet.
We are still waiting for MyCAA to get turned back on which would be a great action that could happen now. Enough photo ops - more support!
Skeptics said she is just trying to help Senator Boxer in a tough election.
From the military perspective - as long as the result is further support for military famlies, it's all good. Unfortunately, her words have not quite translated to actions that help yet.
We are still waiting for MyCAA to get turned back on which would be a great action that could happen now. Enough photo ops - more support!
6.11.2010
College Credit for Military Experience
We learn as we go - and we had some great experience with our first Army Tuition Assistance student at New England College of Business. He had a ton of work already completed and obviously wanted full credit for that work. So he wanted to know how much college credit for military experience could he recieve.
So NECB now uses Army / American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) to determine college credit. It is an outstanding benefit for our service members to get credit for all the work they have done in the military.
So NECB now uses Army / American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) to determine college credit. It is an outstanding benefit for our service members to get credit for all the work they have done in the military.
Military Education Fairs
Some great work going on over at the EduMilitary blog on helping military members move forward with their careers. Attending 9 different Military Education Fairs
Military Education Fairs
After meeting with some incredible ESO's (Education Service Officers) here in Texas it became crystal clear that the best way to get the word out about our military friendly college's and universities was to attend base education fairs.
So I spent the day sending out an email to 300 bases in CONUS. Came in this morning to a rather nice response. Here is the schedule so far!
So I spent the day sending out an email to 300 bases in CONUS. Came in this morning to a rather nice response. Here is the schedule so far!
- 6/25 Randolph AFB
- 7/11 Dover AFB
- 7/13 McConnell AFB
- 8/24 Coast Guard / Oklahoma City
- 9/01 MacDill AFB
- 9/23 Little Rock AFB
- 10/27 Dyess AFB
- 10/28 Goodfellow AFB
- 11/02 Altus AFB
WOW! A lot more to come. I will be bringing information on associate, bachelor and master degrees in business plus CMBA's, Master's in Education and RN to BSN programs from 7 different schools. MyCAA, GI Bill and Tuition Assistance - we are ready to help.
Only problem so far - all Air Force - where are the other branches. I mean, I was Navy and expected a little love from some Jacksonville, Norfolk and Pensacola.
So if you are having an Education Fair on your base, make sure you give us a heads up as we would love to be there.
6.10.2010
TEB: Transfer of Education Benefits
We have already talked about how many service members are using their Tuition Assistance to further their education and saving their GI Bill for their spouses or kids. I just received another request yesterday to help someone who is giving their GI Bill education benefits to their spouse so that they can complete the Education Leadership program at American College of Education.
So a quick review is in order on how to transfer your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits! Find out more at the VA - http://www.gibill.va.gov/gi_bill_info/ch33/transfer.htm
So a quick review is in order on how to transfer your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits! Find out more at the VA - http://www.gibill.va.gov/gi_bill_info/ch33/transfer.htm
- The military member must submit a transfer request at the https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB site - they assign a transfer with the number of months for the program
- They need to specify the start date and end date in this request
- Once the transfer has been assigned to the spouse – they must submit the transfer request for approval
- They will see a Transfer Approved in their account
- Then the spouse must apply for a certificate of eligibility for our program on the VONAPS site http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
- Then they just follow the regular GI Bill process
Pretty simple and straightforward which is truly the hallmark of military education benefits today.
6.09.2010
Army Tuition Assistance
Back in the day, the military bureaucracy required many months to complete complex tasks. Today, that is just not the case and I am constantly amazed at how fast things move on the education side of things to help our servicemembers.
Yesterday I had a call from a Staff Sergeant in Miami who is ready to get his Bachelor's in Business Administration. He has selected the New England College of Business and Finance (NECB) to help him achieve this goal. He wants to save his Post 9/11 GI Bill for his kids and use Army Tuition Assistance. Sadly, NECB was not yet approved for this. I thought it would take months.
It took me a matter of hours.
We requested approval, filled out the online forms, got checked out and NECB is now an approved provider of education programs for Army Tuition Assistance! Since NECB charges less that the maximum allowed per credit hour, our Florida SSGT will have no money out of pocket for his bachelors degree.
With our transcript review, many of his credits attained during his career will put him even closer to his educational goals.
Thank you Army Tuition Assistance for so quickly helping us help this soldier.
Yesterday I had a call from a Staff Sergeant in Miami who is ready to get his Bachelor's in Business Administration. He has selected the New England College of Business and Finance (NECB) to help him achieve this goal. He wants to save his Post 9/11 GI Bill for his kids and use Army Tuition Assistance. Sadly, NECB was not yet approved for this. I thought it would take months.
It took me a matter of hours.
We requested approval, filled out the online forms, got checked out and NECB is now an approved provider of education programs for Army Tuition Assistance! Since NECB charges less that the maximum allowed per credit hour, our Florida SSGT will have no money out of pocket for his bachelors degree.
With our transcript review, many of his credits attained during his career will put him even closer to his educational goals.
Thank you Army Tuition Assistance for so quickly helping us help this soldier.
6.08.2010
Gates quote on MyCAA
A concerned reader asked where I got the info on MyCAA coming back - it was Secretary Gates who said it in Kansas and reported by Military.com
Read my initial MyCAA post
or
6.07.2010
Education Service Officers
Today we went to Fort Hood, Randolph AFB and Lackland AFB to meet with the Education Service Officers to see first hand the education needs of service members. Let me say that these people are just amazing. They truly care about their service members and want to make sure they get the best education they can.
It takes so many to ensure that we have a great military and as budgets get squeezed, these people have to do so much more with a lot less. But I can guarantee that they will make sure that every person who needs help in navigating their education benefits, will get that help.
It was a pretty great day.
It takes so many to ensure that we have a great military and as budgets get squeezed, these people have to do so much more with a lot less. But I can guarantee that they will make sure that every person who needs help in navigating their education benefits, will get that help.
It was a pretty great day.
6.04.2010
Tuition Assistance vs GI Bill
This week I have spent a lot of time working with military members who have already transfered the educational benefits to their children. This is one of the great benefits of the Post 9/11 GI Bill - you can pass on your benefits to your famlies or your spouse.
Since most military members do not have the financial resources to put away a lot of money towards a college for their kids, the GI Bill is becoming the de facto savings plan. A great deal and I am very happy to see people actively manage a great benefit.
So that leaves Tuition Assistance for military members to educate themselves. Tuition Assistance provides $250 per credit hour for education programs that can help them in their military career. New England College of Business (NECB) has Bachelor and Associate degrees for military that are $206.67 per credit hour - so the whole thing is covered! Florida International and NECB have master's in business at around $525 per credit hour. While that seems like a big gap, it really only equates to $100 a month for the program that the service members would have to cover. You would have to put significantly more in savings to cover your kids college expenses.
Tuition assistance; a great way to save (your GI Bill) for college!
Since most military members do not have the financial resources to put away a lot of money towards a college for their kids, the GI Bill is becoming the de facto savings plan. A great deal and I am very happy to see people actively manage a great benefit.
So that leaves Tuition Assistance for military members to educate themselves. Tuition Assistance provides $250 per credit hour for education programs that can help them in their military career. New England College of Business (NECB) has Bachelor and Associate degrees for military that are $206.67 per credit hour - so the whole thing is covered! Florida International and NECB have master's in business at around $525 per credit hour. While that seems like a big gap, it really only equates to $100 a month for the program that the service members would have to cover. You would have to put significantly more in savings to cover your kids college expenses.
Tuition assistance; a great way to save (your GI Bill) for college!
6.03.2010
MyCAA - will help sustain military
Great NPR piece on MyCAA and how it will help the military in a big way if it is brought back.
The money quote talking about how the military might break in the next 10 years: "military wives and families will be broken due tot he stress and strain of deployment after deployment."
Giving spouses an amazing education benefit is one way to really help spouses by making a difference in their lives. Good to see some pressure on bringing it back and holding President Obama and the First Lady accountable for promises to bring it back.
The money quote talking about how the military might break in the next 10 years: "military wives and families will be broken due tot he stress and strain of deployment after deployment."
Giving spouses an amazing education benefit is one way to really help spouses by making a difference in their lives. Good to see some pressure on bringing it back and holding President Obama and the First Lady accountable for promises to bring it back.
How to use your GI Bill
A lot of questions out there on how to use your GI Bill and/or your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. It is pretty straightforward actually and the VA website has become extremely user friendly. The VA says there are 3 steps - decide on a college/program, submit your application, confirm your enrollment certification with the school.
Piece of cake - but it is a little more complex than that. The VA does have a GI Bill Roadmap that breaks it down even more. We hopefully made it a little clearer here for you:
Piece of cake - but it is a little more complex than that. The VA does have a GI Bill Roadmap that breaks it down even more. We hopefully made it a little clearer here for you:
- Select your school. Make sure the school does accept GI Bill - and make sure they understand it. If the school does not have a separate section of their web page for military, they are not really military friendly. Also check for Yellow Ribbon agreement to make sure you don't have to pay tuition over the accepted VA rate!
- On the GI Bill site, calculate GI Bill Benefits for each school & determine if the Post 9/11 GI bill or your Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits are better for you. For online programs, MGIB may be better! If you have only a few months of Chap 30 (MGIB) benefits remaining you should consider finishing all of your MGIB benefits so that you can get an additional 12 months of the new Post 9/11 GI bill.
- Enroll in the GI Bill through VONAPP (click “Start VONAPP”). You will need the following to complete the application:
Create a username/password
Fill out VA Form 22-1990
Have your electronic DD-214 ready
If you have a kicker contract and/or proof of $600 buy-up have it ready as well
Have name of your bank, routing number & account number – for living expenses
Enter school address, degree or certificate objective, date of enrollment
Have former education information (degree, address & dates)
Non-military job information (type, length of time & any licensing)
ROTC/Service Academy/Student Loan Repayment Program information - You will receive your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) in the mail from the VA. The CoE will tell you what percentage of benefits you qualify for and how many months of benefits you have left.
- Send the CoE to the Registrar or VA Representative at your school. The VA Certifying Officials at the school process the paperwork proving to the VA you are enrolled in school so that you can get paid their GI Bill benefits.
- Confirm that your school Certifying Official submitted your paperwork to the VA. GI Bill payments cannot be processed until the school submits the enrollment. Early submission of this paperwork is essential for timely payment.
- Enroll in classes. You may have to pay for the first class depending on the school and the start date.
Not too complex. They have really created a great education benefit for our military members and didn't make it impossible to get to.
6.02.2010
A deal for Heroes
How great is it that Sears recognizes that Heroes include military, veterans and teachers. While 10% off on June 5th might not seem like a lot, every little bit helps.
Sears salute to Heroes
Sears salute to Heroes
Yellow Ribbon School - another great one
I was pleasantly surprised that there are so many veterans who are teachers. It really isn't surprising when you think that most military members have been teaching for a large part of their career.
So I was very happy when our American College of Education was designated a Yellow Ribbon School by the Veterans Administration! This is a great signal to all veterans that they get a quality master's in education at a price that is below that authorized by the VA.
So let your Veterans know - here is another great choice for their GI Bill if they are serving this country again in America's classrooms!
So I was very happy when our American College of Education was designated a Yellow Ribbon School by the Veterans Administration! This is a great signal to all veterans that they get a quality master's in education at a price that is below that authorized by the VA.
So let your Veterans know - here is another great choice for their GI Bill if they are serving this country again in America's classrooms!
6.01.2010
Yellow Ribbon School
The right schools really get excited about working with the military and the New England College of Business and Finance (NECB) is one of those military friendly schools. We found out about the Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon program a week before the deadline and still got everything done.
So NECB is now an official Yellow Ribbon School! What does that mean? It is the best way for a Veteran to know that they will get the best deal on tuition. If your school's website doesn't say Yellow Ribbon, than beware - you might have a lot more out of pocket expenses than you originally thought.
So NECB is now an official Yellow Ribbon School! What does that mean? It is the best way for a Veteran to know that they will get the best deal on tuition. If your school's website doesn't say Yellow Ribbon, than beware - you might have a lot more out of pocket expenses than you originally thought.
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