Factors to consider when choosing a school
Choosing the Right School for You
As an eligible Servicemember, Veteran, dependent, Guard member, or Reservist planning to use the GI Bill®, you are about to make one of the most important decisions of your life—choosing your post-secondary education. Much like purchasing a car, your education is a significant investment. Would you buy a car without considering your needs, checking specifications, and comparing prices? Of course not. Similarly, take the time to carefully consider your needs and explore what different schools offer before making your decision.
Making informed decisions about your benefits and how a school can best meet your needs requires some research. This guide highlights eight key factors to help you become an informed consumer and, second, a GI Bill® user.
1. What Are Your Interests and Career Goals?
Choosing the right career involves considering many factors. Use resources like CareerScope®, a free self-assessment tool provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to explore your vocational aptitudes and academic readiness. It can help you identify careers that suit your interests and provide recommendations on courses or training programs.
The Department of Labor’s My Next Move for Vets tool is another great resource. It offers occupational information for various industries, helping you identify careers similar to your military job. You can also research job demand using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, which covers job prospects, required education, earnings, and working conditions.
2. Types of Degrees
There are several types of degrees to consider:
- Associate’s Degree: Typically a 2-year program, offered at community colleges or some 4-year universities. Requires 60 credit hours and is ideal for students who wish to pursue further studies at a 4-year institution.
- Bachelor’s Degree: A 4-year program requiring 120 credit hours. It’s essential for anyone planning to pursue a graduate or professional degree.
- Master’s Degree: A graduate-level degree that typically requires 2 years of study. Master’s programs are fast-paced and in-depth.
- Doctoral Degree: The highest academic degree, requiring 3 to 6 years to complete. Common degrees include Ph.D., J.D., and M.D.
3. Feeder Schools
A common trend is for students to complete their first 2 years at a community college and then transfer to a 4-year university. This is called the "feeder school" approach. Many community colleges have articulation agreements with universities, which make transferring credits easier and often more affordable. Research these agreements in your state to maximize your educational investment.
4. More Than a Degree: The Benefits of Higher Education
Earning a degree opens many doors, offering higher salaries, job stability, and improved benefits. A degree not only makes you more competitive in the job market but also lessens the likelihood of being laid off during economic downturns.
5. Choosing the Right School
Selecting the right school goes beyond submitting an application. Attend open houses, take campus tours, and picture yourself as part of the community. Does the school meet your academic and social needs? With the discipline and commitment you’ve demonstrated in the military, choose the school that best supports your goals and maximizes your investment.
For more information, use the GI Bill® Comparison Tool to research schools. The tool provides key details like graduation rates, borrowing amounts, and student loan default rates. Be cautious about schools with low graduation rates or high borrowing amounts. Remember, schools not listed in the Comparison Tool are not approved for GI Bill benefits.
The Federal Trade Commission’s "Choosing a College" guide offers useful questions to ask before making a final decision.
6. Accreditation Matters
Ensure the school is accredited, as this affects credit transferability and your degree's value in the job market. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of accredited institutions. Understand the difference between regional, national, and programmatic accreditation, and check if your program is accredited through the GI Bill® Comparison Tool.
7. School Support for Veterans
Look for schools with dedicated programs for Veterans. This might include on-campus resources like Veteran-specific spaces, a central point of contact for academic support, and access to mental health services. Be sure to check whether the school adheres to the President’s Principles of Excellence, ensuring Veterans receive the assistance they need.
8. Financing Your Education
Your GI Bill® benefits may cover much of your tuition, but it’s important to research other financial options. Grants and scholarships can help you reduce the need for loans. If you do take out loans, understand the terms, including interest rates and repayment schedules. The GI Bill® Comparison Tool can help you determine how much your benefits will cover.
If loans are necessary, consider federal options, which tend to offer better repayment terms and consumer protections.
Choosing the right school is the first step in transitioning to civilian life and ensuring your success. Use your GI Bill® wisely, earn your degree, and become a leader in the civilian world—just as you were in the military.
Resources
- Department of Labor's My Next Move for Vets
http://www.mynextmove.org/vets/ - Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/ - VA's CareerScope® Interest Inventory
http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/careerscope.asp - VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool
http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/comparison - FTC's "Choosing a College" Guide
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0395-choosing-college-questions-ask - Department of Education's database of accredited institutions and programs
http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ - ACE's Toolkit for Veteran Friendly Institutions
https://vetfriendlytoolkit.acenet.edu/Pages/default.aspx - ACE's Military Guide for College Credit
http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/Military-Guide-Online.aspx - Student Veterans of America Organization Directory
http://studentveterans.org/index.php/chapter/directory - Overview of the President's Principles of Excellence
http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/principles_of_excellence.asp - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Paying for College Tool
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/ - Department of Education's Federal Direct Loan Program
http://www.direct.ed.gov/ - Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Overview
https://www.studentaid.ed.gov/ - Department of Education's Financial Aid Shopping Sheet
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/guid/aid-offer/index.html - FinancialAid.org's "College Partnerships and Articulation Agreements"
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/partnerships.phtml