2 answers
Jonah
Student
Fayetteville, North Carolina
1
Question
Updated
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What is the best way to get college money? I have no idea what I'm doing and my counselors are unhelpful
I want to be able to keep my VA stipend and not worry about finances.
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2 answers
Richard Vagnoni
First Sergeant
7
Answers
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Hi Sir,
Your comment about VA stipend has me curious. I am assuming you are a veteran or your family transferred their GI Bill to you. I want to start off by saying I am not a recruiter, but merely pointing out an option you may not have considered. The National Guard or Reserve is a great way to fund college and develop skills and experience for your resume. The Air Force Reserve funded 2 Associates, a Bachelors, and Masters for me using tuition assistance and I never had to touch my GI Bill. I was able to transfer that to my wife and she got the stipend. I am told that the National Guard has even better educational benefits depending on what state you are assigned.
You can be a full time student and make money from drill, and annual tour. You would also have access to health care via Tricare Reserve Select. depending on the degree (think STEM and Law) there are even opportunities for the military to fund your degree entirely to include room and board for a service commitment after.
If you are a disabled vet, that does not prevent you from signing up either. depending on your disability rating percentage, you could still join but may have to wave a portion of your drill check. But you'd still have access to all the educational and healthcare benefits.
I don't know if this is helpful to you, but I like to make folks aware of their options.
Your comment about VA stipend has me curious. I am assuming you are a veteran or your family transferred their GI Bill to you. I want to start off by saying I am not a recruiter, but merely pointing out an option you may not have considered. The National Guard or Reserve is a great way to fund college and develop skills and experience for your resume. The Air Force Reserve funded 2 Associates, a Bachelors, and Masters for me using tuition assistance and I never had to touch my GI Bill. I was able to transfer that to my wife and she got the stipend. I am told that the National Guard has even better educational benefits depending on what state you are assigned.
You can be a full time student and make money from drill, and annual tour. You would also have access to health care via Tricare Reserve Select. depending on the degree (think STEM and Law) there are even opportunities for the military to fund your degree entirely to include room and board for a service commitment after.
If you are a disabled vet, that does not prevent you from signing up either. depending on your disability rating percentage, you could still join but may have to wave a portion of your drill check. But you'd still have access to all the educational and healthcare benefits.
I don't know if this is helpful to you, but I like to make folks aware of their options.
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1464
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Jonah!
I totally get how overwhelming it can feel when you're trying to figure out college finances, especially if you’re dealing with an unhelpful counselor. But don’t worry Jonah there are definitely ways to get the money you need, you just have to willing to give some time to search a little.
First, let’s talk scholarships... these are your golden ticket and they are really helpful for students. You should try to be looking into both national and local scholarships. Websites like Fastweb, Scholarship.com, and Cappex are great for finding opportunities. Also, check out local community organizations, businesses, and even your high school’s alumni network – sometimes, there are scholarships that don't get as much attention but are easier to get because fewer people apply. Don’t forget to apply for military-related scholarships too, since you're aiming to keep your VA stipend.
Another thing to consider is grants, like the Pell Grant or state-specific grants. These don’t have to be paid back, which is a huge win. Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) ASAP, and make sure to list all the schools you’re interested in. That way, you can get access to grants that you might not even realize you’re eligible for.
You can also look into work-study programs. Some schools offer jobs that help offset your tuition costs. Plus, some jobs are super flexible, which means you could juggle work and studying without too much stress.
Lastly, try reaching out to the financial aid office directly. Even if your counselors aren’t helping, the financial aid office can guide you through specific scholarships or financial assistance that you might be missing out on.
Best of luck, Jonah! You’ve got this. Keep pushing, and the money will start to come together, I hope this helps you out but if not just feel free to reach out.
I totally get how overwhelming it can feel when you're trying to figure out college finances, especially if you’re dealing with an unhelpful counselor. But don’t worry Jonah there are definitely ways to get the money you need, you just have to willing to give some time to search a little.
First, let’s talk scholarships... these are your golden ticket and they are really helpful for students. You should try to be looking into both national and local scholarships. Websites like Fastweb, Scholarship.com, and Cappex are great for finding opportunities. Also, check out local community organizations, businesses, and even your high school’s alumni network – sometimes, there are scholarships that don't get as much attention but are easier to get because fewer people apply. Don’t forget to apply for military-related scholarships too, since you're aiming to keep your VA stipend.
Another thing to consider is grants, like the Pell Grant or state-specific grants. These don’t have to be paid back, which is a huge win. Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) ASAP, and make sure to list all the schools you’re interested in. That way, you can get access to grants that you might not even realize you’re eligible for.
You can also look into work-study programs. Some schools offer jobs that help offset your tuition costs. Plus, some jobs are super flexible, which means you could juggle work and studying without too much stress.
Lastly, try reaching out to the financial aid office directly. Even if your counselors aren’t helping, the financial aid office can guide you through specific scholarships or financial assistance that you might be missing out on.
Best of luck, Jonah! You’ve got this. Keep pushing, and the money will start to come together, I hope this helps you out but if not just feel free to reach out.