Perhaps one of the most innovative opportunities the internet opened up for men and women serving in the military is the ability to earn a college degree online – wherever they are based or deployed. It’s also a great option for employed veterans – allowing them to earn a degree without taking time off from their civilian jobs. Online education has come a long way in recent years, with some schools offering robust, highly interactive learning environments that can make online learning as engaging as on-campus classes.
For veterans, the flexibility of some online degree programs, coupled with the Post 911 GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program, can make higher education far more accessible than for previous generations. The Post 911 GI Bill covers expenses up to the cost of the highest in-state tuition. And for those who would prefer to attend an out-of-state or private school, the Yellow Ribbon Program can help bridge the gap between in-state tuition and that of another school as long as it participates in the program.
Together, the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program could cover up to 100% of tuition expenses for veterans. The way it works is, a school may voluntarily contribute up to 50% of the difference between its tuition and the highest in-state tuition, through scholarships and grants. The VA will then match that amount, paid directly to the school – essentially covering the complete cost of the student’s education at that school. Fees can also be covered. A school’s decision to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program is completely voluntary so it would be advisable for individuals to check with the school they are interested in attending to find out if it supports the program, and to what extent. They should be aware that some schools may participate in the Yellow Ribbon program but limit their contributions to less than the maximum contribution allowed.
**To be eligible for the grant and waived application fee, a candidate must be accepted for enrollment, meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Colorado Tech Online Catalog, and allow for verification of eligibility.
***University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the university’s catalog and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.
About Colorado Technical University:
A university that fully supports the Yellow Ribbon Program is Colorado Technical University (CTU). The institution’s support of the military dates back nearly 45 years to when the university opened its first campus to serve the military bases in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Today CTU has campuses in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Kansas City, and Sioux Falls, in addition to an award-winning online campus.
CTU has its own Department of Military Education which offers veterans, military students and their spouses guidance from a team of trained specialists who are knowledgeable about military procedures and protocol and in position to assist in areas such as financial aid available for those who qualify, receiving college credit for eligible military training or prior experience, waived application fee, and CTU grants for eligible active military and their spouses. CTU Online is also the only online university that awards a “Wounded Warrior Scholarship.” In partnership with the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Inc., CTU awards 25 full scholarships each year to support our recovering wounded veterans.
For military men and women who fear that deployment would make it impossible for them to complete a degree program, the university has a flexible deployment policy that provides options to interrupt their studies and pick up where they left off when they are in a position to do so.
CTU’s Virtual Campus offers a true academic community and university experience – with an unprecedented level of personalized service, such as 24/7 technical support online or on the phone. They offer associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a wide range of career-focused fields, many that are relevant to military and government fields – such as Homeland Security, Criminal Justice, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, and Business.
Anyone desiring more information on CTU and its participation in The Yellow Ribbon program click here.
**To be eligible for the grant and waived application fee, a candidate must be accepted for enrollment, meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Colorado Tech Online Catalog, and allow for verification of eligibility.
***University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the university’s catalog and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.
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