| Military veterans considering a campus or online | | | | veterans interested in converting their experience into |
| degree have more opportunities to attend schools that | | | | academic credits for campus and online degree |
| charge beyond what the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers. | | | | programs. There's no guarantee institutions actually |
| What's more, if there's any question about which | | | | provide the credits, since some might determine how |
| institution to attend, they might refer to GI Jobs | | | | well specific military experiences apply to subject |
| Magazine's newly updated Guide to Military Friendly | | | | areas of study. A new Veteran Employment |
| Schools. The list includes campus and online college, | | | | Assistance Act of 2010 due to go before the US |
| university and technical school offerings. | | | | Senate, however, calls for money for veterans |
| More than 1,100 schools are allowing military veterans | | | | business centers to establish methods for education |
| to gain an education that costs more than the Post-9 | | | | institutions to provide academic credit for military |
| 11 GI Bill allows, since a Department of Veterans | | | | experience and training. |
| Affairs outreach campaign launched earlier this year | | | | Service in any branch of the military can provide |
| concluded in July. These colleges, universities and | | | | soldiers with valuable skills such as leadership, discipline |
| technical schools have partnered with the Department | | | | and teamwork. Returning soldiers might find that more |
| of Veterans Affairs as part of a "Yellow Ribbon" | | | | jobs these days also require education beyond high |
| program. "We are pleased that so many institutions | | | | school. The Marine Corps Times noted that at 11.8 |
| are joining us to support the educational goals of the | | | | percent (as of July 2010) the rate of unemployment of |
| men and women who served this Nation so | | | | Afghanistan and Iraq veterans was 4 percent higher |
| honorably," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. | | | | than last year in the same month. Veterans who |
| Shinseki said. | | | | obtain certificates and degrees online or on campus |
| While adjusting to life on campus might be difficult for | | | | might improve their employment opportunities. |
| returning soldiers, GI Jobs' 2011 Military-Friendly Schools | | | | The Veteran Employment Assistance Act also calls |
| includes hundreds of institutions that are considered | | | | for apprenticeships and job training programs that can |
| among the nation's top 15 percent doing the most to | | | | lead to in-demand careers. Returning soldiers might find |
| accommodate veteran students. Veterans who prefer | | | | that programs such as these already exist in their |
| studying remotely might opt for any of the list's 45 | | | | communities. Through what's known as "Pathways out |
| "virtual" institutions or enroll in online courses and online | | | | of Poverty" grants, there are communities that are |
| degree programs provided by its "bricks-and-mortar" | | | | training people for "green" jobs, according to an article |
| institutions. | | | | on Veterans through these programs might earn |
| The Post-9/11 GI Bill, depending upon a veteran's length | | | | certificates and job placement assistance. Returning |
| of service, reimburses students for up to the highest | | | | soldiers interested in applying their GI Bill benefits to |
| tuition that residents pay to participate in campus and | | | | green job training can also find a host of campus and |
| online college, university and technical school studies at | | | | online degree and certificate programs in areas such |
| public institutions in the states where they live. Tuition | | | | as renewable energy, green construction, |
| rates for out of state residents and private institutions | | | | environmental science, environmental engineering and |
| are often higher. With the Yellow Ribbon program, | | | | more. |
| colleges, universities and technical schools contribute | | | | Earning a college or university degree online or on |
| toward the difference between their typical costs and | | | | campus could help veterans to stand out in what has |
| the maximum "in-state" tuition. The VA, which offers a | | | | become a very competitive job market. The |
| list of Yellow Ribbon participants on the GI Bill website, | | | | combination of skills learned in the military and the |
| then matches their contributions to cover up to 50 | | | | classroom might make them a strong candidate for |
| percent of the difference. | | | | many jobs. Campus and online courses might also help |
| Many colleges, universities and technical schools | | | | returning servicemen and women find a purpose and |
| accept military branch transcripts from soldiers and | | | | keep busy once they are out the military. |