The Federal Work Study Program is designed to create jobs for students at the school they attend.  Under this program students are allotted a certain amount of money at the beginning of the year and then work at the school for minimum wage.  Job are often available to students in dormitories, the admissions department, the school library, individual departments and more.  Other options for work study exist at off-campus often with non-profit organizations.  An admission representative or financial aid representative can identify the opportunities which exist with the school of your choice.

As a benefit of employment, many employers offer a program that will help to subsidize the cost of your education often referred to as tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement.  The programs and qualifications to receive this benefit vary greatly from employer to employer.  Some employers will cover the cost of books each semester while other will cover 100% of your tuition.  While some employers will not specify the type of degree you may attain others will ask that you seek a degree that is relevant to their business.  The best place to seek information regarding your companies tuition assistance program is with your company’s human resources department.  If your company offers tuition assistance, your HR department can fill you in on all the details of the program and how to apply for this benefit. 

To defer a student loan is to hold off on paying back the principal of the loan until after you have completed your education.  Deferral programs vary from lender to lender and the federal government also offers a deferment program federally backed student loans.  It is important to remember that under many of these programs you must qualify first in order to defer payments. Please talk with a financial aid advisor to understand the program that works for your unique situation. 

Tuition Assistance (TA) Programs are offered by each service branch - Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.  These programs helps active duty and reserve personnel pay the cost of education. While each branch’s program is unique, an important feature of most programs is that for some ranks, MOS and pay grades, an additional service commitment is required. Please note, TA Programs are not the GI Bill and there is a distinction.  As each program is unique please check with your base education officer for more details.

Going back to school, while a very rewarding experience, can become intimidating as individuals try to decipher the myriad of options available to pay for their education.  The Federal Government offers several loan programs including Stafford Loans and Pell Grants. Active duty and prior service military personnel often have other federal aid options including the Montgomery GI bill and educational loan repayment programs.  Private sector student loans are also available to students at all levels of credit worthiness.  Your best course of action in deciding an educational funding option is to work with a professional financial aid advisor at your school of choice.  They are trained to help you put together the best financial aid package for your situation.

The cost of getting an education at a career college varies based on several factors. The length of the course, the number of books necessary to complete the required classes and any supplies which are necessary for class are all factors in the total cost of a career college education.  The best way to learn about all the costs involved is to speak with an admissions counselor at the college of your choice.