.:A Desert Lifestyle Article:.
Education Corner
Can You Afford an Education?
[story by Katie Elwell]
College. The word often carries a notion of unrealized dreams and financial dread. Going back to school doesn’t have to be a nightmare, either academically or financially. The Lifelong Learning Education Center aboard base is here to help you find your way through the maze of academia and financial aid.
Educational Opportunies
Being stationed in California affords you several exciting educational opportunities. If you are stationed here with the military, you pay California rates for all California colleges and universities. This is especially valuable if you attend a community college, such as Copper Community College (CMC), where courses are only $20 per credit hour. This is true whether you’re taking classes on base, on campus or online.
CMC aboard the Combat Center also offers the Steps-to-Success program, which is specifically targeted at military spouses. Steps-to-Success helps spouses overcome barriers that might keep them from going to college, such as managing time, registering for childcare, dealing with transportation issues, filling-out school related paperwork and applying for financial aid. One of the goals of the program is to help military spouses understand that while going to college may be difficult, it is not impossible. Participants leave the four-day seminar registered at CMC. Also, by simply participating in this no-cost program, they receive free textbooks.
Many other programs are also available to you. The Board of Governors Grant waives tuition for income eligible applicants attending a California community college. Active duty military and family members can test out of classes or earn their GED through the Education Center. Pell grants, scholarships and even the GI Bill may be available to you as a military spouse.
Your education is waiting
So what are you waiting for? You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Stop by the Education Center and talk to an advisor. They can help you narrow down exactly what you’re looking for in a college and how you can make those unrealized dreams come true.
Education Center
Bldg. 1524 N
Phone: 830.6881
Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday
7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays
Closed
