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Author: Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
July 23rd, 2010
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
Times have changed when it comes to the cost of education. Most people are unprepared for the large expenses that college brings. Even with grants and scholarships, some institutions absorb those funds and still require a large sum to come out of pocket. “Well I can just take out Financial Aid loans to cover the rest, good idea right?” Wrong!! You have to understand the money you borrow has to be paid back with interest! Many people forget about this detail and now that the government has taken over the lending, you can no longer claim bankruptcy on student loans. This mistake could haunt you for decades if you decide to take out too much or are studying a degree that may not have high salary potential. Luckily, you have a few options to take advantage of before you make this fatal financial mistake.
Option 1- Choose an affordable school.
This may seem simple but I have seen many students fall for the “Brand Name” of certain institutions or because their Staff NCO or Officer went to a certain college. Just because everybody is doing it doesn’t make it a good decision. Ask your admissions advisor probing questions about total cost, semester costs, and extra fee’s (Books, lab, application, etc). Paying $40,000 for a Bachelor’s or $20,000 for an Associate’s degree is absurd and should be avoided. There are many institutions out there that offer affordable education at a fair cost to their student’s.
Option 2- Use GI BILL without using Financial Aid Loans.
This is one of the most important things you can do when going to a college or university. Many of you have full GI BILL benefits that are more than enough to pay for your education. Apply for Federal Grants is also highly recommended since those are funds you don’t have to pay back. A bill that is being brought to the senate floor this month(S.3447) for vote will provide 50% of the housing stipend for people that are using Post 9/11 benefits and going to an online or “Distance Learning” institution. This bill will be voted on and could take effect as soon as August 1st, 2011 due to the overwhelming demand for this change.
I encourage you to do your research before making a decision. Take your time and see what would be best for you and your family. These are difficult times and many people are being taken advantage of. Arm yourself with knowledge and you will come out ahead.
Semper Fi
Richard Lingle
Get more information about Richard Lingle’s school: American College of Technology
July 14th, 2010
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
Colleges and universities are seeing an enormous jump in enrollment from service members. With this massive serge of Active Duty and Veterans going back to school, it is important to see which institution will give you the most for your money. One factor in your decision could be acceptance of military experience for college credit.
Claiming credit for your military experience can save you time and money however, not all of your experience will transfer. Each of the service branches have developed methods for documenting military training that the American Council on Education (ACE) has evaluated for college credit. If your MOS is comparable to the degree field you are seeking, the likelihood that you will have more credits is greater than if your field of study was completely different.
There are also national testing programs that institutions will accept for college credit such as Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or part of the Service members Opportunity Colleges (SOC). If you want more information on these programs and who accepts them, here are the links provided below:
I have also provided the links for military transcripts of all branches in one of my earlier blogs. Do your own research and see what school will be the most value for your money. In times like these, it’s good to not spend money when you don’t have to.
Semper Fi
Richard Lingle
Get more information about Richard Lingle’s school: American College of Technology
June 30th, 2010
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
I have received a lot of requests to talk about this particular subject and with the new information that has developed, now would be the best time to cover it. Around 70% of active duty and veterans using GI BILL funds are enrolled in online colleges and universities. Many of these service members do not qualify for one of the most alluring benefits that the new GI BILL offers. You guessed it, the housing stipend. This is one of the major flaws that the new GI BILL suffers from and has irritated many service members choosing to enroll in online education. This problem however, has not gone unnoticed in our government.
There are two people that are fighting on Capitol Hill to get this and other issues with the new GI BILL resolved. These people are Rep. Bob Filner and Sen. Daniel Akaka. There are two bills that are being pushed through the House of Representatives and the Senate. These bills are H.R. 950 and “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010” (Senate bill S.3447). These bills are receiving bi-partisan support and many organizations such as the American Legion and the Blinded Veterans Association are supporting this as well. With these bills passed, it will be a huge burden off of students who need this money for expenses.
Most of the details are still being discussed and a revised version is due out sometime in July. I urge everyone to write to their congressmen about both of these bills. Each Congressman has an email service on his or her personal website for you to use.
Here are the links provided below:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
The generic House website email form for you to use may be found at—
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
To quote Rob Filner, “Supporters of this bill are standing up for: disabled veterans, veteran families, rural veterans, and single-parent households who are getting an education and working to improve their lives.”
Semper Fi
Richard Lingle
Get more information about Richard Lingle’s school: American College of Technology
June 17th, 2010
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
You have decided to attend college and have filled out your application for enrollment, so now it’s time to talk about funding your education. Depending on what school you choose, some veterans and active duty service members will find that their GI BILL will not be enough to cover their tuition costs. If that is the case, this helpful guide will steer you in the right direction. Most Financial Aid counselors will work with you to help you understand the sources of money available to pay for college and help guide you through the process of applying for grants and loans. To ensure that the process is done right, simply follow these steps:
Prepare: Do your homework
- Understand the total cost of your education, including tuition, books and fees
- Obtain your personal identification number from the U.S. Department of Education at pin.ed.gov.
You can’t get federal grants and loans without a “PIN”. - Gather the following information:
- PIN (Personal Identification Number) – go to pin.ed.gov.
- Social Security number and driver’s license/id
- W-2 forms and other income records
- Prior-year tax return for yourself and/or spouse (if married) and for your parents (dependent students only)
Apply: Identify grants and loans available to you
Here are some examples of loans you can use if you qualify:
Perkins Loans – The grace period on a Perkins Loan is nine months after you stop attending school (graduate or leave before graduation). During the grace period, you don’t have to pay any principal, and you won’t be charged interest.
Stafford Subsidized Loans - The grace period is six months after you stop attending school (graduate or leave before graduation). During the grace period, you don’t have to pay any principal, and you won’t be charged interest.
Stafford Unsubsidized Loans – The grace period is six months after you stop attending school (graduate or leave before graduation). You don’t have to pay principal, but you will be charged interest. You can either pay the interest, or it will be capitalized (added to the principal balance) later.
PLUS Loans – There is no grace period on PLUS loans, but there are ways to stop your payments while you’re still in school at least half time. Interest is charged on PLUS loans during all periods, beginning on the date of the first loan disbursement. Repayment on a PLUS loan begins on the date that the loan is fully disbursed.
- Meet with your Financial Aid counselor to start the process of applying for grants and loans
- Complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) mandatory for getting federal grants and loans at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
Receive: Obtain grants and loans available to you
- Review your financial aid award letter to understand what grants and loans are available to you, and meet with your student finance specialist
- Accept all grants that are offered: grants do not need to be repaid
- Review federal loans offered; always choose federal loans first
Repay: Borrowed money must be repaid
- Out-of-school payments – Loan payments begin on many loans when you graduate or leave your school. To better understand when your loans are due and when repayment begins.
If you can’t repay your loans, do not ignore the problem. It creates serious long-term consequences, including bad credit. If you are having problems then talk to your Financial Aid counselor.
Early application is encouraged to ensure availability of funds, so you’ll want to complete the financial aid application process as soon as you enroll. If you have any questions on this or about your military benefits, don’t hesitate to ask. I will be glad to help.
Semper Fi
Richard Lingle
Get more information about Richard Lingle’s school: American College of Technology
June 15th, 2010
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
One of the best careers to have that pays well and is constantly in high demand is an IT related field. Computers will always be around, and companies will continually need tech support to keep them running. With employers relying more than ever on computers, it makes sense to have a career in something so valuable to a company. Even if you don’t want IT as a primary focus, at least have it as secondary to your major. Employers will always want to keep someone tech savvy around the office.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the top 10 fastest growing fields for 2010 are as follows:
- Computer systems analysts
- Personal and home care aides
- Database administrators
- Desktop publishers
- Network systems and data communications analysts
- Network and computer systems administrators
- Computer software engineers, systems software
- Computer support specialists
- Computer software engineers, applications
- Medical assistants
Growth in some of these occupations is projected to be between 90%-100%. IT is needed more than ever as our technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Now is the best time to use your GI BILL to train in one of these great careers.
Semper Fi
Richard Lingle
Get more information about Richard Lingle’s school: American College of Technology
June 14th, 2010
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
It seems like there is a lot of worry on the faces of people now-a-days. With the economy in shambles, talks of layoffs in almost every type of business, and government spending out of control, it’s no wonder why people are clinching their pockets. In these trying times it is now more important than ever to put yourself ahead of your peers by pursuing an advanced education. Whether you are currently serving in the armed forces, a veteran or civilian, this advice is designed to help you survive this economic downturn.
There are a lot of resources you can take advantage of to help you on your education path. First of all, Financial Aid is available based on one’s income. Low interest Stafford and Perkins loans are also available. In addition, State WIA funding or the “No worker left behind program” is increasing due to the massive job loss taking place. These are just a few ways to help with the stress of school and living expenses.
Right now is the absolute best time to pursue higher education. Current and future employers are looking more than ever for well-qualified individuals. Having a degree could mean the difference of whether or not you keep your position. With all the benefits you can take advantage of, it would be a mistake not to go back to school. Keep yourself knowledgeable of these different resources and you will come out on top.
Semper Fi,
Richard Lingle
Get more information about Richard Lingle’s school: American College of Technology
June 9th, 2010
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
This is a common question that I answer on a daily basis. How much money am I entitled to and will my benefit cover everything? The answer is yes and no. It depends on what chapter you plan on using and the total cost of tuition at the institution you plan to attend. There are a lot of things to consider when you decide to use your education benefit. Here are some questions you need to ask your enrollment counselor before even considering filling out their application.
- What is the TOTAL cost of my diploma/degree?
- Are there any fees? (Application fees, book and material fees, etc) how much are they?
- How many classes do I need to take to be considered full time with the VA?
- Are you a correspondence or an interactive school? (If choosing online)
A service member with 100% GI BILL eligibility can qualify for 36 months of tuition of $1,368 per month if using Chapter 30 MGIB. Under Chapter 33 Post 9/11 would qualify your tuition being paid for by the VA and you would receive $1,000 per year book stipend. GoArmyEd is another great source of free money that army service members can take advantage of as well. However, some school’s tuition is so high that you will also need to take Financial Aid to cover the cost. Make sure you do your research and try to stay away from taking out too many loans. The last thing you want to do is get into debt if you don’t have to.
Semper Fi
Richard Lingle
Get more information about Richard Lingle’s school: American College of Technology
June 8th, 2010
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
I have talked to many service members both serving and retired about going back to school while suffering with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Most of them are having a hard time due to the crippling anxiety that stems from this debilitating condition. Going to school full-time, dealing with the pressures of homework deadlines and overcrowded classrooms can be nerve-racking to say the least. The stress seems to mount and build until they feel it can’t be dealt with anymore. These students need a great support system with one-on-one attention to help them succeed. Unfortunately, a lot of on-site and online colleges and or universities fail to meet the needs of these special students, which in turn produces a high dropout rate among these individuals. Dropping out and failing courses multiple times can endanger your GI Bill eligibility and in some cases, disqualify you from using it all together.
With that being said, online schools are one of the best choices for people with PTSD. It allows you to focus on your studies by yourself in the comfort of your own surroundings. While being in your “comfort zone” it will be a more conducive environment for you to learn than being surrounded by students in a traditional classroom. Also, online colleges are more likely to give you the one-on-one attention you need due to smaller class sizes. Some colleges, like ACOT, even offer free tutoring for students to take advantage of these services if they are offered.
If you are suffering from PTSD the first thing to do is address the problem and talk to a doctor or counselor for support. Once you are ready, make the step to contact your school of choice and ask to see if they offer services that help students with this condition. Schools are ready and willing to work with students that require special attention so don’t let PTSD stop you from reaching you academic goals.
Semper Fi,
Richard Lingle
Get more information about Richard Lingle’s school: American College of Technology
June 7th, 2010
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
A lot of students going back to school regardless of whether they are traditional or non-traditional, dread the college application and enrollment process. Some schools have simple, user-friendly forms to help guide the student while on the other hand, some schools enrollment process is so tedious and time-consuming that it actually discourages the student from even attending at all. ACOT is one that offers a very simple solution to this problem by allowing you to go from application to enrollment paperwork completely online. One could possibly go through the entire enrollment process without even contacting a representative.
Let me explain how it works, you would start by filling out an online application with the school. This form takes about a couple of minutes and once completed is sent directly to the Admissions Department for processing to get the ball rolling. Once the application is sent, you will receive an e-mail with the detailed instructions on how to get your GI BILL activated. You will then click the link that will take you to a form called the “VONAPP”. This is a virtual application with the VA that activates your GI BILL benefits. Once this form has been completed, you will receive a numerical code called your “VONAPP confirmation number”. Once this form has been completed, it is sent to the VA for processing and the school will take it from there. In other words, you’re done with your GI BILL paperwork.
The third and final step in this process is the enrollment documentation. This is the easiest part of the enrollment process because it is done completely online as well. In the e-mail you received with the instructions to fill out your GI BILL paperwork will contain a second link called “va enroll”.
This will take you to a page that will ask for your VONAPP number so make sure to have that ready before you fill this page out. Once entered, you will be able to select the degree program you wish to attend. Once you have picked the degree you wish to study, it will have you fill out the last page of your documentation with your digital signature and ask for you to submit. Once that is completed you are considered enrolled at ACOT. There are a few more forms that will need to be filled out which will be e-mailed and mailed to you such as high school transcript request, copy of ID, etc.
That’s the entire enrollment process. It truly is a simpler way to go to college. Contact me with any questions. I will be glad to help.
Semper Fi
Richard Lingle
Get more information about Richard Lingle’s school: American College of Technology
June 2nd, 2010
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
by Admissions Director, Richard Lingle
I believe it is not the responsibility of the student to impress the admissions counselor so much as it should be the other way around. Having all your information ready to go and submitting it in a timely manner does make the admissions counselors’ job easier. Here are the basic items you should have before starting the enrollment process with any college.
- Copy of your DD-214
- Copy of your military and college transcripts
- Last year’s tax returns (If using Financial Aid)
- Copy of Driver’s license or Military ID
- Copy of your Certificate of Eligibility from VA
If you have all of these items ready to go from the start, any enrollment advisor is going to enjoy working with you. It takes an enormous amount of time to get all of these forms from scratch so this will save you and your counselor a lot of time and headache. I have provided the links below to help you obtain most of these items.
- Army Transcripts
- Navy and Marine Corps Transcripts
- Air Force Transcripts
- Coast Guard Transcripts
- Certificate of Eligibility (VONAPP) form
- DD-214 request form
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions. I will be glad to assist you.
Semper Fi
Richard Lingle
Get more information about Richard Lingle’s school: American College of Technology
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