This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Whoops
My parents were both in the military, which means they both had The GI Bill and other education benefits that I could have used to cover my college tuition.
However, we were all completely unaware of this benefit while I was in college.
Am I bitter? No. My sister accessed this information during her undergraduate schooling and now has the opportunity to utilize the funding for her Master’s Program. Cheers to that; I’m grateful the benefits didn’t go to waste.
Paying my way through school motivated me to earn a certain income, finish what I started, and graduate with three degrees. However, I did learn a valuable lesson that I hope others carry with them: always check out every option, so your tuition can be covered entirely. Continually educate yourself and expose yourself to new information.
The best way to acquire an education is for free. Why? Student loans will knock your budget out of the water if you’re not careful – especially private loans, high-interest loans, and high principal loans (i.e., loans above $50,000).
The Free Ride I Declined
I had the opportunity to go to school completely free if I enlisted in the military. I applied and qualified for a full-ride scholarship, but I declined because I desired complete freedom during college. Freedom looks different for everybody. Freedom didn’t entail enlisting in the military as a non-officer.
Do I regret not accepting the full ride? No.
I also tried out both Army and Air Force ROTC, which gave me a taste of what military life would look and feel like. I’m thankful I had the opportunity to try it out.
Ultimately, I chose the option to pay my way through school by working and utilizing student loans (including parent plus loans).
What If You Don’t Have Military Ties?
Maybe you have no military ties. That’s okay; there are more scholarships out there for you. You just gotta look. Too many foundations, people, and opportunities await you that are willing to pay for your education.
Don’t forget this one avenue: Work and go to school. It worked for me – even when I was taking heavy credit hour loads. Did working cover all of my tuition? Nope. But it sure did help.
If I were to return to school, I could quickly attend part-time and pay my way through. So, if you need to get a job first and then go to school, be open to that. You don’t have to follow traditional rules and go to school straight out of high school.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.