Julie Provost

Julie Provost is a freelance writer, blogger, and owner of Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life, a support blog for military spouses. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.
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Student and Military Discounts on Laptops and Computers for School, Work, or Play

Save money with these student and military discounts on laptops and computers.

Whether you are going to school, want to play games, or work from home, you are going to need a laptop or computer. While some companies or schools might give you a device, you may need or want to buy your own laptop or computer. While a new computer can be an expensive purchase, you can save some money using student and military discounts on laptops. Here are the companies that offer them.

The Exchange

One of the first places you will want to check for a new laptop or computer would be your local Military Exchange. You can find products for a good price, and won’t have to pay any tax on them. This can make a huge difference on higher-priced items. You could end up saving between $50-$100 based on the price of the product and what you would normally pay for taxes.

HP

HP or Hewlett-Packard sells laptops, desktops, gaming PCs, and more. They have the HP Frontline Heroes Store for military discounts on laptops, computers, and more. They also have the HP Education Store for student discounts. For both, you can find a savings of 40%, and will need to be verified with ID.me.

Apple

Apple products include the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and more. They have a Veterans and Military Store and an Education Store with student pricing. While Apple offers discounts to both veterans and military, and students, you will be able to save a little more with the military discount.

Dell

Dell has laptops, desktops, 2-in-1 PCs, home computers, and more. They give out both a student discount and a military discount on laptops and other products. You can also get 10% off with Veterans Advantage for the military, or save up to $400 off of a PC with UNiDays with a student discount. With Dell, there are different options for discounts and in some cases, you might be able to save more with the military discount.

Microsoft

Microsoft has laptops and computers, and the popular Surface Pro and other Surface products. You can find 5-10% discounts for both students and the military. With their student and military discount you would get up to 10% off eligible computers and accessories, 5% off of Surface Pro, and free Office 365. Some exceptions do apply. You would need to sign into your Microsoft account to get started.

Lenovo

Lenovo sells 2-in-1 laptops, business laptops, gaming laptops, desktops, workstations, and more. With the student discount, you can save up to 65% on select Student PCs and Accessories, plus an extra 5% discount with ID.me. With the military discount, you can save 5% with ID.me.

Best Buy

Best Buy has laptops, desktops, monitors, gaming PCs, and more. While there is no Best Buy military discount, they do have a Best Buy School Student Hub with student discounts. Within the hub, you can find lists of items college students would need and other information about tech for college students.

 

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Veteran Travel Discounts & Deals for Your Next Trip

Take Advantage of These Military & Veteran Travel Deals

You realize it is about time to start planning your next family vacation. Where will you go? What will you see? Take your family on a road trip or to an amusement park. Book a beach vacation or a trip to see historical sites, or visit home to spend time with family. Whatever you do, make sure to look for veterans’ travel discounts. You can save money while you enjoy your time away.

Book a Flight

For some trips, you are going to want to fly. The good news is that you can find military rates and free bags on certain airlines. Here are some examples:

Allegiant Air 

With Allegiant Air you can get up to two pieces of checked baggage for free. There is also no charge for oversized checked bags, and you can get one carry-on and one personal item.

JetBlue

At JetBlue, you can find 5% off tickets when you are enrolled in Veterans Advantage. You can also have two free bags.

United

Through United, you can receive 5% off of your tickets through Veterans Advantage.

You can view more airline discounts for military & veterans at Military Discount Flights at MyMilitaryBenefits.

Find a Place to Stay

Unless you are planning to stay with family or friends, you will need to book a hotel, motel, or another type of accommodation. Many hotel chains do have military and veteran discounts. Here are a few of them:

Best Western 

Best Western will give you 10% or more off their Flexible Rate.

Hilton Hotels

At Hilton Hotels you can find 10% off the Family Rate on leisure stays.

Wyndham Hotels

Wyndham Hotels gives you 12% off on your stay.

You can view more hotel discounts at Military and Student Discounts On Hotels on College Recon.

Time for Family Fun

What is more fun for kids, and even adults, than a day at an amusement park? You can find some great veterans and military discounts at different amusement parks around the country. Here are a few of them:

Carowinds

Carowinds is an amusement park in Charlotte, North Carolina. They offer discounts on tickets as well as a Military Gold Pass. You would buy your tickets online using ID.me to verify your status.

Knott’s Berry Farm

You can find Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California. They offer Military Tribute Days in November and December where you can get tickets for $19.99.

Waves of Honor 

Waves of Honor is a program where you can get free tickets and military and veteran discounts at quite a few amusement parks around the country. The program is at Sea World in Orlando, Sea World in San Antonio, Sea World in San Diego, Busch Gardens in Tampa and Williamsburg, Sesame Place, and Discovery Cove.

Save on Vacations

Whether it is a website for deals on flights and hotels or an all-inclusive resort, here are more deals you can use on your upcoming vacations.

Armed Forces Vacation Club

The Armed Forces Vacation Club is a free membership travel club for all active, retired, and veteran military members. You can save on R&R resort packages, hotels, car rentals, and cruises, and also earn rewards.

Beaches by Sandals

Beaches by Sandals are an all-inclusive resort for couples and families in the Caribbean. They offer a service personnel discount of 10%.

American Forces Travel

Through American Forces Travel, which is the only official MWR travel site, you can unlock savings of up to 50% on hotels, cars, flights, packages, and cruises. The discounts are designed specifically for the military and veterans.

Castle Resorts and Hotels 

You can find Castle Resorts in Oahu, the Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and New Zealand. They offer special discounts for active and retired military.

CheapTickets

CheapTickets is run by Expedian and offers many military travel deals.

You can also find veteran travel discounts for casinos, cruises, rental cars, zoos, and fun for kids.

 

 

 

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Student and Military Discounts On Restaurants

Save money going out to eat at these places!

Going out to eat is a great way to spend time with family and friends. However, going out to eat can get pricey fast. Luckily, you can find student and military discounts to save a little bit of money on your bill when you do go out to eat. 

Chipotle 

Chipotle is a Mexican fast food restaurant with burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads. Show your student ID for a free drink. They don’t seem to have a current military discount but sometimes offer Veterans Day deals. 

Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings is an American casual dining restaurant and sports bar franchise with things, chicken tenders, and appetizers. They offer 10% off as a student discount or a military discount. Just show your ID. 

IHOP

IHOP is an American multinational pancake and breakfast restaurant specializing in American breakfast foods. They offer a 10% student discount or a 20% military discount at the owner’s discretion. 

Dominos

Dominos is a fast food pizza place with delivery and take out options. They offer a 35% student discount with UNiDays. 

Arby’s 

Arby’s is an American fast food restaurant that focuses on roast beef sandwiches, fries, and more. They have a 10% student discount with ID, and you might be able to find a military discount at some locations. 

Dunkin’ Donuts 

Dunkin’ Donuts offers coffee, donuts, and quick breakfasts. They have a 10% student discount with your student ID. You might also be able to find a 10% military discount at some locations or a free donut deal on Veterans Day. 

Chick Fil A

Chick Fil A is an American fast food restaurant chain specializing in chicken sandwiches. You can get a 10% student or military discounts at participating locations. 

Firehouse Subs 

Firehouse Subs is a sandwich shop specializing in premium subs, sub sandwiches, and salads. You can get a 10% off student discount with a valid student ID. 

Shoney’s 

Shoney’s is a family-oriented chain restaurant serving all-American diner-style food. They offer a 15% student discount at participating locations and a 15% military discount at all company-owned Shoney’s and participating franchises locations. 

Waffle House

Waffle House is a restaurant chain offering American diner food and all-day breakfasts. They offer a 10% student discount on waffles and coffee. Some Waffle Houses also have a military discount. 

Buca di Beppo

Buca di Beppo is an American restaurant chain that specializes in Italian-American food. They offer a 10% student discount. You might also be able to get a free lunch on Veterans Day. 

Papa John’s 

Papa John’s is an American pizza restaurant. You can get 10-20% off a pizza or a side. 

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf 

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is an American coffee shop chain with coffees, teas, and pastries. They have a 10% student discount with ID verification through Student Beans. 

Burger King 

Burger King is an American-based multinational chain of hamburger fast-food restaurants known for their Whopper. You can get a 10% student discount off their purchases with a student ID. Some participating Burger Kings do offer a 10% military discount. 

As you can see, there are quite a few food choices where you can get a little discount on your food. Make sure to use these when you visit these places. 

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Military & Student Discounts on Hotels

Save Money on Hotels when You Travel with Military & Student Discounts!

Planning a vacation? Visiting the in-laws? Need to book a hotel? As a service member, veteran, or military family member, you have access to many different military discounts on hotels. If you are a student, you might also be able to find a student discount on your next stay. Here is a list of military discounts and student discounts on hotels.

Hotels.com

At Hotels.com you can enter where and when you want to stay and find a better deal than you might otherwise find on a specific hotel website. You can get both a military discount and a student discount at Hotels.com.

Military Discount: For more info, please go here.

Student Discount: For more info, please go here.

Hilton Hotels

Hilton was founded in 1919 when Conrad Hilton bought his first hotel in Cisco, TX.

Military Discount: They offer a 10% military discount on leisure stays as well as a discount to state, federal, and U.S. military employees at Homewood Suites, which is perfect for a PCS. You would show your military ID at check-in.  For more info, please go here.

Student Discount: Through ID.me, you can get student discounts at Hilton All-Inclusive resorts.  For more info, please go here.

Marriott Hotels

Marriot was founded in Washington D.C. in 1927. They started with a root beer stand and then a hotel. You can also find long-term housing for TDYs and PCSing at the Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, and Marriott Executive apartments.

Military Discount: They offer discounted rates to active duty military and veterans.  For more info, please go here.

Student Discount: They do not currently have a student discount.

Motel 6

Motel 6 was started in 1960 by two commercial real estate contractors in Southern California. They went on a road trip and were disappointed by the lack of affordable lodging along the way.

Military Discount: They offer 10% off at 1,400 locations to active and retired military. You would select military when you are checking out on the website.  For more info, please go here.

Student Discount: You can get a 10% student discount with Studentrate. You would need to use a promo code to get the discount.  For more info, please go here.

Best Western Hotels

Best Western gets its name from the first properties being west of the Mississippi River, but today, they have over 4,100 hotels worldwide.

Military Discount: They offer 10% off room rates with their military rate. You would show your military ID at check-in.  For more info, please go here.

Student Discount: Best Western has Best Western Student Rewards which is a program specifically for college students and university staff. With this program, you can enjoy exclusive member rates and earn points towards free rooms and other rewards. You would sign up on the website.  For more info, please go here.

IHG Hotels

IHG stands for InterContinental Hotels and can be traced back to 1777 when William Bass established the Bass Brewery in Burton-Upon-Trent. IHG Hotels was created in 2003 focusing on hotels and drinks.

Military Discount: IHG Hotels offers a government rate. You would need to show your military ID or orders when checking in.  For more info, please go here.

Student Discount: You can get a 15% student discount at IHG Hotels through Student Beans. You would need to verify your student status.  For more info, please go here.

Wyndham Hotels

Wyndham Hotels was founded in 1981 in Dallas, TX, and was named after a friend.

Military Discount: They offer 20% off for members of the military and their families.  For more info, please go here.

Student Discount: You can get a student discount with Studentrate and save up to 20% off the “Best Available Rate” at participating locations. You would book online with a link from Studentrate.  For more info, please go here.

HostelWorld

HostelWorld is the biggest and best hostel booking platform in the world. They have over 17,000 hostels listed across over 170 countries worldwide. You can get an 8% student discount through Student Beans.

Military Discount: They do not currently have a military discount.

Student Discount: You can get an 8% student discount through Student Beans.  For more info, please go here.

 

You can also always ask a hotel if they do have a military or student discount, beyond the ones listed here.

 

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Hip Pocket Scholarships: 2-Year, 3-Year, and 4-Year

Army’s Green to Gold ROTC Hip Pocket Program

If you are in the Army, you may be looking for a way to move forward in your career. The Army’s Hip Pocket Scholarships are one way to do so. Here is a little bit of information about what they are and who is able to get them.

What Are the Hip Pocket Scholarships?

Hip Pocket Scholarships provide selected soldiers the opportunity to complete their baccalaureate degree requirements and obtain a commission through participation in the Army ROTC Scholarship Program. 

Their mission statement is, “The Green to Gold Scholarship Program is a program that provides eligible, Regular Army (RA) Enlisted Soldiers an opportunity to complete their first Baccalaureate degree or their first Master’s degree. Upon the successful completion of their degree program, the Soldier is commissioned as an Officer in the US Army in either the Active or Reserve component.”

Each year division commanders may nominate deserving soldiers for two, three, or four-year Green to Gold scholarships. 

What Is the Process?

After a soldier applies, there is a two-part process, the Selection phase and the Qualification phase. Within the Selection phase, they would need to be verified by a board. The board is made up of eight Professors of Military Science (PMS) and two Senior Enlisted Advisors. They review completed applications. Selections are based on the Scholar, Athlete, Leader (SAL) concept.

In the Qualification phase, the soldier must be administratively and medically qualified. The soldier needs to upload all of their required documents in order to be qualified administratively.  In order to be medically qualified, the soldier would need to be cleared by the Department of Defense Medical Evaluations Review Board.

Who Can Qualify for the Hip Pocket Scholarship?

Students must be full-time, taking a minimum of 4 (3 for a master’s degree) and a maximum of 6 classes per semester. 75% of scheduled classes need to be taken in a classroom environment.

Some of the qualifications include being a US citizen, being eligible for appointment as a commissioned officer in the US Army, being under 31 years of age as of December 31st of the year of graduation and completing all requirements for commission, and having completed less than 10 years of Active Federal Service. You can find the full list of eligibility requirements here.

Who Doesn’t Qualify?

Not everyone who wants this scholarship will qualify. For example, if a soldier will not be a member of the regular Army on June 1st of the year in which the scholarship starts and/or are not eligible to reenlist, they won’t qualify. A soldier who isn’t married and has one or more dependents under the age of 18 also won’t qualify, but they might be able to get a waiver. You can find the full list of what makes you ineligible here.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

  • Provides financial assistance toward college tuition and educational fees or room and board. The student is able to choose which.
  • There is a flat rate for textbooks, classroom supplies, and equipment.
  • There is a tax-free subsistence allowance of an annually published amount per month for up to 10 months a school year.
  • Students are paid while attending the Cadet Summer Training (CST).
  • Keep in mind it does not cover the expense of moving.

What Will I Be Expected to Do if I Get the Scholarship?

There is an eight-year service obligation upon commissioning if you get this scholarship.

How Do I Apply for an Army Hip Pocket Scholarship?

The application window opens in June. Applications are due in November, and those moving to phase two will be notified in late January. To apply, scroll to the bottom of this page and click on the button that says, “TAKE THE NEXT STEP: CREATE AN ACCOUNT,” to get started.

 

 

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Retiree and Annuitant Pay 2023

When will Retirees and Annuitants get paid in 2023?

If you are on active duty, you get paid on the 1st and 15th of every month. You can see the list of Military Pay Dates here. However, what about if you are a retiree or an annuitant? And who gets that type of pay?

Retirement Pay

You would receive retiree pay if you served on active duty in the US for a period of at least 20 years or more. You also receive retirement pay if you retire medically from the US military. 

These all count toward years of service:

  • Active service
  • Active duty for training
  • Active duty for special work
  • Temporary tour of active duty
  • Full-time National Guard duty
  • Active Guard/Reserve time

Retirement is different for reservists. They have to accrue 20 years of service and reach the age of 60 to receive that pay.

These count towards years of service:

  • Active service
  • Active duty for training
  • Active duty for special work
  • Temporary tour of Active duty
  • Full-time National Guard duty
  • Active Guard/Reserve time

Military Pay Dates for Retirees 2023

For retirees, if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, they get paid on the last business day of the prior month. 

Wednesday, February 1st (For January)

Wednesday, March 1st (For February) 

Friday, March 31 (For March)

Monday, May 1st (For April)

Thursday, June 1st (For May)

Friday, June 30th (For June)

Tuesday, August 1st (For July)

Friday, September 1st (For August)

Friday, September 29th (For September)

Wednesday, November 1st (For October)

Friday, December 1st (For November)

Friday, December 29th (For December)

Annuitant Pay

Annuitants are paid to eligible survivors of deceased retired or active duty military members. They are typically a spouse or child, or former spouse. 

Military Pay Dates For Annuitants 2023

For annuitants, if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, they get paid on the first business day of the month.

Wednesday, February 1st (For January)

Wednesday, March 1st (For February) 

Monday, April 3rd (For March)

Tuesday, May 2nd (For April)

Thursday, June 1st (For May)

Monday, July 3st (For June)

Tuesday, August 1st (For July)

Friday, September 1st (For August)

Monday, October 2nd (For September)

Wednesday, November 1st (For October)

Friday, December 1st (For November)

Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024 (For December)

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Scholarships for Sociology Majors

Sociology Scholarships

A degree in Sociology can be a rewarding and challenging career path. Sociology is the study of human behavior as well as how different individuals, groups, communities, organizations, cultures, as well as societies interact with one another.  There are different aspects of sociology and many different career paths to choose from. Here are some scholarships for Sociology and similar majors. 

Alpha Kappa Delta Minority Fellowship

One recipient, $20,000

The Details: This fellowship is for Black/African American, Latino/a/x, American Indian or Alaskan Native, or Asian or Pacific Islander students enrolled in a Ph.D. in Sociology program. The award includes designated cohort programming at the ASA Annual Meeting, travel support for scientific conferences, and an opportunity to become a part of a distinguished network of sociologists.  

The Deadline: January 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The LAGRANT Foundation 2023 Scholarship Program 

Multiple recipients, $2,000

The Details: This scholarship is for Black/African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, or Native American/American Indian full-time students at a four-year college or university, with a major in a field that has an emphasis on advertising, marketing, or public relations. In addition to the $2,000 award, winners will receive a trip to either New York City, New York, Portland, OR, and Minneapolis, MN, where they will participate in career-building activities. 

The Deadline: February

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Undergraduate Student Paper Competition

Multiple recipients, Varies

The Details: This scholarship is by Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Sociology Honor Society. Students must be current members of Alpha Kappa Delta, and the paper must have been written when the author was an undergraduate. All winners will receive up to $1,000 in travel expenses to the 2023 annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. The first place receives $500, the second place receives $250, and the third place receives $100. 

The Deadline: March

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The Undergraduate Social Action Award

Multiple recipients, Varies

The Details: This award is given by the SWS, Sociologists for Women in Society, to recognize a student or team of students making a substantial contribution to improving the lives of women in society through activism. The award includes round-trip travel expenses to attend the SWS Winter meeting. The registration will also be waived. Students must be nominated by an SWS member, although students don’t have to be a member themselves. Work must have been done as an undergraduate. 

The Deadline: October

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The Esther Ngan-ling Chow and Mary Joyce Green Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $18,000

The Details: This scholarship is from SWS, Sociologists for Women in Society, to offer support to women and non-binary scholars of color who are from underrepresented groups and are studying concerns that women of color face domestically and/or internationally and to increase the network and participation of students and professionals of color in SWS and beyond. Students must be a woman or non-binary, and from a racial/ethnic group facing racial discrimination in the US. 

The Deadline: April

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Raftelis Leadership Scholarships

Multiple recipients, $5,000

The Details: This scholarship has the goal of supporting and growing relationships with promising students who have an interest in becoming problem solvers for local governments and municipal water utilities. The ideal candidate has an interest in a consulting career. In addition to the $5,000 towards college education, winners will be matched with a mentor and have the potential for an internship. Students must be college juniors, college seniors, or graduate students. 

The Deadline: December 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Make sure to check out our scholarship section on CollegeRecon for more major-specific scholarships or scholarships for veterans, military spouses, and gold star families.

 

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Getting Your Master’s Degree in Biology

Master’s Degree in Biology

Biology is an interesting field. It is the branch of science that deals with living organisms. Biology covers a variety of fields such as botany, evolution, marine biology, and zoology. Biologists study the growth, origin, function, structure, and much more all about living organisms. Biology can be traced back to Aristotle, 384-322 BC, however, humans have been curious about the earth and how life works even before then. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in life, physical, and social science occupations is projected to grow 7% between 2021 and 2031, about average for all occupations. 

Online or In-person Master’s in Biology

When it comes to getting your master’s degree in biology, you can find an in-person program or an online program. The benefits of an online program may appeal to working professionals or those looking for a career transition. In-person programs may appeal more to those coming from undergraduate programs or those who simply want that in-person experience. Some online programs could have an in-person element to them. 

A Master’s in Biology

Earning your master’s degree in biology will allow you to go further into this interesting field. There are many paths you can follow from becoming an environmental scientist to a microbiologist. There are so many opportunities. 

Concentrations in Biology

Different concentrations will have different types of coursework. Here are some concentrations that you might find in a master’s of biology program:

Ecology

Students will study the relationships between living organisms including humans as well as their physical environment. 

Microbiology

Students will study microorganisms which are all the living organisms that can’t be seen by the naked eye. 

Genetics

Students studying genetics will focus on genes, the variations of genes, as well as heredity in organisms. 

Classes in Biology

The classes you take in a master’s of biology program will depend on your concentration. Here are a few examples of classes you might take while getting your master’s degree. 

  • Pharmacology– this class will cover the study of drugs. Students will learn about the effects of drugs and how they operate within the system. 
  • Biomechanics– this class focuses on the analysis of human movement to improve training, accelerate rehabilitation, and reduce the risk of injury.  
  • Epidemiology – this class focuses on the study of the health and disease and conditions in a population. It’s the cornerstone of public health. 
  • Animal Science – this class focuses on the biology of animals that are under the control of humans, such as the study of farm animals. 

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements differ based on the school and program, however, most will require students to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, to complete an application essay, and submit letters of recommendation. Students can have a bachelor’s degree in biology or in another field. 

Some schools might also require professional experience, but even if the school doesn’t, it can help to have that work experience to put on the application. Schools usually also want students to have a 3.0 GPA or higher. 

How to Choose a Program

There are many different factors when choosing the right biology program. Students should look at the length of each program, the course format, available concentrations, and final project requirements. Programs are usually two years long. It also might depend on if the student goes full or part-time. Students should also consider the curriculum and the cost. 

Top Master’s in Biology Programs

There are many different master’s in biology programs, some are in-person, and some are online. 

Here are 10 of the top master’s in biology programs: 

  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • Stanford University
  • University of California, Irvine
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Texas A&M University
  • Tufts University
  • University of Maryland, College Park
  • University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
  • University of Virginia

Top Online Master’s in Biology Programs

Here are 10 of the top online master’s in biology programs: 

  • Columbia University in the City of New York
  • George Washington University
  • Texas A&M University – Commerce
  • Clemson University
  • Washington State University
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney
  • New York University
  • Miami University – Oxford
  • Colorado State University – Fort Collins
  • University of Florida

Jobs with a Master’s Degree in Biology

Genetic Counselor

Annual Median Pay: $80,150

Genetic Counselors assess an individual or a family’s risk of inherited genetic disorders and birth defects. They work at universities in their medical centers, public and private hospitals, laboratories, and doctor’s offices. 

Microbiologist

Annual Median Pay: $79,260

Microbiologists study microorganisms in a lab, such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and some other parasites. 

Clinical Research Associate

Annual Median Pay: $87,341

Clinical Research Associates work in a hospital to manage the design, administration and monitor clinical trials or research related to these trials. 

Dietitian 

Annual Median Pay: $66,955

Dietitians are trained in promoting health through what foods you eat and nutrition. They work to evaluate the client’s needs to give advice on healthier eating habits. 

Scholarships for Students Getting a Master’s in Biology

Here are a few scholarships for those getting their master’s in biology. You can also find more scholarships for biology as well as other scholarships for military and veterans at College Recon. 

APS/IBM Research Internship for Undergraduate Women and Underrepresented Minorities

This internship is from the American Physical Society. The goal of these internships is to encourage women and underrepresented minorities to pursue graduate studies in science and engineering. Students need to be sophomores or juniors at a US college or university at the time of the application. The award is for $8,000. 

Emily M. Hewitt Memorial Scholarship 

This scholarship is to honor Emily M. Hewitt and honor a student who shared her love of nature. She was a California artist, author, teacher, and docent and the first woman mayor of the City of Oakdale. The scholarship is for students or graduate students that are enrolled full-time in an accredited California postsecondary education institution and who have career goals that coincide with Emily M. Hewitt’s interests. Students will need to have majors in environmental studies, forestry, wildlife and fisheries biology, parks and recreation, environmental art, California art, or biology. The award is for $3,000. 

Paliwal Club of 100 STEM Scholars Fund

This fund is for those studying science, technology, engineering, arts, or math. Students must be female and currently enrolled in a two-year, or four-year college or graduate school in the US. They must also show financial need. The award is for $750-$1,500.  

Creative Biolabs Scholarship 

This scholarship is for students enrolled as a freshman, undergraduate, graduate or Ph.D. student at an accredited college or university with a major in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or molecular biology. The award is looking for students with leadership skills, academic ability, and purposeful and meaningful participation in volunteer activities, community service, or other public service activities. The award is for $1,000. 

The Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship in Conservation Horticulture

This scholarship is for graduate students in biology, horticulture, or a related field. The award is for an annual research grant of up to $4,500. The award is to support study at a botanical garden by the student, who jointly serves the program of the Center for Plant Conservation and the curricular studies at the student’s academic institution.

Biology Related Majors

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Scholarships for Humanities Majors

Humanities Scholarships

Humanities is the study of human society and culture. Humanities include different subjects such as languages, history, philosophy, language arts, performing arts, and visual arts. If you are going into the Humanities, here are a few scholarships that can be worth applying for. 

Norma Ross Walter Scholarship 

Multiple recipients, $2,000-$3,000

The Details: This scholarship is for female graduates of Nebraska high schools who intend to major in English in college. It was established through a generous bequest from Norma Ross Walter, who was a firm believer in education for young women. First place will receive $3,000, second place, $2,500, and third place, $2,000. Selection is based on intellectual promise, creativity, and character of the applicant. 

The Deadline: January 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships 

Multiple recipients, $25,800

The Details: This scholarship is for poets between the ages of 21-31. Applicants will need to submit 10 pages of poetry and a one-page writer’s statement. 

The Deadline: April

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

DAR Centennial Scholarship 

Multiple recipients, $2,500

The Details: This is awarded to two outstanding students that are pursuing a course of graduate study in the field of historic preservation at a college or university in the US. 

The Deadline: January 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $2,000

The Details: This scholarship is for graduating high school students who will be pursuing an undergraduate degree with a concentrated study of a minimum of 24 credit hours in American History and American Government. 

The Deadline: January 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The Beinecke Scholarship Program 

Multiple recipients, $2,000

The Details: This scholarship is to provide awards for the graduate education of young men and women of exceptional promise. It is to encourage and enable highly motivated students to pursue opportunities available to them and to be courageous in the selection of a graduate course of study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Winners will receive $5,000 before graduate school begins and $30,000 while attending graduate school. Students must be a college junior with a plan to enter a research-focused master’s or doctoral program or MFA in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. 

The Deadline: February 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $2,000

The Details: This scholarship is for high school seniors who want to pursue a career in journalism. Richard G. Zimmerman was a long-time National Press Club member who died in 2008. 

The Deadline: March

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Make sure to check out our scholarship section on CollegeRecon for more major-specific scholarships or scholarships for veterans, military spouses, and gold star families.

 

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Scholarships for Human Resources Majors

Human Resources Scholarships

A degree in Human Resources will teach you how to navigate daily management challenges, employee relations, and other similar topics that you would need in the workplace. According to BLS, job growth in human resources is expected to grow by 8% over the next 10 years. Here are 7 scholarships if you are planning to study Human Resources or a similar major. 

Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation

Multiple recipients, $20,000

The Details: This scholarship is to encourage students from Hawaii to work towards a career in business. Winners will receive $20,000 over four years. 

The Deadline: February 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Jack Schoemer Scholarship Sheboygan Area-SHRM

One recipient, $1,000

The Details: This scholarship is to provide assistance to a student who has declared a major or an emphasis in the human resources field. Students will need to be a resident of Sheboygan, Calumet, Fond Du Lac, Ozaukee, or Manitowoc counties. They also need to be a high school senior or entering their 2nd year or higher of college at an accredited post-secondary institution. The school does not have to be in WI. 

The Deadline: February 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

NEEBCs Scholarship Program

Multiple recipients, $5,000

The Details: This scholarship was established to further the aims of the New England Employee Benefits Council to advance the knowledge and education of individuals in the employee benefits field or those aspiring to careers in employee benefits and total rewards. Students must be full-time or part-time students either undergraduates or graduates, residing in New England or enrolled in a college in New England. 

The Deadline: April  

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Women Grocers of America (WGA) Mary Macey Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $1,500

The Details: This scholarship is for rising college freshmen through postgraduate studies at a US or four-year degree-granting institution. It is for students majoring in business, food management, IT, or other focuses leading to a career in grocery. 

The Deadline: March

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $5,000

The Details: This scholarship helps women pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management and overcome gender barriers from the classroom to the boardroom. They have been awarding these scholarships since 1998. Jane M. Klausman was a member of the Zonta Club of Syracuse, NY, and the 1990-1995 Zonta International Parliamentarian. Students need to be in their second year of an undergraduate program through their final year of a master’s program. 

The Deadline: Varies

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Dr. Harold Kerzner Scholarship

Multiple recipients, Up to $7,500

The Details: This scholarship is open to all students that are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in project management or a related field of study from an accredited, degree-granting college or university. They can receive up to $7,500. 

The Deadline: March

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The Triadex Services Scholarship Program

Multiple recipients, Up to $750

The Details: This program supports college students each year with scholarships for recipients who excel academically and in service to others. Most of the recipients share a passion for marketing, entrepreneurship, technology, and helping to make their communities better places to live, work, and grow. The scholarship is for high school seniors and current college students. It is also achievement based. 

The Deadline: Varies

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Make sure to check out our scholarship section on CollegeRecon for more major-specific scholarships or scholarships for veterans, military spouses, and Gold Star families.

 

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Scholarships for Biology Majors

Biology Scholarships

A degree in Biology can be a rewarding and challenging career path. Within the field of biology, you can study a vast variety of subjects. There is botany, ecology, genetics, marine biology, microbiology, and many more. Here are a few scholarships for those studying the field of biology. 

APS/IBM Research Internship for Undergraduate Women and Underrepresented Minorities

Multiple recipients, $8,000

The Details: This internship is from the American Physical Society. The goal of these internships is to encourage women and underrepresented minorities to pursue graduate studies in science and engineering. Students need to be sophomores or juniors at a US college or university at the time of the application. 

The Deadline: January 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Emily M. Hewitt Memorial Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $3,000

The Details: This scholarship is to honor Emily M. Hewitt and honor a student who shared her love of nature. She was a California artist, author, teacher, and docent and the first woman mayor of the City of Oakdale. The scholarship is for students or graduate students that are enrolled full-time in an accredited California postsecondary education institution and who have career goals that coincide with Emily M. Hewitt’s interests. Students will need to have majors in environmental studies, forestry, wildlife and fisheries biology, parks and recreation, environmental art, California art, or biology. 

The Deadline: April

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

 

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AACT’s John Kitt Memorial Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $5,000

The Details: This scholarship is for college sophomores, juniors, or seniors who have a demonstrated interest in confectionery technology. Students need to be attending a four-year accredited college or university, with a major in food science, chemical science, biological science, or a related major. 

The Deadline: May

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

RTK Scholars Program- Helping Students Succeed in Science

One recipient, $1,500

The Details: This scholars program is for those who are majoring in or planning to major in environmental science, environmental studies, biology, or engineering. Students will need to be high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors. 

The Deadline: May

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Paliwal Club of 100 STEM Scholars Fund

Multi recipients, $750-$1,500

The Details: This fund is for those studying science, technology, engineering, arts, or math. Students must be female and currently enrolled in a two-year, or four-year college or graduate school in the US. They must also show financial need.  

The Deadline: September 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Novus Biologicals Scholarship

One recipient, $1,500

The Details: This scholarship is for students pursuing education in a science-related field. This scholarship is to further scientific achievement by helping students who are interested in a career in science. 

The Deadline: December

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Tocris Scholarship Program

One recipient, $1,500

The Details: This scholarship is for students pursuing a science-related field of study, such as life science, medical science, or health science. 

The Deadline: December

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Creative Biolabs Scholarship

One recipient, $1,000

The Details: This scholarship is for students enrolled as a freshman, undergraduate, graduate or Ph.D. student at an accredited college or university with a major in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or molecular biology. The award is looking for students with leadership skills, academic ability, and purposeful and meaningful participation in volunteer activities, community service, or other public service activities. 

The Deadline: September 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Make sure to check out our scholarship section on CollegeRecon for more major-specific scholarships or scholarships for veterans, military spouses, and gold star families.

 

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Scholarships for Archaeology Majors

Archaeology Scholarships

Archaeology is the perfect job for those that want to study prehistory and human history. As an archaeologist, you will spend time on dig sites, in a lab, and analyzing your findings. While in school, you will take excavation methods, dating techniques, and ancient technology classes. Finding scholarships along the way can make paying for school a little easier. Here are seven scholarships for those going into archaeology.

Jane C. Waldbaum Archaeological Field School Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $1,000

The Details: This scholarship is in honor of AIA Honorary President Jane Waldbaum. The scholarship is to help students who are planning to participate in archaeological fieldwork for the first time. The award money is to help with expenses associated with participation in an archaeological fieldwork project and is open to college juniors, seniors, and first-year graduate students. 

The Deadline: March

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Elizabeth Bartman Museum Internship

Multiple recipients, $1,000-$4,000

The Details: This scholarship is in honor of AIA Honorary President Elizabeth Bartman to assist advanced undergraduate and graduate students or those who have recently completed a master’s degree in Archaeology or a related field, to meet the expenses that are associated with undertaking a museum internship.

The Deadline: April

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

John R. Coleman Traveling Fellowship

Multiple recipients, $10,000

The Details: This fellowship honors the memory of John R. Coleman who excavated at Aphrodisias and Morgantina. The award will be used for travel and study in Italy, the Western Mediterranean, or North Africa. Students must be AIA members at the graduate level and be engaged in dissertation research in a US graduate program. 

The Deadline: November

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program

Multiple recipients, Varies

The Details: This scholarship offers support for master’s and doctoral degrees in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology. The research proposals must align closely with NOAA’s mission. Financial need is also a part of the contest. 

The Deadline: Varies

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Squint and Juanita Moore Archaeology/Anthropology Scholarship

One recipient, $750

The Details: This scholarship is from the Chipeta Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society and was established to honor the Moores. The scholarship is for high school, college, and graduate students that reside in or are from Montrose, Delta, Gunnison, Mesa, San Miguel, and Ouray counties in Colorado. Students need to be currently enrolled or planning to study archaeology or anthropology or a closely related field. 

The Deadline: February 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

SAA Student Paper Award

One recipient, $1,000

The Details: This scholarship is for student members of SAA in good standing whose paper abstract has been accepted by the SAA for the upcoming annual meeting. They must be enrolled in an academic program in the semester when their paper is presented at the annual meeting. The award is for $1,000 worth of books and other prizes. 

The Deadline: February 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The Student Excellence in Archaeology Scholarship (SEAS)

Multiple recipients, $3,000

The Details: This scholarship is for undergraduate students to support archaeological training or participation in a research program for undergraduate minority students. Students must be a member of historically underrepresented minorities in archaeology such as African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, and other non-European minorities. 

The Deadline: October 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Check out our scholarship section on CollegeRecon for more major-specific scholarships or scholarships for veterans, military spouses, and gold star families.

 

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Scholarships for Education Majors

Education Scholarships

Getting a degree in education is a perfect career choice for those that want to teach the next generation, at any grade level. From younger children to graduate students. There are many scholarships out there for those going into education and planning on becoming teachers. Here are 7 of them. 

Christa McAuliffe Teacher Incentive Program

Multiple recipients, $5,000

The Details: This scholarship is for a legal resident of Delaware who is a full-time student enrolled at a Delaware college in an undergraduate program leading to teacher certification. Preference is given to applicants planning to teach in a critical need area as defined by the Delaware Department of Education.  

The Deadline: May

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program

Multiple recipients, $2,250-$4,500

The Details: This scholarship to increase the quality and availability of teachers and care providers to work with young children and youth in inclusive settings. Students must be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts. They must also be enrolled as a matriculated student in an undergraduate degree program either full-time or part-time in early childhood education, child and family studies, child care administration, child development, child guidance, child psychology, family studies, or human services. Winners will need to be employed for at least one year at an early education and care program or out-of-school time program that is licensed or authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and continue that employment while pursuing the approved course of study. They will also need to attend one of the listed colleges. 

The Deadline: August

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The TEACH Grant Program

Multiple recipients, $4,000

The Details: This grant program is for those students that meet the basic eligibility criteria for the federal student aid program, be enrolled at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program, and sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to serve or repay. They also offer a suspension period for military spouses. 

The Deadline: Varies 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The AFCEA Educational Foundation

Multiple recipients, $2,500-$5,000

The Details: This program is offering competitive-based scholarships of $2,500 to students who are actively pursuing a graduate degree for credential/licensure for the purpose of teaching a STEM subject at a US school in grades K-12. 

The Deadline: May

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Montessori Teacher Education

Multiple recipients, Varies

The Details: This scholarship is for aspiring Montessori teachers in support of their professional growth. Students need to be accepted, in the process of being accepted, or already enrolled in an AMS-affiliated teacher education program at the infant-toddler, early childhood, elementary, or secondary level. 

The Deadline: April 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Nancy Larson Foundation

Multiple recipients, $1,000

The Details: This scholarship is for college students that study to become elementary school teachers. Juniors, seniors, and graduate students who have declared an elementary major can apply. 

The Deadline: November

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship for Graduate Students

Multiple recipients, $1,500

The Details: This fellowship is for those who are TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) members who are graduate students who are currently enrolled in a TESOL/TEFL graduate program, or a closely related program, and who plan on working on a graduate study project during an upcoming academic year on a topic relevant to TESOL or TEFL. The award is for $1,500 and convention registration. 

The Deadline: October 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

 

Make sure to please check out Military & Veteran Scholarship Finder to get matched with scholarships.  You can also visit our Scholarships section for more major-specific scholarships or scholarships for veterans, military spouses, and gold star families. 

 

 

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Scholarships for Nursing Majors

Nursing Scholarships

A nursing degree can be a great degree to pursue. There are different levels of nursing from earning your LPN to a graduate degree. There are also many different types of nursing to go into, anything from labor and delivery, ER, or surgical, and more. No matter what type of nursing you pursue, being able to earn extra money for school can be helpful. Here is a list of scholarships for those going into nursing. 

ANSWER Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $2,500-$5,000

The Details: This scholarship is for nontraditional female students who are 25 years of age or older. They need to be the primary caregiver to at least one school-age child, ages Pre-K through 12th grade. They also need to be enrolled or accepted as a full-time, degree-seeking student at an accredited institution in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Stanly, or Union in North Carolina or Lancaster or York in South Carolina, working towards a two-year nursing degree, a two-year degree in CPCCs Health Careers Program or Information Technology. Winners will also need to be willing to participate in the Mentors for Mom Program. Award winners receive $2,500 for two years, and $5,000 for four years. 

The Deadline: March

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund (NISF)

Multiple recipients, $3,000

The Details: This scholarship is for those who are Kentucky residents. Students must be attending approved LPN, ADN, BSN, or graduate nursing programs. 

The Deadline: June 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Madeline Pickett (Halbert) Cogswell Nursing Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $2,500

The Details: This scholarship is for students who are accepted or enrolled in an accredited school of nursing. Students must be a DAR member, a descendant of a DAR member, or eligible for membership in the DAR. 

The Deadline: January

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Mae and Mary Legacy Foundation

Multiple recipients, Varies

The Details: This scholarship is for African American high school seniors going to a two or four-year school or technical school and pursuing careers in healthcare. The award is based on academic excellence and financial need. 

The Deadline: April

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (NHSC SP) Awards

Multiple recipients, Varies

The Details: This scholarship is for students pursuing eligible primary care health professions training. Winners will need to commit to providing primary care health services in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) for a minimum of two years of service. 

The Deadline: May

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Mary Marshall Nursing Scholarship for Registered Nurses

Multiple recipients, Varies

The Details: This scholarship is for students enrolled in undergraduate nursing programs. They also need to be a resident of Virginia for at least one year. Students need to be accepted or enrolled as full or part-time students in an RN school of nursing in Virginia. They also need to show financial need. For every $2,000 earned, an award winner will need to give a year of full-time employment as a nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

The Deadline: May

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

 

You can also visit HPSP Scholarship: Health Professions Scholarship Program and Advance Your Nursing Career, Debt-Free with the VA for military-related financial programs for those going into health care professions. 

Make sure to please check out Military & Veteran Scholarship Finder to get matched with scholarships.  You can also visit our Scholarships section for more major-specific scholarships or scholarships for veterans, military spouses, and gold star families. 

 

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My Military Child Is Going to College, What About TRICARE?

What You Need to Know About TRICARE When Your Military Child Goes to College

The time has come and your military child has turned 18 and is headed off to college. Up until now, it has never been a question about what type of TRICARE they would need to have. You have TRICARE Prime so they do. No big deal. But, when a military child leaves for college, things can change. Here is what you need to know.

First of all, when your child goes off to college, that is considered a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). A QLE is a change in life such as moving, the birth of a child, or a child going to college. A QLE starts a 90-day period where you can make eligible enrollment changes. You can read more about QLEs on the TRICARE website.

Now that you know that you can change your student’s TRICARE, here are your options.

TRICARE Plans

  • If you are on TRICARE Prime, or the U.S. Family Health Plan (USFHP), your student can use your home address and continue using Prime.
  • If the college they are attending is in a location where you can get TRICARE Prime, they can use the college’s address. If there isn’t, the student can switch to TRICARE Select.
  • The pros of staying on Prime are being able to get care from a PCM and being able to save on out-of-pocket medical costs.
  • If you are on TRICARE Select, TRICARE Reserve Select, or TRICARE Retired Reserve, everything can stay the same.
  • If your child is going overseas, they can enroll in TRICARE Select Overseas, but only if they are attending college overseas alone. If they are Command-Sponsored and living with their active-duty sponsor overseas, they do remain eligible for TRICARE Prime Overseas or TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas.
  • If your child is going to a Service Academy, they will be eligible for TRICARE Medical and Dental care.
  • Wherever your child is going to college, make sure to check to see if the school offers its own health care plans. They might and it can be a good option. These can qualify as Other Health Insurance (OHI) and then you would have TRICARE as the secondary payer.

Children Over 21

  • When your child turns 21, things change. They will age out of TRICARE at that age. However, coverage can be extended until the age of 23 if your child is attending college. They would be able to then stay on your TRICARE until they turn 23, or graduate from college, whatever happens first. In these cases, the sponsor must be providing at least 50% of the child’s financial support while they are in school. You can visit TRICARE’s Children Becoming Adults page for more information.
  • You have 90 days from the time they turn 21 to make the change.
  • Children who are ages 21-26 can switch to TRICARE Young Adult if they are unmarried, or are adult dependent children.

What Should You Be Doing?

To prepare for this change, make sure you change your child’s status to “student status” within DEERS. You will also need a letter from your child’s school registrar’s office that states that your child is enrolled at full-time status at an accredited college and is working on an associate’s degree or higher degree. You will also need to show that the sponsor is providing more than half of their financial support.

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Flexible College Programs Worth Checking Out

Looking for a Flexible School Program?

We all live busy lives, so if you are considering going back to school, you may not be sure how you can do so. You may have to continue working at your current job or have household and childcare obligations. The good news is that there are programs out there that are flexible and allow for those to attend college who might otherwise not be able to with a more traditional schedule. Here are five of them.

Trinity Washington University

Trinity Washington University is a private university in Washington D.C. They have 5 schools within the college and in the 1980s they launched their innovation Weekend College Program. This program was aimed at working women to be able to earn their college degrees by offering classes on Friday evenings and Saturdays. Today, Trinity has expanded its programs for adults with classes offered every weekday evening as well as on Saturdays. They now call it Trinity’s School of Professional Studies, which is open to both men and women.

The School of Professional Studies specializes in innovative business, education, and liberal arts programs at the undergraduate level. It is designed for students who seek to advance their careers or make a career change. Beyond evening and weekend classes they also offer accelerated degree programs with eight-week classes.

Their main campus is minutes from downtown Washington D.C. and Capitol Hill and their Trinity at THEARC is in southeast D.C. Transfer students are welcome, and they offer programs to earn certificates, associates’ degrees, and bachelor’s degrees.

For more info on Trinity Washington University’s School of Professional Studies, please go here.

CUNhttps://app.collegerecon.com/cuny-city-collegeY

CUNY is the City University of New York and the nation’s largest urban public university. CUNY has 25 colleges spread across NYC’s 5 boroughs. They offer a variety of programs specifically designed to meet the academic goals of adult learners.

For example, they offer their Saturday Success Track Program for adult learners where you can earn your associate’s degree with flexibility and ease, one day a week on Saturdays in Tribeca. They also have Lehman College’s Adult Degree program which offers flexible admissions criteria, personalized advising, evening office hours, and classes that are designed for adults.

For more info on CUNY’s programs, please go here.

George Mason University

George Mason University is a public research university in Fairfax, VA. They offer OASIS, which stands for Online Adult Student Information Science. OASIS is the one-stop shop for all the information that is needed to complete an academic career.

They have the OASIS Transfer Credit Search Engine, which is a tool that is designed to assist new students in evaluating which course credits have been taken at previous institutions. They have two adult degree completion programs, the Bachelor of Individualized Study, and the Bachelor of Applied Science.

For more info on George Mason University’s OASIS program, please go here.

Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University is a public university located in Murfreesboro, TN, and offers an adult degree completion program. Here you can get a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies, or a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies. You can get a Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Leadership, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Liberal Arts.

They offer the largest adult degree program in the state and have a Prior Learning Assessment Program to see where you have already earned college credits in the past.

For more info on Middle Tennessee State’s Adult Degree Completion program, please go here.

Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University is a private research university in Philadelphia, PA. They offer the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. They offer a variety of programs at the undergraduate, and graduate level that highlight leadership and management skills for advancing professionals. They also offer certificate programs in medical coding and healthcare management. They offer accelerated courses, as well as hybrid and online classes, along with individualized advising.

For more info on Thomas Jefferson University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, please go here.

 

There are many ways to go to college these days. If you need something more flexible, there are some great programs out there from Trinity Washington University and the other colleges that are listed.

 

 

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The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

What to know about the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

Receiving a Federal Pell Grant for your education can be an excellent way to help lower your college costs, however, not everyone qualifies for this type of financial aid. This is where the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant can come into play. This grant is a Title IV grant for dependents of service members who died in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11. Here is what you need to know.

Who is eligible for the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant?

To be eligible you must not be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), but you do meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements.

Pell Grant Eligibility – Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree.  There are some cases where a student enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program might be able to receive a Federal Pell Grant.  You can read more about the Pell Grant at Pell Grant: Everything You Need to Know on College Recon.

In addition, to be eligible your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11.

You also will need to be under 24 years of age or be enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent or guardian’s death.

How do you apply for the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant?

In order to apply for this grant, you will need to submit a FAFSA form and do this for every year you are in school. Your school, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, will determine your eligibility for the grant.

How much is the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant?

The amount of the grant is equal to the amount of a max Federal Pell Grant for the award year, but it also can’t exceed the cost of attendance for the year. Meaning, that you won’t be getting extra money if your school doesn’t cost the maximum amount. For the 2022-2023 school year, the amount is $6,895.

It is important to note that due to the Budget Control Act of 2011, the 2021-2022 Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant that is first disbursed on or after October 1, 2021, and before October 1st, 2022, is reduced by 5.7%. The amount for the 2021-2022 school year is $6,495.

How do you receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant?

You would receive payment like you would with the Pell Grant. The exact date depends on your school and that varies. Some give out the money more quickly than others.

When can you no longer get the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant?

Once you earn a baccalaureate degree or your first professional degree or if you have used up all 12 semesters of your eligibility, you can no longer receive the grant.

You can read more about this grant on the Federal Student Aid website.

 

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Getting a Degree in Marketing

Marketing Degrees

Marketing is an ever-changing subject with a lot of potential for growth in the years to come. Marketing is about creating, exploring, and delivering value in order to meet the needs of a target market. It is a big part of business and commerce.

According to the American Marketing Association (AMA), “Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.”

Marketing has changed over the years, with digital marketing being a main part of marketing today. There are many ways to use marketing in business, and the subject will only grow in the coming years. If you are creative, like to be on social media and talk with others, and love to use strategy to figure out what works best in a business setting, marketing can be a great direction to go in.

Marketing is also perfect for those who want to work online, remotely, or in an office. It can easily be done from anywhere in the world and can make for a great self-employed career as well. There are many options for those getting a degree in marketing.

Associate’s Degree in Marketing

An associate’s degree in marketing will take you around two years. With an associate’s degree, you can find an entry-level job as a marketing assistant, media assistant, or set out on your own. Getting an associate’s degree in marketing will also prepare you for going on to get your bachelor’s degree in marketing.

In an associate’s of marketing program, you might take classes such as international marketing, public relations, and advertising and sales promotion. Community colleges can be a great option for going to get an associate’s degree in marketing.

Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing

Getting your bachelor’s degree in marketing will take around four years, depending on if you already have your associate’s degree or if you are going full or part-time. Marketing is a good major for going to school online and can work well if you can’t attend in person. You will learn more about the business landscape, core marketing principles, and more in a bachelor’s of marketing program.

Some of the classes you could take might be principles of marketing, consumer behavior, and sales management. Within the realm of marketing, you can find different types of marketing degrees. Digital marketing, public relations, marketing research and analytics, marketing management, and social media marketing are some of the most popular types of marketing degrees.

When looking for programs, The University of Michigan, The University of Pennsylvania, and Indiana University at Bloomington are all highly rated. For online programs, Florida International University, The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and New Mexico State University are all highly rated.

Jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree in marketing

  • Graphic Designers, who create visual concepts using software or possibility by hand for brands, companies, or other organizations, have an average salary of $47,032, according to Payscale.
  • Public Relations Specialists, who help PR managers work to maintain a good image for a company or individual, have an average salary of $51,009, according to Payscale.
  • Advertising Sales Agents, who work to sell space for advertisements in both print and online publications, have an average salary of $38,904, according to Payscale.

Master’s Degree in Marketing

If you want to go further along the marketing career path, you should go on to get your master’s degree in marketing. Most programs will take around two years and you should be able to find either an in-person or online program. You can go for an MBA with a concentration in marketing, which would train you on business skills that you can apply to all areas of business, or you can get a marketing master’s degree which would be more focused on marketing directly.

In a master’s of marketing program, you might take classes such as market research, global marketing, or internet marketing.

When looking for programs, Columbia University, Texas A&M University, and The University of Maryland are all highly rated. For online programs, Florida University, Southern New Hampshire University, and Walsh University are all highly rated.

Jobs you can get with a master’s degree in marketing

  • Brand Managers, who help customers identify a service or product above all the others on the market and increase brand awareness, have an average salary of $71,714, according to Payscale.
  • Social Media Specialists, who run social media campaigns, monitor social channels, and engage with customers, have an average salary of $46,250 according to Payscale.
  • Market Research Analysts, who research and report on market conditions for marketing strategies and campaigns, have an average salary of $55,391 according to Payscale.

Doctorate in Marketing

If you have an interest in research or teaching academia within the world of marketing, you will need to go on to get your doctorate in marketing. Doctorate or Ph.D. programs in marketing train students to think about problems faced in marketing. They will learn to recognize marketing-related problems, turn them into research questions, and look at them in a scholarly way. 

Trident University International, California Miramar University, and Westcliff University all have highly rated programs. 

Related Majors

  • Advertising
  • Business Administration
  • Sales
  • Communication
  • Graphic Design 

Marketing Scholarships

Getting your degree in marketing means you can apply for certain scholarships just for marketing or similar majors. Here are a couple of them:

Marketing EDGE Scholarship

This scholarship is for students who have good academic performance and have a demonstrated interest in the marketing field. Winners will receive between $2,000-$5,000. For more info, please go here.

AWM Scholarship

This scholarship is from AWM Austin for college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are studying media or a related field at a university in the Austin area or within a 40-mile radius. Consideration will be given to students attending other colleges who graduated from an Austin area high school and maintain an Austin area permanent address. There will be one winner in the amount of $5,000. For more info, please go here.

 

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Scholarships for Marketing Majors

Marketing Scholarships

Getting a degree in marketing is perfect for creative students who like to create and share products and business information with the world. While going on to get your degree in marketing can set you up for a good career, you will have to find ways to pay for it. Finding good scholarships is a great way to do so. Here are a few scholarships for marketing majors. 

The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation

Multiple recipients, $1,000-$5,000

The Details: This scholarship is for students attending technical, undergraduate, and graduate schools. Students must be interested in a career in the graphic communications field. The award is for $1,000-$5,000 per year, in most cases up to four years. 

The Deadline: May 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Dream in Color Grant

Multiple recipients, $5,000

The Details: This grant is funded by Vera Bradley and awards $5,000 to two women of color who are making a difference in their communities. One will go to a student and one to a woman who is working on an exciting project that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Students need to self-ID as a woman of color, be currently in school pursuing a creative career, or pursue a creative project that celebrates diversity. They will also need to show financial need. 

The Deadline: March 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation

Multiple recipients, Up to $20,000 over four years

The Details: This scholarship is for students in order to encourage them to work towards a career in business. The award is for up to $20,000 over four years. It can also be prorated if less than four years. Students must be full-time and must have an intent to have a career in business. They also must have participated in school activities and community service which demonstrates leadership and responsibility and be residents of Hawaii. 

The Deadline: February 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Semify Internet Marketing Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $1,000

The Details: This scholarship is to support the next generation of internet marketing professionals. $1,000 will be given to the strongest candidate with a demonstrated passion for internet marketing. There will be two winners. 

The Deadline: March

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The LAGRANT Foundation 2022 Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $3,750

The Details: This scholarship is for graduate and Ph.D. students who are majoring in a field of study with an emphasis on advertising, marketing, or public relations. Students must be either African American/Black, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, or Native American/Alaska Native. They must also be going to school full-time. In addition to the $3,750, students will receive a trip to NYC and participate in career-building activities in May of 2022. 

The Deadline: February 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Sylvan Landau Founders Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $5,000

The Details: This scholarship is from the Father of the Year Scholarship Fund. It is for a graduating high school senior in financial need who intends to major in business or marketing. Students need to attend an accredited college or university in the state of Texas. Must also be from high schools in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, or Denton counties. 

The Deadline: April 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Marketing EDGE Scholarship

Multiple recipients, $2,000-$5,000

The Details: This scholarship is for students who have good academic performance and have a demonstrated interest in the marketing field. 

The Deadline: Varies 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

AWM Scholarship

One recipient, $5,000

The Details: This scholarship is from AWM Austin for college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are studying media or a related field at a university in the Austin area or within a 40-mile radius. Consideration will be given to students attending other colleges who graduated from an Austin area high school and maintain an Austin area permanent address. 

The Deadline: Varies 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Make sure to check out our scholarship section on CollegeRecon for more major-specific scholarships or scholarships for veterans, military spouses, and gold star families.

 

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More GI Bill Benefits for Guard and Reservists

UPDATE: The GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 did not progress to the Senate or to the President’s desk for a signature before this Congress finished business for 2022. What follows is the original article preserved here for the record.

The GI Bill Parity Act Will Bring More Benefits to Members of the National Guard and Reserves

Good news for members of the National Guard and the Reserves. On Wednesday, January 12th, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 was passed in the House, 287-135. This was introduced by the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity with the Chair, Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA).

Why Is This  Important?

Over the last few years, the National Guard and Reserves have been used at higher than normal levels. They have been called up for COVID-19 issues, protests, national disasters, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the January 6th Insurrection, and more.

Even though they have been called up more often, they do not accrue the same GI Bill benefits as their active duty counterparts. This act would rectify that and make every day in uniform count toward GI Bill benefits. Allowing the National Guard and Reserves to be able to earn benefits from all time served, not just select time.

Supporters of the GI Bill Parity Act

The following organizations support this bill:

  • The American Legion
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • Student Veterans of America
  • The National Guard Association of the U.S.
  • Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the U.S.
  • Veterans Education Project
  • Reserve Officers Association

“National Guard and Reserve servicemembers have stepped up time and time again to serve our nation when we needed them—especially over the past two years—but right now, they don’t have equitable access to the GI Bill benefits they have earned. If these servicemembers can do their part day in and day out while holding down civilian jobs and squeezing in time to take care of their families, then the least we can do is ensure each day they spend in uniform counts towards their benefits,” said Chairman Takano, one of the co-sponsors of the bill.

Currently, the National Guard on Title 32 orders won’t count towards GI Bill benefits unless they are in support of a presidentially declared national emergency. Title 10 orders do count.

“Members of the National Guard and Reserve Component have risked their lives on the front lines of this pandemic, administering aid and protecting the Capitol on a training status,” said Veterans Education Project (VEP) Legislative Director Donald Franklin. “These brave men and women are long overdue the benefits befitting their service.”

What’s Next?

This still needs to be passed by the Senate, then go on to be signed by the President. If this is able to go through, it will be able to help out a lot of National Guard and Reserve members earn the benefits that they deserve when they step up to help this country.

 

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Scholarships for Graphic Design Majors

Graphic Design Scholarships

Getting a degree in graphic design is perfect for creative students. While going on to get your degree in graphic design is setting you up for a good career, you will have to find ways to pay for it. Finding good scholarships is a great way to do so. Here are a few scholarships for graphic design majors. 

Adobe Design Circle Scholarships

Multiple recipients, $25,000

The Details: This scholarship is for students who want to enter product design or experience design-related careers. They also encourage candidates including but not limited to racial or ethnic minorities, females, those who identify as LGBTQ+, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities. The award is for $25,000, for up to four years for a total of $100,000. 

The Deadline: March 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships

Multiple recipients, $2,500-$3,500, some up to $5,000

The Details: This scholarship is to benefit the underrepresented and economically disadvantaged. Students who are studying photography, illustration, and design disciples in colleges and universities in the US are eligible. They also have honorable mention prizes of $500 cash. Winners will also receive a one-year AIGA membership. Students must be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree program in the disciplines of graphic design, illustration, or photography. 

The Deadline: April 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Dolphin Galleries Scholarship for the Visual and Creative Arts

One recipient, $1,000

The Details: This scholarship is for students who must be attending or planning to enroll in an accredited US college or university, planning or currently pursuing an arts-related major or minor in good academic standing. 

The Deadline: July 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation

Multiple recipients, $1,000-$5,000

The Details: This scholarship is for students attending technical, undergraduate, and graduate schools. Students must be interested in a career in the graphic communications field. The award is for $1,000-$5,000 per year, in most cases up to four years. 

The Deadline: May 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Shoreline Arts Alliance Scholarship in the Arts

Multiple recipients, $1,000

The Details: This scholarship is for high school juniors and seniors in creative writing, dance, instrumental music, musical theater, theater, visual arts, and vocal music. In addition to the $1,000, the winners will receive professional mentorships. 

The Deadline: March 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Dream in Color Grant

Multiple recipients, $5,000

The Details: This grant is funded by Vera Bradley and awards $5,000 to two women of color who are making a difference in their communities. One will go to a student and one a woman who is working on an exciting project that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Students need to self ID as a woman of color, be currently in school pursuing a creative career, or pursuing a creative project that celebrates diversity. They will also need to show financial need. 

The Deadline: March 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

The GraphicDesignDegreeHub.Com Scholarship

This scholarship has been discontinued. 

Multiple recipients, $1,500

The Details: This scholarship is for students that are majoring in graphic design, multimedia design, animation, gaming, or art and attending school full-time at a college or university. 

The Deadline: July or October 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Walt Disney Imaginations Design Competition Project Challenge

Working on a motivated version this year!

Multiple recipients, Varies

The Details: This design competition was created and sponsored by Walt Disney Imagineering with the purpose of seeking out and nurturing the next generation of diverse Imagineers. Students will need to get together in teams of two and no more than four to work on the project together. Students need to be at least 18 years of age and a  junior, senior, or equivalent, or a full-time graduate student in college or university in the US and currently enrolled in one of the listed disciplines, including design, and graphic/ communications design. 

The Deadline: Varies 

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: link

Make sure to check out scholarships for military and veterans on CollegeRecon for more major-specific scholarships or scholarships for veterans, military spouses, and gold star families. 

 

 

 

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Getting Your Master’s Degree in International Relations

Master’s Degree in International Relations

Going into international relations would allow you to study different societies as well as the different interactions between them. You would find coursework in topics such as history, politics, economics, world languages, geography, and more. If you have a desire to get to know other parts of the world, travel to those locations, and learn about the political and economic systems that are being used, international relations is a good career path to pursue.

When looking at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a job such as an interpreter or translator is projected to grow 24% from 2020 to 2030. This is much faster than other occupations. With much easier access to all parts of the world, these types of jobs will continue to be needed for years to come. 

Online or In-person Master’s in International Relations

When it comes to getting your master’s degree in international relations, you can find an in-person program or an online program. The benefits of an online program may appeal to working professionals or those looking for a career transition. In-person programs may appeal more to those coming from undergraduate programs or those who simply want that in-person experience. Some online programs could have an in-person element to them. 

A Master’s in International Relations

While you should be able to find a job in international relations with an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree, going on to get your master’s degree in international relations can open more doors and allow you to earn a higher income. With a master’s in international relations, you can find many different global careers to work towards. 

Concentrations in International Relations

Different concentrations will have different types of coursework. Here are some concentrations that you might find in a master’s of international relations program:

Global Studies

Students will study global policies, economics, ecology, culture, law, and anthropology.

Security Policy

Students will study the examination and the analysis of national and international security issues.

Diplomacy

Students study the essence of foreign policy as a public policy. 

Classes in International Relations

The classes you take in a master’s of international relations program will depend on your concentration. Here are a few examples of classes you might take while getting your master’s degree. 

  • Global and International History– this class is about the historical analysis of global interactions during different time periods from early modern to modern and contemporary periods. 
  • Research Methods in International Relations– this class gives a broad overview of how to be able to design and research policy papers in international relations. 
  • World Economy – this class is about the core concepts, issues, and different theories of world economics. 
  • International Negotiation and Conflict – this class is about the different approaches to managing as well as resolving conflict in an international setting. 

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements differ based on the school and program, however, most will require students to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, to complete an application essay, and submit letters of recommendation. Students can have a bachelor’s degree in international relations or in another field. 

Some schools might also require professional experience, but even if the school doesn’t, it can help to have that work experience to put on the application. Schools usually also want students to have a 3.0 GPA or higher. 

How to Choose a Program

There are many different factors when choosing the right International Relations program. Students should look at the length of each program, the course format, available concentrations, and final project requirements. Programs are usually two years long. It also might depend on if the student goes full or part-time. Students should also consider the curriculum and the cost. 

Top Master’s in International Relations Programs

There are many different master’s in international relations programs, some are in-person, and some are online. 

Here are 10 of the top master’s in international relations programs: 

  • Georgetown University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Harvard University
  • Princeton University
  • Tufts University
  • Columbia University
  • George Washington University 
  • American University
  • The University of Chicago
  • Stanford University 

Top Online Master’s in International Relations Programs

Here are 10 of the top online master’s in international relations programs: 

Jobs with a Master’s Degree in International Relations

Diplomat

Annual Median Pay: $90,304

Diplomats are appointed by a state or an intergovernmental institution such as the United Nations.

Political Affairs Officer

Annual Median Pay: $82,045

Political Affairs Officers analyze developments in foreign politics and other policy matters. 

National Security Agent

Annual Median Pay: $74,802

National Security Agents are responsible for global monitoring, collection, and the processing of information as well as data for the purposes of foreign and domestic intelligence and counterintelligence.

International Trade Specialist

Annual Median Pay: $73,979

International Trade Specialists analyze foreign trade and monitor the global market to guide strategic international business decisions.

Scholarships for Students Getting a Master’s in International Relations

Here are a few scholarships for those getting their master’s in international relations. You can also find more scholarships for International Relations as well as other scholarships for military and veterans at College Recon. 

Boren Fellowships

This fellowship is for those in a graduate degree program at a college or university. It is to provide unique funding opportunities for students in order to study less common languages in less common world locations. Students will need to apply with a country and language in mind, although that can be changed later. Students will receive up to $25,000 for 25-52 week programs, up to $12,500 for 12-24 week programs, with up to $12,000 for domestic language study. 

NCITD Scholarship Program

This scholarship from NCITD, the National Council on International Trade Development, is to help promote education and careers in international trade. Winners will receive a minimum of $1,000 and a one-year NCITD membership. They will also be welcomed to monthly meetings. Students must be currently enrolled in either an undergraduate or graduate degree related to international trade studies, including international relations.

WIIT Scholarships

This is a merit-based scholarship from WIIT, the Association of Women in International Trade, to support and encourage women to study all aspects of international trade. Students must identify as female and be currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. university or college, either full-time or part-time. They also must be a junior or senior or be enrolled in graduate studies. In addition to the $1,500 award, students will also receive a full year of personal mentorship by a WIIT member and one full year of WIIT membership.

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program

This program is a summer study abroad program for American college and university students to learn languages. It is open to students of diverse disciplines and majors. They allow for 15 different languages which are: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu. The program is from the U.S. Department of State. Students must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level, be at least 18 years old by May 15, 2022. The award is for $5,000.

Women in Defense Scholarship

This scholarship is for women currently enrolled or expected to be enrolled at an accredited university or college by the next academic term. Students can be full or part-time, undergraduates or graduates. They must have a desire to pursue a career in national security or defense and show financial need. The award is for $1,000. 

International Relations Related Majors

 

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Online Students Qualified For Extended GI Bill Benefits with REMOTE Act

Editor’s note: this article has been updated in several places.

REMOTE Act Allowed Veterans to Study Online, Receive Full GI Bill Benefits

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Congress extended the GI Bill protections for student veterans that were still required to take remote classes due to COVID-19 restrictions. This move was designed to help veterans attending college, and who had no choice but to take remote classes due to the pandemic.

Before COVID, veterans taking classes remotely received half of the Post 9-11 GI Bill housing benefit. In 2020, they allowed veteran students who had to go to school remotely to receive the full amount. This helped fill in the financial gap when students who were normally in school traditionally needed to start schooling online. This was set to expire on December 21st.

On December 8th, The U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Mike Levin’s (D-CA) Responsible Education Mitigating Options and Technical Extensions (REMOTE) act. This was introduced in October with Rep. David Trone (D-MD) and Veterans Affairs Committee Chairmen Mark Takano (D-CA). On December 15th, the act was passed by the Senate and is now awaiting the signature by the President.

**UPDATE: VA.gov reports, “On December 21, 2021, President Biden signed the “Responsible Education Mitigating Options and Technical Extensions Act” or the “REMOTE Act” into law.”

The move extended these benefits from expiring from December 21st to June of 2022.

“At a time when we are trying to keep veterans housed and encouraging them to pursue higher education, the last thing we can afford is to let these protections expire and risk derailing their studies or, even worse, forcing them out of their homes. I’m encouraged to see our bill pass the House today to protect student veterans’ benefits and I’m optimistic we can get it to President Biden’s desk soon.” – Rep. Levin.

The American Legion, Disabled Veterans of America (DAV), National Association of Veterans Program Administrators (NAVPA), Veterans Education Success (VES), as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) endorsed this legislation.

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This National Park Service Program Can Be Found at 6 Colleges

Want to be an NPS Law Enforcement Ranger? This program is for you!

Have you always wanted to work for the National Park Service as a law enforcement ranger? Did you know that six schools around the country offer a program just for that? The Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy Training Program is offered at:

  • Colorado Northwestern Community College – Rangely, Colorado
  • Northern Arizona University – Flagstaff, Arizona
  • Skagit Valley College – Mount Vernon, Washington
  • Southwestern Community College – Franklin, North Carolina
  • Temple University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Vermilion Community College – Ely, Minnesota

The Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy Training Program (PRLEA) is specifically designed for the NPS. It is a demanding course that tests you mentally, emotionally, as well as physically. The program consists of at least 650 classroom hours. Students will also need to pass drug, medical, and background screenings and meet physical fitness standards. 

Once you graduate from the program you will be eligible for a law enforcement commission and can apply for a seasonal position with the NPS. Many of these positions can then turn into permanent ones. Here is some information about each of those schools. Students must also be 21 years of age or older.

The cost of each program is set by the individual schools. Programs should take the GI Bill and be eligible for FAFSA. 

Colorado Northwestern Community College

The program at Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely, Colorado is 16 weeks, and they hold two per year, both in the spring and the fall. Students will be enrolled in the college as well as the academy but don’t have to be a part of a degree program. Students can also receive an Associate of Applied Science A.A.S in Park Ranger Studies, which combines the academy with general education courses and electives.

Northern Arizona University

The program at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona is 16 weeks, and they hold two per year, both in the spring and fall. Students can do the college credit option which can be used to go on and get a bachelor’s degree. If they already have one, they can do the non-credit option. Students can also work toward a Park and Recreation Management Bachelor of Science degree.

Skagit Valley College

Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, Washington is a 750-hour program. They offer the PRLEA certificate, the PRLEA/EMT certificate, and the PRLEA/FIRE certificate. They also offer iPads for all students. Students can gain extra training in Wildland Firefighting and Emergency Medical Response programs.

Southwestern Community College 

Southwestern Community College in Franklin, NC has a 16-week program. They offer it through their Career Technologies Division, which is the Continuing Education part of the college. Regular college credit is not earned.

They also have Consortium Agreements that they have established with some institutions which allow graduates of the program to receive credits at their home university or college.

Temple University

Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a 19-week program. The program is a part of their Criminal Justice Training program, which is a Temple University Department of Criminal Justice. The program will be at the school’s Ambler campus. The classes will be in the Law Enforcement Training Center.

Vermilion Community College

Vermilion Community College in Ely, Minnesota has a 16-week program. They only offer it in the fall semester. They offer a blended program that meets the requirements of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training.

Scholarships for the Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy Training Program

While there does not appear to be any scholarships specific to the Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy Training Program, it would be a good idea to check with the individual schools to see if they have any that will work for the program. You also might find scholarships if you are going on to get a full degree after the program. 

One such scholarship is the Newell S. Rand Jr. Scholarship Program. This was created to honor the memory of a pioneer in the field. Students will need to be a graduate of an accredited high school, college, or university and enrolled as a full-time student. Students must be pursuing a degree in Conservation Law Enforcement; Criminal Justice/Police Science; Natural Resource Management; Park Management or Administration. Basically, any related degree is a clear career path to some aspect of park operations as a career goal. The award will be up to $1,000. 

 

 

 

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Getting a Degree in Graphic Design

Graphic Design Degrees

If you love to create art and figure out ways to make designs look a little better, graphic design can be a smart career path for you. Those who study graphic design have a strong sense of creativity, style, originality, have excellent communication skills, know computers, and know how to use design software. All of these skills go into a flexible, and creative career.

Those who have degrees in graphic design work for companies, organizations, nonprofits, and for themselves. In fact, according to BLS, 19% of graphic designers are self-employed. It is the type of job that you can easily do online and from home as well as being able to work for yourself.

For most jobs in graphic design, you will need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, although you can get degrees from the associate level up to graduate.

Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design

An associate’s degree in graphic design will take you around two years. With an associate’s degree in graphic design, you can pursue entry-level graphic design work, web design, and desktop publishing positions. You could also work as an intern.

In an associate’s of graphic design program, you might take classes such as typography, 3D design, and computer illustration. Community colleges can be a great option for going to get an associate’s degree in graphic design. They also might offer certificates in graphic design.

Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design

Getting your bachelor’s degree in graphic design is a must for many of the jobs in graphic design. This will take four years, and you can do so online or in-person, depending on what would work best for your schedule. Graphic design is a good major for going to school online and can work well if you can’t attend in person.

Some of the classes you could take might be visual design, graphic design technology, and typography.

When looking for programs, The Rhode Island School of Design, Parsons School of Design, and The Pratt Institute are all highly rated. For online programs, The University of Florida, Maryville University, and Bellevue University are all highly rated.

Jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design

  • Graphic Designers, who create visual concepts using software or possibility by hand for brands, companies, or other organizations, have an average salary of $46.894, according to Payscale.
  • Multimedia Animators, who create special effects and animations for different projects for anything from TV to video games, have an average salary of $57,476, according to Payscale.
  • Web Designers, who plan, create, and code internet websites and pages using media elements such as graphics and video clips, have an average salary of $52,247, according to Payscale.

Master’s Degree in Graphic Design

If you want to go further along the graphic design career path, you should go on to get your master’s degree in graphic design. Most programs will take around two years and you should be able to find either an in-person or online program.

In a master’s of graphic design program, you might take classes such as design history and theory, design research, and open studio time. You might also need to complete an internship.

When looking for programs, Yale University, The Rhode Island School of Design, and North Carolina State University are all highly rated. For online programs, Syracuse University, Samford University, and Radford University are all highly rated.

Jobs you can get with a master’s degree in graphic design

  • Creative Directors, who focus on the bigger picture when it comes to designs and other creative decisions, have an average salary of $90,111, according to Payscale.
  • Brand Managers, who control and oversee the company’s trademarks and work with graphic designers, have an average salary of $71,695 according to Payscale.
  • Graphic Design Teachers, who teach students about the best practices and help students understand all the production stages of a design, have an average salary of $55,683 according to Glassdoor.

Doctorate in Graphic Design

If you are interested in holding an academic position at a college or university or go into the research side of graphic design, you would want to go on to get your doctorate or Ph.D. in graphic design. Most people who do so become college professors or senior researchers.

Related Majors

  • Commercial Art
  • Commercial Photography
  • Interior Design
  • Fashion Design
  • Fine Arts

Graphic Design Scholarships

Getting your degree in graphic design means you can apply for certain scholarships just for graphic design or similar majors. Here are a couple of them:

Dream in Color Grant

This grant is funded by Vera Bradley and awards $5,000 to two women of color who are making a difference in their communities. One will go to a student and one a woman who is working on an exciting project that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Students need to self ID as a woman of color, be currently in school pursuing a creative career, or pursuing a creative project that celebrates diversity. They will also need to show financial need. For more info, please go here.

The GraphicDesignDegreeHub.Com Scholarship

This scholarship is for students that are majoring in graphic design, multimedia design, animation, gaming, or art and attending school full-time at a college or university. The award is $1,500. For more info, please go here.

 

 

 

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