Scholarships For Active Duty Military

Army Scholarships
Navy Scholarships
Air Force Scholarships
Marine Scholarships
Coast Guard Scholarships

Scholarships For Veterans

Air Force Veteran Scholarships
Marine Veteran Scholarships
Coast Guard Veteran Scholarships
National Guard Veteran Scholarships
Army Veteran Scholarships
Navy Veteran Scholarships

Scholarships For Military Dependents

Scholarships for Dependent Children of Air Force Personnel
Scholarships for Dependent Children of Marine Corps Personnel
Coast Guard Scholarships for Dependent Children
National Guard Scholarships for Dependent Children
Scholarships for Dependent Children of US Army Personnel
Scholarships for Dependent Children of US Navy Personnel

Educational assistance is available to members of the military, as well as to veterans. The Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) is designed for members of the Reserve that have been called or ordered to active duty. This is as a result of a response to war or a national emergency as it may have been declared by the President or the Congress. The assistance program falls under the GI Bill.

The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security are responsible for determining eligibility. The Department of Veteran Affairs is responsible for administering the program and paying the benefits.

REAP is also referred to as Chapter 1607. It cannot be combined with any of the other VA educational benefits that are offered. This means that soldiers must determine which program military service should be used towards. The only exception is qualifying for the College Fund, referred to as the Chapter 1606 kicker, in which case both can be used.

The REAP Benefit Amounts

The benefit amounts are based solely on the amount of days that a soldier was activated. The REAP payment rates increase each October as a way to meet the higher costs of education.

Reserve members who served on active duty for a minimum of 90 days but did not reach one year would receive a full time rate of $589.20.

Reserve members who served on active duty for at least one year but less than two would receive a full time rate of $883.80.

Finally, those members who served on active duty for two years or more would receive a full time rate of $1178.40

These rates are based on full-time attendance at a college or university. Reduced rates would apply if a soldier decides to attend a different type of educational opportunity. This could include correspondence or flight schools, apprenticeships or certification training.

How to Meet REAP Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the REAP, a soldier must be a member of any reserve component that was called to active duty on or after the date of September 11, 2001. This falls under title 10 US Code for a contingency operation. Eligibility for Chapter 1607 requires a soldier to have served at least 90 consecutive days or more.

Another way to qualify is if a National Guard member had active duty under section 502(f) title 32 USC and had served 90 consecutive days. This will only be approved if the President or Secretary of Defense approved the duty for a national emergency and was supported by federal funds.

It is possible to qualify for the Chapter 1607 REAP Program with or without being discharged. Active duty members can also qualify, assuming they have served at least 90 consecutive days. The Department of Defense will be able to identify contingency operations to determine qualification for educational benefits under Chapter 1607.

The final way to qualify is if a soldier is a disabled member who had an illness or disease aggravated by or incurred during the line of duty and was released prior to completing 90 consecutive days. It must be that a person was released due to medical conditions or of their own accord and not due to willful misconduct.

How to Apply for REAP

Chapter 1607 claims can be made online through the Vonapp website. There are also VA regional offices that will accept applications and all supporting documents for a Chapter 1607 claim. These offices are in Atlanta, Buffalo, St. Louis, and Muskogee.

The application is VA Form 22-1990. Once this is filled out, there are also a variety of supporting documents that must either be used to fill out the form or presented. These will include the dates and service status for each period of the person’s military service. Payback time for service academy or ROTC will not count towards qualifying time.

Soldiers will also need to comment as to whether they have participated in the $600 Buy-Up Program. This is possible with the REAP. How this works is that an additional $600 contribution will result in another $5400 in GI Bill benefits towards education.

Further documents will include certificates of release of discharges from Active Duty, transcripts for all education post high school as well as the Kicker Contract. The Department of Defense may be able to supply some or all of this documentation if a soldier cannot access or cannot find the files.

Upon completion of the application and submitting all documents, the Department of Veteran Affairs will submit the information to the appropriate departments for approval. If a soldier is approved, he or she will receive a letter in the mail as to when benefits will begin. A person then has the ability to use this money toward whatever major they wish at any qualifying university or college in the country.

The number of colleges and universities offering a military friendly MBA has increased dramatically over the last decade, and will continue to do so. In the past, members of the military had to overcome great difficulties while pursuing their education, such as going on deployments or being transferred to another state or country. Now, military MBA programs are making it easier to earn a degree from any location with an internet connect and at any time of day. Here are the ten best online military MBA programs.

Note: All costs are current as of the 2012-2013 academic year, and are subject to change without notice. Costs do not include mandatory fees, books or supplies.

10. Western Governors University

Program: WGU’s program of study requires 30 units (equivalent to credit hours) and emphasizes five main areas of study: business values, innovation, leadership, management and relationships. Unlike most schools, grades are assigned as pass/not pass.

Costs: $3,250/term

Selling points: Tuition is a flat-fee, whether the student attends full-time or part-time.

9. Grantham University

Program: Students can choose a general MBA or emphasize in Project Management or Information Management. Each program requires 36 credit hours for completion.

Costs: $325/credit ($250/credit after scholarship for military members)

Selling points: GU has been honored for many years as a top military-friendly school for both active duty military and veterans. This university actively participates in many military education programs, and offers a grant to offset the costs of software programs and textbooks.

8. University of Colorado-Colorado Springs

Program: The MBA program at UCCS requires 48 credit hours for completion. Students may be transfer up to 12 credits of eligible core courses. It is required to enroll in five mandatory elective classes, which can be used to develop an emphasis area. Students in the distance education program may select one of nine emphasis areas.

Costs: $8,546/12-credits residents ($9,192/12-credits non-resident)

Selling points: UCCS participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, and is ranked as one the best buy online degrees. This program has a large number of emphasis areas.

7. Ball State University

Program: The 30 credit hour MBA program at BSU can be completed in one year of full-time study. Students must choose two electives from a wide range of course offerings which include: Health Economics, Global Security and Entrepreneurship.

Costs: $388/credit resident ($756/credit non-resident)

Selling points: BSU is considered a military-friendly school by G.I. Jobs, and has held this honor for three consecutive years.

6. Hawaii Pacific University

Program: A minimum of 42 credit hours are required for an online MBA at HPU. Students have the opportunity to concentrate in one of four emphasis areas: Information Systems, International Business, Management or Organizational Change and Development. Student may also choose not to specialize and use elective credits to meet their personal needs.

Costs: $13,770/year

Selling points: Honored as a military-friendly school by G.I. Jobs. HPU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

5. Southern New Hampshire University

Program: SNHU’s 39 credit hour online MBA can be completed in less than two years with full-time study. In addition to obtaining a strong foundation in business, students may specialize in any of over 20 emphasis areas including Forensic Accounting, Sports Management and Internet Marketing. SNHU’s program has significantly more concentration areas than other MBA programs.

Costs: $1,881/course ($627/credit)

Selling points: SNHU was awarded the Best of Business award. The program has a wide variety of emphasis areas and should appeal to many applicants.

4. St. Leo University

Program: The online MBA at SLU requires 36 credit hours and may be completed in one-year of full-time study. However, students are allowed up to five years to complete their degree. Each academic year has six eight-week terms, allowing increased flexibility for entering the program. This program offers six concentration areas and, upon approval, students may concurrently pursue two areas.

Costs: $651/credit ($496/credit for Active Duty Military)

Selling points: SLU is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, and was honored by U.S. News and World Reports as one of the best regional universities of the south. SLU is one of the leading universities for military enrollment and is recognized as one of the most military-friendly schools. They have a long heritage of understanding the complex situations members of the military face when pursuing their education.

3. Drexel University

Program: Drexel’s accredited two-year program allows students to attend school on a part-time basis and receive comparable education to students attending the on-campus program. This program requires 51 credit hours and two residencies.

Costs: $58,000 (total program)

Selling points: Drexel is an AACSB accredited program and participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The LeBow College of Business at Drexel was awarded the honor of having the best part-time program, according to Businessweek. Active Duty military may be eligible to attend the program tuition-free.

2. Penn State University

Program: Penn State offers students an accredited two-year, 48 credit hour program that emphasizes both coursework and teamwork. Students use various modes of online communication to build virtual teams. This emphasis on communication not only enhances applicable skills, but offers interactions similar to an on-campus environment. Unlike most online MBA programs, Penn State requires students to participate in two week-long residencies, where students and faculty have the opportunity to interact with one another in-person.

Costs: $7,414/term ($59,312/total program)

Selling points: Penn State is an AACSB accredited program that participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The university has been honored by numerous organizations, including G.I. Jobs, as a military-friendly school.

1. Washington State University

• The best combination of being a highly-regarded and cost-effective program.
• WSU’s faculty members are well-rounded and bring years of unique experiences to the program.

Program: This accredited, online MBA program can be completed in two years of full-time study. WSU’s program has a strong emphasis on innovation and developing leadership potential in students.

Costs: $11,736 resident ($15,026 non-resident)

Selling points: WSU is an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited program. Active duty military can receive in-state tuition rates, if stationed in Washington. In 2010, WSU was honored as a military-friendly school by G.I. Jobs, and holds the honor of having a business program that is considered one of the top 290 by The Princeton Review.

Are you looking for information about the latest installment of the “GI Bill?” Are you ready to enroll in an institution of higher learning? Will you be seeking either an undergraduate or graduate degree? Are you considering a distance learning program? This term GI Bill refers to educational benefits available to individuals who have served in the armed forces of the United States. The benefits are part and parcel of the compensation to members of the voluntary military. The types and amounts of benefits have changed through the years. Changes have been made to meet the needs of each generation of soldiers. A new post 9/11 bill provides benefits for military members who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. The law became effective August 1, 2009. It contains a housing allowance for distance, or online, learners. This new provision recognizes that in the current world of education, not all students attend a traditional class on campus in buildings. It is a new world with many college programs offered entirely online with only minimal contact with the campus. You can earn your college degree with a laptop and hard work. You do not have to pack up and leave home. The expense of finding housing near a campus is no longer a factor. If this scenario fits your situation, then read on for further information.

Time Limits

Like most benefits, time limits exist for claiming the post 9/11 benefits. The basic rule states that benefits must be used within 15 years of the date of discharge. This time limit allows sufficient time to pursue educational programs. Anyone intending to use the benefits needs to set out a plan that meets the time deadlines. Do not let these benefits lapse. They are part of your pay package. Remember that your maximum benefits are for 36 months. Only months when you are actually enrolled in school count towards that limit. If you take the summer or one semester off, those months do not count.

Qualifying

In addition to the time limits, you must make sure you qualify for the benefits. In general, if you served a minimum of 36 months on active duty, you are covered. The minimum time frame for coverage is 90 day on active duty. Any service between 90 days and 36 months provides prorated benefits. For example, if you served at least 24 months but less than 30 months, you are entitled to receive benefits equal to 80% of the maximum benefits payable under law.

GI Bill Distance Learning Housing Allowance

Just how does this distance learning benefit work? To qualify for the distance learning housing allowance, or any housing allowance, your enrollment in college must be considered to be greater than one-half time. In other words, if your school considers a full-time student to be one taking 12 semester hours, then you must take more than 6 semester hours to receive a housing allowance. The distance learning housing allowance is less than the amount paid to students in physical residence at a college. Those students receive the housing allowance for an E-5 with dependents based upon the location of the school. The distance learning housing allowance is a set amount. For example, for the 2011 academic year it was $673.44. This figure was computed by taking one-half of the average national housing allowance for an E-5 with dependents. The amount will rise each year; for the 2012 academic year it is up to $684.00 per month.

The addition of the distance learning housing allowance is an important addition to the post 9/11 benefits. The GI Bill pays for tuition and fees in full if you attend a public college or university. Partial payments are made for private school. It further provides a stipend for books and supplies, up to $1,000 per year. Those benefits cover the extra costs of going to school. They do not cover living expenses. The housing allowance is the vehicle for paying those costs. There are many reasons students do not want to move to a city or town with a physical school. Your spouse may have a good job. You may have children in school and do not want to move them. You may like your present community or your current housing is very economical. The reasons to take distance learning are many and varied. This new feature for a distance learning housing allowance allows veterans to keep their current residences while pursuing the multitude of choices available online.

By making the housing allowance for distance learning a fixed amount, you can now plan a budget. You know exactly how much money you will have each month. This provides a valuable tool in determining how you are going to survive while completing your educational program. The post 9/11 GI Bill is a valuable benefit for service members. The new distance learning housing allowance makes it even more valuable. Do not miss out on this opportunity to further your education from the confines of your current residence.

It’s very difficult to succeed in the modern world without a college degree, and the US government has graciously extended its hand to the spouses of active military personnel. While they’re defending American’s freedoms, their spouses may qualify for a host of benefits that will improve both of their lives once they return.

Who is Eligible?

The first thing to factor in is a service member’s pay grade. Each part of the military has its own system, and spouses of service members that are in the E-1 through E-5, W-1 and W-2, and O-1 and O-2 qualify for financial assistance. All higher pay grades will disqualify them from the MyCAA program.

Spouses that are within the military who are on Title 10 orders don’t qualify for assistance. Likewise, spouses who are legally separated from their partner don’t qualify for benefits. Anyone that’s married to a member of the Coast Guard can’t qualify for benefits, and those who can’t start and complete their courses while their military sponsor is on a Title 10 order won’t get financial help.

What Are the Benefits?

The military offers the following benefits to everyone regardless of whether they qualify for MyCAA:

• Career exploration
• Education and training
• Career readiness
• Career connections

Career exploration entails an overview of every occupation someone may want to find themselves in once they’ve finished their schooling. It’s also intended to help military spouses find out what they’re good at and what career options are best for their particular inclinations and skill set.

Education and training involves creating a plan of action that accounts for financial aid options, educational resources, credential and license information, and for the lucky spouses who qualify, this is the stage when they know that they’re getting MyCAA aid.

Career readiness teaches people how to fill out their resumes and get their foot in the door at their favored companies. It also helps them learn the best techniques for searching for jobs as well as how to plan a relocation. Counselors will also help them explore flex-work options if they require something less set-in-stone than a typical nine-to-five office job.

Career connections delves into how someone can build on existing relationships to secure long-term employment. This part of the program focuses primarily on leveraging the tools provided by governmental entities, but it does explore a few options within the private sector like CareerOneStop.com.

What Extra Benefits Does the MyCAA Program Bring to the Table?

MyCAA will provide $4,000 total for those working toward an Associate’s degree that lends itself to a portable career. Portable careers are fields that are likely to be hiring wherever military personnel are stationed and they include management, construction trades, education, financial services, human resources, and many more. Only $2,000 of the $4,000 allotted to each MyCAA beneficiary may be used in one year, although exceptions are made for those whose initial tuition is higher than that or those who require something that doesn’t fall into the standard parameters.

MyCAA will not pay anything toward courses that aren’t included in the spouse’s education and training plan or courses that they’ve already started. It will not pay for books, uniforms, computers, or any kind of electronics. It won’t cover deposits on future courses unless those courses are part of a block of study. It won’t cover non-academic or ungraded courses, and that includes internships, apprenticeships, or clinical supervision. It also won’t cover orientation programs since they’re considered non-academic.

MyCAA won’t cover courses that have been taken more than one time unless it receives a full refund from the school. It won’t cover car insurance or other transportation costs, nor will it cover childcare and housing. It won’t cover course extensions unless the spouse has been granted a hardship waiver, and it won’t cover private licenses.

To summarize, MyCAA’s main purpose is to cover tuition for classes that fall into approved categories, and while it may cover more or it might bend the rules in some instances, it only happens under exceptional circumstances. MyCAA is insufficient to pay for someone’s education by itself, but an extra debt-free $4,000 is a big help to military personnel and their loved ones.

The men and women in the service have made grave sacrifices for the sake of their country, and those who stand beside them deserve as much praise as the people in uniform. That’s even more true when they don a uniform themselves, and MyCAA is there to help ensure that wherever they are and whatever they decide to do, they’ll always be able to find work.

1. Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

With a workforce of 2.7 million during 2010, registered nurses hold the most jobs within health care system. Technological advances, population expansion, aging, and medical breakthroughs increase the demand for licensed and qualified nurses and careers in nursing are often an excellent choice for veterans. Service members gain experiences in health care during active duty and find careers as registered nurses rewarding, exciting, and stable. Veterans can qualify for positions as first line providers of health care to patients upon completing an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as licensure. Nursing careers offer veterans lucrative salaries and job security within a dynamic industry earning average salaries of $44,190 to $64,690 yearly.

2. Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice

Military personnel are most generally always specially trained in different aspects of the criminal justice system based upon experiences as military police or other posts. Many veterans find expanding their educational foundation within a criminal justice degree the ability to apply previous military experiences, enhance skills, and increase chances of employability within a number of criminal justice careers. Though most officers and detectives are not required to complete college courses to qualify for employment, as some gain on the job training, earning a degree offers individuals the ability to not only work within federal agencies but will also help candidates secure promotions. Most graduates enter positions within local, state, or federal police agencies upon meeting age, physical, emotional, and academy requirements earning salaries of $55,010 to $88,870 annually.

3. Bachelor Degree in Information Science

Veterans with an interest in computers will benefit from obtaining an information science degree, particularly if they acquired experience in technological fields during active duty. As the planners, coordinators and often supervisors of computer systems, employability for graduates with information science degrees is expected to increase dramatically as technology advances and companies seek means adapting and upgrading computer systems to meet organizational needs. Present employment trends offer skilled information technology managers the ability to work within a dynamic field earning salaries of $115,780 to $166,400 yearly.

4. Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Military personnel with an innate appreciation of science, math, technology, and problem solving find programs within engineering disciplines one of the best paths to civilian career success. Engineers are the inventors, designers, developers, constructors, and operators of all of the devices, systems, and processes of today and tomorrow. Because of this, bachelor level engineering programs not only give candidates the ability to qualify for high demand jobs but also afford them the highest salaries. Depending upon area of specialty, engineers earn from $46,290 for civil engineers to as much as $114,080 for petroleum engineers.

5. Bachelor Degree in English

A liberal arts degree offers veterans the ability to work within a number of fields, including advertising, publishing, public relations, marketing, writing, sales, communications, education, and other industries. Those who complete bachelor degrees in English gain the refined skills and fundamental knowledge necessary to advance vital professionals of virtually any business. As researchers, effective communicators, and critical thinkers, English degree graduates often to advance to positions as salaried writers for online and print publications earning yearly salaries of $28,610 to $55,240.

6. Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration

Former military personnel who gained experience with or have interest in pursuing a degree in a medical field often seek degrees in healthcare administration. Due to aging populations and advancing technology, the demand for professionals able to act as health care executives responsible for the planning, directing, organizing, and coordinating of medical services and/or clinical departments, is expected to rise significantly in all areas of the healthcare industry. Hospitals, nursing homes, medical practices, and other health care facilities are predicted to expand tremendously in coming years. As they seek means of maximizing efficiency and the quality of care to patients, health care executives can expect stable and lucrative careers. This translates to earnings ranging from $84,270 to $144,880 yearly after securing formal education and related work experience.

7. Master’s Degree in Education

Veterans with an interest in shaping the minds of today’s youth often advance to master’s degree programs based in education to gain employment within school systems. Due to the flexibility a degree at this level provides, individuals can often advance to a number of positions depending upon area of specialty – from high school teachers, school counselors, special education teachers, curriculum developers or even entry level administrators. Earnings for graduates is based upon career choice and organization of employment, with the demand for qualified educational professionals within specific geographic regions reaching new heights. Salaries for those who choose to embark on careers as school principals range from $86,970 to $129,480 annually.

8. Master’s Degree in Business Administration

A master’s degree in business administration provides veterans with one of the most versatile and enterprising educational programs within the global business industry. This degree is essential to securing positions as lead executives within public or private firms and organizations as the leaders, supervisors, directors, planners, and coordinators of daily operations. Competition for the top positions in today’s thriving businesses is fierce, especially due to present economic fluctuations and slow employment growth. Despite relative instabilities, chief executive officers and top executives have the ability to earn salaries from $94,400 to $165,080 yearly.

9. Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy

The incidence of mobility-limiting health conditions, aging worldwide populations, and the number of injured or disabled soldiers returning from conflict have added to the demand for qualified health professionals within the field of physical therapy. As providers of medical care and treatment options to individuals with chronic pain, injuries, illness, and other conditions, physical therapists are considered the experts in the field assisting and rehabilitating not only wounded soldiers but also civilian patients. Veterans interested in establishing a career as a physical therapist must complete doctoral degrees in physical therapy and state licensing programs to advance to positions in hospitals and physicians’ offices earning $73,310 to $107,920 annually.

10. Doctoral Degree in Computer Science

Veterans with an interested in a career as an inventor, problem solver, and designer of technology may complete advanced studies within computer science fields to work as computer and information research scientists. Many veterans acquire technological skills while serving in the military and decide to advance education based within computer and information technology programs upon retirement or leave of active duty. A doctoral degree within computer science or (a related field like information systems, software engineering, or computer engineering) offers the knowledge required to be considered innovators of technological invention. Most veterans who complete studies within this field advance to positions as computer and information scientists. These experts, theorists, inventors, supervisors, and problem solvers earn salaries ranging from $100,660 to $153,120 annually working for governmental, educational, and private agencies.

Note: These schools are not endorsed by any branch of the military or the United States Government. They were selected by our editors after careful consideration and based on an assortment of criteria defined below.

1. Columbia College

Columbia College has offered military members, their family, and veterans access to high quality education for almost 40 years. Columbia offers online and evening classes to service members and veterans through 23 online degree programs approved by the Veteran’s Administration. The College also provides transfer credit for military training, start and stop flexibility to accommodate deployment, and a number of scholarships and tuition discounts to active service members and their spouses. Columbia also has over 18 campuses located on military bases and is dedicated to providing quality education through to the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges network. The University also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Project and GI Bill tuition program.

Click here to get more information about Columbia College’s online programs

2. Strayer University

Strayer University’s commitment to meeting the educational needs of military service members
through internationally recognized, accredited, online undergraduate and graduate programs. Strayer provides maximum flexibility to military service members as they pursue their degree within high demand online programs like health administration, business, criminal justice, accounting, and other technical fields. The University also offers a number of scholarships, tuition assistance programs, and veterans benefits to active duty military personnel, their spouses, and their dependents. Strayer participates in the Yellow Ribbon project, the GI Bill, and even supplements military tuition assistance programs with 100% tuition coverage for all undergraduate tuition and most graduate tuition. As a Service Members Opportunity College program affiliate, Strayer is one of the best options for military members as they expand their educational foundation.

Click here to get more information about Strayer University’s online programs

3. Northcentral University

Northcentral University’s online classes provide efficient, practical, and flexible instruction to active and retired military personnel and their dependents. The University offers online certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through its well known School of Business and Technology Management, School of Education, and School of Behavioral Health Sciences. Additionally, the University was recognized by G.I. Jobs magazine as a “Military Friendly School for 2010” for its unique ability to meet the educational needs of active duty military members, retirees, reservists, and their dependents via online learning platforms. Northcentral participates in the GI Bill, Reserve Educational Assistance Program, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment for disabled veterans, and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance for children and spouses of deceased service members.

Click here to get more information about Northcentral University’s online programs

4. Cappella University

Cappella University assists service members, their families, and military veterans means of advancing their educational aspirations with a number of quality, affordable online programs. The University’s awareness of the unique complexities active and former duty military members manage caused the University to offer specifically tailored many of its online programs based upon its dedication to support, affordability, and flexibility. Cappella offers studies within numerous degree programs ranging from certificate programs to doctoral programs in many fields. The University also provides tuition discounts, transfer credit/s for military experience and previous training, and participates in the Yellow Ribbon project. The University was recognized from 2007 until 2010 by Military Advanced Education Magazine as one of the Military Advanced Education Top Military Friendly Colleges and Universities and continues to provide some of the best means of cultivating and propelling skills for military personnel and their dependents.

Click here to get more information about Cappella University’s online programs

5. Excelsior College

Excelsior College provides online courses based in the liberal arts, business, technology, health sciences, nursing, and information literacy to undergraduate and graduate students from nearly any location. The College offers classes through online formats and CD ROM formats to ensure course materials are delivered even without an internet connection. Excelsior has a tradition of providing military members, veterans, and their families high quality educational experiences with maximum Military Tuition Assistance programs, Veterans Affairs Benefits, Military Vocational Rehabilitation, maximum credit for previous credits and military training, and a flexible service member friendly deployment policy. The College received a Top 20 Military Friendly College designation by the Military Advanced Education magazine and was recognized as a Military Friendly College by the G.I. Jobs Magazine for its capabilities in extending affordable online education to active duty, reservist, and retired service members.

6. Drexel University

Drexel University has a long standing tradition of providing veterans, active duty military members, and their families affordable and flexible online education to meet the busiest schedules. The University has provided world renown Internet based online education for working professionals since 1996. As an innovator of distance learning programs, Drexel’s highly ranking degree programs are recognized by the U.S. News & World Report as one of the Top 100 of America’s Best Colleges. Online courses offered through the University maintain virtually the same accredited, quality instruction as its on campus tradition of educational excellence. Additionally, Drexel has consistently provided recognition to past and present military personnel with a number of financial options including military tuition reduction plans, participation in the GI Bill Yellow Ribbon program, undergraduate transfer credit for military experiences and previous learning, and offers programs based in the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES).

Click here to get more information about Drexel University’s online programs

7. Walden University

Walden University’s longstanding tradition of offering accredited online instruction to military service members is proven by its enrollment of over 1,700 veterans and active duty military personnel. Listed among G.I. Jobs’ 2011 list of Military Friendly Schools, Walden provides affordable access to higher education through distance learning programs certified by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The University offers degrees of all levels in education, health, management, psychology, public policy and administration, counseling and social services, and nursing programs. As a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Consortium, Walden offers many financing options for military members and veterans includes: tuition reimbursement through educational assistance allowances, participation in the Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI Bills, tuition assistance, the Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program, disabled Veteran’s benefits, and the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program.

Click here to get more information about Walden University’s online programs

8. Kaplan University

Kaplan University is a reputable institution of higher education offering many high quality online degree programs to undergraduate and graduate students. Veterans, active duty military service members, and their spouses gain specially tailored educational and financing options. As a member of the Service Members Opportunity Colleges, Kaplan participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a change of orders withdrawal policy for deployed service members, reduced tuition and fee waivers, and a credit transfer program offered through the DANTES program. Kaplan has been listed as a Top Military Friendly College & University by Military Advanced Education magazine and G.I. Jobs’ 2011 Guide to Military Friendly Schools.

Click here to get more information about Kaplan University’s online programs

9. Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University is committed to meeting the complex learning needs of active duty service members, veterans, and their dependents through high quality and flexible online programs. CTU’s Colleges of Business and Management, Engineering and Computer Science, Health Sciences, Information Systems and Technology, and Security Studies offer associate through doctoral degrees. CTU has a team of Military Education Benefits Specialists and Prior Learning Assessment Advisers who maximize the benefits available to military members. The University is well known for its familiarity with military protocols and procedures and is affiliated with the Service Members Opportunity College and DANTES programs. It also waives the cost of application fees and books. CTU offers limited areas of academic study yet provides an exceptional amount of support to military members.

Click here to get more information about Colorado Technical University’s online programs

10. Ashworth College

Ashworth has provided military service members and veterans means of accessing quality instruction while maximizing educational benefits for over 20 years. The school features some career diplomas and college degrees from associate to master’s level programs within dynamic fields like health, computer information technology, marketing, business administration, human resources management, and other disciplines. A dedicated staff of Military Advisers ensure military personnel receive proper transfer credit, financial assistance through governmental programs like DANTES, the GI Bill, and other tuition reduction programs. Ashworth also offers accelerated learning formats and programs which accommodate deployment or change of station. As a member of the Service Members Opportunity Colleges, Ashworth’s unique student paced learning environment is great for students as they manage responsibilities beyond education.

So that is our ranking of the 10 best online military friendly schools for 2012. Any of these schools are a great choice for current military personnel, as well as veterans, looking to take advantage of the GI Bill and other military friendly opportunities.

The preceding list was created with the following methodology factors, some of which are subjective:

• Cost
• Quality of instructors
• Academic Quality
• Convenience of scheduling
• Student Satisfaction

Rankings such as US News and World Report and other online compilations were used in the creation of this list.

The tank is one of the most devastating and adaptable weapons available to an army’s command. Since their initial conception in the early 1900s and first use by the French and British during World War One, the tank has been a constant and powerful symbol of modern warfare. Throughout the 20th century, it has been one of the most potent tools available for an army to call upon and it has seen intense and devastating action. From the late World War Two mayhem of the Battle of the Bulge — which saw over 3,000 tanks take part in fighting — to the 1981 Battle of Dezful between Iran and Iraq, the tank has played a major part in offensives around the world. Join us as we take a look at the 10 most epic tank battles in military history.

10. Battle of Cambrai, 20 November – 8 December 1917

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World War One’s Battle of Cambrai, fought between the British and the Germans, took place towards the end of 1917 and is often mistakenly called the first tank battle in history. In fact, the distinction of having taken part in the first ever tank battle goes to the French army, who deployed tanks earlier in 1917, as did the British at the Third Battle of Ypres. Cambrai did, however, see a larger number of tanks deployed than ever before. The British plan of attack was to use their tanks to strike at the heart of the German Hindenburg Line. This formidable defense was previously viewed as impenetrable, until a commander named Henry Hugh Tudor suggested using tanks to support the troops attempting to break through the line. Around 476 tanks were used and both sides lost around 45,000 men. The final result of the battle was an operational stalemate.

9. Second Battle of El Alamein, 23 October – 11 November 1942

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With over 1,000 Allied tanks lining up against their 547 Axis counterparts, World War Two’s Second Battle of El Alamein saw the Germans effectively lose their battle for possession of Egypt and the much-prized Suez Canal. After the First Battle of El Alamein had halted the Axis advance into Egypt, the second battle effectively turned the course of the North African Campaign in the Allied forces’ favor. Tanks played a huge part in the battle, with the Allied forces receiving Sherman Tanks courtesy of the Americans. This bolstered their forces and made it possible for them to continue with the conflict longer than the Germans, whose own forces were more concentrated on the Eastern Front.

8. Battle of Raseiniai, 23 – 27 June 1941

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The major tank battle of Raseiniai, in World War Two, saw virtually a complete destruction of the Soviet Union’s deployed mechanized units on the Northwestern Front. Consisting of 749 tanks, versus the Germans’ 245, the Soviet tanks — which were technically superior to their German counterparts — were systematically outmanoeuvred and overpowered. The Germans were helped in no small part by their air force, the Luftwaffe, which made life particularly difficult for the Soviet command. A major battle of Operation Barbarossa (a.k.a. the German invasion of the USSR), the Battle of Raseiniai left the German army in a state of supreme confidence and with no doubt of the tank’s importance in the war.

7. Battle of the Valley of Tears, 6 – 9 October 1973

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The Yom Kippur War — fought between Israel and an Arab coalition led by Egypt and Syria — saw the Arabs break a ceasefire that had lasted since the Six-Day War of 1967 and march into Israeli territory. Tanks were central to the surprise attack, known as the Valley of Tears, which occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. The number of Syrian tanks has been estimated at around 1,260, with the Israelis having command of around 100. Various reasons have been given for the Israelis overturning such a massive disadvantage in tank numbers — from the superiority of their air force to the threat of their using nuclear weaponry.

6. Battle of Brody, 23 – 30 June 1941

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The Battle of Brody, which has been called “the largest tank battle of World War II until the Battle of Kursk two years later,” saw 800 Axis tanks line up against 2,500 of their Russian opposite numbers. The German victory was partly due to their air force, the Luftwaffe, flying over the Polish war fields, destroying up to 201 Soviet tanks. However, the tank battle was incredibly fierce, with the German forces finding that the new Soviet T-34 tanks were virtually impervious to their firepower. It was mainly due to the Red Army’s supply chain drying up that the Germans were allowed to continue their offensive and press home their advantage.

5. Battle of Hannut, 12 – 14 May 1940

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The Battle of Hannut took place in Belgium, fought between the French army and Nazi German invaders. At the time, it was the largest tank conflict of the Second World War. Involving up to 674 German tanks (although some sources put the figure at 618) and 600 French and Dutch armored fighting vehicles, the battle was part of the German thrust through the Ardennes region. While it could be said that the Germans successfully tied down the Allied forces at Hannut, there was no conclusive outcome. The French army, although severely weakened, were able to fight on for some time longer.

4. Operation Goodwood, 18 – 20 July 1944

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Operation Goodwood, a British attack on German forces near the northern French city of Caen, has been called, by at least one historian, “the largest tank battle the British Army has ever fought.” Over 1,100 British tanks took part, with some authorities giving a figure as high as 1,300. Battling against 377 German tanks, the British had as their objective gaining control of Caen, from which they could then liberate the rest of the occupied country. Not all went as planned for the British, however, with the Germans preventing a complete breakthrough. The British advanced a further seven miles to the east of the city. The force of the attack, although by no means conclusive, confirmed the Germans’ fears that the British and Canadian forces on the eastern side of the Allied battle zone were their most dangerous enemies.

3. Battle of 73 Easting, 26 – 27 February 1991

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A decisive victory for the American and British forces in their Desert Storm operation in Iraq, the Battle of 73 Easting refers to the conflict that took place on the north-south line of coordinates on the military map. In a truly devastating show of strength from the Coalition, the Iraqi forces were overwhelmed and overcome. The main part of the battle involved the US 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, which attacked and completely destroyed the Iraqi 18th Mechanized Brigade and 37th Armored Brigade. During the battle — one of the most studied in modern history — the Iraqis lost over 160 tanks to the American and British forces.

2. Battle of Chawinda, 17 – 22 September 1965

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The battle of Chawinda, which was part of the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, has been called one of the largest tank battles since World War Two’s Battle of Kursk. The forces were fairly evenly matched, with the Indian Army commanding 225 tanks and the Pakistani Army controlling 282 tanks (including reinforcements). The Indian aim of the attack was to seize control of the Sialkot-Pasrur railway, thereby cutting off Pakistan’s route to important supplies. Things did not, however, go the Indians’ way, with the Pakistanis receiving reinforcements from Kashmir that vastly improved their situation. At the UN-enforced end of hostilities, India held around 200 square miles of Pakistani territory.

1. Battle of Prokhorovka (part of Battle of Kursk) 12 July 1943

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Known as the largest tank battle in military history, the Battle of Prokhorovka saw 800-850 tanks of the Soviet army line up against the significantly smaller force of the Germans. Russian sources put the German number of tanks between 500 and 700. Although figures from German sources are not available, the real number is likely to have been far less, with 294 German tanks having been listed as available the day before the battle. After fierce and intense fighting, resulting in many dead and wounded, the outcome of the battle was not immediately clear. The Russians claimed a propaganda victory, particularly due to the fact that Hitler had been forced to call off the attack on the Kursk salient. Clearly, the Soviets were far from finished as a force in the war and the tide was beginning to turn away from the Germans.

The highly skilled sharpshooters known as snipers (a term that originated in British India to describe hunters able to pick off the elusive “snipe” bird) became vitally important during the Second World War. Fighting on the Eastern Front, the Soviets, in particular, were expert marksmen — and noticeably dominate the following list.

The Soviet Union was the only country that had expressly trained sniper units in the decade leading up to the World War Two, and their superiority (with the obvious exception of the top-ranked sniper on this list) is clearly displayed by the numbers beside the names of its marksmen. Expert sharpshooters such as Vasily Zaytsev — who reputedly killed 225 soldiers during the Battle of Stalingrad — proved beyond all doubt their immense value to their military forces during the war. In the aftermath, their importance was never to be underestimated.

10. Stepan Vasilievich Petrenko: 422 kills

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During World War II, the Soviet Union had more skilled snipers than any other country on Earth. Due to their ongoing training and development throughout the 1930s, while other nations dropped their specialist sniper teams, the USSR could boast the world’s best-trained marksmen. Stepan Vasilievich Petrenko was high up among the elite. His 422 confirmed kills are testament both to his individual marksmanship and the effectiveness of the Soviet training program — which enabled its sharpshooters to work seamlessly alongside regular forces in combat situations; more so than those of other nations.

9. Vasilij Ivanovich Golosov: 422 kills

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As suggested, throughout the Second World War and the period preceding it, in terms of the sniping prowess of its troops, the Soviet Union was the world’s most advanced nation. Much military doctrine was devoted to the use of snipers, who were able to provide suppressive fire from long range and capable of eliminating enemy leaders on the battlefield. During the war, 261 Soviet marksmen — and women — each with over 50 kills — were awarded the title of distinguished sniper. Vasilij Ivanovich Golosov was one of those honored and makes this list with 422 confirmed kills, a figure thought to include 70 other snipers shot in battle.

8. Fyodor Trofimovich Dyachenko: 425 kills

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As further proof of the scope of the Soviet war machine, during World War II 428,335 individuals are believed to have received Red Army sniper training, and of those 9,534 obtained higher-level qualifications in their deadly art (which so effectively targeted difficult-to-replace enemy officers in combat). Fyodor Trofimovich Dyachenko was one of those trainees who excelled. A Soviet hero with 425 confirmed kills, he received the Distinguished Service Cross for “extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.”

7. Fyodor Matveyevich Okhlopkov: 429 kills

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Fyodor Matveyevich Okhlopkov, one of the USSR’s most feared and revered snipers, was an ethnic Yakut, born in the village of Krest-Khaldzhay in the Sakha Republic, on the fringes of the Soviet Union. The story goes that after he and his brother enlisted in the Red Army together, Fyodor’s brother was killed in combat. Fyodor swore to exact revenge on those who had taken his sibling’s life — and went on to notch up 429 kills as a sniper, plus more with a machine-gun. Among his country’s most valuable marksmen, Okhlopkov was decorated as a Hero of the Soviet Union in 1965 and was also given the Order of Lenin. A cargo ship was named after him in 1974.

6. Mikhail Ivanovich Budenkov: 437 kills

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It’s hard to ignore just how invaluable a weapon the sniper was for the Soviet Army during World War II. So invaluable that, according to some sources, a minimum of one sniper could typically be found in both infantry and reconnaissance platoons. Mikhail Ivanovich Budenkov was among those sharpshooters who made a mark few others could aspire to. A remarkably successful sniper with 437 kills to his name — a figure not including the lives he claimed using a machine-gun — he is testament to the Soviets’ formidable training and commitment to the cause during the war.

5. Vladimir Nikolaevich Pchelintsev: 456 kills

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Soviet snipers, as is evidenced on this list, dominate the statistics for kills during the Second World War. This can be ascribed not only to their skill and prowess with a rifle but also to their knowledge of the terrain in which they fought and ability to blend in with the landscape to hide themselves from the enemy (helped by the fact that the Germans were for much of the time advancing into areas with which the Soviets were more familiar). Among these skilled and savvy men, Vladimir Nikolaevich Pchelintsev was one of the elite, having dispatched 456 men during the fighting.

4. Ivan Nikolayevich Kulbertinov: 489 kills

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Unlike most other countries during World War II, the Soviet Union had sniper units that could include women. In 1942, two half-year-long courses that exclusively trained females produced nearly 55,000 snipers, and in 1943, at the height of the war, it is estimated that there were 2,000 women active in this role. Of these, Lyudmila Lyudmila Pavlichenko was the foremost figure, having killed 309 soldiers during the war. Pavlichenko became a legend both in the USSR and worldwide, but some lesser-known men surpassed her exploits. Ivan Nikolayevich Kulbertinov was one such individual. While less celebrated than his female peer, he takes his place on this list by virtue of the 489 kills attributed to him.

3. Nikolay Yakovlevich Ilyin: 494 kills

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A 2001 Hollywood movie called Enemy at the Gates was made about the famous Russian sniper Vasily Zaitsev. Starring Jude Law, Rachel Weisz and Ed Harris, the film depicts the events surrounding the Battle of Stalingrad from 1942–1943. A movie has never been made about Nikolay Yakovlevich Illyin, but his contribution to the Soviet war effort was just as, if not more, important. Killing 494 enemy soldiers (sometimes listed as 497), Ilyin was a deadly marksman and another tribute to Soviet sniping expertise.

2. Ivan Mihailovich Sidorenko: around 500 kills

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Ivan Mihailovich Sidorenko, a college dropout from a peasant family, was conscripted in 1939 at the start of World War II. During the 1941 Battle of Moscow, he taught himself to snipe and became renowned as a gunman with a deadly aim. Sidorenko went on to become one of the Soviets’ prime sniping weapons, and his country made good use of him both as an expert marksman and as a teacher. One of his most famous exploits saw him destroy a tank and three other vehicles using incendiary ammunition. However, following an injury sustained in Estonia, his role in subsequent years was primarily as an instructor. In 1944 Sidorenko was awarded the prestigious title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

1. Simo Häyhä: 542 Kills (705 unconfirmed)

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Simo Häyhä, a Finn, is the only non-Soviet soldier on this list. Nicknamed “White Death” by the troops of the Red Army — whom he tormented, dressed in his snow camouflage, during the bitterly cold Winter War of 1939-1940 — Häyhä is, according to statistics, the deadliest sniper in history. Before joining the war, he was a farmer and — in what would surely help for what was to come — a huntsman. Häyhä’s family home was filled with trophies that he received for his superlative marksmanship. Incredibly, he preferred to use iron rather than telescopic sights, which ensured he presented less of a target to enemy gunmen (though even so, he did suffer a disfigurement of his face after being hit by an enemy bullet). When he was asked in 1998 (shortly before the end of his long life; he died aged 96) how he had become such a good marksman, he answered simply, “practice.”

A veteran who is looking for options to help defray the cost of paying for an education program should make a point of considering both types of funding options. Once the former airman or woman knows what type of degree he or she is interested in and has a short list of schools in mind, the next step should be to investigate all funding options offered by those schools. The Financial Aid Office at the school should be able to provide information about available options.

Dr. Aurelio M. Caccomo Family Foundation Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship program provides two, $3,000 scholarships per year to veterans who want to improve their job skills by returning to school. This financial assistance is offered to applicants who can demonstrate financial need who may have exhausted other government sources of education funding.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and must be enrolled or have been accepted to a post-secondary program. Interested veterans are asked to write an essay outlining how the money from the scholarship will help them reach their career goals.

University of Maryland: Robert E. Evasick Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Fund was established by Paul and Charlotte Evasick in memory of Robert. It provides financial assistance to students who are US military veterans with demonstrated financial need. Applicants must also demonstrate career ambitions, as well as community service to be considered.

Thunderbird School of Global Management: J.M. Klein Veteran Scholarship

New and returning students can apply for the J.M. Klein Veteran Scholarship, which is available to applicants with demonstrated financial need and high scholastic achievement. Three awards are made each year. Scholarship recipients must also be involved in extracurricular activities which demonstrate leadership ability. The amount of funding made available to each recipient is based on individual need.

University of Nebraska (Omaha) Wounded Veterans Scholarship Fund

A U.S veteran of any of the Armed Services who was “severely wounded” in combat can apply for a special scholarship to help pay for the cost of pursuing a Bachelor of General Studies degree. The recipient can transfer credits obtained at another accredited college or university and use them toward obtaining the degree.

Recipients of this scholarship can study on a full or part-time basis. Funding is available for classes taken on campus or various off-campus sites. Online courses can also be paid for with scholarship funds.

Air Force veterans who find that their military education benefits don’t fully cover their educational costs are encouraged to apply for scholarships. There are multiple sources of funding available to former airmen and women who have served their country and who want to move on to the next phase in their career.