I think black women should consider the military. I initially went to a state university when I graduated HS. At first, all my tuition was paid for, but my mom got a part time job that year and the next, I literally got $60. I looked up how much it would be to continue and pretty much dropped out lol. I am VERY debt averse. Neither of my parents went to college but I will say my mother made sure I was at least slightly financially savvy. I did take out a few loans, but I saw myself getting sucked into the debt hole and I really didn't know what I wanted to do, was getting bad grades and wasting time. I decided to join the military. One of the best choices I could have made.
I have zero student loan debt, two associate degrees (I know not that impressive lol), and am only 4 classes away from a psych bachelors, 2 of those classes I will take excelsior exams to test out of, another thing I'll touch on later. The psych bachelors is just from all the classes I was taking while not knowing what I wanted to do lol. I actually just found out I was so close, and can use it for getting accepted into an accelerated BSN program, or to go to dental school. All free. One of my AA's is through the Air Force and it's for a medical lab tech. It's a trade I learned while in. It's a decent job, I've lived off the money since I've been out while going to school. I also haven't touched my gi bill (which pays 100% tuition at a state school and provides a living allowance). I'm using the guard to pay for my undergrad (100% paid state tuition) and the gi for grad school. I also came out of the guard with IT cyber training and an IT cert plus my security clearance. It's another back up job I can have.
Not only did the Air Force allow me a free education, I also got a trade I can either build on, side hustle or just relax and still survive! I've traveled to over 15 countries, met some decent people, and have great benefits. I'm under 30. While I don't have my bachelors yet and am a bit behind (completely my fault, not because of the military), I am still doing better than some of my degreed friends saddled with debt. I know some people don't want to send their kids and I'd prefer not to have to, but if my kids don't get scholarships and I feel they need the discipline, that's where they're headed. At least to the guard. I don't know why more kids don't do it! It's one weekend a month, depending on your state they pay 100% tuition, you get a trade, benefits, and you get all the intangible perks of being military. It also really helped me become a little more focused. I wish I would have known more about the guard before going active duty.
I think one of the main things the military gave me was options. I'm pursuing a nursing degree, but I would never forgive myself if I didn't at least try to get into dental school. Since I have both tuition programs I am working on my dental school prerequisites (I don't have that many left!
), and don't even have to worry about the money aspect. I'm just taking the classes even if they're useless lol. If I get into dental school, it will all be paid for if I go to a state school. I will only have to take out a few loans because it only covers 36 mos. If I do nursing, I'll have at least more than half of the 36 mos leftover if I do an accelerated BSN program which I will use to pursue an advanced practice nursing degree.
I know it all depends on the administration though. I would not send my kid to the military with Trump in office. Luckily I have less than a year left. I served under president Obama. I know some people don't care either way lol...
So for those of you that don't know and have kids in school CLEP, DSST, and excelsior exams have allowed me to test out of more than 60 credit hours worth of classes. Most schools take the tests as well. With the military these tests are free, but they are very reasonable otherwise especially when considering paying for the actual classes. Look into them if you haven't heard of them! They have saved me SOOO much time! They are mostly for gen eds, but they have a few upper level credit tests. They're super easy, I feel like it's not even fair
. I just study for a few days. There's a website I use that has practice tests. I print out all the questions, it's tedious, then take the tests over and over. Some of the questions will be on the actual exam verbatim the same. Info I don't know, I'll read up on or at least try and famialiarize myself with the concepts. I've only failed two, and I didn't study for them.
Anyhoo!!! Those of you with degrees already, the military offers tuition reimbursement and you can go in as an officer and make decent money. I knew a girl with a finance masters in the Air Force so they could pay off her loans. Depending on your field you can also get experience. They also have the military colleges which are free. I know a guy who has had the military pay for ALL of his stuff while active to become an NP.
Just thought I'd share that with you all. I know it's extreme to some but it's always another option. Please excuse any typos/grammar, I'm on my phone.
