Grantham University, an online school, has teamed up with the Kansas City Chapter of the Association of the United States Army to award a scholarship to one deserving spouse of a non-commissioned officer in the area.

The school recently named Wendy Clark the recipient of a full tuition scholarship, which will cover all of the costs that are associated with her undergraduate degree. The funds will also help Clark purchase the required textbooks, software and other course materials. College officials said the scholarship is valued at nearly $36,000.

"It is an honor to award this scholarship to Wendy," said Cynthia Hoss, provost of the online school. "In the true spirit of a military spouse, she has dedicated her life to raising her family and supporting her husband while he serves in the U.S. Army, so she has never had the opportunity to reach her goal of earning a college degree."

Clark said that she plans to pursue an online bachelors degree in health systems management, which is a high-demand field. Recent legislation requires all medical records be transferred from paper to computer by 2015 – a move that is expected to create jobs for individuals who have been trained to participate in this transition.

According to the 2010 Sloan Survey of Online Learning, the number of web-based enrollments has increased by nearly 1 million students since 2009. Furthermore, approximately 5.6 million students were enrolled in at least one online course during the fall semester of last year.

Brandman University debuts new program aimed at helping veterans earn college degrees

Similarly, officials from Brandman University, an online school, recently introduced the Veterans2College (V2C) program. Administrators said this initiative is designed to offer service members who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan the opportunity to earn a degree at the institution.

The program was made possible by a $2.1 million gift from the Brandman Foundation. Officials said the funds will focus on increasing access to quality education by offering specially designed courses, student support and networking facilities. Furthermore, they added that these monies will help veterans develop academic, social and career skills that could help them complete their degrees and secure job placements.

"Education for military personnel is a key focus for the Brandman Foundation because of [the school founder's] background in the [service] and his understanding of the importance of a college education to build successful careers after serving in the military," said Joyce Brandman, president of the Board of Directors of the Brandman Foundation.

The school has also teamed up with the University of Arizona to develop a program that can help veterans who need assistance. Officials said that many active-duty members who are returning from overseas need help in handling psychological barriers that can hinder successful re-entry into civilian life. Furthermore, they have designed courses that address post-traumatic stress disorder, which is common among service members, and problems that can lead these individuals to drop out.

Organizations help fund scholarships for children and spouses of veterans

ThanksUSA recently partnered with Folds of Honor Foundation to provide 65 scholarships worth $3,000 each to children and spouses of wounded or killed in action veterans. Both organizations contributed $100,000 toward the cause.

"It is important that we continue to do everything possible to remind ourselves and others about the sacrifice that American citizens make every day for our freedom," said Major Dan Rooney, founder of the Folds of Honor Foundation. "Scholarships help continue the legacy of our American heroes by ensuring that their families have an opportunity for the best life possible."

ThanksUSA has awarded more than $6 million in need-based, post-secondary scholarships to nearly 2,300 spouses and children of active-duty military members.

“Knowledge is power. If a Marine takes advantage of education opportunities while they’re in the military, it will make them more competitive within their military occupation specialty and in the civilian workforce,” Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Forbes, says.

The military offers help to soldiers in enrolling in classes. Forbes completed 71 credits while enlisted and is working towards a degree in human resources.

“With the current tempo here in Iraq, there is no excuse why every Marine can’t take at least one course while here,” says Master Sgt. James Emch. “Marines should jump at the opportunity to better themselves and set themselves up for a successful future.”

Deployed soldiers can get up to 100 percent of their educational expenses paid for by the government through programs like Tuition Assistance, the Montgomery GI Bill, and the Marine Corpse College Fund.

“The best time for Marines to pursue their education is not when they get out of the Corps. It’s while their still in it,” says an education technician at Camp Courtney in Japan.

A friend recommended he visit www.ClassesAndCareers.com, a free online education information resource. In a few minutes, users can fill out a form and be connected live with an education advisor.

"I went to the Web site and told them about my goals," Sergeant John Noble says. "Not long after, an advisor called me and helped me find a nice, flexible online program. I could do lectures and homework during my time off."

Noble is now more than halfway through his bachelors in accounting. "It has been really convenient for me to continue my education while I’m enlisted,” Noble said.  “I should finish right before I am released and will be able to go directly into a Masters Program.”

If you are considering enrolling in classes while still serving, visit www.ClassesAndCareers.com to be connected live with an education advisor. After assessing your career goals, he or she will help you work towards your educational and career goals.

In 2008, 39,000 active duty service members earned degrees while deployed in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, 25,800 active members earned associate’s degrees,10,484 earned bachelor’s degrees, and 2,666 earned master’s degrees.

Deployed on a carrier in the Persian Gulf, Jonathan Rickman, a 2nd class Navy specialist, is furthering his education online. He typically works a long shift, gets some physical activity, does laundry, and then hits the books, logging onto his classes on one of the ship’s computers to talk with classmates and instructors halfway around the world. 

"The biggest advantage of online education is the ability to ‘attend’ class when it is convenient for me," says 25-year-old Rickman. "I can’t study like this at home. Here, when all my work is done, I don’t have anything else to do. My classes keep me busy, and I know they’ll help me get a good job when I get home."

Stephanie Martin, a field medic stationed near Qatar, is majoring in education. "I like that it provides me with a distraction from some of the harsh realities of war," Martin says. 

Fortunately, online services exist to military servicemen and women to help them find the right degree and know how to use their military financial aid. By visiting Classes and Careers.com, military servicemen and women can fill out a form and get in contact with an education advisor from a military-friendly online university.

Martin says, "They made it easy for me to figure out which classes I wanted to take and how to pay for it. It’s hard to believe I’ll be teaching elementary school kids when I’m done here."

If you are on active duty in the military, you may be able to use your GI Bill, tuition assistance, financial aid or scholarships to take classes online. Visit ClassesandCareers.com today to fill out a form, tell them about your interests, and get connected with an education advisor.