I am eighteen, going on nineteen, and recently have graduated high school. I spent about a year working relentlessly while anticipating the beginning of my career with the NAVY. Plans changed, however, after an injury and now I am fully focused on attending university.
My scores in highschool reflected my apathetic attitude towards it: a 28 ACT score and a 3.0 GPA
I am going to be fully independent during university with no supplemental income from family. I am looking into branches of the military and their respective educational benefits they may offer for reserve enlisted personEl. I am from Illinois and would ideally like to attend UIUC if I would be considered with my current scores.
I find myself becoming very pessimistic and depressed when it comes to the next four years, not because of university itself, that is something I am looking forward too, but because of being stuck in the same area for another four years. I would love to get out of illinois and Into abother state but am unsure whether that would be wise regarding my situation. I would need to establish residency for reserve duty and in state tution.
If in the shoes of a young, independent soon-to-be student, what actions would you take to insure four years of relative ease during university? Stay in your respective state, file for student loans, and recieve in-state tution discount or uproot your life and live with little for a year to establish residency for university to better your mental state and health.
Any advice/opinions/criticism welcome. Thank you.
Would it be possible for you to enlist full-time before attending college, despite an injury? I’m not sure what the limitations are on minimum time served and such, but after a few years you may qualify for the GI Bill, which will pay for your education once you get out. Be sure to check out the ROTC program at UIUC, which will open the door for a commission when you get out (if you’re looking for a career in the military, this would be an excellent option). They sometimes offer special programs or scholarships as well.
It seems like money is an issue for you, so I would recommend staying in the state; as you said, it will significantly reduce the cost for you. I’m not sure whether you could sufficiently establish state residency somewhere else solely to get in-state tuition. That’s something you’d have to check with each college about.
As an active duty military individual there are provisions for being considered instate for tuition purposes as the military moves you around the country, and the globe. So if you really want to enlist then this might be a great way to go financially. The military also has a list of online courses offered through a variety of institutions, many with reasonable tuition called Dantes online.
http://www.dantes.doded.mil/#sthash.dyTYP2Ib.dpbs
The military also works with the University of Maryland University College where you can take courses at bases around the world or online.
http://learn-more.umuc.edu/search/brand/?marketcode=WB200531&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm8XE7JzQ1AIVyFYNCh1dswodEAAYASAAEgIQl_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds