Schooling

[TxZen]

Piggy Backing about the Grad School Question

I have some GI Bill still left for about 18 months of schooling. I don't want to go to grad school. I have no desire. I do, however, want to take some health and wellness classes that could help me down the road. Here is the kicker- I am the girl that always did the RIGHT thing (which is ok) but now wants to do the fun thing. Such a spot to be in!!! Again, trying to move into a different space in my life. I was ALWAYS the responsible one, since I was 10. I just want to let go and have a little fun and enjoyment that could assist me with some experience and learning, but in a FUN way. Should I feel guilty? How do I move past this?

[SteveinMN]

Education is education. Does it make more sense to spend your limited time, energy, and (to some extent) money on education which does not interest you and which does not seem to have a direct application to your life -- or to spend it on something you'll enjoy now and in the future? And it's not like the GI funding will vanish into thin air -- if you don't use it, someone else will to reach for their dreams. Everyone wins this way.

[Spartana]

Well the GI bill funding does go away after a certain number of years - 10 years after separation from the service for the Montgomery GI Bill and 15 for the Post 9/11 GI Bill - so eventually if you don't use it, you lose it.

Also, if I remember correctly, the GI bill also required you to have an "approved" school plan that either lead to a degree of some sort or a certificate. So they may not pay if you are taking "fun" classes without an outlined curriculum leading to a degree. Again that may not be the case any longer but worth checking it out before you sign up for fun classes/personal enrichment classes. If it was me and they don't pay for fun classes, I'd still take some kind of classes they allow to get the amount remaining on my GI Bill. Free money! Free education - hard to pass that up.

I also believe you can pass the benefit along to your spouse and/or kids if you have them.

http://www.military.com/education/gi-bill/5-must-know-gi-bill-facts.html

[TxZen]

Mine is from my hubby. :)

It would be a formalized program but I just want to do something fun, like yoga or photography or both. :)

[Rosemary]

Just begin.
It will be a new environment and if you end up choosing the 'wrong' program, you will discover the right path as you work your way through. That's what happened to me - in my first semester back to school. It's been so fun to meet all the students and delve deeply into science again.