AMU Careers & Learning Law Enforcement Public Safety

How to Pay for Your Criminal Justice Degree

By Matthew Loux, faculty member at American Military University

Besides your house, one of the largest expenses you are likely to incur is paying for your college degree. A college degree is important for many reasons. Research studies show police officers who have earned a college degree demonstrate better overall job performance. According to the Department of Labor, the pay gap between college graduates and everyone else reached a record high last year with four-year college degrees making 98 percent more an hour on average in 2013 than people without a degree. That is an increase from 89 percent five years prior.

Education, moneyPersonally, there is also a sense of self-pride that goes along with getting a degree. Many of my friends ask why I continue with my education and for me it’s that sense of accomplishment coupled with access to so many resources, the opportunity to be taught by leading experts, and the ability to network with peers.

Increased Costs of Education
The College Board reported (PDF) that a moderate college budget for an in-state public college for the 2014-15 academic year averaged $23,410. A moderate budget at a private college averaged $46,272. Here are a few items that go into that cost:

Tuition
Colleges charge tuition by the units that make up an academic year, such as a semester or quarter. Tuition at public colleges is often reduced for state residents.

Fees
College fees may include the library, campus transportation, student government, and athletic facilities. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2014-15 school year was $31,231 at private colleges, $9,139 for state residents at public colleges, and $22,958 for out-of-state residents attending public universities.

Housing and Meals
The average cost of room and board in 2014-15 ranged from $9,804 at four-year public schools to $11,188 at private schools.

Books and School Supplies
The average cost for books and supplies for the 2014-15 school year was $1,146 at public colleges and $1,244 at private colleges.

Personal and Transportation Expenses
Transportation expenses alone range from $2,609 at private colleges to $3,242 at public universities, according to the College Board.

How Can You Pay for College?
After reviewing the expenses above, you may feel some sticker shock. Hang in there because there are financial aid options that may help reduce the burden.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
FAFSA is the first place to start. You will be asked many questions to include your income and your parent or guardian income, if relevant.

Grants
One of the best financial aid resources are grants. Grants are often called “gifted aid” because it is money that does not have to be repaid. The U.S. Department of Education offers a variety of federal grants to students attending four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools. The major federal student aid grant programs include:

  • Federal Pell Grant – Generally awarded to undergraduate students who are financially needy and who have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree.
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) – Awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Not all colleges participate in the FSEOG program.
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant – If your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11 you may qualify for this federal grant program.

Scholarships
There are many local and national scholarships available, but it can be overwhelming trying to review all of them. Here are some websites to check out when researching scholarships:

I also recommend you check your local retail shops to see if they offer scholarships; you might be surprised by how many do.

Tax Credits
Be sure to ask your tax professional about how to file your taxes to get education credits like the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.

Military Aid

  • The Armed Forces Tuition assistance can be a powerful addition to your college plans and many can receive up to $4,500 annually for tuition and fees.
  • Post-9/11 GI Bill which is an updated version of the World War II legislation which assists those who have served for at least 90 days on active duty since 9/11.
  • The Montgomery GI Bill where benefits vary, but it is worth checking into.
  • ROTC programs where students can prepare for service and receive their college education at the same time.

Employer Assistance
It never hurts to ask your employer if they have an employee assistance program to help offset the costs or partial costs of an education.

Guidance Counselor
If you are already in college, be sure to visit with the financial aid office more than one time a year because you never know when a new scholarship will become available. Visit the website of your former high school to check out their scholarship listings and financial aid advice.

About the Author: Matt Loux has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years and has a background in fraud, criminal investigation, as well as hospital, school, and network security. Matt has researched and studied law enforcement and security best practices for the past 10 years.

Leischen Kranick is a Managing Editor at AMU Edge. She has 15 years of experience writing articles and producing podcasts on topics relevant to law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, private security, and national security.

Comments are closed.