Army Community Service held their Financial Aid One on One Scholarship Seminar on Feb. 13. Attendees of the seminar held learned the true cost of college is often more than the published yearly tuition fees and gained an understanding of the difference between, in-district, in-state and out of state two and four-year colleges.

At the seminar, Sherry Major, ACS Employment Readiness Program coordinator, provided valuable information for finding local and national military and civilian scholarship listings.

Guest speakers at the scholarship seminar provided information about local recourses available to active duty, veterans and their family members seeking to start and complete continued education goals.

Alfie Mincy, director of Educational Opportunities Center at Midland Technical College, spoke about TRIO a, federally-funded program that assists individuals who want to pursue or continue their education.

The focus of TRIO is "to help veterans and their families interested in continuing education beyond high school to obtain a two or four year degree." Mincy said, "Admissions and financial aid can be a scary process and we want to help navigate that process so that it is not intimidating. We are looking forward to working with the Fort Jackson military community that wants to start and continue their career goals."

Those interested in taking advantage of the resources and services offered by TRIO should contact the Education Center's Skills Program for TRIO office hours.

Additional options for education assistance programs are offered through the Depart of Veterans Affairs Vet Success Counselor on Campus initiative.

Andria Jefferies, Department of Veterans Affairs Vocation Rehabilitation Counselor and VSCOC located on the Midland Technical College campus explained how continuing education can have a positive impact on family and community.

"If veterans, service members and their dependents; spouses and children are successful at earning their degree at Midland Technical College then they have the skill set to enter the workforce as productive citizens of the work force …," Jefferies said. I "work with individuals using GI benefits to finance school by providing information services to ensure successful navigation of the benefits and services available to them.