I'm thinking of going back to school.

[sookie]

Since becoming unemployed and leeching off of my husband, I've been thinking of going back to school and getting my Masters. I have my BBA and the university I went to offers 2 online Masters programs I'm heavily interested in. I actually started to apply for one of them before graduation, but decided against it so I could get some experience under my belt and make sure it's what I wanted a Masters in. They're similar programs, and either one would be a great choice for what I'm hoping to stay in career field wise.

Here's the thing, each Master's program is $30,000. My degree was already right under $100,000 (private schools aren't cheap!), and so I was thinking of asking H if he'd transfer me his GI Bill. He's currently getting his degree through Embry Riddle, and from what I understand this doesn't use his GI Bill as long as he stays with the same number of courses a year he's working on.

I feel bad even thinking of asking him to transfer them to me because he works hard in his job and it's one of his benefits, but he's not using it and we've already discussed that we wouldn't transfer it to a future child since only one would be allowed to have it and that's not really fair (plus, I paid for my college... well, am paying for... not my parents, and I think that's just fine and my kids can do that too). I know the worst he can say is no, but I'm worried I'll feel upset if he says no since he isn't using it/planning on using it anyhow. Am I wrong to ask? Is it wrong I'd feel upset if he said no given the fact he doesn't plan on using it (per our last talk on his education a few months ago)?

[basilosaurus]

I don't think it's wrong to ask in the least.

[honeybadger]

That's a tough one without really knowing your relationship dynamic. If my husband had NO plan/desire to use it, or to give it to one of our children then I'd probably ask, if he hadn't already offered. If he says no, I can see being disappointed, but ultimately, it is his to do with what he chooses. He earned it. If he says no, I'd drop it but ask if he has plans on obtaining more degrees if he hasn't discussed it with you already. Purely out of interest.

I certainly wouldn't ever expect H to just pass it on to me, but I also can't imagine my H saying no just to say no with zero thoughts, intentions or plans for it for himself.I realize people will probably find that flameful, but it is up to each service member how they choose to use it. They have the option to pass it to family members if they so choose, so a discussion on the topic shouldn't be a big issue. It'd just be nice if when bringing up the topic of your Masters and more loans, he threw out the idea himself. Maybe?

I'm sorry that this is all jumbled. My brain is barely functioning at this point in the move.

[ilovelamp]

I don't see any problem in asking, but that's just my opinion.

[Deleted]

Can you use a GI bill for your masters?

[sookie]

Jun 21, 2012 15:42:19 GMT -5 @lemonlover33 said:

Can you use a GI bill for your masters?

I would think so, but now I'm not positive. I'll do more research on that. I would think you'd be allowed to since you can get your degree through the military and then you're still given the GI Bill.

[sookie]

Jun 21, 2012 15:18:31 GMT -5 honeybadger said:

That's a tough one without really knowing your relationship dynamic. If my husband had NO plan/desire to use it, or to give it to one of our children then I'd probably ask, if he hadn't already offered. If he says no, I can see being disappointed, but ultimately, it is his to do with what he chooses. He earned it. If he says no, I'd drop it but ask if he has plans on obtaining more degrees if he hasn't discussed it with you already. Purely out of interest.

I certainly wouldn't ever expect H to just pass it on to me, but I also can't imagine my H saying no just to say no with zero thoughts, intentions or plans for it for himself.I realize people will probably find that flameful, but it is up to each service member how they choose to use it. They have the option to pass it to family members if they so choose, so a discussion on the topic shouldn't be a big issue. It'd just be nice if when bringing up the topic of your Masters and more loans, he threw out the idea himself. Maybe?

I'm sorry that this is all jumbled. My brain is barely functioning at this point in the move.

I don't think he'd say no if I ask, but I'm not positive if he thinks he'll one day get his Masters (which I know he won't because he hates school and won't need his Masters for what he's looking at doing).

I don't think it's flameful at all to say that he has the right to say no and do what he wishes, and I think that's why I feel weird asking him, because it is his and I want him to do what he wants with it. I'd like to apply to start this fall if he's ok with it, but that would depend on things other than him saying yes or no obviously. I'd love if he just offered it, but I don't think he'd even consider the GI Bill or think of it since he's not planning on continuing past the Bachelors he's already working on.

[crimewatcher]

Jun 21, 2012 15:42:19 GMT -5 @lemonlover33 said:

Can you use a GI bill for your masters?

From what I've been told yes. At least the Post 911 GI Bill which is transferable to any dependent.

[sookie]

Based on a quick search, it looks like you can use it as long as it's not for the same level degree as you already have an it cannot be a doctorate. Since I have a Bachelors and not a Masters, I'd qualify to use it.

[crimewatcher]

Jun 21, 2012 16:06:17 GMT -5 sookie said:

Jun 21, 2012 15:18:31 GMT -5 honeybadger said:

That's a tough one without really knowing your relationship dynamic. If my husband had NO plan/desire to use it, or to give it to one of our children then I'd probably ask, if he hadn't already offered. If he says no, I can see being disappointed, but ultimately, it is his to do with what he chooses. He earned it. If he says no, I'd drop it but ask if he has plans on obtaining more degrees if he hasn't discussed it with you already. Purely out of interest.

I certainly wouldn't ever expect H to just pass it on to me, but I also can't imagine my H saying no just to say no with zero thoughts, intentions or plans for it for himself.I realize people will probably find that flameful, but it is up to each service member how they choose to use it. They have the option to pass it to family members if they so choose, so a discussion on the topic shouldn't be a big issue. It'd just be nice if when bringing up the topic of your Masters and more loans, he threw out the idea himself. Maybe?

I'm sorry that this is all jumbled. My brain is barely functioning at this point in the move.

I don't think he'd say no if I ask, but I'm not positive if he thinks he'll one day get his Masters (which I know he won't because he hates school and won't need his Masters for what he's looking at doing).

I don't think it's flameful at all to say that he has the right to say no and do what he wishes, and I think that's why I feel weird asking him, because it is his and I want him to do what he wants with it. I'd like to apply to start this fall if he's ok with it, but that would depend on things other than him saying yes or no obviously. I'd love if he just offered it, but I don't think he'd even consider the GI Bill or think of it since he's not planning on continuing past the Bachelors he's already working on.

This is how I would start the conversation. Hey honey I'm thinking about getting my Masters in A because of X,Y,Z. How do you feel about that?

Obviously, it's important to have the discussion of why you want to do it and also make sure it's useful. I'm really anti getting a Masters solely because you're unemployed. Getting a masters doesn't necessarily make you employable or finding certain jobs any easier.

Once you are both set that its an appropriate venture you can move on to how you are going to pay for it. (Assistantships, scholarships, loans? BJs on the corner lol the last one is a JOKE!) If you have no income, he will have to ultimately give the okay if you are going to use his income to buy books, pay for some of the credits etc. He will also be held liable for your student loan debt as well so if he doesn't want to share the Post 911 GI BILL, the debt can still ultimately come back to him.

[honeybadger]

Just to be clear, I don't think it is flameful/didn't mean that saying it is HIS to do with (which is obv) would be flameful. I meant people might think it is flameful that I support you asking, lol. But to be prepared if he says no.

If he does say no, I would definitely hope to hear his possible plans for it purely for interest/communications sake.

[Deleted]

Oh good. I would bring up wanting to go back to school then brainstorm together on how you guys can afford it/pay for it. He may offer it on his own.

[JakJak]

Jun 21, 2012 16:22:23 GMT -5 honeybadger said:

Just to be clear, I don't think it is flameful/didn't mean that saying it is HIS to do with (which is obv) would be flameful. I meant people might think it is flameful that I support you asking, lol. But to be prepared if he says no.

If he does say no, I would definitely hope to hear his possible plans for it purely for interest/communications sake.

I totally agree with this. I really hope he would give an explanation if he says no. If he said he doesn't plan on using it, I doubt he wouldn't give it to you

[sookie]

Jun 21, 2012 16:15:39 GMT -5 crimewatcher said:

I'm really anti getting a Masters solely because you're unemployed. Getting a masters doesn't necessarily make you employable or finding certain jobs any easier.

Since it's an online program, I'd still be looking for a job and working, as I'm doing now, but it gives me a nice to time to at least get started and have a bit under my belt while I wait. I definitely wouldn't use be getting my Masters online and not working. It's something I've thought about for the last 4 years and it's never felt like a great time or I was debating schools. I know I want to stay with the same university I attended for my Bachelors, so now it's just debating which Masters ultimately works better for what I do/want to continue doing since they're both in the same field of study and are very similar minus a certification available on each side and a few classes.

[sookie]

I think I'll bring it up to him today since it's his day off and he should be calling and see where it goes. Even if he agrees/offers, it's only the beginning of the road. Thanks ladies!