Does the Peace Corps help one pay for higher education?

Question

Does the Peace Corps help one pay for higher education?

Answer 1

No, it's not like serving in the military, which has the GI bill. However, there are a number of programs between graduate schools and the Peace Corps which combine PC service with a  related degree. Many of these probably offer grants which would cover graduate education, but the money is not provided by the Peace Corps.

A couple of other things to consider - while a university degree is not required, the vast majority of PC volunteers do have at least a 2 year degree. Technically, the minimum age to enter the Peace Corps is 18, but it is extremely rare for them to take someone that young. After the initial training period, you are out on your own at your site for two years, so they are looking for people with a proven level of maturity and independence.

On the other hand, I have been really taken aback at the number of doors my peace corps service has opened to me.  I applied to 8 law schools after PC, and got into all of them. I am now at an Ivy league law school, something I'd never expected. Employers look at my resume, and all anyone wants to talk about is Peace Corps. It says a lot about you - that you are committed, adaptable, hard-working, self-directed, a good communicator, able to stick it out in tough situations...and so on.

Hope this gives you some useful information. Check out the website below for more information.

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shel...

Answer 2

One specific college loan program will forgive 30% of your debt if you complete 2 years of service. You get about $6,000 as a re-adjustment allowance when you finish. That will take you through roughly a semester of graduate school at a state college with low tuition if you watch your budget and don't eat out more than once a semester.

92% of all PCVs have a bachelor's degree. I'm assuming you mean graduate school. There was one PCV who was 19, but he had helped on his family farm from the time he was old enough to walk, just about, and had been the county 4-H leader at 16.