Before you start: Mission: Degree Without the Debt pretest

About 10 minutes. Not graded. 12 questions, plus 3 quick confidence questions.

This is not a test you pass or fail. It is fine not to know these answers. Many people will not, because you have not taken the course yet. Your answers show your starting point, so at the end you can see how far you came.

How sure do you feel?

Rate each line from 1 (not at all sure) to 5 (very sure). There is no right answer.

I can pick a target and vet a school before I spend a benefit dollar.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can protect my credit and use TA and the GI Bill in a smart order.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can stack free money, avoid loans, and follow a dated plan.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

Questions

1. Gus has GI Bill months and wants to start school this fall, but he is not sure what to study. What is the best first move?

A. Ask a school recruiter which degree is most popular with veterans and pick it B. Enroll in any degree this fall so his GI Bill months do not go to waste C. Write a one line goal, then test it with an interest tool and job ads

2. Mia wrote her goal and found a few careers she likes. Who should check her plan against her benefits before she signs up?

A. A friend who took one class at that school and liked it a lot B. Nobody, since her goal is written and she can start classes now C. An education specialist or her school's veteran office

3. Rod has his school's official degree plan. What should his own map add for each required class?

A. Its credits, type, how he will earn it, and the term he will take it B. Only the teacher's name and the class time, since the plan has the rest C. Nothing more, since the official plan already lists what he needs

4. A recruiter tells Fay a program is a great deal and she should sign today. What should she do?

A. Compare it on College Scorecard and VA's tool, and get answers in writing B. Pay a small deposit to hold the spot and decide later C. Sign today so she does not lose her spot, since the deal may end soon

5. Tom has years of military training and a few old college classes. What should he do before he picks classes?

A. Skip the records, since the school will look up all of his training on its own later B. Retake his old classes so the school sees fresh, recent grades C. Order his military and college transcripts and get the credit policy in writing

6. Ned wants to be a welder. Most ads he found ask for a certification and shop experience. What fits best?

A. No training yet, just apply to shops and learn on the job B. A welding certification path, such as a Registered Apprenticeship C. A four year degree in any subject, since any degree opens more doors

7. Zoe is on active duty and wants TA for a spring class. Which order avoids a surprise bill?

A. Enroll, take the class, then ask for TA once she knows she passed it B. Make an education plan, check the school, request TA by the deadline, then enroll C. Pay for the class herself first and ask for her money back later

8. Abe left active duty in 2010. What does VA say about his Post 9/11 GI Bill?

A. It has no end date, since the Forever GI Bill removed the time limit B. It expires 15 years after his last separation from active duty C. It expired when he left, since it only pays while you serve

9. Ken has TA for his classes. Why should he still file a FAFSA this year?

A. It is free and may add grant money on top of TA B. Only so he can take out a loan if his TA money runs out C. He should not, since TA already pays for all of his classes this year

10. Ada still has a $900 gap after grants and benefits. Which option should she check first?

A. A store credit card with a low intro rate for the first year B. A private loan with a variable rate, since it often starts out lower C. Federal loans, starting with a subsidized loan if she qualifies

11. Bea has finished all her worksheets. Which next step is the best one to put on her 7 day list?

A. Figure out which college is right for her this week B. Order her military transcript on Tuesday C. Start working toward becoming a nurse sometime soon

12. Benefit rules changed since Jo made her plan. What should she do before her next term?

A. Check the plan with her certifying official or education center and update the page that changed B. Keep her plan as it is, since her benefits were approved under the old rules C. Start the whole course over from Lesson 1 and build a brand new plan

Save my starting point

Next up

Go to Lesson 1: Mission Briefing.

This self check is not graded.