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The AUSA & AIT Scholarship Program
Background
AUSA and AIT have formed a partnership to provide scholarships for technical training and certification for AUSA member soldiers.
Program Objectives
The purpose of the scholarship program is to provide active duty and transitioning soldiers with an opportunity to join and benefit from an AUSA - AIT scholarship program. AIT offers a variety of scholarships to AUSA Members toward technical training and certification. The soldier benefits by receiving high tech training and certification which he or she can use in their current occupation or future occupation. AUSA benefits by fulfilling its mission of assisting soldiers and their families and by increasing its membership. AIT benefits by filling its training schedule with qualified students and by creating a pool of technically certified candidates for possible employment. Ultimately, the Army benefits because soldiers and their families leave the service with qualifications that enhance their ability to obtain high paying jobs thereby creating a sense of “goodwill” toward the Army and reinforce a “positive” experience.
Scholarship Modules
Scheduling takes into consideration the resources of the AIT training center as well as active duty versus transitioning (ACAP) AUSA members. Classes are conducted during normal duty hours, evenings and weekends. For 2007, AIT is prepared to offer one hundred (100) $1,000 scholarships and twelve (12) $6,000 scholarships or the equivalent.
- MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer)
- Day - 4 week course (8:30 – 17:30)
- 7 x $1,000 scholarships
- 1 x $6,000 scholarship
- Cost of course = $6,000
- Module of 8 scholarships
- Student # = 8 or 16 man classrooms
- Evening - 8 week course (17:30 – 21:30)
- 7 x $1,000 scholarships
- 1 x $6,000 scholarship
- Cost of course = $6,000
- Module of 8 scholarships
- Student # = 8 or 16 man classrooms
- CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Engineer)
- Day – 1 week course (8:30 – 17:30)
- 7 x $500 scholarships
- 1 x $2,500 scholarship
- Cost of course = $2,500
- Module of 8 scholarships
- Student # = 8 or 16 man classrooms
- CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Engineer)
- Evening – 2 week course (17:30 – 21:30)
- 7 x $500 scholarships
- 1 x $2,500 scholarship
- Cost of course = $2,500
- Module of 8 scholarships
- Student # = 8 or 16 man classrooms
- A+ or N+ or S+ (COMPTIA Hardware, Network, Security Specialist)
- Day – 1 week course (8:30 – 17:30)
- 7 x $200 scholarships
- 1 x $1,000 scholarship
- Cost of course = $1,000
- Module of 8 scholarships
- Student # = 8 or 16 man classrooms
- Evening – 2 week course (17:30 – 21:30)
- 7 x $200 scholarship
- 1 x $1,000 scholarship
- Cost of course = $1,000
- Module of 8 scholarships
- Student # = 8 or 16 man classrooms
Program Eligibility
The scholarship program lends itself to AUSA members transitioning through ACAP. As soldiers begin to look at their post Army career choices, high paying technical jobs are appealing. During their transition, soldiers can work with their units and chain-of-command to determine their schedules and course availability. Active duty AUSA members are more of a challenge. The course schedule focus is on evening courses to accommodate active duty soldiers. The following are eligibility criteria. The determining of eligibility is distinguished from the actual selection by a scholarship committee.
- Proof of honorable discharge
- Scholarship Application
- Credit Application
- Needs Statement
- Passes the Pretest
Funding Sources
The pricing structure for the training and certification offered by AIT is about 40% less than most certification centers. For example, the MCSE in most markets is about $9,000 - $10,000. The scholarships are the first source of funding. The classes and scholarships are structured on modules of 8 students where 7 awards are partial rides covering approximately 20% of a course and the 8th scholarship is a full ride covering 100% of a course. Sources of funding include:
- AUSA-AIT scholarships
- GI Bill
- Commercial Lenders with covenants
- Fort Bragg Credit Union with covenants
- Microsoft
- Community Colleges
- Self funding
Job Placement
Job assistance placement is a component of the program. There are several channels that could be used to facilitate this. Ultimately, the more success stories the better. It is also important to solicit employer feedback to continuously improve the program. Job placement opportunities include:
- AIT in-house employment
- AIT Dealership Employment Nationwide
- Post Resumes in Match Force
- AUSA Sustaining Members
- ACAP Corporate Partners
- Recruiting agencies specializing in placing service members
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Technology Training 
