The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

February 21, 2012

Public servants eligible for new Rasmussen grant program

By Amanda Dyslin Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO —  

A new grant program at Rasmussen College will help public servants pay to further their education.

The Rasmussen American Heroes Grant will offer 100 grants, each worth up to $2,500, in direct tuition assistance to active-duty law enforcement officers, professional firefighters and paramedics who enroll in any Rasmussen College degree program.

 The grants are available at all of Rasmussen’s 22 campuses or online.

“As the name implies, American Heroes, we want to show our appreciation and honor those men and women that are on the front line in tragedies and emergencies, laying their lives on the line to protect and help others,” said Kathy Sanger, Mankato campus director. “The purpose is to provide a grant to help cover tuition costs so they can pursue an educational degree of their choice, as a way to say thanks for all you do.”

The advanced degrees may enable public safety officials to earn a higher rank and salary. However, the grants enable the recipients to pursue any degree of interest, not just those related to public safety or criminal justice.

Blue Earth County Sheriff Brad Peterson said deputies interested in moving on to a larger sheriff’s office or police department may need to advance their degrees if they do not already hold a bachelor’s.

“As for the benefits (of furthering education), I believe in our profession of law enforcement we can not have enough training,” Peterson said.

To qualify, students must provide and maintain proof of employment in a qualifying field and also must maintain continuous enrollment for 10 consecutive quarters (some exclusions may apply based on program requirements).

Grant recipients are still eligible for federal financial aid programs.

For more information, visit www.Rasmussen.edu/AmericanHeroes.

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