Attending The University of Alabama as a full-time distance learning student while juggling a military career, marriage and five kids is a challenging feat, but with nearly 20 years of service to his country in the armed services, Adam Linn was up to the task.
Linn, a former Marines sergeant and a chief warrant officer in the National Guard, graduated from the University with a bachelor’s in human environmental sciences in August 2020. He completed his degree in less than four years.
The Powder Springs, Ga., native said the experience was a good one that required him to stick to a strict schedule. He’s grateful for the financial aid he received but said it would have been easier for him if there were scholarships available for military students, particularly in the distance learning program.
“We recognize the sacrifices military service members and their families make every day. We want to alleviate potential financial barriers to ensure educational goals are not among those sacrifices.”
“The tuition assistance I received from the Guard only covered $250 per credit hour, which is not the full amount of tuition at UA,” Linn said. “It was definitely a benefit to come to UA and be able to access tuition assistance, but having an additional scholarship at my fingertips would have created an environment where I didn’t have to get student loans and it would’ve eased the stress.
“If that were available, no doubt about it I would have tapped into it immediately.”
Jamie Fowler, manager of alumni and constituent relations for the College of Continuing Studies, said that it’s students like Linn that inspired the college to seek funding through Bama Blitz to endow a new scholarship for active duty and veteran military service members and their dependents.
“We recognize the sacrifices military service members and their families make every day, and we want to alleviate potential financial barriers to ensure educational goals are not among those sacrifices,” Fowler said.
If enough funding for the passion project is raised through Bama Blitz, the scholarship will be made available to any active duty and veteran military service members and their dependents that are enrolled in online programs through the College of Continuing Studies.
“I think a military scholarship is a great way to move forward for those who have access to it,” Linn said. “I hope the University gets what it needs to offer this as an additional service to our military servicemen and servicewomen.”
To support this new scholarship fund, donors can make a gift online at the Bama Blitz website.
Contact
Jamon Smith, strategic communications, jamon.smith@ua.edu