Rasmussen College Offers New Grant Program to Honor Local American Heroes

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of the service and sacrifices made by police officers, sheriff's deputies, firefighters and paramedics every day to protect the public's safety, Rasmussen College today announced the launch of a new grant program designed to help these dedicated public servants pursue an advanced degree to enhance their career.

One of the few programs of its kind designed specifically for the public safety professional, the Rasmussen College American Heroes Grant will offer 100 grants worth up to $2,500 each in direct tuition assistance to active duty local, state and federal law enforcement officers, professional firefighters and paramedics who enroll in any Rasmussen College degree program at any of its 22 campuses nationwide or online.

"Rasmussen College has already developed a strong partnership with the criminal justice and public safety communities in the areas we serve," said Matt Petz, Director of the Rasmussen College School of Justice Studies and full-time licensed Minnesota peace officer for over 15 years, citing the numerous professional guest lecturers who participate in class programs and the high-ranking advisory board members, trainers and faculty members in the industry who are affiliated with Rasmussen College. "This new grant is a great way for us to show our sincere appreciation for the dedication and sacrifices these individuals make every day to keep us safe by answering the call to duty, no matter what time of the day or night."

Obtaining an advanced degree in their current field can enable public safety professionals to achieve a specialized assignment, or a higher rank and a higher salary. However, recipients of the Rasmussen College American Heroes Grant may pursue any program of study, not just criminal justice, giving them an opportunity to expand their horizons and catapult their career to the next level. For example, a police officer may enroll in the Information Technology program to pursue a career as a forensic IT professional, or a paramedic might attain a degree from the School of Health Sciences to work in non-emergency patient care.

To qualify, prospective or current students must provide and maintain proof of employment in a qualifying field and must also maintain continuous enrollment for 10 consecutive quarters (some exclusions may apply based on program requirements). Application for the American Heroes Grant is part of the normal student admissions/enrollment process at the Rasmussen College campus of their choice. Further, recipients of the American Heroes Grant are also still eligible for federal financial aid programs and may take advantage of Rasmussen College corporate partnership discounts available through their employer.

Rasmussen College is dedicated to serving law enforcement officers, professional firefighters and paramedics even beyond the American Heroes Grant, and has implemented several additional strategies to help them achieve their goals as efficiently as possible such as: specialized transfer policies for police academy, military and academic credit; online classes that are available 24/7 to meet current job demands; sequenced scheduling to maximize course availability, and industry-relevant coursework that can be applied to current professions.

For more information about the Rasmussen American Heroes Grant, visit www.Rasmussen.edu/AmericanHeroes.

To view this release in full, visit http://www.rasmussen.edu/press-release/2012-02-10/new-grant-program-to-honor-local-american-heroes.

ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE

An innovator of higher education, Rasmussen College is a regionally-accredited, private college that specializes in offering the most in-demand degree programs in a highly supportive, student-centered educational environment.  Rasmussen College offers market-relevant programs from the certificate and diploma level through the associate's and bachelor's level online and across its 22 campuses in the Midwest and Florida to more than 15,000 students. By combining its expertise in career development with high academic standards and with unparalleled student support services, graduates of Rasmussen College leave with the most up-to-date knowledge, the skills that employers look for, and the tools to succeed in their chosen field.  Since 1900, the primary focus at Rasmussen College has remained constant: student achievement is of the utmost importance, the employer who hires its students continues to be a valued partner, and Rasmussen College is dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.

SOURCE Rasmussen College