I have a unique problem/gift, that I need some advice or new ideas on. I am a veteran with access to about 10.5 months of Post 9/11 GI Bill to use up by 2020. The interesting thing about this program is they give me a stipend for books of $1000 a year, and also pay me a monthly housing allowance to go to school. For my area that would be $1441 for full time (12 Credits can be mixed in class and online), with it being prorated based on how many credits I take and a minimum of over 50% time to get it. If I go solely online school I get paid $805 a month for full time. Based on this I am leaving money on the table if I do not go to school. So I am trying to determine exactly what to do, and what would help me in the long run. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.
A little background information on myself, I work for the DOD GS-13, non-manager, working supply chain management and make around $100k a year. I have no intentions of leaving the security of the Federal Government, unless I was offered a crazy salary, think double the current, at a private industry. My skills (at least what I think), lie in analyzing processes and improving them, and managing complex projects. For example, I redesigned our systems access for the agency I work for from the ground up in order for us to be audited, and that was fun to me. I have a passion for analyzing businesses, and one day will figure out how to start my own consulting for the many small business that surely could use someone helping them streamline and save costs. Furthermore, I currently have an Associate in Information Technology, and a Bachelor in Business Management.
So based on that I am seeing these three options, there might be more that I am missing, and if I am let me know. Disclaimer: If the 9/11 Bill runs out before I complete anything, I get 7k a year with tuition reimbursement, so nothing will ever come out of my pocket.
1) Masters Degree, leaning towards an MBA but wouldn't rule out others - Could potentially help me move up in the Government but is not really needed, anything over a Bachelor's is just icing for 90% of jobs. It would help me if I ever have the desire to move up into the senior executive scale, which I did when I first started out, now not so much due to hours worked and work/life balance. I always wanted a masters when I was younger, but now just a piece of paper.
2) Law Degree (fun) - This would have no applicable use to me, as I would probably never practice it. But, it was a childhood dream to be a lawyer. (Hmm.. I wonder what that says about me...)
3) Tech Certificate/Degree/Training - This would be something to work with my hands that I could potentially do on the side, and make some more money. I have notoriously been someone who doesn't like to get their hands dirty, as I have always been drawn to office work instead of manual labor. But to be mustachian I must change that, and willing to start. I would probably lean towards IT, electrical, engineering, carpentry or machining.
Basically, I am looking for pros and cons that I might be missing, whether to just do online only (would be easier) and give up $600 dollars a month, and any ideas anyone else might have to use up this funding. I am thinking it is a foregone conclusion to use it, so am not going to even ask about not using it at all.