When Marine spouse, Stephanie West and her family moved to Marine Corps Base Quantico from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., in January, continuing her college education seemed like an unreachable goal.

However, thanks to motivation and guidance from the Voluntary Education Center and family support, West not only enrolled in fall classes at an online college but is also the recipient of the Park University Military Family Scholarship.

West said the VEC encouraged her to pursue a bachelor’s degree and helped find the scholarship, which is given to military dependents. It will pay complete tuition for one class per quarter. She took several college courses before getting married but, like many military spouses, West said navigating military life proved to be an arduous task.

“Once we got married and moved, I just gave up on school because I didn’t think it would be possible to move around, have a kid and continue a pursuing a college degree,” West said. “Melora, [McVicker, education services officer] encouraged me to go for it and answered every question or concern I had.”

West is studying at Park University to earn a bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology. West’s husband is also pursuing higher education. For this military family, who has a son, Cayden, 4, and is expecting another child in several months, this move is a big step toward securing a future and greater opportunities.

“Having a bachelor’s degree will help with career opportunities in the long run and it says that you took the extra step to get your education,” West said.