@Tris919 You might do as @SweetieJean suggests. Create an IRA, roll the money from the PERA into the IRA and then take a distribution.
However, taking a distribution will mean paying tax on that now, but no penalty if used for education.
The reasoning behind the 10% early withdrawal penalty is to "encourage" people not to use up their retirement savings, but to keep the savings until retirement.
You might want to consult a financial planner
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