Military Veterans Education
You have served your country well with the Armed Forces-done your duty, seen countless tours, and maybe even made a career of it. But now you're out. Where do you go from here? The options available to you are wide open, and with your service you have earned a lot of assistance to get you where you need to go.
The Montgomery GI Bill
The GI Bill was created after World War II, specifically to help veterans of active duty obtain an education and be successful in their life after military service. Since then, it has continued to help give former soldiers the tools they need for a thriving future. Do you qualify for aid under the GI Bill? You might if:
- You have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
- You served a minimum of two years on active duty, with an honorable discharge.
- You contributed $100 per month for the first twelve months of active duty, unless you qualify under the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP).
If you answered yes to all of those, then congratulations! You are eligible for up to $47,000 in academic benefits (on the current pay scale).
There are constraints for the GI Bill: one is that you must make sure that the college you attend is GI Bill-compliant (not all are, unfortunately, so make sure to look around.) Another is that there are a few time constraints, of which everyone applying should be aware:
- You are only eligible for aid after two years of active service.
- Once discharged, you have ten years to use your benefits before they expire, upon which you will not be reimbursed for the initial $100/month investment.
- When your benefits are activated, the GI Bill will pay for 36 months of benefits-not including summers this equates to eight semesters, twelve trimesters, or in other words four years of college.
For more detailed information on how to get started applying for your veteran benefits, try checking out the Department of Veteran Affairs website.
State Benefits
On top of the GI Bill, your state may offer benefits of its own to help you and your dependents on your quest for a college degree. These benefits vary greatly from state to state, from scholarships and grants to full tuition wavers at state universities, so it is well worth looking into your options.
Scholarships
Scholarships are in a league of their own-they ask nothing from you, beyond meeting their qualifications, and most can be used at institutions that might not be covered by state benefits or the GI Bill. A common misconception is that scholarships are rare and difficult to win, but the truth is that there are many out there-especially for veterans-if you are willing to do the legwork to look for them! The Veterans Fund, Boren Scholarships, and Veteran Affairs fellowships are just a few of many scholarship options to explore.
Spouses and Dependents
In addition to you qualifying for education assistance, your spouse and even your dependents can also reap the benefits of a higher degree education. With programs like the Dependents Education Assistance program, the military may provide your loved ones with valuable financial aid. Check out our military spouse education page for more details.
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