Five Considerations for Attending College as a Member of the Armed Forces
February 6, 2023
Here are some of the ways being an active or reserve service man or woman can impact your college education.
The GI Bill:
Probably the most recognizable veteran or active duty military benefit is the GI Bill, which also happens to be one of the more complicated benefits. The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 was the original “GI Bill,” which has taken on numerous iterations throughout the years and was used to reward returning servicemen during World War II and as a recruitment tool. Broadly speaking, this bill, and its subsequent iterations, will pay the college tuition for active-duty military and veterans. However, as with most financial matters, the details are in the fine print. For starters, the current GI Bill, passed in 2008, will only fully cover the costs of public institutions. The GI Bill will cover up to roughly $26,000 worth of tuition per academic year for non-public schools, but that still leaves students who wish to attend private, foreign, or some technical and vocational schools to foot the bill for any cost differences.In addition, the GI Bill's tuition coverage largely depends on how long an individual has served in the military after September 10, 2001. There are three ways in which vets can have their entire tuition covered: (1) serving more than three years (36 months) of active duty since Sept. 10, 2001, (2) receiving a Purple Heart between day 30 and month 36 of active duty, or (3) discharged after 30 days due to a duty-related disability or accident. Military.com offers a chart that will help students determine their eligibility for tuition reimbursement. Needless to say, military service does not guarantee full rides to any institution of higher education, as is often claimed.
The GI Bill has other benefits as well. For instance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which is the most recent iteration, may provide a monthly housing stipend. Also, unused funds may be transferred to military spouses and other dependents, though other requirements must be met to qualify.
Credit Transfers and Degree Completion:
Many colleges and universities also allow active and reserve military and veterans to transfer their skills and course credits to their institutions. Perhaps you have military experience fixing vehicles or surveying terrain. If that is the case, a mechanical or civil engineering degree may be an appropriate career path for you, and many schools would gladly accept such experiences. Speak with your school of choice's registrar and academic deans for more information. If the school has a veterans or military services coordinator, they will likely prove to be a useful resource. Applying some of your previous academic, vocation, technical, or lived experiences may make it possible to move through programs significantly faster, thereby allowing quicker graduation and potentially less money spent on tuition and other costs.Branch Tuition Assistance Programs:
Each branch of the US Armed Forces (Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard, and Air Force and Space Force) also have programs and personnel dedicated to helping vets and current military personnel succeed in post-secondary degree programs. Each branch will have its restrictions and requirements to participate in these programs, so the best way to find out more would be to connect with a superior or personnel officer or research the branch of service you are participating in and its website and resources.Military-Specific Scholarships:
While these may not be great in number, many schools and non-education-oriented institutions offer scholarships and grants for military servicemen and women. Research your local organizations and schools to see if any sponsorship or funding opportunities are available. Some offerings may be available to military dependents as well.Military Spouse and Dependent Offering:
In addition to your own opportunity to receive reduced costs for higher education, both the military and many schools will offer assistance to military spouses and other dependents regarding tuition and other costs.The best resources to find more information about the armed forces and tuition costs would be the Department of Defense's website, the Department of Veterans Affairs website, your state-run veteran services organization, and local military institutions, like VA hospitals and recruitment offices (at the very least, they may be able to point you in the right direction).
Al Dickenson
Al Dickenson graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with bachelor’s degrees in history, communication, and English. He currently serves as an editor for an international equine practitioners’ magazine in and around Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his hometown, where he lives with his wife. He also works as a freelance journalist, photographer, archivist, and historian, and he enjoys hiking and reading, particularly about history.View all posts
