Military Service Members, Veterans, and Families: What to Know About Attending College
College Opportunities and Financial Aid for Military Students and Veterans
There are countless reasons people may want to pursue a college degree before, during, or after their military career. The reasons can vary greatly depending on the person's job aspirations, personal ambitions, and age.
Younger students may choose to join the Reserve Officers' Training Corps – commonly referred to as ROTC on campus – immediately upon college enrollment. ROTC provides students with a beneficial structure, community, skills, and financial support. Many students pursue this path to obtain a degree while also kick-starting their military careers.
Students who do not attend college until they are already active military members or after they have left the military may have different goals in mind. Some of the most common goals for pursuing a college education during or after a military career include:
- Increased Career Opportunities: Some military members and veterans may feel limited by their career prospects, or they may wish to pursue a career in an entirely new field that may require a degree. Alternatively, a college degree may help a person qualify for a promotion or higher-paying jobs in their field.
- Learn New Skills: While the military provides valuable learning opportunities, many members and veterans may aspire to gain other skills and knowledge that may not be readily available otherwise.
- Utilize Military Skills in a Civilian Career: Obtaining a college degree while a person is still serving can be incredibly beneficial, since after leaving the military, it can make the transition to the civilian workforce smoother.
Most importantly, the majority of military members and veterans go to college in order to provide a higher quality of life for themselves and their families. College not only opens doors to increased earning potential, but it also provides numerous learning experiences, networking opportunities, and a feeling of purpose and accomplishment.
Making College a Reality as a Military Member or Veteran
Fortunately, military members and veterans have many paths to making college affordable and sometimes completely free. As a military member or veteran interested in pursuing higher education, consider exploring these options for financial relief:
- The GI Bill: This provides financial assistance to veterans during college, often covering the entirety of tuition, books, housing, and other expenses.
- Yellow Ribbon Program: As an extension of the GI Bill, participating universities may help veterans cover any remaining tuition costs.
- Scholarships: Colleges, universities, businesses, and organizations often provide scholarships to military members.
- FAFSA: Numerous other options for financial aid exist, including student loans. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act caps interest on student loans at 6% when a person is serving on active duty. 0% interest on loans may be available in certain instances, and military service deferments may also be available. Some members of the military may be eligible for loan forgiveness.
While the financial burden may be one of the most important concerns when preparing to pursue a higher education, other factors affect a student's success, especially as a current or prior service member. These may include:
- Adjusting to a College Lifestyle: Nonprofit programs, including the Warrior-Scholar Project and Service to School, can help military students prepare for college and assimilate into campus life.
- Establishing a Positive Support System: Students can connect with veteran groups on campus, get help from advisors, and become involved in their community to build connections while pursuing their degrees.
- Determining the Most Appropriate Academic Path: A college education can be obtained via many avenues, including online courses, and students may consider all of the opportunities available during or after their military service.
Scholarships for Military Members and Military Families
As a member of the military, you may have many opportunities to receive financial assistance with your college education. To help you get started, we invite you to explore the following scholarships:
- The Behan Law Group Military Veteran Scholarship
- Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP Homeland Heroes Scholarship
Military Tuition Assistance FAQs
What is military tuition assistance and how does it work?
Military tuition assistance is paid for by the Department of Defense to cover “voluntary off-duty education programs” for service members. It pays for 100 percent of tuition expenses for semester credit hours costing $250 or less, or $166 per quarter credit hour.
Can I go to college for free if I’m in the military?
Through the use of tuition assistance and the GI Bill, you may be able to cover most or all of your college education. Military tuition assistance will cover all of your tuition up to a certain number of semester hours depending on your service branch. The GI Bill, offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs, can cover the cost of public in-state tuition and fees, including housing.
What tuition assistance programs are available for military spouses?
Military spouses may qualify for the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program (MyCAA) to help obtain an associate’s degree or a professional license or certification. This program provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance.
Do colleges accept military tuition assistance online?
Many colleges accept military tuition assistance online for online coursework, but it may vary from school to school. Before applying to a college, be sure to research the institution and make sure that it accepts military tuition assistance. Only schools with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defense can accept military tuition assistance.
What is the difference between the GI Bill and military tuition assistance?
The GI Bill is typically used to cover tuition costs for veterans after leaving the military, while military tuition assistance can be used by active duty service members. Note that tuition assistance does not cover the costs of housing or educational materials, unlike the GI Bill.
Can military dependents qualify for tuition assistance?
There are specific programs like the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program offered through the government to help cover educational expenses for military spouses. Additionally, benefits from the GI Bill are transferable to the spouses and children of active duty service members.
How do I apply for military tuition assistance benefits?
If you want to apply for military tuition assistance, get in contact with your Educational Services Officer (ESO) within your service branch. Many eligible colleges also have specific instructions on their websites about utilizing tuition assistance.
Are there scholarships specifically for military members and families?
If you need additional support to help cover your educational expenses, there are many scholarships specifically intended for service members and their families, such as The Behan Law Group Military Veteran Scholarship or the Homeland Heroes Scholarship offered by the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP.
Which colleges and universities accept military tuition assistance?
Any college that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defense accepts military tuition assistance. The Department screens these schools to make sure that they offer quality education to service members.
Can I use military tuition assistance for a master’s degree?
Tuition assistance can be put toward the cost of a master’s degree. However, that assistance may be subject to limits on credit hours per semester or quarter.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
How do I find scholarships that match my major and background?
There are many scholarships available for students from different backgrounds or who are pursuing specific degrees. By searching online, you can find scholarships for specific majors, as well as scholarships for specific types of students, such as single parents or members of the military. My College Companion can help you find a scholarship that will meet your needs.
Can I still apply for financial aid if I missed the FAFSA deadline?
You will typically want to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) while you are planning to attend college. Submitting this form before you enroll in college can help ensure that you have financial aid lined up. However, even if you have missed the FAFSA deadline, you may have other options, since states and colleges have their own timelines. You may also apply for private scholarships or find other options for financial aid.
How Can I Improve My Time Management Skills in College?
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed as you begin attending college. Attending classes and completing homework and projects may be your main focus, but you will probably also want to maintain a social life and participate in activities, and you may also need to work. Finding the right balance can be tricky, but with the proper preparation, you can set yourself up for success.
To make sure you are managing your time effectively, you may want to set up a calendar to help you keep track of when you need to attend classes or labs while also blocking out time for homework, meetings with professors or advisors, study groups, social events, activities at school, or other events. You can set reminders for yourself, making sure you will not miss any deadlines and will be prepared for exams. Finding ways to prioritize what is important while still making time for yourself when necessary can help you get the most out of your college experience.
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