Hello all, I read somewhere that the military provides support for college after you've finished your service. Can anyone shed some light on this? How does it work?
Sure, you're referring to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides financial support to service members who've completed a certain amount of service after September 10, 2001. These benefits can be used for undergraduate or graduate degrees, vocational or technical training, among others.
This bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits, usually payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. The benefits include tuition and fees payment to the school, a monthly housing allowance, and an annual books and supplies stipend of $1,000.
The tuition and fees covered depend on the amount of service you've completed. For instance, if you served for at least 36 months, you're eligible to have 100% of your tuition and fees covered. However, keep in mind that there are also caps based on the most expensive public in-state undergraduate tuition/fees.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill can also be transferred to the service member's dependents. This is usually done while the service member is still on active duty.
It's worth noting the existence of another related bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, which is an alternative assistance program with different benefits and eligibility requirements.
Before responding on any of this, it's advised to check with the Department of Veterans Affairs or a military benefits counselor to get a comprehensive understanding of the benefits you might be eligible for. Different branches may also offer their own scholarships or tuition assistance programs.
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