Inquiry on Military College Benefits for Kids

Hi there. I've heard some talk about college benefits for children of those in the military. Could someone explain these benefits to me? Is it something every kid of military personnel gets, or are there specific conditions? Thanks a lot.

Certainly, military families are often eligible for college benefits for their children, and these benefits can cover part or even all of the cost of college education. However, they're contingent on the parent's status and years of service, and eligibility does not extend to all family members automatically.

One notable benefit is the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. If a parent has served at least 10 years in the military, they can choose to transfer the benefits of this bill to a spouse or child. It could cover up to the full tuition at public universities, or offer a specific stipend for private universities. However, the amount covered depends on the length of the service member's active duty service.

Another is the Military Dependents Scholarship, which is available to students whose parent is a Prisoner of War (POW), Missing in Action (MIA), or killed in action. Some scholarships are available exclusively to dependents of veterans with disabilities.

Furthermore, many states offer education benefits to children of veterans who are state residents. These often take the form of tuition waivers at state schools and vary greatly from state to state.

Also, there are countless scholarships for military children, such as those from the Military Officers Association of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Fisher House Foundation, and more.

In sum, while there are numerous avenues for college assistance for military dependents, they often come with specific conditions relating to the parent's service and status. It's essential to confirm eligibility and application requirements for each benefit or scholarship.