Hi, I came across the term 'US Military dependent' on several college applications. Can anyone help me understand this term? I'm an international student and this is all very new to me. Thanks in advance!
Sure, happy to clarify this for you. Being a "US Military Dependent" typically refers to being a direct relative of a member of the United States armed forces. This can include spouses and children of active-duty, retired, or deceased military personnel.
When it comes to college applications, this designation can have relevance for a few reasons. Some schools track this information for demographic purposes, while others have specific scholarships or tuition benefits for military dependents. Some states also provide tuition discounts or waivers at their public universities for dependents of veterans or active-duty military personnel.
For example, the Post-9/11 GI Bill enables veterans to transfer unused education benefits to their dependents. In another vein, The Society of Military Spouses in STEM (SMSS) offers scholarships for military spouses pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
But as an international student, if you or your parents are not serving or have not served in the U.S. military, you would not be considered a 'US Military dependent.' Therefore, this category likely would not apply to you. Always feel free to reach out to the admissions office of the specific schools you're interested in if you have questions about their application. They’re there to help with these sorts of clarifications!
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