College funds for military personnel?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior considering military service after high school. Rumor is, there are some grants available that can help with college costs later on. Any insights on what these are, how they work, and how to apply for them?

Absolutely! The U.S. military offers multiple options for service members to help finance their education. Two widely utilized programs are the G.I. Bill and Tuition Assistance (TA), but there are others too.

The G.I. Bill, officially called the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, is a benefit for service members who served at least 90 days on active duty since September 10, 2001. The amount you receive depends on the length of service. You get full benefits if you've served at least 36 months. It can handle the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges (or up to a capped amount at private or out-of-state schools), and it also provides an annual book stipend and a monthly housing allowance. You can use these benefits up to 15 years after you leave active duty.

Tuition Assistance, on the other hand, is a benefit that's most commonly used while you're still on active duty. It can cover up to 100% of tuition expenses up to a certain cap per fiscal year. Specifics can vary based on the branch of the military you're serving in.

When you're considering one of these programs, it's important to note that they're applied for in different ways. For the G.I. Bill, you will need to fill out the VA Form 22-1990 (Application for VA Education Benefits) from the Department of Veterans Affairs. For the Tuition Assistance, you usually apply through your branch's education office.

In addition to these resources, there are other scholarships and grants available for service members, veterans, and even their dependents. The opportunities really are abundant, so be sure to research each one to see what your options may be. And remember to reach out to the appropriate governmental and military resource offices—they're there to help you through the process.