Hey all, I'm a high school rising junior considering the military before college. I've heard of veterans being given support for college, but I'm not quite sure what that entails. If you're a military vet, can you guys share some insights about the kind of college grants you were eligible for?
Absolutely, there's a great deal of financial assistance available for individuals who've served in the military, providing support for your college education. These benefits can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for college, and maybe even cover them completely.
- Post-9/11 GI Bill: The Post 9/11 GI Bill is among the most well-known and comprehensive educational benefits. If your military service came after 9/11, you could be eligible for this. This benefit covers up to the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges or universities for up to 36 months. Additionally, you may qualify for a monthly housing allowance and a books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year.
- Montgomery GI Bill: Depending on when you've served, you might be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill. It provides a monthly payment directly to you, and you can use the benefits for education or training programs.
- Yellow Ribbon Program: This is associated with the Post-9/11 GI Bill and is specifically designed to help cover the costs of tuition and fees that aren't fully covered under that bill. However, not all schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Also, the amount of support given can vary, so it's important to do some research on each prospective school's yellow ribbon program.
- Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E): Often referred to as the "Voc Rehab" program, it's designed to help veterans who have a service-connected disability. It can cover the full cost of tuition, books, supplies, and a monthly housing allowance.
In addition to these national programs, there can be additional state-specific benefits. It can be beneficial to meet with a Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official or a financial aid advisor at your college or university, once you start that process, to ensure you're taking full advantage of all the grants you're eligible for.
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