Currently enlisted here, and I've been thinking about going to college. Anyone is familiar with how college tuition reimbursement works for us military personnel? Anything would be useful to know.
Absolutely, active duty military personnel have several options available to cover college tuition costs.
One popular funding resource is the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). This program pays up to 100% of tuition expenses for semester hours costing $250 or less. Courses and degree programs may be academic or technical and can be taken from two- or four-year institutions on-installation, off-installation, or by correspondence.
Another important resource is the GI Bill, which provides education benefits to service members and veterans. There are two programs: the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The MGIB provides up to 36 months of education benefits, while the Post-9/11 GI Bill, if you've served on active duty for at least 90 days, whether continuous (all at once) or interrupted (for shorter periods over time), you can benefit from the following: full tuition and fees covered for in-state students (private and foreign school costs are capped), a stipend for housing, and an annual book stipend.
A lesser-known program, the College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP), might help if you've already got some loans. This is a program where the military will repay part of your student loans for each year of service. It's available to those in certain career fields or units. Remember that you can't use both the CLRP and the GI Bill – you have to pick one.
Depending on the branch of military you're enlisted with, additional opportunities can include Service-specific tuition assistance programs or free college programs offered directly by the military.
It's also important to check into scholarships and aid at individual universities. Some colleges offer their own scholarships for veterans and active military. Remember you still should fill out your FAFSA, as you may qualify for additional federal aid and grants. And yes, you can combine multiple forms of assistance.
This also highlights the importance of speaking to an educational services officer or counselor within your military branch. They guide personnel and their families towards educational resources.
Just always keep in mind to verify your eligibility for these programs and stay informed about any service commitments you may need to fulfill as a result. These programs can be a great help, but always know the fine print so you make the best decision for you!
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