Does every military member get college benefits?

Hey all! I'm contemplating a military career after high school but I'm also passionate about getting a higher education. I hear military members get college benefits but is this the case for everyone, regardless of their branch, rank, or length of service? Thanks in advance for any insights!

You're correct that military service often comes with educational benefits, but it's essential to understand the specifics. These benefits can vary depending on the branch of service, length of service, and status (active, reserve, or retired).

The most renowned educational benefit for military personnel is the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which covers tuition and fees, yearly book stipends, and even a housing allowance for qualifying individuals. To fully qualify, you've to accumulate 36 months of active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001. But even if you don't meet that benchmark, just 90 days of active duty service post-9/11 qualifies you for some benefits.

There's also the Montgomery GI Bill, which is split into two categories - Active Duty (MGIB-AD) and Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR). These programs offer a monthly education benefit to those who commit a period of service.

Moreover, various service branches offer tuition assistance programs. They pay up to 100% of tuition expenses for semester hours costing up to a specific amount.

However, keep in mind these benefits might be subject to changes and some service-specific stipulations. It would be a good idea to talk with a military recruiter to get the most up-to-date and detailed information for your specific situation. Flexibility in timing your educational pursuits is also something to consider as active duty commitments might not always align perfectly with academic schedules. But with careful planning, military service can definitely support your higher education goals.