Can Serving in the Military Make College Cheaper?

A bit nervous asking this, but I've got a question. Do any of you know if serving in the military can minimize the cost of college? Like, are there certain benefits for veterans provided by universities? Thanks in advance.

Absolutely, military service can definitely help decrease the cost of college. One of the most notable benefits is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. For qualifying veterans, this can help cover the majority, if not all, of your tuition and fees for a public in-state school. For private or out-of-state schools, it may cover more limited costs, but it can still significantly reduce your overall college expenses.

In addition to tuition, the Post-9/11 GI Bill also offers a housing allowance that varies based on where the school is located, and it can also provide a stipend for books and supplies. This can defray not only your educational costs but also your living expenses while you are attending school.

Moreover, there's something called the Yellow Ribbon Program which is a voluntary agreement between schools and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to further help cover education costs that aren't met by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Not all schools participate, but those that do can contribute additional funds to help cover higher tuition costs, and the Department of Veterans Affairs will match that amount.

In addition to these federal programs, some states also offer additional education benefits to veterans, and many individual colleges and universities have grants or scholarships specifically for veterans.

It's important to remember that there can be certain eligibility criteria for these benefits rooted in length of service, discharge status, and more, so it would be worthwhile to research further or connect with a VA representative for specifics.

But to answer your question in short, yes, military service can definitely make college less expensive, and in some cases, essentially free.