My dad served in the Military for several years, and now he's thinking about enrolling in college. Are there any grants available specifically for veterans? And what's the application process like?
Absolutely, your dad has a great number of resources available to him as a veteran to pursue higher education. Here are a few:
1. Post-9/11 GI Bill: This covers up to 100% of tuition and fees at public colleges and universities, and at least $23K per year at private and foreign schools. It also provides a housing allowance and a stipend for textbooks.
2. Yellow Ribbon Program: This program is for veterans attending private colleges. The cost of tuition at these colleges is often more than the coverage under the GI Bill. So, the Yellow Ribbon Program can cover additional costs. Not all private colleges participate in this program, however.
3. Veteran's Vocational Rehabilitation Program: This covers the costs for veterans who have a 20% or higher service-connected disability rating.
Many scholarships are also available for veterans. Some examples include the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Scholarship, funded by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the AMVETS scholarships, provided by American Veterans.
The application process varies between grants, scholarships, and assistance programs. For federal programs like the GI Bill or the Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Program, you usually apply through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
For scholarships like the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Scholarship or AMVETS scholarships, you usually apply directly to the scholarship provider. Keep an eye on the deadlines and make sure your dad meets the specific eligibility requirements before applying.
With the right setup, your dad could potentially go to school for little to no cost. I strongly recommend having a conversation with the financial aid office at the desired institution as they can be really helpful with the process.
Remember, every little bit helps when it comes to funding for college, and these resources are designed to recognize your dad's service to the country. Best of luck to him!
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