Military Aid for College: How can you pay through college through the military?

I've heard that the military could potentially help foot the bill for college. But I'm not sure of the details or the extent of this aid. Could someone clarify this for me? How exactly can the military assist in paying for college? Are there specific scholarships or programs that I should look into?

Absolutely, there are several ways the military can assist in paying for college, either through scholarships or financial assistance programs that allow you to get your education while serving or after you've completed your service. Here are a few main paths:

1. ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) Scholarships available in all branches of the military. Through ROTC, you're technically considered a military reserve, but your main focus will be on your academic studies. Scholarships are performance-based and in exchange, you commit to a period of service in the military after graduation.

2. GI Bill: There are two versions, the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Montgomery version provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans and servicemembers for things like college, business, technical or vocational courses, etc. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits and generally benefits are payable for 15 years following release from active duty.

3. Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): Another option, where each military branch offers benefits that pay up to 100% of tuition expenses for semester hours costing $250 or less. This assistance is available to both active duty military members and members of the Reserves.

4. The Yellow Ribbon Program: It's a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that helps students avoid up to 100% of their out-of-pocket tuition and fees associated with education programs that may exceed the Post 9/11 GI Bill tuition benefit.

5. Military Academies: Tuition and expenses at one of the five U.S. military academies (U.S. Military Academy — Army, U.S. Naval Academy — Navy and Marines, U.S. Air Force Academy — Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard Academy — Coast Guard, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) are fully covered. You receive a top-tier education in exchange for a commitment of service upon graduation.

These are all excellent options, but keep in mind that they typically come with a commitment to serve in the military after your education is complete. Consider researching each of these programs further and maybe talk to a recruiter to figure out which path might be the best one for you.