Hey folks, I'm a junior in high school and my parents have served in the military. I live in California and I've heard about some benefits that military children receive when they go college. Can somebody clarify what exactly these benefits are and how to access them?
Absolutely, it's great that you're looking into this. As a child of military personnel, there are indeed several benefits available to you for your college education, particularly in California.
Firstly, you may be eligible for the CalVet Fee Waiver. This is a benefit provided by the State of California to the children, spouses, and dependent parents of certain U.S. military veterans. Those eligible for this waiver may get their college fees waived if they attend a California Community College, a campus of the California State University, or a campus of the University of California.
To qualify for this, your parent must have served in the military and have a service-connected disability, or have had a service-connected disability and died as a result of it. Your parent also needs to have received an honorable discharge. You would apply for the waiver through your local County Veterans Service Office.
Additionally, you might want to look into the GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a federal program that can help pay for tuition, housing, and books. If your parent has served on active duty for at least 90 days since September 10, 2001, they could have benefits that they can transfer to you. If your parent is still serving, they can submit a transferability application at the DoD Transferability Application website.
Moreover, there are also a variety of scholarships specifically for military dependents, such as the AMVETS National Scholarship Program and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship.
Remember, acquiring and using these benefits will need some planning and paperwork, but they can significantly relieve the financial burden of college education. It's recommended to start this process well in advance of college application deadlines. You may also consider reaching out to your high school counselor or directly to these organizations to get more detailed information that's specifically tailored to you. It's always best to consult experts or those with practical knowledge.
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