College Pathways for Military Kids

I'm a 'military brat' and honestly, having spent most of my life living on bases, it has me wondering – do many military kids actually end up going to college? Are there specific programs for us?

Absolutely, many children with military backgrounds go to college and there are quite a few resources specifically for you! To start, you may be eligible for scholarships through organizations such as the Military Children Program and ThanksUSA. These scholarships assist dependent children of active-duty or reserve military personnel.

Furthermore, the Post-9/11 GI Bill contains a unique provision allowing service members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill benefits to dependents. This can significantly decrease out-of-pocket expenses for college.

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is also there to aid children of military families. This agreement among all 50 states and the District of Columbia was designed to make sure military children have the same opportunities for educational success as other children. It addresses key challenges encountered by military families including enrollment, eligibility, placement, and graduation.

One unique thing about being a military child is you may also have lived in a variety of places, perhaps even overseas. This can bring a unique perspective to your college application and is definitely something to highlight in your essays.

While not all colleges offer specific programs for military children, some like Syracuse University and Michigan State University do have resources and supportive communities. College search platforms such as CollegeVine can help you find colleges that offer great resources for military families.

Remember to reach out to your school's guidance counselor as well. They could have further advice and perhaps additional resources to help you through the college application process.

In short, yes – military children like you certainly do go to college and there are plenty of pathways and supports available to make it possible for you. Good luck with your college search!