Hello! I come from a military background and currently stay in California. I'm considering staying in-state for college and was wondering what benefits do military colleges here offer to dependents of military personnel. Do I get any financial aid, scholarships, or special programs given my family's service?
Absolutely, there are a number of benefits available to dependents of military personnel at California's colleges and universities. These benefits come in various forms such as financial aid, scholarships, fee waivers, and special programs.
One profound benefit is the Cal Vet Fee Waiver, which is a benefit for the dependents of disabled veterans that covers the tuition fee at state schools. This covers the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) schools, as well as California Community Colleges. However, the fee waiver does not cover the cost of books, housing, and other expenses.
In terms of scholarships, there's the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP) which grants financial assistance to Cal Guard members who are also students.
Moreover, there are special programs designed to assist veteran dependents in their education pursuits. For instance, Troops to College is a statewide initiative designed to make California's higher education system more accessible to military members and their dependents. This program offers academic counseling, priority registration, and evaluation of military training and experience for college credit.
There are also federal benefits available through the GI Bill, which helps pay for college education for veterans, as well as military personnel and their dependents. This can help cover tuition, housing, books, and more.
Remember that these are just a few examples of the benefits available to military dependents in California! In order to avail these benefits, you need to make sure you apply for them in a timely manner, so keep an eye on the deadlines.
All of these resources are designed to support you as a military dependent as you pursue your higher education goals. It's wise to speak with a counselor from your school, or reach out directly to the schools you're interested in to learn more about what they offer for military dependents.
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