What does the military bill for college entail?

My guidance counsellor mentioned the military bill for college in one of our sessions. Could somebody explain to me what that implies? Specifically, what does it cover, and what are the requirements to be eligible for it?

It sounds like your guidance counselor was referring to the GI Bill, which is a series of education benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for individuals who served in the U.S. military. The most well-known of these benefits is the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers up to 100% of your tuition and fees, depending on your length of active duty service, if you are attending public in-state schools. It also provides a monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of your school, and a yearly book and supplies stipend of up to $1,000.

If you wish to attend a private or foreign school, the Yellow Ribbon Program might make up the difference if your tuition is higher than the national maximum payable by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Institutions voluntarily enter into a Yellow Ribbon Agreement with Veterans Affairs and choose the amount of tuition and fees they want to contribute. Veterans Affairs matches that amount.

To qualify, you must have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001, or be honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability after serving at least 30 continuous days following that same date. Further benefits are unlocked with increased service length, with 100% of benefits available to those with at least 36 months of service or those who were discharged for a service-connected disability after serving 30 continuous days.

Just note that this assistance is tied to service commitments in the military, which can in some cases be extensive. Also, you should take into consideration that this is a federal benefit, and each state may offer additional benefits to veterans or active duty service members.

While the GI Bill provides a fantastic education benefit for those who serve, don't forget there's also the option to attend college via the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). The ROTC scholarship program pays for nearly all tuition, fees, and book expenses for college, and in return, you're committed to serving in the military following graduation.

It's an important decision and one not to be taken lightly, but these options have provided fantastic education and career opportunities for many individuals. You should consult with your counselor again, or reach out to a military recruiter if you wish to explore these options more deeply.