Military Service to Pay off College Debt: Feasible or not?

I've seen quite a few people talk about joining the military to pay off college debt. This idea sounds intriguing but I'm not entirely certain how it works. Do all branches of the military offer such programs? Are there any specific requirements one might need to meet? Lowkey freaking out over the future student loan debt that's gonna hit me, so any insights would be appreciated.

First off, it's completely natural to worry about potential student loan debt—it's a serious issue for many people. Considering the military as an option to help pay it off is definitely a legitimate pathway.

In the United States, each branch of the military—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force—offers some form of education benefits or loan repayment programs. Joining the military can indeed be one way to mitigate or even eliminate student debt, but it's a commitment that shouldn't be taken lightly.

One of the best-known programs is the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which covers a significant portion of education fees for service members who have served a minimum of 90 days of active duty after September 10, 2001. This program can cover up to 100% of your tuition and fees at an in-state, public college, with a sliding scale of benefits depending on your length of service.

In terms of loan repayments, the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and National Guard offer a College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP). This program is specifically designed for students who have already incurred student loan debt. Depending on your progression within the military, this program pays a certain portion of your loans each year (up to $65,000) for a predetermined number of years.

However, keep in mind that the eligibility criteria can be quite specific—usually these programs require that you serve in a particular military occupation or specialty. There may be other conditions as well, such as time of enlistment and the type of loan you have. Also, the amount that’s paid off each year and the total debt that can be paid will depend on the branch of service.

While it's certainly a way to approach student debt, joining the military is a significant commitment—one that goes well beyond the financial benefits. It requires personal sacrifice and involves very real risks. You'll want to carefully weigh these factors and talk it over with trusted advisors or mentors before making a decision.