Hey everyone, so I'm planning to enlist after graduating high school and then planning on going to college. I'm just curious if there're any unique grants for military vets that I should keep on my radar for when the time comes. Anyone who's been down the same path have some advice?
Absolutely, there are definitely several grant programs specifically designed for military veterans planning on pursuing college after service. One of the most well-known is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This grant can cover up to the full cost of in-state tuition at public universities, or up to $26,042.81 at private or overseas universities per year—it also provides a stipend for housing and books.
The Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP) is another grant, although this requires some contribution from the military member during service. With this program, the Department of Veterans Affairs will match your contributions 2:1. So, for every $1 you put in, they will add $2.
Another resource is the Yellow Ribbon Program – it's not exactly a grant, but it's a program where participating colleges agree to cover a certain amount of the tuition and fees that the GI Bill doesn't cover, and the Department of Veterans Affairs will match that amount. This can be particularly helpful for those attending private colleges or universities or those attending out-of-state public schools.
Keep in mind that that each grant and financial aid option may have specific eligibility requirements like duration of service, type of discharge, and when you served. Therefore, it will be essential to do a thorough research or sit down with a knowledgeable counselor before making a decision. The Veterans Affairs education and training benefits website would be a good start for your research.
And remember, there are numerous smaller, private scholarships for veterans as well, so it's definitely worth conducting a wide-ranging search when the time comes. Many organizations like the American Legion, AMVETS, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) offer scholarships and grants to veterans and their dependents.
So yes, there are several resources out there that can assist military veterans in funding their higher education pursuits. It's good that you're planning ahead for this!
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