Hey folks! I'm a junior in high school and a military dependent. I've heard that some colleges provide certain benefits for students like me - anyone have experience with this? Can I expect any financial aid or application fee waivers because of my status as a military dependent?
Hello! It's true that many colleges and universities offer a range of benefits to military dependents, typically in the form of scholarships or tuition assistance. Schools often hope to acknowledge the unique hardships that often come with being part of a military family, and to appreciate both the service member's contributions and the distinct perspective the student would bring to campus.
One program to check out is the Yellow Ribbon Program. Participating schools voluntarily enter into an agreement with Veteran Affairs to fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the costs covered by the GI Bill. The agreement can benefit qualifying dependents of veterans.
In addition, there are a host of scholarships specifically tailored for military dependents. These vary widely by state and institution, from small private colleges to large public universities, and there are also external scholarships you can look into
As for application fee waivers, while some colleges do offer these for military dependents, they're not as common as scholarships and other forms of financial aid. That said, it never hurts to ask - many admissions offices are willing to grant waivers if asked directly, and if the applicant demonstrates hardship.
Finally, if you are interested in a service academy like West Point or Annapolis, being a military dependent can benefit your application (although the application process for these schools is still quite rigorous).
Remember, each college and university has its own policies when it comes to military benefits, and they can change over time, so it's definitely worth reaching out to the financial aid offices at the schools you're interested in to get the most accurate information. Good luck with your college search!
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