Benefits for Military Vets: College Tuition Covered?

Hey everyone, so I'm considering joining the military after high school, and I heard somewhere that military vets might have their college education completely paid for by the government. Is there any truth to this? How does the process work?

Yes, veterans indeed may have the opportunity to have their college education covered through the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. This is a federal aid program that covers 36 months of tuition and fees at public colleges and universities, an allowance for housing, and a stipend for books for eligible veterans.

To qualify, you must have served on active duty for at least 90 days after September 10, 2001, or have served at least 30 continuous days and received an honorable discharge due to a service-connected disability. Your level of coverage depends on your length of active service.

The process to apply for these benefits typically involves four main steps:

1. Gather Documents: You'll need your military discharge or separation papers, your education or career goal, and school records.

2. Choose a School: The school must be approved for the GI Bill.

3. Apply for Benefits: You can apply online via the Veterans Affairs website or by mail.

4. Wait for Certificate of Eligibility: After the review process, the VA will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Award Letter, which you'll take to your school's certifying official, who can then apply the benefit to your account.

It's also worth noting the Yellow Ribbon Program, an extension of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. For eligible veterans attending private schools or graduate schools that may cost more than the state tuition cap, this program can cover a portion, if not all, of the additional costs.

Remember, utilizing the Post-9/11 GI Bill is a significant commitment, and there are other paths to fund your college education. It's important to speak to a career counselor or someone knowledgeable about your specific circumstances to discuss all your options.