Military family and College Grants

Hey all, I'm from a military family. I've heard there are special college grants for military dependents. Can anyone point me in the right direction to find such grants? I'm really feeling the grind finding methods of financial aid right now.

It's smart of you to explore as many financial aid opportunities as possible. There are indeed many educational benefits for military dependents and several grant programs that could potentially benefit you.

One of the well-known programs is the Federal Pell Grant, which is need-based. It doesn't specifically target military dependents, but it's a substantial type of aid that you shouldn't overlook if you qualify.

As a military dependent, you might also qualify for various military-specific scholarships and grants. Here are a few:

1. "Post-9/11 GI Bill Transferability": If one of your parents served in the military after 9/11, they can transfer their GI Bill benefits to you, which can cover some or all of the costs of college.

2. "Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program": This program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty.

3. "Military Dependents Scholarship (MDS)": If your military parent was injured or killed while serving, you could be eligible for this.

4. "Army Emergency Relief (AER) Scholarship": For dependents of soldiers, this program offers both the 'Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program' (OSEAP) and the 'Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program'(SSEAP).

For any grants, be sure to check the specific requirements and application deadlines. It's essential to start the process early. In addition to these, don't forget to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible, about which you probably already know.

Also, remember, that many colleges offer robust financial aid packages, and some even meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, so make sure to use Net Price Calculators on college websites to estimate your potential financial aid at different institutions.

I hope this helps you navigate your financial aid journey and best of luck!