Military Benefits Post-Service: Do They Include College Payments?

Hello! I have a question regarding the benefits of joining the military. Specifically, I'm curious if there are programs that would help with college tuition if I attend after serving? Kinda stuck in between choosing college first or serving first, and this info could help.

Yes, indeed! The U.S. military offers education benefits as part of its comprehensive set of incentives for service. One of the most famous of these programs is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This benefit covers up to the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges for up to 36 months (four academic years), and offers a comparable benefit for private or foreign schools. It can be used for undergraduate, graduate, certificate programs, and even vocational training. It also provides a monthly housing allowance.

Another program worth mentioning is the Montgomery GI Bill, a program that provides a monthly education benefit based upon the length and type of service by the military member. This program, however, requires a commitment of additional service time and has some upfront financial commitment involved.

The timing of service versus college really depends on what you ultimately want to achieve, your personal circumstances, and your commitments. If you serve first, apart from the financial benefit, you might return to college with a clearer idea of what you want to study, having seen more of the world and experienced life outside of school. On the other hand, if you attend college first, ROTC or similar leadership programs can offer significant scholarships, and you might emerge from college as an officer, which comes with increased responsibilities, but also increased pay and benefits.

In any case, one doesn't necessarily preclude the other - the military encourages education both during and after service. It's about identifying which path would be the best fit for you. I hope this helps!