Do the US Military Pay for College?

I've recently been doing some soul searching and thinking about my future plans. One thing that stood out to me is the possibility of the US military paying for my college education. Is this an actual thing? How does the process work, and what are the requirements? I'm a bit stressed about finances, so any light you could shed on the topic would be awesome!

Yes, it's true that the U.S. military has programs that can help pay for your college education. The most notable among them is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. If you've served on Active Duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001, you can qualify, and it covers tuition and fees, plus provides a housing allowance and money for books and supplies.

The amount of support you get from the GI Bill depends on your length of service. Full benefits come after three years of active duty. Moreover, with this benefit, you can attend any public school tuition-free. For private or non-state schools, the GI Bill will pay up to $24,476.79 per academic year.

Alternatively, if you're interested in attending college first, you could consider the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs. In exchange for a certain number of years of active duty service after graduation, the ROTC can pay for a significant portion, and in some cases all, of your college tuition.

Both the GI Bill and ROTC programs come with requirements and commitments, so consider them carefully. Also note, that each branch of the military (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force) has its own distinct processes, benefits, and requirements, so you'll want to research each one to see which best aligns with your goals.

It's also worth noting that military service isn't all about college funding. It's a serious commitment and comes with risk, so it shouldn't just be viewed as a financial strategy. Make sure you're interested in serving for its own sake before proceeding.