Free College for Military Dependents - How Does It Work?

Hey, guys. My mom's in the army and I've heard something about military dependents potentially having the chance to attend college for free. I've searched the internet but it's all a bit confusing. Can someone shed some light on how this whole process works?

Hello! You're likely referring to the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, which are quite beneficial for military dependents. This program, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), can indeed cover the full cost of tuition and fees at public in-state colleges and universities for up to 36 months, effectively making college free. It may also cover a portion of the tuition at private universities or out-of-state schools, depending on the rates.

Here's how it generally works:

1. Transfer Benefit: If your parent served on or after September 10, 2001, and they've completed at least six years in the military, they can transfer this benefit to you. They must also agree to serve four more years. Once they transfer the benefits to you, you're allowed to start using them.

2. Application: You'll need to apply through the VA's website to use these benefits. The VA will review your application and, if approved, issue a certificate of eligibility, which you'll then present to your school's financial aid office.

3. Tuition & Fees: Once your institution verifies your enrollment, the VA will pay your net cost of tuition and fees directly to the school up to the highest in-state undergraduate tuition rate if you're attending a public university. If you're attending a private institution, the benefits might not cover the entire cost of tuition and fees.

4. Housing & Book Stipend: In addition to tuition, the Post-9/11 GI Bill also provides a books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year, as well as a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) that varies based on location. This is paid directly to the student and not the school.

5. Yellow Ribbon Program: If you're attending an expensive private school or out-of-state school, the Yellow Ribbon Program can be a great help. It's a voluntary agreement between schools and the VA where the school agrees to contribute a specific amount towards tuition and fees that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate, and the VA matches the same amount.

Remember, though, every case is unique, and specific eligibility can depend on the details of your parent's military service. So, the VA or your school's financial aid office are the best places for detailed, personalized help.