How does the military's college tuition assistance work?

I keep hearing that the military will help pay for college. I'm interested in this, as I want to further my education but am worried about the cost. Could anyone share more about how this works? Does the military pay up front, or do they reimburse you? Is it a full ride, or do they only cover part of the costs?

The U.S. military offers several programs to assist with college tuition for active duty service members, including the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), and the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Each branch of service (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard) has its own TAP, and the specifics may vary slightly, but generally, these programs pay up to 100% of tuition expenses for semester hours costing $250 or less.

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) typically pays your tuition and fees upfront directly to the school. However, it's important to note that it has an annual cap of $4,500 per fiscal year (October through September). This payment covers tuition and most lab and enrollment fees but it does not cover expenses like books or room and board.

The Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill provide benefits to veterans and service members who have completed at least 90 days of aggregate service, or have been discharged with a service-connected disability. They can cover up to 36 months of education benefits, including but not limited to, college tuition, vocational training, certification tests, etc. The Post-9/11 GI Bill can indeed cover the full cost of in-state tuition at public universities, but there might be a cap for private or international schools.

If the tuition expense exceeds the $4,500 cap of TAP or you wish to pursue education after leaving the service, the GI Bill can be used to cover these additional costs. Depending on the situation, these bills can also provide a housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies.

Bear in mind that these benefits usually come with certain obligations, such as a commitment to serve for a specific period of time. It's recommended to review these programs in-depth and speak with a military education counselor or recruiter for the most detailed and updated information.