What Student Aid Options are Available for Military Students in College?

Hi everyone! I'm a military student planning to attend college and I was wondering what kind of financial aid options are available specifically for people like us. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

First off, thank you for your service to the country! You should definitely look into the following as they're typically the key financial aid options available for military students.

1. The Post 9/11 GI Bill: This program can pay your full tuition and fees at school, provide you with a monthly housing allowance while you're going to school, and give you up to $1,000 a year to use for books and supplies. The amount you receive will depend on your length of service.

2. Yellow Ribbon Program: Certain colleges participate in this program, which helps students cover the cost of tuition and fees that exceed the maximum amount that the Post-9/11 GI Bill will cover.

3. Tuition Assistance: Each branch of the military offers this, covering up to 100% of tuition expenses for its members. However, each service branch has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process, and restrictions.

4. Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA): If applicable, the spouse of a service member can receive up to $4,000 of financial assistance for licenses, certifications, or Associate's degrees in certain fields.

5. There are also scholarships specifically for service members, veterans, and their families. One example is the Scholarships for Military Children Program, which is a scholarship for the child of a service member.

6. Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): As a military student, you should still apply to see what federal grants, loans, and work-study funds you might be able to access.

These are just a few of the many options available. To maximize your educational benefits, it's also important to talk with your educational service officer (ESO) or counselor within your military service before enrolling into your chosen program.