Military-Funded Education: Which Colleges does the Military Pay For?

I've been serving in the military, and I'm thinking about pursuing higher education. Any ideas on what colleges the military pays for? It would certainly make college more affordable for me.

It's fantastic that you're considering furthering your education while also serving in the military. The military actually provides quite a few educational benefits that can be utilized at a wide range of institutions. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, for instance, can be used at most accredited colleges and universities in the U.S., and it covers a significant portion (often all) of your tuition and fees, depending on your level of service.

In addition to the GI Bill, the military also offers the Tuition Assistance (TA) program, which can be used at any institution accredited by the Department of Education. This program covers up to 100% of tuition expenses, up to a certain cap per semester. The specific details vary by branch of the military, so you'd need to check with your service to ensure you're meeting all the requirements and to understand the exact benefits.

There are schools that are particularly military-friendly and might provide additional benefits beyond what the military offers, understand the unique needs of military students, and make accommodations for deployments, for instance. Examples of such schools are American Military University, University of Maryland Global Campus, and Excelsior College.

However, you're not limited only to those institutions. As long as the school is accredited, the GI Bill and the TA program should cover a portion of your costs there.

Best of luck as you explore your educational options! You should definitely reach out to the Veterans Affairs office (or a similar office) at the institutions you're considering, as they'll be able to give you the most accurate information for that specific school. Be sure to also verify and understand the SAT/ACT requirements of the institutes, their deadlines, application requirements, and put in the effort to make a strong application.