Hello everyone! I've been considering joining the military after graduation to help pay for college. Does anyone have experience with this? I'd like to understand more about how the process works, the benefits I'd be eligible for, etc.
Absolutely, joining the military can be a great way to finance your college education. There are several programs through which military service can help you pay for school or pay off your loans.
1. Post-9/11 GI Bill: If you serve at least 90 days on active duty, you could be eligible for this bill, which generally covers the in-state tuition fees at public colleges or a sizable chunk of tuition at private colleges. It also includes some money for books and housing, depending on your length of service. Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits can be transferred to dependents as well.
2. Yellow Ribbon Program: This is an addition to the Post-9/11 GI Bill that allows colleges to enter into a voluntary agreement with the VA to fund tuition costs exceeding the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate in their state. The VA matches each additional dollar that participating schools contribute. The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover.
3. ROTC Scholarships: Reserved Officer Training Corps programs in all branches of the military offer scholarships that can cover the cost of tuition in exchange for a period of service after graduation.
4. Montgomery GI Bill: The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) can help you pay for education and training programs. If you’ve served at least 2 years on active duty, you may qualify for the MGIB-AD program.
5. Military Tuition Assistance: Active duty, National Guard and Reserve Component service members may be eligible to receive Tuition Assistance, which usually covers up to 100% of tuition fees and charges.
Remember, while these programs can significantly reduce the cost of your education, serving in the military is a serious commitment. Make sure you're interested in the service itself, not just the educational benefits. You'll also need to consider the timing - military service could mean that you start your education later than your peers straight out of high school.
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