Do students receive stipends for college from the Military?

Hey, I heard somewhere that the Military provides stipends to students for college. Can someone provide some clarity about this subject? Does it work like a scholarship or something else? Your feedback would be much appreciated.

Indeed, the U.S. Military does offer educational benefits that can be seen as a form of stipend or financial aid for students. One notable form of this assistance is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This program provides up to36 months of education benefits, including tuition, housing, and book stipends, to veterans and their dependents.

Here's a brief outline of how it works:

- Tuition: The bill pays for all in-state tuition and fees at public colleges and universities, and up to a certain cap for private and foreign institutions. This aspect makes it somewhat similar to a scholarship.

- Housing: Enrolled students attending more than half-time receive a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) based on the cost of living of the school's location.

- Books & Supplies Stipend: The bill offers up to $1,000 per year as a stipend for books and supplies.

Another benefit that some military servicemen/women might utilize is the "Yellow Ribbon Program". This is an extension of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and it helps students avoid paying out-of-pocket for tuition and fees associated with their education. Under this program, institutions voluntarily enter an agreement with the VA to share the cost that exceeds the annual cap for private and foreign schools.

These military programs do operate like grants/scholarships in certain respects, but they're exclusive to military personnel and their dependents and come with specific stipulations. For example, the Post-9/11 GI Bill requires a minimum service obligation and its benefits depend on the length of service.

Keep in mind the benefits are not automatic; eligible recipients need to apply and be approved to receive them. It's important to speak with a military education office or a financial aid counselor for a full understanding of these benefits and how to apply. There are also other programs such as Tuition Assistance which can help with costs while still on active duty. Such programs can help students who are serving or have served lessen their financial burden when pursuing higher education.