Query on College Perks for Military Family

Hello, everyone. I'm in a bit of a spot. My dad is a servicemember, and I was wondering if there are college benefits available to me as a dependent. Any insight would be much appreciated.

Hi there! Yes, there are indeed several benefits for members of military families when it comes to college. Servicemembers and their dependents have access to different types of financial aid and programs, so you want to make sure you're exploring all of them.

First off, you should look into the GI Bill, specifically the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This bill, if your parent chooses to transfer their benefits to you, could potentially cover all in-state tuition and fees at public schools or a significant part of tuition at private schools. It could also provide a monthly housing allowance and stipend for books and supplies.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is another key resource. It's a part of the Post 9/11 GI Bill and offers additional funds for your education program without an additional charge to your GI Bill entitlement. Schools voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the tuition benefits provided by the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

There's also something called the Military Dependent Scholarship, which are various scholarships provided by different organizations specifically for children of active duty, reserve, or veteran military personnel. Examples include the Fisher House Foundation's Scholarships for Military Children Program and American Legion Scholarships. Each scholarship has different requirements, so you'll need to check each one to see if you qualify.

Lastly, don't forget to fill out your FAFSA to see what federal, state, and school-based aid might be open to you as well.

If your parent is still active duty, you might also be eligible for in-state tuition rates depending on the school's policy, so you might want to check that out as well.

All these options can significantly reduce the cost of your education. Get in touch with the financial aid office of your prospective colleges to double-check your eligibility and see what other resources might be available to you. Good luck!