Grants for college from the military?

So I keep hearing about students getting grants from the military for their college education. Can anyone explain how these work? Is there a specific eligibility criteria?

Yes, the military provides several types of educational benefits that can greatly assist with the cost of college education, including grants.

1. The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB): It's available for those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. There are two main programs which include the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) for active duty members and the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) for reserves. These programs provide a stipend for up to 36 months based on factors like your length and type of service, your category, and current educational goal.

2. The Post-9/11 GI Bill: This is generally for those who've served on active duty for 90 or more days after Sept.10, 2001. The benefits provided under this bill can cover full tuition and fees at public in-state schools, cap limits for private or foreign schools, a housing allowance, and an annual book stipend.

3. The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships: The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force all have their ROTC programs that provide scholarships to students who commit to serving in the military after college. These scholarships can often cover full tuition, fees, and provide an allowance for books and other costs.

To be eligible for these benefits, a student typically must be a veteran, a service member in the reserves or active duty, or the spouse or child of a service member who meets certain criteria. Generally, the criteria include things like length of service, duty status, and whether the service member is still alive. The exact eligibility requirements can vary depending on the specific program and service branch so it is best to visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website or speak with a military representative for more details.

Keep in mind, the benefits provided by these programs are not simply grants and often require a commitment to serve in the military for a certain period of time. It's important to fully understand these obligations before you sign up.