Is it too late to get the military to pay for your education?

If you have served in any branch of the United States military and are currently serving or were honorably discharged, the military may pay for you to continue your education. Even if you haven’t spent time in the military, it may be a good idea for you to look into serving before going back to school for your college degree. The United States military is committed to seeing its veterans succeed in life.

 

Depending on your situation, you may be able to have up to 100 percent of your tuition paid, plus receive a stipend for books and housing under the Montgomery GI Bill or Post-9/11 GI Bill. Honorably discharged veterans who served on active duty may be able to claim GI Bill benefits up to 15 years after they complete their service, so even if you served several years ago, you can still get help paying for college.

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Who qualifies for the Montgomery GI Bill?

 

The Montgomery GI Bill is available to all active duty members of the US military and members of Selected Reserve, including the Army and Air National Guard. Up to 36 months of benefits may be available for active duty military and veterans to use for furthering their education. To qualify for the MGIB, service members and veterans must be at least 18 years old, either be currently servicing or have an honorable discharge and have a high school diploma, GED or 12 college credit hours. MGIB benefits are available for up to 10 years after active duty service has ended.

 

National Guard and Reserve members are also eligible for 36 months of MGIB benefits. However, if they do not qualify for the active duty MGIB, they will have to use those benefits while enlisted.

 

What is the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

 

Anyone who served at least 90 days active duty after September 10, 2001 is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This benefit is not limited to those who are pursuing a college degree. Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits can be used for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, vocational and technical training, correspondence training, flight training, and even on-the-job training and entrepreneurial training programs. Funding is also available for professional licensing exams and fees.

 

The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays for tuition on a scale based on length of active duty service, ranging from 100 percent for 36 months or more of active duty service to a 40 percent tuition benefit for those serving at least 90 days but less than six months. In addition to tuition benefits, post-9/11 veteran students are also eligible for a housing allowance and book stipend. Tuition payments are made directly to the school, while housing and book benefits are paid to the student.

 

Veterans who are considering furthering their education may be eligible for one or more VA education benefits. The Montgomery GI Bill is available for 10 years and Post-9/11 GI Bill is available for up to 15 years after the last date of service. Education benefits are not limited to traditional college studies. Most educational programs qualify for MGIB funds, including vocational and apprenticeship training. In some cases, these benefits are even transferable to the veteran’s dependents.

 

Photo credit: Hit the books by Nazareth College/flickr

 

Author Kenny Alvarez is an advisor to military veterans and also writes for MilitaryEducation.org, a site which explores all the secondary education benefits to veterans and their dependents; for instance check out this information on air force scholarships.

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