For many members of the military who are through serving their country, and even those who are between deployments and military responsibilities, furthering their education is next on the to-do list. While finding the time to complete the training you need for your next job can be tough, military families have tools that can help make the financial burden of a secondary education easier to bear.
Assistance for members of the military comes in many forms, from military grants for veterans from the federal government, to special programs offered from military-friendly colleges. Here are a few assistance programs that members of the military should look to benefit from as they continue their education.
Federal grant programs: Check with a representative at the Department of Veterans Affairs to see what type of grant programs are available to help you pay for college. For example, the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers military members who have served at least 90 days of service after Sept. 11, 2001, and received an honorable discharge assistance up to the highest in-state tuition from a public educational institution in your home state. Another popular program, the Montgomery GI Bill, allows active and reserve members to receive education benefits in exchange for a small personal contribution during their service.
Grants from colleges: A number of military friendly colleges offer additional benefits to veterans. For example, American InterContinental University provides an AIU Online Veterans Grant for military members to help defray the costs of their education.
Assistance for military families: Grant programs also offer assistance for other members of a military family in certain cases. Spouse education benefits, as well as benefits for dependents, are available through a number of government programs. For example, the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows military members to transfer any unused benefits to a spouse, children or a combination of both.
As a military member, you’ve worked hard and risked your life protecting your country. Needless to say, you’ve earned the benefits that you’re eligible to receive and you should be sure to take advantage of all that is offered. By enrolling in a school that offers both financial and practical support, you’ll make sure that the next chapter of your life is just as rewarding as your time spent in the military.
Information in this article was provided by the Colorado Technical University. Contact CTU today if you’re interested in developing marketable knowledge and career-relevant skills with an industry-current degree program. (CTU cannot guarantee employment or salary.)