College Grants And Scholarships-Government Aids Education For Veterans
You’ve served your country, now it’s time to see what Uncle Sam can do for you. Well when it comes to getting your college degree, he can do a lot. There are millions of tax-free dollars available to veterans and their dependents, consider it a thank you for your service. The Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs and many states offer programs to help vets pay for college. There are also millions of dollars available in scholarships and grants for members of the military.
The best known military education program is the Montgomery GI bill, or MGIB. The bill became law in 1944 under President Roosevelt. Since World War II the bill allowed more than two million veterans to attend college. The GI bill provides monthly benefits for active duty service members, reservists and veterans. To qualify you must have served at least two years on active duty and have your high school diploma or the equivalent. The GI bill pays for 36 months of education benefits, an estimated $40,000 value.
The GI Bill is not considered financial aid by colleges and universities, because the money is paid directly to you. That means veterans are still eligible for student loans, scholarships, and Pell Grants. However, GI Bill payments reduce the amount of student financial aid you are eligible to receive. GI money can be used not only for tuition,but also, fees, books and living expenses. The tax-free money can also be used to pay for independent study programs, required continuing education, licensing, certification, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. Once you leave the armed services, you have ten years to use your benefits.
Last year, Congress approved a new GI Bill. The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides education benefits for service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001. The Post 9/11 GI Bill covers 100% of tuition. It also provides a monthly allowance for housing and up to $1000 a year for books and supplies. The new bill does not refund military members for courses completed before July 2009.
Tuition Assistance, TA, is another funding possibility for members of the armed services. All branches of the military have to resources to pay up to 100% of tuition expenses for members. TA is not a loan, it’s considered money a veteran has earned. The army, Navy, Air Forces and Marine each have their own rules for eligibility, amount of service and application process. Unlike money from the GI Bill, tuition assistance is paid directly to the school.
In addition to federal and state aid, there are over $300 million in private scholarships and grants for members of the military, veterans and their families. To name a few categories, there are scholarships for disabled veterans, veterans of foreign wars, veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom. Even if your tuition is fully covered by the GI Bill, it’s a good idea to pursue private scholarships. The money can be used to cover the cost of books, fees, and living expenses.
Did you know you may have already earned college credit before you get there? Many colleges and universities will count years in the service as class credit. The American Council on Education, ACE, can help you and your school determine how many credit hours you earned while serving.
A grant for online college towards your college education is a fantastic reward for your time in U-S armed services. The government has had financial aid in place for nearly 70 years to help military veterans and their dependents. Grants, the GI Bill, Tuition Assistance and online college grants offer tax free money to make getting a college degree part of the military experience.
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