Military Overview: a Multitude of Student Aid Programs

Members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families have a multitude of educational aid programs from which they may benefit as they pursue post-secondary studies. Because there are so many options with varying eligibility criteria, it can be very difficult to determine what benefits apply to them. Following are descriptions of the various education benefits with the aim of simplifying the complex and overlapping programs that are available. Note that, as with any type of student financial aid, details can change from year to year.

Tuition Assistance for active-duty personnel

Tuition Assistance is a benefit of the Armed Forces and pays up to 100% of tuition for active-duty personnel to take classes when off-duty. The benefits are available to members of all branches of the military. However, the limits on the amount per credit hour and limits per fiscal year are fairly low given current high tuition costs. Tuition Assistance is often used in conjunction with the GI Bill “Top-Up” program and other non-military federal financial aid programs.

Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB) – Active Duty & Veteran

The “GI Bill” is the generic term referring to education benefits funded by the Veterans Administration for those who have served or are serving in the military and their families. It pays for many types of education and training programs including traditional college, Distance Learning, certification tests, apprenticeships, job training programs and flight training. Service members or veterans only need to have served for three years of active duty to qualify for full benefits and those who have served for two years are eligible for slightly lower payments. To be eligible, individuals must have enrolled in the program and had $100 deducted from their monthly paycheck for their first year of active service. A veterans discharge must have been “fully honorable” to be eligible for the program. MGIB benefits usually end 10 years after active-duty service has ended. There are various versions of the program depending on the person’s situation. These programs are described below.

MGIB – SR (Selected Reserve)

Offered by the Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve, Selective Reservists can receive tuition assistance while taking classes on their personal time.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

This program was offered to those who joined the military between 1977 and 1985. Those enrolled in this program have been offered the option of converting to the MGIB program as the benefits under MGIB are greater.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

Available to reservists who are called to active duty for 90 days or more after Sept. 11, 2001, this program provides tuition assistance for any type of education programs. It can be used in conjunction with the MGIB Top-Up program.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

This new version of the GI Bill is only for those who plan on attending colleges and universities. Benefits are provided to those who have served at least 90 days of active duty including those in the National Guard and Reserves since Sept. 10, 2001. The amount of the benefit is based on the amount of time spent on active duty, with those serving 36 months continuous service receiving the maximum benefit.

Army, Navy, and Marine Corps College Funds (a.k.a. GI Bill Kicker)

This Department of Defense program increases the monthly benefit amount provided by the GI Bill. It is usually offered through an enlistment or reenlistment contract. Benefits are only given in addition to GI Bill benefits, not alone.

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts

This program provides up to $6000 towards education costs over two years for a spouse of an active-duty servicemember who is assigned to one of the pilot locations for this program. The account applies to training or education in a high-demand, high-growth career field such as Education, Health Care Technology and a number of other fields.

GI Bill - Tuition Assistance “Top-Up” Program

This GI Bill program provides additional tuition assistance for service members and veterans who are eligible for the GI Bill. The purpose is to cover tuition costs that are beyond what the Tuition Assistance program covers.

Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)

These education benefits are available to dependents of a deceased, disabled, MIA or POW veteran. For more specific information, see the Veteran’s Administration website for this program.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

Each branch of the military, except the Coast Guard, offer Officer Training programs at schools across the country. These programs offer full-tuition, merit-based scholarships and require students to participate in officer training classes in addition to their regular degree-program classes. They also require that students commit to active service and/or reserve service after graduation. ROTC programs are offered in many colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and also through six military academies and at military junior colleges.

College Loan Repayment Program

Most of the Armed Services will pay off some or all of an enlisted members college loans that were incurred before joining the service, as long as they commit to a minimum number of years of service. This does not apply to officers or those who have served previously.

Federal Loan Deferment

Federal loan programs allow borrowers to defer payments while in active duty military service for up to three years. For Perkins loans and subsidized Stafford loans, interest will not be charged during the deferment period. For unsubsidized Stafford loans and PLUS loans, interest will be charged but there is an interest rate cap which may result in a lower rate during deferment.

Resources

Veterans Administration GI Bill Website

Department of Veterans Affairs pamphlet on The Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty. This pamphlet provides a summary of the educational benefits of the GI Bill.

ROTC Websites:

Army ROTC

Air Force ROTC

Navy & Marines ROTC

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