Are you in the military or about to leave it? Have you given any thought to your educational opportunities? It’s all about funding, isn’t it? No matter if you’re active duty, a reservist, or a discharged or retired veteran, funding an education can be the roughest part of getting one. Thankfully, there are resources to finding scholarships and programs designed just for military personnel.
Tuition Assistance
The Department of Defense (DOD) offers a tuition reimbursement for active duty and reservist personnel who take courses during their off-duty hours. Called Tuition Assistance (TA), the program is different from the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills. The TA program is more rigorous in its requirements for institutional eligibility. In fact, it requires higher education institutions to sign a memorandum of understanding that they will be partnering with the DOD and whichever branch of the military to which you belong.
Each service branch has its own TA program under the umbrella of the DOD’s program. Because the waters of the TA program can get a little muddy, the DOD created a new online tool earlier this year to assist you in finding the right information: TA DECIDE. If you wish to study Agricultural and Farm Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling and must do so online, you can plug these requirements into the tool. It will tell you which institutions offer these programs and have been vetted by the DOD.
The key to the vetting process for the DOD TA program is that all institutions must at least be accredited regionally in order to participate. This assures that both you and the DOD are getting the most bang for the TA buck.
The GI Bills
Yes, there are two of them. The Montgomery GI Bill was established post-World War II to help returning service members gain and education and return or integrate into the workforce. The New GI Bill was created in 2009 for those who began serving after 9/11. Both offer educational assistance to active duty, reservists, and veterans of the military. However, the Montgomery offers a set amount, while the New GI Bill offers a proportional amount and can be used by both enlisted personnel and officers.
The New GI Bill also doesn’t require that you apply for its use, while the Montgomery does. The two GI Bills also allow you to use your assistance for non-accredited vocational programs and educational opportunities.
Tuition Top Up
If you want to complete a degree while still on active duty, you can use the Tuition Assistance Top Up program. This program allows you to combine the benefits of the TA program and either one of the GI Bills in order to pay for your educational fees, etc.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs cautions that you plan carefully to either complete your degree while on active duty or to take a few courses to prepare for life after service. In the latter situation, you’ve then banked the majority of your benefits in order to finish your education once you’re a civilian.
Schools Themselves
Many higher education institutions offer scholarships to military personnel in addition to the TA program, the GI Bill, and other governmental educational opportunities. It never hurts to fill out a FAFSA, no matter what time of year you start your education, and always do your institutional research.
Schools often have their own banks of scholarships, such as the Military Active Duty and Reservist Commitment Scholarship at Arizona State University. Like many other military scholarships for higher education institutions, this one works to supplement the TA program.
Many of these programs, which can be found through sites like Military.com or USVeteransMagazine.com, are not meant to be used with the GI Bill.
Tips for Finding Programs
Don’t forget to seek out the educational affairs office on your base if you’re still on active duty or if you’re a reservist. This office is meant to help you find the tools to further your education, whether that education will be used to advance your military or civilian career.
If you are a veteran, check with your local office of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The personnel here can put you in touch with a number of programs offering loans, grants, and scholarships to fund your education.
