While many people have heard of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, that’s where the conversation around military education benefits typically ends. Oftentimes servicemembers who don’t meet eligibility requirements for Post-9/11 benefits think they are out of options for education assistance.
Current service members and veterans have over 20+ unique education benefits at their disposal. These programs can offer $100,000+ education benefits that cover a large range of servicemembers spanning across service length, type, and generation served. From the GI Bill, to branch specific tuition assistance, to veterans put out of work due to COVID-19, there is sure to be a program you qualify for.
Military Education Benefits for Servicemembers: Qualify Today!
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Table of Contents
Determining What Benefits You Qualify For
When I started researching for this post, the only educational benefit I was aware of was the Post 9-11 GI Bill. To my surprise, there were tons of available programs at servicemembers’ disposal! However, navigating through the various government websites and eligibility requirements can be tough. Generally speaking, the military education benefits you will be eligible for are determined by the following factors:
- When you served
- How long you served
- Active vs Reserve status
- Whether or not you sustained injuries
Since there are over 20+ programs set up by both individual branches and the VA as a whole, I have made a spreadsheet to help determine which benefits best suit you.
PLEASE NOTE: While I aim to update this regularly, there is always a chance something in the flowchart may be off. These program eligibility requirements benefits and benefits are subject to change at any time, and as such, there is a chance the flowchart may incorrectly say you are/are not qualified. While this is a helpful tool to discover educational benefits you may not have realized you qualified for, the only way to know your true eligibility is to call the official VA number: 888-442-455, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
Educational and Career Counseling for Veterans
While the following flowcharts and info-tables are a wonderful resource, all veterans should be aware that they can receive personalized assistance such as:
- Career counseling to help you decide which civilian or military jobs you want
- Educational counseling to help you find a training program or field of study
- Academic and adjustment counseling to help you address issues or barriers that get in the way of your success
- Resume support and goal planning
Reading my blog is great, but nothing can beat sitting down and discussing your options with a trained professional. You can visit the official VA website to begin the process or learn more about Personalized Career Planning and Guidance from the video below.
Flowchart for Those Currently Serving & Veterans
The flowchart below will help you determine which education benefits you are eligible for. In order to use the flowchart effectively, first, choose the section relevant to when you served.
- Top section: For those who served after September 11, 2001
- Middle section: For those who served after June 30th, 1985
- Bottom section: For those who served between January 1st, 1977 and June 30th, 1985
Once you find the relevant programs you qualify for, go to the table in the next section to learn more about the types of benefits you will receive, as well as the relevant links you need to apply for them.
If you are not currently serving, but considering commissioning as an officer, check out the education guide for officers.
GI Bill (Post-9/11 & Montgomery)
The GI Bill offers some of the largest financial assistance of all education benefits available for servicemembers. It comes in two flavors (Post-9/11 GI Bill) and (Montgomery), catering to servicemembers regardless of when they chose to serve.
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Yellow Ribbon Program)
The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for the higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the normal Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover.
Eligibility
- School of choice must be an institution that participates in the yellow ribbon program, AND
- Served at least 36 months after September 11th, 2001, and recieved honorable discharge, OR
- Served at least 30 days continously after September 11th, 2001, and was honorably discharged for a service-connected disability, OR
- Recieved a purple heart and honorable discharge after any amount of service
Aid Type
- Money to help pay for tuition and fees at foreign/private/state schools as non-resident
- Yellow Ribbon school will contribute a certain amount toward your extra tuition and fees through a grant/scholarship/similar program, and the VA will match
Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill helps you pay for school or job training for those serving after September 11, 2001. If you wish to determine what percentage of benefits you qualify for, check out the VA calculator here. Keep in mind that if you choose to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill while serving on active duty, you are ineligible for the housing allowance and rural benefits. Otherwise, you will have 15 years from your separation date to use your benefits, unless you ended your service after January 1st, 2013, in which case, the benefits never expire.
Eligibility
- Served at least 90 total days after September 11th, 2001, and recieved honorable discharge, OR
- Served at least 30 days continously after September 11th, 2001, and was honorably discharged for a service-connected disability, OR
- Recieved a purple heart and honorable discharge after any amount of service
Aid Type
- Covers full in-state tuition and fees for 36 months (if you qualify for maximum benefit)
- Monthly housing allowance
- Up to $1,000 for books and supplies yearly
- One time payment of $500 for relocation (if living in a county with fewer than 6 people per square mile, and you’re moving at least 500 miles for school)
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) can help you pay for education and training programs if you’ve served at least 2 years on active duty. You will be able to use these benefits up to 10 years after leaving active duty status.
Eligibility
- You have a high school diploma, GED, or at least 12 hours of college credit, AND
- Entered active-duty after June 30th, 1985, AND
- You had your military pay reduced by $100 for the first 12 months of service, AND
- You served at least 2 years (if that was your agreement when enlisted), OR
- You served 3 years without break, OR
- You served 4 years (if you entered the selected reserve wthin a year of leaving active duty
Aid Type
Up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible servicemembers for any of the following:
- College degree (Associate’s/Bachelor”s/Master’s/Doctorate)
- Vocation programs
- Apprentinceship training
- Licensing and certification
- Flight training
Payment rates are based on the length of service members’ original enlistment, the number of classes the servicemember is enrolled in, participation in the $600 buy-up program, and what congress determines for the rates.
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a military member, you may be eligible for this benefit. You are still eligible to qualify for this benefit up to 14 years from the date of your first 6-year obligation.
Eligibility
- Your service obligation began after 30th June 1985, AND
- You got a high school diploma/GED before finishing IADT, AND
- You stay in good standing while serving in ac active selected reserve unit, AND
- You have a 6-year service obligation in the selected reserve, OR
- You’re an officer in the selected reserve and you agree to serve 6 years in addition to your initial service obligation
Aid Type
Up to $384 per month in compensation (payments) for up to 36 months. The most current payment rates can be found here.
GI Bill (Extensions of Benefits)
Although the GI Bill is slated to give benefits only up to 36 months, there are a variety of ways to extend this benefit if your program meets specific criteria.
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship allows some eligible Veterans in high-demand fields to extend their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. While you may meet all the criteria, that does not necessarily mean you will receive the scholarship. Priority will be given first to individuals who are eligible for the max Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit (100%), followed by those that require the most credit hours.
The scholarship is broken up into three qualifying categories; STEM, healthcare, and teaching, with a full list of eligible STEM degree programs here.
Eligibility
*All applicants must have less than 6 months of their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits remaining to qualify*
Undergraduate Stem Degree / Qualifying Dual-Degree Program
- Enrolled in a qualifying undergraduate STEM degree program that requires at least 120 standard semester credit hours (or 180 quarter hours) to complete
- Have completed at least 60 standard credit hours (or 90 quarter hours) toward your degree
Covered Clinical Training Program for Health Care Professionals
- Earned a qualifying degree in a STEM field
- Have been accepted or are enrolled in a covered clinical training program for health care professionals
Teaching Certification
- Earned a qualifying post-secondary degree in a STEM field
- Have been accepted or are enrolled in a teaching certification program
Aid Type
You will receive an additional 9 months ($30,000) of Post-9/11 benefits.
Veterans Technology Education Courses (VET TEC)
The Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program helps match you with a leading training provider to help you develop high-tech skills. As an added bonus, using VET TEC will not count against your GI Bill entitlement, and you need only one day of unexpired GI Bill benefits to participating.
Eligibility
- Aren’t on active duty or are within 180 days of separating from active duty, AND
- Qualify for VA education assistance under the GI Bill, AND
- Have at least one day of unexpired GI Bill entitlement, AND
- Are accepted into a program by a VA-approved training provider
Aid Type
You will receive tuition for a full-time high-tech training program, and money for housing during your training in one of the following specialties:
- Computer software
- Computer programming
- Data processing
- Information science
- Media applications
Tuition Assistance Top-Up
If your college tuition costs more than what’s covered by the Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program, you may be eligible for more money to help pay for school through the Tuition Assistance Top-Up program. Understand that this WILL affect your GI Bill benefits if you choose to use this program. You’ll need to think carefully about your situation before applying for benefits through this program.
You can talk with your education officer and use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to help you make your decision.
Eligibility
- You qualify for either the Post-9/11 GI Bill or the Montogomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD), AND
- The cost of tuition and fees exceeds the amount tuition assistance can cover
Aid Type
IF USING THE POST-9/11 GI BILL:
• The VA will pay back your school the difference between the DoD payment and the authorized (approved) maximum tuition and fees. Half-time training rates reduce your GI Bill benefit by a half-month for each month you’re enrolled.
IF USING THE MGIB-AD:
• You’ll get the difference between the DoD payment and the total cost of the course. This benefit will be reduced, or charged, one month of entitlement for each payment received that is equal to the full-time monthly GI Bill rate.
Branch specific Tuition Assistance
Each of the five branches offers its’ own tuition assistance, making it possible to get a degree for free while still serving on active duty.
Army Tuition Assistance
The Army Tuition Assistance program can help you get educated whether you are at home, or abroad. Current Army policy limits the tuition assistance to 130 semester hours of undergraduate credit/bachelor’s degree, or 39 semester hours of graduate credit/master’s degree (whichever comes first).
Note: Officers who use TA will incur an Active Duty Service Obligation of 2 years, and Reserve Component officers incur a Reserve Duty Service Obligation of 4 years.
Eligibility
- Complete 1 year of service after graduating from Advanced Individual Training (AIT), AND
- Submit tuition request and receive approval PRIOR to class start date
Aid Type
- $250 per semester hour
- $166.67 per quarter hour
- Maximum of 16 semester hours per year
- Maximum of $4,000 per year
Navy Tuition Assitance / College Program for Afloat College (NCPACE)
The Tuition Assistance (TA) and Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) both pay up to 100% (within a fiscal year/career caps and limits) of tuition charged by educational institutions for course enrollments. Both TA and NCPACE will be limited to a lifetime cap of 120 semester hours, 180 quarter hours, 1800 clock hours (or combination).
Note: Officers will not become eligible until promotion to O-3, and they must agree to remain on active duty for a minimum of two years from the completion date of their last TA/NCPACE funded course, or repay the TA/NCPACE funds expended.
Eligibility
- Be onboard at least one year at the first permanent duty station, AND
- Active-duty status throughout the duration of the course from an accredited institution, AND
- Receive counseling from Navy College Virtual Education Center (NCVEC), AND
- Sailors must have served in the Navy for three years, AND
- Recommended for retention and promotion & receive individual trait marks of 3.0 or greater in their most recent evaluation, AND
- Assigned to a command with a type 2 or 4 Unit Identification Code (NCPACE only)
Aid Type
- $250 per semester hour
- $166.67 per quarter hour
- $16.67 per clock hour (for approved certificate/diploma programs only)
- Maximum of 18 semester hours per year
Marine Corps Tuition Assistance
The Marine Corps Tuition Assistance program can offer up to 100% of tuition paid towards off-duty courses working towards approved degree programs. First-time users are limited to one course for first enrollment but may enroll in two courses after that. Tuition assistance also has other limitations, such as not being able to be used twice for the same course and not being used for flight training or doctoral programs.
Eligibility
- Minimum GT score of 100 or TABE score of 10.2, AND
- Must complete Marine Corps Institute (MCI) Personal Financial Management, AND
- Must recieve a D or higher for non-graduate level courses, and a C or higher for graduate-level courses (or repay), AND
- Must not have had, or are pending disciplinary action, AND
- At least 24 months of active-duty service, OR
- Enlisted reservists ordered to active duty for 120+ days, OR
- Reserve officers ordered to active duty for 2+ years
Aid Type
- $250 per semester hour
- $166.67 per quarter hour
- Maximum of $4,500 per fiscal year
Air Force Military Tuition Assistance Program (MilTA)
The Air Force Military Tuition Assistance Program (MilTA) currently pays 100 percent of tuition, in off-duty courses with accredited schools that have signed the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding in pursuit of approved degree programs. There is maximum funding of 124 semester hours (186 quarter hours) for a bachelor’s degree and 42 semester hours (70 quarter hours) for a graduate degree. Should you find yourself unable to receive
a C or higher for non-graduate level courses and an overall GPA of 2.0, or a B or higher for graduate-level courses and an overall GPA of 3.0, you will have to repay.
Eligibility
- Schools must be accredited and sign the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding, AND
- TA funding requests must be approved by supervisors via the Air Force Virtual Education Center
Aid Type
- $250 per semester hour
- $166.67 per quarter hour
- Maximum of $4,500 per fiscal year
Coast Guard Tuition Assistance
The Coast Guard tuition assistance program is designed to assist Coast Guard personnel in broadening academic or technical backgrounds by providing funding for off-duty independent education. Tuition assistance is only available for courses that will lead to first associate/bachelor/master’s degrees, and there is a limit of no more than 130 semester hours for undergraduate work and 40 semester hours for graduate work. You also must maintain a C or higher for undergraduate courses, or a B for graduate-level courses.
Eligibility
- Must be on active duty or a reservist on long-term orders greater than 180 days to qualify, AND
- Complete TA application must be approved no less than 14 days prior to the class start date.
Aid Type
•$250 per semester hour
•$166.67 per quarter hour
•Maximum of $3,750 per fiscal year
Alternative educational programs
This last section is for educational benefits that didn’t fit cleanly into another category. Whether displaced from the COVID-19 pandemic or enrolled in a special program, these are the last opportunities for credits before recommending FAFSA benefits.
Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)
The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) offers education and training for high-demand jobs to Veterans who are unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep in mind that if you qualify for any of the following, you are ineligible for receiving VRRAP benefits:
•Post-9/11 GI Bill
•Montgomery GI Bill
•Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
•Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
•Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Eligibility
- At least 22 years old, but not older than 66, AND
- Unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, AND
- Not rated as totally disabled because you can’t work, AND
- Not enrolled in a federal or state jobs program
Aid Type
Up to 12 months of tuition and fees, and a monthly housing allowance based on Post-9/11 GI Bill rates.
National Call to Service Program
If you performed a period of national service, you may qualify for the National Call to Service program, which allows you to choose an education benefit as an alternative to the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). For more information about whether or not you qualify, checkout the Official National Call to Service Program Pamphlet [PDF].
Eligibility
- You completed your initial entry training, then continued to serve on active duty for 15 months in a military occupational specialty designated by the Secretary of Defense, AND
- • Without a break in service, you served either an additional period of active duty as determined by the Secretary of Defense and the rest of the obligation
Aid Type
- A cash bonus of $5,000, OR
- Repayment of a qualifying student loan, not more than $18,000, OR
- Educational assistance equal to the 3-year monthly MGIB rate for 12 months, OR
- Educational assistance equal to 50% of the less-than-3-year monthly MGIB rate for 36 months
Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) – non- Air Force
You may be able to continue your education by using part of your military pay to help cover the cost of school. The Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) is a $2-to-$1 government-match program for educational assistance. The total amount of benefits you get (up to 36 months) will depend on how much money you put into your VEAP every month. You have 10 years from your release from active duty to use your VEAP benefits.
Eligibility
- Entered service for the first time between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, AND
- Opened and put at least $25 into your VEAP account before April 1, 1987, AND
- Finished your first period of service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge
Aid Type
Provides tuition for the following programs:
• Undergraduate/Graduate degree programs
• Co-op training
• Non-college degree programs (technical or vocational courses)
• Flight training
• On-the-job training and apprenticeships
• Test fees
• Entrepreneurship training
• Correspondence training
Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) – Air Force
You may be able to continue your education by using part of your military pay to help cover the cost of school. The Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) is a $2-to-$1 government-match program for educational assistance. The total amount of benefits you get (up to 36 months) will depend on how much money you put into your VEAP every month. You have 10 years from your release from active duty to use your VEAP benefits.
Eligibility
- Entered service for the first time between December 1, 1980, and September 30, 1981, AND
- Enlisted in one of these Air Force specialties: 20723, 20731, 20830, 46130, 46230A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, or Z, 46430, or 81130, AND
- Enlisted in one of these locations: Beckley, WV; Buffalo, NY; Dallas; Fargo, ND; Houston; Jackson, MS; Louisville, KY; Memphis, TN; Omaha, NB; Philadelphia; Seattle; Sioux Falls, SD; or Syracuse, NY
Aid Type
Provides tuition for the following programs:
• Undergraduate/Graduate degree programs
• Co-op training
• Non-college degree programs (technical or vocational courses)
• Flight training
• On-the-job training and apprenticeships
• Test fees
• Entrepreneurship training
• Correspondence training
Federal and State Financial Aid (FAFSA)
If you only qualified for FAFSA and no other military education programs, you aren’t at a total loss.
While anyone can apply for this benefit (not just military members), they are still a great way to make getting an education more affordable. In all, the federal government provides upwards of $150 billion per year in educational aid to college students. The aid comes in several forms:
- Pell Grants
- Subsidized Stafford Loans
- Supplemental Educational Oppurtunity Grants
- Federal Work/Study Programs
If interested, visit Federal Student Aid to find out more, or complete an online application for FAFSA for free!
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