Does the Military Pay for College? Complete Overview of Education Benefits

<p>The <b>United States military pays for college</b> through programs designed for students in high school, active-duty military members, and veterans. </p> <p>Each branch of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Kinds_Military_Education_Discounts_and_Programs_are_Available.html">military offers educational benefits</a> that help you earn your online undergraduate or graduate degree tuition-free or at a significantly reduced cost. </p> <p>Military spouses and dependents are also able to enjoy educational benefits from the military. Learn about tuition assistance options for military students below. </p> <h2 id="section---TuitionAssistanceForMilitaryStudents">Tuition Assistance for Military Students</h2> <p>Learn about <a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_military-friendly_online_colleges.html">military-friendly colleges</a> and programs that pay for college below. </p> <h3 id="section---AirForceEducationalBenefits">Air Force Educational Benefits</h3> <p>The Air Force offers educational benefits to help enlisted personnel earn a college degree. For example, you can earn your online degree for free at the community college of the Air Force. </p> <p>You can also earn your online college degree through the Air Force Tuition Assistance Program, which covers tuition costs for college classes taken during off-duty. </p> <p>Other educational benefits for enlisted airmen include the Lead Program, the Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program, the Professional Officer Course Early Release Program, and more. </p> <h3 id="section---ArmyEducationalBenefits">Army Educational Benefits</h3> <p>The military pays for college through the Green to Gold program if you are an enlisted soldier in the Army and want to earn your online college degree and become an Army Officer. </p> <p>The Green to Gold program consists of four opportunities that pay for you to complete your bachelor's or graduate. Earn your degree using one of the following: </p> <ul><li>Army ROTC green to gold division commander's hip pocket scholarship </li><li>Green to Gold active duty option </li><li>Green to Gold non-scholarship </li><li>Green to Gold scholarship </li></ul><h3 id="section---GIBillBenefit">GI Bill Benefit</h3> <p>The United States Department of Veteran Affairs offers money to pay for veterans' online college or graduate degree if you served or are a veteran spouse or dependent through the GI Bill. </p> <p>You may qualify for GI Bill benefits if you served on active duty after September 10, 2001, served at least two years on active duty, or are a member of the selected reserve. </p> <p>There are many opportunities to pay for or reduce veterans' college tuition costs through the GI Bill. See examples of GI Bill benefits below: </p> <ul><li>Montgomery GI Bill active duty </li><li>Montgomery GI Bill selected reserve </li><li>Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program </li><li>Yellow Ribbon Program </li></ul><p>Qualifying spouses and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/using_va_benefits_cover_dependents_education.html">dependents enjoy GI Bill benefits</a> through opportunities such as the Fry Scholarship, the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/does_va_pay_for_college.html">Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA)</a>, or transferred post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. </p> <h3 id="section---NavyAndMarineEducationalBenefits">Navy and Marine Educational Benefits</h3> <p>The US Navy pays college tuition for enlisted sailors and marines, coast guardsmen, and coast guard reservists who want to earn an online associate degree at the United States Naval Community College. </p> <p>The Navy also offers the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program to help civilians, enlisted Navy Reserve Sailors, and inactive military members currently enrolled in college pay for their degrees. </p> <p>Consider the Advanced Degree Program, the Tuition Assistance Program, or the Defense Activity for Nontraditional Educational Support if you are in the Marines. </p> <h3 id="section---ReserveOfficerTrainingCorps">Reserve Officer Training Corps</h3> <p>The Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship is available for every branch of the military for high school seniors, enrolled college students, and enlisted service members. </p> <p>Choose the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Should_I_Join_the_ROTC.html">ROTC scholarship</a> if you want to earn your undergraduate degree and become an officer in the military. Find examples of colleges with ROTC programs for each military branch below: </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Army ROTC </th><th> Air Force ROTC </th><th> Navy or Marine ROTC</th></tr> <tr><td> Troy University </td><td> Marymount University </td><td> Auburn University</td></tr> <tr><td> John Brown University </td><td> Alaska Pacific University </td><td> University of Idaho</td></tr> <tr><td> Boise State University </td><td> University of Phoenix </td><td> Iowa State University</td></tr> <tr><td> Purdue University </td><td> Emory University </td><td> Cornell University</td></tr> <tr><td> Maryville University </td><td> Baker University </td><td> Ohio State University</td></tr> </table><p>Many accredited colleges offer the ROTC program and online degree programs. The ROTC scholarship pays full tuition costs for your undergraduate degree. </p> <h2 id="section---OtherTuitionAssistanceOptionsForMilitaryStudents">Other Tuition Assistance Options for Military Students</h2> <p>Many accredited colleges offer <a href="https://learn.org/articles/states_with_free_tution_for_veterans_spouses_dependents.html">tuition assistance options for military</a> students. You may be able to combine certain financial awards to pay the total cost of your college tuition. </p> <p>If you are joining the military, a member of the military, or a veteran, the following options can also help pay for your college degree: </p> <ul><li>the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Understanding_Your_FAFSA_Package.html">Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)</a> </li><li>internal college scholarships </li><li>tuition discounts and waivers </li></ul><h2 id="section---FrequentlyAskedQuestionsRegardingTheMilitaryPayingForCollege">Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Military Paying for College</h2> <p>See answers to commonly asked questions about the military paying for college below. </p> <h3 id="section---DoesTheMilitaryCoverAllCollegeExpenses">Does the Military Cover All College Expenses?</h3> <p>The military can cover all college expenses depending on your situation; however, most military programs cover tuition, fees, books, or college housing. </p> <h3 id="section---CanIEarnMyBachelorSDegreeForFreeInTheMilitary">Can I Earn My Bachelor's Degree for Free in the Military?</h3> <p>Yes, you may qualify to earn your online bachelor's degree tuition-free if you are a member of the military. You can also earn your associate degree or a graduate degree tuition-free in the military. </p> <h3 id="section---DoIHaveToJoinTheMilitaryToReceiveMilitaryEducationalBenefits">Do I Have to Join the Military to Receive Military Educational Benefits?</h3> <p>No, you do not have to join the military to receive military educational benefits. Family members of military personnel may qualify to receive benefits that help them earn an online college degree. </p> <h2 id="section---LetTheMilitaryPayForYourCollegeDegree">Let the Military Pay for Your College Degree</h2> <p>If you are interested in joining the military, are a member of the military, or are a family member of military personnel, you may qualify to earn your online degree tuition-free through military benefit options.</p>