How To Use Military Benefits for College in Michigan

In addition to the GI Bill, military service members who study in Michigan can use state-based financial aid programs and other programs to pay for their education. This can significantly reduce or even eliminate tuition costs. Unfortunately, several steps are required to secure most of this aid.

Keep reading to learn how to use military benefits for college in Michigan.

Steps for Using Military Educational Benefits for Michigan College Students

Many military educational benefits are available to service members in Michigan. Below, we've explored the different steps for using military educational benefits as a Michigan college student.

Understand Your Benefits

Both active duty and veteran military service members can use VA education benefits and state financial assistance programs to help pay for their college degrees. Here are some common benefits for members of the armed forces.

Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program

The Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP) is a program from the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs that provides tuition assistance to members of the Michigan National Guard. This funding is available for any public or private college, university, community college, or trade school in Michigan.

Associate and bachelor's degree students can receive up to $14,400 while master's degree students can receive up to $6,000. This educational assistance can also be passed on to dependents and spouses.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The most common GI Bill through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), which provides financial aid to active-duty students and student veterans. The amount you receive depends on your length of service.

Students who qualify for the full benefit will have their tuition covered at an in-state public college or university. They'll also receive a book and materials stipend and a housing stipend. This benefit can also be passed on to family members. To learn more, visit the official U.S. Government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) is another GI Bill offered by the VA. There are two types: one for active duty service members and one for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard selected reserve members.

Again, the amount of funding you qualify for depends on your length of service. This program only covers tuition costs and does not offer additional stipends.

Check Eligibility

As mentioned above, eligibility requirements can vary depending on your length of service. Other factors may play a role, including the branch you serve in and the specific financial aid program you're pursuing.

Most financial aid programs will have eligibility requirements on their website. You'll also be able to find more information about the application process. You'll likely need to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a federal application that determines your eligibility for many types of student aid.

Apply for Benefits

Once you've assessed your eligibility, you can apply for educational benefits. Again, each process is a little different.

You can apply for the VA GI Bill at https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/. To apply for the Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program, visit https://www.michigan.gov/dmva/about/MINGSTAP.

Application Deadline

Many financial aid programs have application deadlines that you must meet if you want your financial aid to be applied to the next academic year. This includes the FAFSA, which needed to be submitted by July 1, 2024, for the 2024-2025 school year in Michigan. While the GI Bills do not have a deadline, the applications take about 30 days to process. You'll want to remember that when finding aid for your degree program.

Choose a VA-Approved School

Most accredited colleges and universities in the State of Michigan are VA-approved. However, to make the most of your GI Bill, you'll want to attend a public university in Michigan if you're a Michigan resident. We've listed some of these institutions below.

University of Michigan Institutions

The University of Michigan is the public university system in Michigan. Its flagship campus is in Ann Arbor, and there are two other campuses in Flint and Dearborn.

Military students can use their GI Bill benefits at all three campuses. Members of the Michigan National Guard can use the Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program here.

Michigan State University

Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan. It also has a campus in downtown Detroit and facilities across the state. As a public university, Michigan State University accepts the GI Bill. It also has a Student Veterans Resource Center.

Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students at CMU can use their GI Bill benefits to pay for their tuition. The university also offers a reduced price per credit hour for military members.

Speak With Your School's Veteran's Office

Most colleges and universities have a veterans office or veterans service center to help military members adjust to academia. These centers can help with many things, including enrollment, career guidance, and financial aid. You should be able to find contact information for the veterans office on your school website. You will likely find additional information about financial aid there as well.

Explore Additional Funding

Additional funding options are also available to military students in Michigan. These options help students pay for their degrees without going into debt. Below, we've broken down some common types of financial aid.

Military Scholarships

Scholarships are financial aid gifts and don't need to be repaid as loans do. They're usually offered for a specific reason, like military service. The U.S. Government's CareerOneStop website offers a scholarship tool that can help you find military scholarships. You can also check to see if your college or university provides scholarships for veterans.

Military Grants

Grants, like scholarships, do not require repayment. They are usually need-based, meaning you must show you struggle to pay your tuition. Grants are offered by the state or federal government or by colleges and universities. The scholarship finder at CareerOneStop can help you find grants as well.

Tuition Assistance Programs

Tuition assistance programs help you pay for your tuition but don't exactly meet the standards of a scholarship or grant. Some schools offer tuition assistance; for example, the University of Michigan provides the Go Blue Guarantee, which offers free tuition for families with incomes under $75,000.

Additionally, many schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program is for those who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill but still have tuition costs remaining after the benefits are applied.