How To Use Military Benefits for College in Missouri

If you, your spouse, or a parent or guardian have served on active duty in the U.S. Military, you may be eligible for many benefits to make college more affordable. But how do you access these benefits? Specifically, if you live in Missouri, what benefits are available to you?

As a veteran, spouse, or military dependent, you may have access to military education benefits through the GI Bill, state tuition assistance programs, scholarships, and grants. It's important to understand your options, attend a VA-approved school, and communicate with your school's financial aid office to use these benefits.

Read on for further information.

Steps for Using Military Educational Benefits for Missouri College Students

Current and former service members in the Army, Air Force, Navy, and other military branches have ample opportunities to explore higher education. To take advantage of any VA educational benefits available to you, follow the steps below:

Understand Your Benefits

Student veterans have an array of tuition assistance and reimbursement programs available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Missouri Returning Heroes Act, and other organizations. Let's look at some of the programs you may qualify for in the state of Missouri:

Missouri GI Bill

Vets in Missouri may be eligible for the GI Bill, which provides a monthly stipend to help with educational costs. Thanks to the Missouri Returning Heroes Act, eligible veterans at any public school in the state receive a maximum tuition rate of $50 per credit hour; the GI Bill can make school even more affordable by paying for some or all of your tuition costs.

Both current and former combat veterans may be eligible for GI Bill benefits. Members of the Selected Reserves, National Guard, and Individual Ready Reserve may also be able to receive benefits through the GI Bill Reserve Educational Assistance Program.

Missouri National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program

Federal tuition assistance and state tuition assistance programs are available to National Guard members in Missouri. Those hoping to receive state funding must use all available federal funding first.

The state tuition assistance program will cover up to 15 credit hours per semester and 150 credit hours total. Missouri residents are encouraged to apply early, as funding for the program is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

This scholarship is available for active service veterans or dependents using GI Bill or Fry Scholarship benefits and pursuing a STEM-related degree program. Those receiving the award can earn up to $30,000 to cover educational costs.

The scholarship helps cover additional costs for students who have completed at least 60 credit hours toward their program and have six months or less of GI Bill or Fry Scholarship benefits. This makes it possible to continue studying for free or nearly free even after your other benefits have run out.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

As noted above, the GI Bill provides veterans benefits in Missouri and beyond. However, there are different types of GI Bills available. One of the options is the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

This version of the GI Bill, also known as Chapter 33, is available to those with a military service history following the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attack. Those with at least 90 days of active duty, 30 continuous days with a discharge due to a service-connected disability, and those who received a Purple Heart are all eligible to apply.

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) is another version of the GI Bill. Those receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill funds cannot combine them with the Montgomery GI Bill, and vice versa; you must choose one or the other.

This version of the GI Bill is available to those with at least two years of active service who were honorably discharged, have a high school diploma or GED or at least 12 college credits, and meet other requirements. Those who have served in the Navy, Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, or Marine Corps reserves may also receive benefits through the Montgomery GI Bill.

Check Eligibility

Now that you know the types of benefits available, you must ensure you meet the requirements for each one. Most programs have an active service requirement; they may also require that you receive an honorable discharge, have a high school diploma, or meet other stipulations.

You can find out about eligibility requirements for each program by visiting the Department of Veterans Affairs website or program-specific websites. You can also check with the financial aid office at your school to learn more about the programs available and the eligibility requirements for those programs.

Apply for Benefits

You do not automatically receive benefits from any of the programs discussed above. You must apply for these funds. Applications are available on the VA website and other program-specific websites. You can also apply in person at your regional VA office.

Application Deadline

Different programs have different application deadlines, and they may change from year to year. Always double-check with the specific benefits programs you plan to apply for to find out the application deadline and apply as early as possible for the best chance of receiving the greatest benefits.

Choose a VA-Approved School

You'll need to choose a VA-approved program in Missouri to use the GI Bill and take advantage of other veterans services. The following schools are some good options:

University of Missouri Institutions

The University of Missouri has campuses in Columbia, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Rolla. This public university system offers a wide array of degree and certificate programs both online and in-person, making it easy to find a degree program that works best for you.

Missouri State University

Missouri State University is a public school in Springfield and the second-largest institution in Missouri by enrollment. Students can study online or on-campus at this school and can choose from many career-focused majors and minors, along with graduate degrees and certificates.

Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University, in Cape Girardeau, is another top public school with various online and in-person degree programs. Students can attend either full-time or part-time, and additional education benefits are available for current and former service members; for example, students can take advantage of deferred tuition payments and receive credit for their military service.

Speak With Your School's Veteran's Office

When you choose a school, speak with that school's veteran's office. This is a great place to find out what benefits you may receive and to learn about other resources that may be available specifically through that school. You'll also want to stay in touch with the veteran's office throughout your educational journey. This way, you can stay up-to-date on the benefits you are receiving and ensure you are maintaining all eligibility requirements.

Explore Additional Funding

If you still need financial assistance to help you cover your education costs, various additional funding sources may be available. These include:

Military Scholarships

Scholarships are merit-based awards that don't have to be paid back. Various businesses and nonprofit organizations offer them. A wide range of scholarships are available specifically for those with a military history. Consider applying for some of these scholarships.

Military Grants

Military grants may also be available through businesses and organizations. These programs may be less competitive than scholarships or have fewer eligibility requirements. Like scholarships, grants do not have to be paid back.

Tuition Assistance Programs

Tuition assistance programs may be available through your employer or other organizations. These programs cover some or all of your educational costs, usually after other forms of aid have been applied. If you have a job, check with your employer to see if you qualify to receive tuition assistance.

Can I Use My Parent's Military Benefits for College?

If your parent or guardian served in the Armed Forces, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance to attend college. Benefits are often available to specific family members, such as spouses, children, and grandchildren of service members.

Each branch of the military offers scholarship and grant programs for military children, and other organizations may offer these programs. Additionally, veterans' family members can receive GI Bill benefits if the veteran did not use these benefits or transferred them to eligible family members.