How To Use Military Benefits for College in North Carolina

You can use military benefits for college, like tuition assistance programs and GI Bill benefits, to partially or completely cover your tuition costs and education expenses for colleges in North Carolina.

If you're a veteran or currently serving in the military, the state's many VA-approved schools, educational assistance programs, VA support services, and benefits can provide the financial resources you need to pursue a college degree.

Understanding the different types of military education benefits, how to use them, and their eligibility criteria will ensure you get the most out of your hard-earned benefits.

Steps for Using Military Educational Benefits for North Carolina College Students

Students can combine various programs to cover their tuition costs. By following these steps, you can be more prepared to attend and pay for college in North Carolina as a military student.

Understand Your Benefits

Before you start applying, it's important to know the different military education benefits you might qualify for.

North Carolina GI Bill

North Carolina's military-friendly colleges accept and encourage the use of benefits from the GI Bill. Both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill provide military students with educational benefits to cover tuition, fees, and other college-related costs.

North Carolina National Guard Tuition Assistance Program

The North Carolina National Guard Tuition Assistance Program helps cover full tuition costs and fees at in-state community colleges and NC Promise schools. To receive funding through the program, you need to make a two-year commitment to serve in the Army or Air Force National Guard and maintain academic standards.

North Carolina Tuition Waivers for Veterans

Eligible veterans and active duty service members can receive tuition waivers, and even application fee waivers, at VA-approved public schools in North Carolina. The Choice Act allows military students to pay in-state tuition rates even if they aren't North Carolina residents.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers up to 36 months of educational benefits to veterans, active-duty service members, military spouses, and eligible family members. Qualifying students can be eligible for full benefits, such as veterans who served at least three years on active duty, received a Purple Heart, and disabled veterans who were discharged due to a service-connected disability.

The program covers 100% of tuition and fees for in-state public institutions and up to $28,937 per year in tuition assistance at private schools. If you meet additional requirements, such as maintaining full-time enrollment status, you could also receive funding for housing and living expenses.

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill provides financial support to veterans and active-duty service members for various educational programs, including four-year college degree programs. To be eligible for these benefits, you must complete at least two years of active-duty service.

The amount of financial assistance available through the Montgomery GI Bill varies based on factors like the type of education program you are pursuing, your enrollment status, and length of service in the military. If you're a full-time student, you could receive up to $2,358 monthly to help cover your education costs.

Check Eligibility

Each benefit program has specific eligibility requirements based on your military service, residency, and educational goals. Understanding the requirements will help you determine which benefits you qualify for and how to maximize them for college in North Carolina. The Department of Veterans Affairs can provide additional information about VA benefits.

Apply for Benefits

Once you know which benefits you're eligible for and have all the necessary documentation, such as proof of military service and residency, you can begin the application process. This typically involves filling out an online application with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website and submitting the FAFSA.

Application Deadline

Application deadlines vary depending on the benefit program. To receive funding in time for your program, you should plan to apply up to a year before. Missing a deadline could delay or reduce the benefits you receive.

Choose a VA-Approved School

Choosing a VA-approved institution is important to ensure your benefits are applied correctly. Many colleges in North Carolina are VA-approved and offer resources and support for military students.

University of North Carolina Institutions

The University of North Carolina (UNC) system, which includes several military-friendly campuses, provides extensive resources for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. At UNC, students can access military affairs centers with staff that offer specialized counseling and career services. They can help you receive college credit for certain military training or courses, understand your military benefits, and utilize different financial aid resources.

North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University (NC State) is another one of the state's VA-approved, schools. They offer comprehensive support for military students. NC State provides personalized academic advising, career counseling, and many other resources to help veterans pursue their degrees and start careers after the military.

NC State's Military and Veterans Services team is available to help students effectively utilize their VA benefits and military training during their program.

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University (App State) is dedicated to supporting veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. The university's Veterans Resource Center offers many specialized services, including personalized career counseling, mentoring programs, and orientation for military-affiliated students.

App State also encourages veterans to maximize their educational benefits and provides academic credit for their military experience.

Speak With Your School's Veteran's Office

To ensure you're maximizing all the military education benefits available, it's helpful to consult your school's veteran's office. The staff there can help you utilize your available benefits and direct you to additional financial aid options and resources specifically designed for military students.

Explore Additional Funding

In addition to state and VA education benefits, there are other options available that military students can use for college in the state of North Carolina.

Military Scholarships

Veterans and service members can access various scholarship opportunities from schools, organizations, and military branches. These military scholarship programs can significantly reduce or possibly fully cover tuition expenses, making higher education more affordable.

If you have served or are currently serving in any military branch, you may qualify for a scholarship that can help fund your college education.

Military Grants

Military grants are another funding resource for veterans and service members and can help with education expenses. They are available through multiple sources, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), veteran organizations like the VA, state-funded programs, and even directly from colleges and universities.

Tuition Assistance Programs

In addition to North Carolina's tuition assistance options, several other education benefits can help military students manage college tuition costs. For instance, the Yellow Ribbon Program provides extra financial support for those attending out-of-state institutions, covering expenses that the Post-9/11 GI Bill might not fully fund.

Tuition Assistance (TA) is exclusively for active-duty military members. It offers up to $4,500 annually for tuition fees. If your TA benefits don't cover your tuition, you may be eligible to use the VA's Top-Up Program to cover any remaining educational expenses.

Do Veterans Get In-State Tuition in North Carolina?

Yes, with the Veterans Choice Act, eligible veterans and their dependents can qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges. This benefit applies to veterans who enroll within three years of discharge and meet specific residency requirements.