Which Military Branch Has the Best College Benefits?
All military branches offer education benefits, but some will be better than others based on individual needs like desired degree programs and planned length of service.
Enlistment is a common career path for high school graduates due to the benefits associated with military service. Military members receive multiple benefits that make pursuing a college education easier, including military tuition assistance stipends, student loan repayment, and other education benefits.
However, there is no federal mandate for the specific programs that each branch of the military offers. Each service branch has its tuition assistance programs and requirements. Some common education benefit requirements include years of service, the type of higher education being pursued, ongoing service commitment, and more.
If you plan to pursue a degree program after your service, speak with recruiters to learn more about the individual benefit programs offered. Different branches will have better benefits for your higher education needs.
Military Branch College Benefits
All branches of the American military offer education benefits, including the National Guard. However, eligibility for these benefits and the amount of benefits you'll qualify for will change based on which armed forces branch you're enlisted in.
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Army
The Army is the largest U.S. military branch and offers some of the best benefits for veterans and active duty soldiers. The Army provides the Green to Gold program, which allows soldiers to earn a four-year or two-year degree while working towards commissioned officer status. This program must be applied separately because it includes commissioning already enlisted soldiers. The Green to Gold program is designed to be used by active duty soldiers looking for a first degree or returning to school.
The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is similar to the Green to Gold program. Unlike Green to Gold, ROTC programs are for college students who have not begun service. Students begin military service after graduation in exchange for generous scholarships.
Army College Fund (ACF)
The Army College Fund increases the monthly payments from the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), not the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This program depends on service status, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) enrollment, and a qualifying score on the ASVAB.
Army Scholarship Program
The Army offers multiple scholarship options to enlisted soldiers. These programs include ROTC scholarships, Nursing scholarships, and more. These scholarships can provide up to 100% of tuition expenses for qualified soldiers.
Navy
The Navy offers 14 programs to help sailors start or complete bachelor's programs. These programs range from commissioning programs, like the Navy Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NROTC), to more general programs like the United States Naval Community College (USNCC). The USNCC offers members of the Navy and Marine Corps free associate degree programs without using any benefits like the GI Bill.
Navy College Fund (NCF)
The Navy College Fund can increase your Montgomery GI Bill monthly payments. This program requires sailors to have 3 years of service, be between 17 and 35, and accept a monthly payment reduction.
Navy College Program (NCP)
The Navy offers two main programs: Tuition Assistance and the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE). All enlisted sailors can qualify for tuition assistance, but the NCPACE program is designed for sailors at sea to receive education like their on-shore counterparts.
The Marine Corps
Active duty Marines can begin earning college credit hours in recruit training. The Marine Corps offers tuition assistance of up to $4500 per semester for undergraduate degree programs. The benefits are available through any duty station, but students must maintain a C average in all classes to continue receiving benefits.
The Marine Corps also offers the Advanced Degree Program (ADP) for Marines pursuing graduate degrees. The ADP program only covers part of the costs of a graduate degree program, but Marines receive their full pay and other benefits during their graduate school program.
Marine Corps College Fund (MCCF)
Marines can qualify for the kicker to the Montgomery GI Bill like the other branches. Marines must first be eligible for the MGIB and they can receive up to $950 in additional monthly payments to be used for college expenses.
Marine Corps University (MCU) Education Programs
The Marine Corps University is a higher education institute in Quantico, VA. This program allows Marines to learn necessary skills for their service, like leadership and strategy. Marines can learn in nine different programs from six individual colleges.
Air Force
The Air Force offers multiple opportunities for airmen to pursue higher education. Some of these programs include the Credential Opportunities On-Line (COOL) program, which allows airmen to earn professional certificates online while serving. These certificates can be used for Air Force specializations or civilian life.
Airmen can also pursue the Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative pathway. Airmen with a two-year degree from an accredited community college or the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) can work towards a bachelor's degree. This benefit can be completed after your military career has ended.
Air Force College Fund (AFCF)
The Air Force participates in the Kicker program for the MGIB. Qualified airmen can receive additional money from the Department of Defense to cover college courses and expenses.
Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
The Community College of the Air Force allows airmen to earn an associate degree. CCAF students earn accredited two-year degrees that can be used to transfer to civilian universities to complete a bachelor's degree program after service ends. This program includes automatic enrollment for airmen to earn college credits as soon as they begin basic training.
Space Force
The United States Space Force is the newest military branch and offers education benefits tied directly to Air Force benefits, including the CCAF. Guardians (members of the Space Force) qualify for the multiple programs that allow them to leave the Space Force to join the Air Force's ROTC program.
Space Force College Fund (SFCF)
Space Force Guardians don't qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill, mainly due to the short life span of the branch. Instead, Guardians can apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which doesn't come with the same kicker as the MGIB.
Space Force University Programs
Space Force Guardians qualify for the same university programs as airmen. Although the Air Force and Space Force are different branches, they are highly connected in the benefit programs that they offer.
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard uses GI Bill benefits to help members pay for college. In addition to their tuition assistance program, members still receive their full military pay while earning a degree in a field they will pursue after they complete their service.
Coast Guard Foundation Scholarships
The Coast Guard offers multiple scholarship programs for service members and their families. Qualified dependents can receive tuition assistance, even if they've never served. Children of fallen Coast Guard Members can receive up to 100% of their college costs covered.
Other Military College Benefit Programs
Multiple programs are designed to provide monetary support to service members, regardless of branch. These programs have unique requirements, including enlistment date, length of service, and chosen college degree program.
Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers the Montgomery GI Bill. This program provides up to 36 months of education expenses for qualified members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard. Service members must qualify for one of four categories, which will impact the benefits they receive.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is designed for active duty service members and veterans who enlisted on or after September 10, 2001. This program doesn't qualify for the GI Bill kickers. However, it does include various additional benefits including housing allowances and travel expenses to attend a public, in-state university.
Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Program
The Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) program allows service members to pursue approved career pathways for degrees that can be used after service ends. These degree programs must be earned at approved universities.
