Best Military-Friendly Colleges in Massachusetts

Many New England states have high tuition costs, and Massachusetts is no exception. However, if you're a military member or veteran, your military education benefits could cover your full tuition costs.

Many Massachusetts colleges and institutions accept these benefits and offer additional support to military students. Keep reading to discover how military-friendly colleges work in Massachusetts.

Military-Friendly Colleges in Massachusetts

Numerous colleges and universities in Massachusetts provide support services and a welcoming atmosphere to service members, veterans, and their dependents. Students can use military benefits for college in Massachusetts in various ways. Below, we've featured some of the best colleges for military students.

1. Boston University

Boston University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. Its Veterans & Military Services office helps military students access their education benefits and assists with enrollment and readmission for active-duty military.

GI Bill benefits will not cover total tuition costs, as BU is a private university, but the university is a Yellow Ribbon Program partner. Through this program, 52 eligible students can receive up to $7,000 toward the remaining tuition.

2. Harvard University

Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It helps military students manage their education benefits through its financial aid office.

Students will not be able to have their full tuition costs covered under the GI Bill. However, the Yellow Ribbon Program may cover all remaining tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn't cover.

3. University of Massachusetts Institutions

The University of Massachusetts System is a public university system in Massachusetts. Its main campus is in Amherst, but it has four other campuses and an online college, University of Massachusetts Global, the latter of which holds gold-level status on Viqtory's list of Military Friendly Schools.

Each campus has a veterans center, like the Student Veterans Resource Center at UMass Amherst. These centers help students secure their education benefits and even provide additional resources, like parking discounts, to veterans.

4. Northeastern University

Northeastern University is a private research university based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its Dolce Center for the Advancement of Veterans and Servicemembers helps military students achieve their education and career dreams.

The Yellow Ribbon Program could pay the remaining tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn't cover. Additionally, the university offers military scholarships and offers college credit for military training to help education benefits stretch further.

5. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

The Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts. It assists military service members and veterans through its Registrar's Office.

As WPI is private, the GI Bill will not cover all tuition costs. Through the Yellow Ribbon Program, students can receive up to $35,000 in funding, which should cover remaining costs.

6. Bentley University

Bentley University is a private university in Waltham, Massachusetts. The university supports members of the armed forces and veterans by participating in many military education assistance programs.

Though the Post-9/11 GI Bill won't cover all costs, the Yellow Ribbon Program provides up to $5,000 to ten eligible students yearly to help offset tuition costs. Additionally, the university offers merit scholarships and need-based grants.

7. Brandeis University

Brandeis University is a private research university in Waltham, Massachusetts. It assists active-duty service members and military veterans through its Office of the University Registrar.

Students can't get full tuition costs covered by basic GI Bill benefits. However, the Yellow Ribbon Program will pay all remaining tuition costs to up to five students per school within the university.

8. Mount Holyoke College

Mount Holyoke College is a private liberal arts women's college in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Its Office of Student Financial Services helps military students to take advantage of their education benefits.

The GI Bill won't cover all tuition costs since Mount Holyoke is private. Through the Yellow Ribbon Program, 30 eligible undergraduate students can get up to an additional $20,000 in tuition coverage.

9. Babson College

Babson College is a private business school in Wellesley, Massachusetts. It accepts VA benefits to help students pay for school.

Students won't be able to cover their full tuition through a GI Bill. With the Yellow Ribbon Program, 30 full-time undergrad students will receive up to $20,000, and 10 grad students will receive up to $10,000.

10. Salem State University

Salem State University is a public university in Salem, Massachusetts. It helps vets and active-duty service members transition from military life to higher education through its Veterans' Affairs office.

The GI Bill and military tuition assistance will cover full tuition costs at Salem State for eligible students. The university also offers scholarships to military members and hosts a branch of the Student Veterans Organization on campus.

Does the U.S. Military Offer Free College?

Through a variety of programs, service members may be eligible for free college due to their military experience. We've listed some of these programs below.

GI Bill Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides education assistance through GI Bills to help students pay for their education without student loans. There are a few of these programs:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers up to 100% of tuition costs at public, in-state universities and up to $28,937 per year at private universities, and also offers stipends for books and housing, to those who served active duty on or after 9/11.
• Yellow Ribbon Program: this program is for costs not covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, such as the additional tuition for private schools.
• Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty: this bill covers tuition costs for education and job training programs for those who served on active duty for at least two years.
• Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve: this bill covers tuition costs for education and job training programs for selected reserve members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard.

To learn more about these programs and their eligibility requirements, visit the VA website.

Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance

Every branch of the military offers some form of tuition assistance. These programs cover up to $250 per credit at accredited community colleges and four-year colleges and universities for active-duty military members.

Restrictions and eligibility requirements vary between branches. Reach out to an education counselor today to learn more.

Military College Funds

Most branches of the military also offer college fund programs. These programs add additional benefits to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and as a result, are sometimes called ''kickers.''

Again, restrictions and eligibility requirements vary between branches. The Navy and Air Force do not offer college fund programs.

FAQs About Military-Friendly Colleges in Massachusetts

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about military-friendly colleges in Massachusetts.

What Should You Look for in a Military-Friendly College?

There are a few things that you want to look for when considering colleges as a member of the military. These include:

• VA education benefits and/or military tuition assistance acceptance, depending on what you're eligible for
• strong, supportive veterans services department
• courses in the format that works best for you, that is, online or on-campus
• support programs, like counseling services, career services, or a veterans' lounge

Does the Military Pay for Online Degree Programs?

The military will cover online programs the same way it covers on-campus programs, which can be very helpful to learners who prefer to study through distance learning.

Is UMass Boston Approved for Tuition Assistance?

UMass Boston does not accept military tuition assistance. However, it does accept GI Bill education benefits.