How To Use Military Benefits for College in Maryland

Paying for college out of pocket can be challenging for active-duty military service members, veterans, and their family members. Fortunately, the federal and state governments offer military education benefits to assist with college expenses.

Students at Maryland colleges can take advantage of a few, including the Maryland National Guard State Tuition Waiver and the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Depending on the program, you can use military benefits to cover tuition, books, housing, mandatory fees, or other educational costs at a Maryland school.

Understanding eligibility requirements, application processes, and other important information can help you make the most out of this financial assistance. Below, we'll review the best ways to use military benefits for school.

Steps for Using Military Educational Benefits for Maryland College Students

Military education discounts and benefits programs can significantly reduce the cost of your college education whether you're a veteran, active-duty service member, spouse, or dependent. Here are some steps you can take to ensure you fully benefit from this financial assistance.

Understand Your Benefits

Reviewing official documents from each program can tell you the maximum amount offered, eligibility requirements, documents you should submit, and the application process. You'll also learn how to use the benefits you receive (e.g., books, tuition, and fees).

Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship

The Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program offer a resident undergraduate up to the annual tuition and mandatory fees for a four-year school of higher education within the University System of Maryland. Eligibility is open to veterans and military spouses/dependents of service members who died while serving.

Maryland National Guard Scholarship Program

The National Guard Association of Maryland (NGAM) Scholarship Program offers up to $1,000 to Maryland National Guard members or dependents in a full-time or part-time student status. Funds can be used for tuition costs, fees, and books following enrollment at any accredited college, university, or vocational school. The award is valid for one year.

Maryland National Guard State Tuition Waiver

The Maryland National Guard State Tuition Waiver (STW) offers Maryland National Guard members a 50% tuition cost waiver at a Maryland partner school. Eligibility is granted to service members with at least 24 months remaining to serve. Officers and warrant officers can qualify if they agree in writing to serve no fewer than 24 months.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is a federal benefit for Armed Forces members. It covers up to the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees, books, supplies, and relocation costs from a rural area. Recipients could also receive a housing allowance. To qualify, students must have served at least 90 days on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, or meet other eligibility criteria.

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) program helps members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard who meet eligibility criteria. The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30) program helps service members who have served at least two years on active duty. Benefits from both GI Bills can be used for remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses to advance education and training.

Check Eligibility

When reviewing military benefits for college in Maryland, you should always confirm that you qualify. Eligibility requirements might focus on:

• military branch
• length of service
• active-duty or veteran status
• Maryland residency
• relationship to service member (i.e., military spouse or dependent)

Eligibility could also look at factors, such as the school you plan to attend and your academic background, before applying.

Apply for Benefits

When you're ready to apply for GI Bill benefits, you can do so online through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. Additional options include applying by mail, in person, or via trained professional assistance. Contact each Maryland-based benefits program to learn about their application guidelines.

Application Deadline

You don't want to miss out on a military education benefit because you missed the application deadline. Contact individual programs or your school's financial aid office to learn deadline details so you can submit all required documents on time.

Choose a VA-Approved School

Many military-friendly colleges are VA-approved schools that let students cover college costs through federal VA benefits and other military-related programs. The following schools are great options for military service members and their families.

University of Maryland Institutions

University of Maryland institutions help veterans and military-connected students access various educational benefits and programs. Some include the GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, and Department of Defense Tuition Assistance program.

Bowie State University

Bowie State University's Military Resource Center helps service members access and determine eligibility for veteran education benefits. Veterans attending Bowie State might qualify for the Green to Gold Program, Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor scholarship, and Yellow Ribbon Program.

Salisbury University

Salisbury University helps students seeking VA educational benefits submit their Certificate of Eligibility and Veterans Benefit Certification Request. Benefits available at the university include the Forever GI Bill (Chapter 30 or 33), Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35), and federal tuition assistance.

Speak With Your School's Veteran's Office

Schools commonly offer a military or veteran's office to assist service members with understanding, applying for, and using VA benefits. Veteran's offices also provide academic support, counseling services, career help, and disability services.

Explore Additional Funding

While military educational benefits are common college funding options, financial aid like scholarships and grants are also great choices. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 85% of first-year, full-time undergraduates attending four-year public institutions received financial aid in the 2020-21 academic year. Filling out the FAFSA form or completing other application requirements could help you qualify for the following military scholarships and grants.

Military Scholarships

Military scholarships can cover college education costs for military service members and their families. Some include:

• College Park Veterans Scholarship
• Maryland Veterans Trust Fund
• National Association of Veteran Program Administrators (NAVPA) Scholarship
• Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials (AVECO) Scholarships
• Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship

Military Grants

Grants are funds you can use for college that don't require repayment. The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) is a military-affiliated grant for children of former service members who were killed while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan following the events of 9/11.

Other grants to consider are the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Both grants assist students with financial need. Your financial aid or veteran's office can help you determine eligibility.

Tuition Assistance Programs

Tuition Assistance (TA) offers service members in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force funds to cover tuition expenses. The program pays up to 100% for semester credits costing no more than $250 per credit hour. Students can use the funds for undergraduate and graduate programs, independent studies, distance learning, and vocational/technical study.

Does Maryland Offer Free Tuition for Disabled Veterans?

Yes, disabled veterans can receive free tuition in Maryland. The Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program offer up to the equivalent annual tuition and mandatory fees for veterans with a service-connected disability of 25% or greater.

Eligible veterans must be Maryland residents at the time of application and have exhausted or are no longer eligible for federal veteran educational benefits.