How To Use Military Benefits for College in Tennessee

Federal and state military benefits can make a huge difference for active-duty service members and veterans looking for ways to cover their college education. Some military education benefits pay as much as 100% of tuition and might cover additional college expenses.

Before applying for benefits, you want to learn as much as possible about their offerings, eligibility requirements, and application processes. This way, you don't miss out on the maximum available funds.

You should also know how to use military benefits for college upon receipt. Some military benefits let you use funds to cover tuition, housing, books, or mandatory fees at Tennessee colleges. Below, we'll review the top active-duty and veteran educational benefits for Tennessee service members. We'll also discuss the steps for using these benefits.

Steps for Using Military Educational Benefits for Tennessee College Students

Military educational programs] are great options for covering college education costs whether you're an active-duty service member, veteran, military spouse, or dependent. Let's explore steps to qualify for and properly use this educational assistance.

Understand Your Benefits

Most military educational benefits provide an in-depth explanation of their program, how to qualify, and ways to use the funds you receive. Review this explanation to understand the maximum amount offered, what documents you must submit to prove eligibility, and the steps you must take to complete the application process.

Tennessee STRONG Act

The Tennessee STRONG (Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen) Act reimburses eligible members of the Tennessee National Guard up to 100% of the maximum resident undergraduate or graduate in-state tuition (currently, the UT Knoxville tuition rate). The maximum reimbursement is 120 undergraduate or 40 graduate semester hours.

Helping Heroes Grant

The Helping Heroes Grant awards up to $1,000 per semester to current service members and vets in Tennessee who complete 12 hours. Students who complete between six and 11 hours can receive $500 per semester. Tennessee residency for one year preceding the date of the application grant is required. Students must be veterans with an honorable discharge or current or former reserve or Tennessee National Guard unit members who were called into active service.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to the full cost of public in-state tuition and fees for armed forces members who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. Rates are capped for private and foreign schools. Eligible service members can also receive a housing allowance and money for books and supplies. Students who reside in small rural areas can receive relocation assistance.

Montgomery GI Bill

Military service members can choose from two Montgomery GI Bills. The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program provides up to 36 months of education and training benefits to the following military personnel:

• Army
• Navy
• Air Force
• Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve
• Army National Guard
• Air National Guard

The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) helps service members with at least two years of active duty service pay for education and training programs. Both GI Bill benefits cover remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses.

Check Eligibility

If you've found one or more benefits programs you'd like to pursue, your next step is to ensure you qualify. The following factors could impact eligibility:

• military branch
• active-duty or veteran status
• educational attainment (e.g., high school diploma or some college)
• relationship to service member (spouse, dependent, or another family member)
• college enrollment status
• Tennessee residency
• academic progress

Other factors that could impact eligibility include the length and continuity of service. Being a disabled veteran is a qualification for some financial assistance programs.

Apply for Benefits

Once you've gathered sufficient information about the benefits you intend to pursue, your next step is to complete the application process. You can apply for GI Bill benefits online through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. Applying in person, by mail, or with help from a trained professional is also possible. You'll want to contact Tennessee-based benefits programs for application instructions.

Application Deadline

Submitting your application by the stated deadline is crucial to receiving educational benefits in time to pay for each academic year. Check with individual programs for application deadlines to ensure you have enough time to collect and submit all necessary documents.

Choose a VA-Approved School

VA-approved schools help students apply active-duty military and veteran benefits to their degree programs. Here are some top VA-approved schools in Tennessee.

University of Tennessee Institutions

The University of Tennessee schools offer military-affiliated students an in-state tuition rate, even if living out of state. Eligible veterans, active-duty service members, Tennessee National Guard members, reservists, and Army and Air Force ROTC cadets can qualify. GI Bills, Dependents Education Assistance, Yellow Ribbon Funding, and the Fry Scholarship are additional benefits you could encounter at the University of Tennessee schools.

Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University helps service members secure educational benefits like Veteran Readiness And Employment (Chapter 31), Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve, and the GI Bill Reserve Educational Assistance Program. Students should work with the school's Veteran Affairs office to learn how to apply for and properly use these benefits.

University of Memphis

Service members attending the University of Memphis could qualify for VA educational benefits like the GI Bills, TN STRONG Act, and Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program. The university also offers the Dependents of Veterans Killed in Armed Conflict waiver. This benefit waives tuition and registration or matriculation fees for dependent children of service members who died as a direct result of injuries received in action. Children of prisoners of war or service members missing in action also qualify.

Speak With Your School's Veteran's Office

Your school's veteran's services office can help you progress through the steps to secure educational benefits. They can also offer academic support, help you acclimate to the school environment, and provide career guidance.

Explore Additional Funding

Educational benefits aren't the only financial aid options for military personnel and family members. You can apply for military scholarships and grants to cover school costs.

Military Scholarships

Scholarships help you pay for college without repayment expectations. Some military scholarships for veterans, reservists, National Guard members, and military family members include:

• Bass Military Scholars Program
• Hammer Family Scholarship
• Veterans United Foundation Scholarship
• North American Van Lines Logistics Scholarship
• Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship Program

Military Grants

College grants are also free funds that don't require repayment. A popular grant for students with financial need is the Federal Pell Grant. According to the Tennessee government, nearly 60% of adults attending Tennessee schools qualify for the Pell Grant. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is another option for students demonstrating financial need.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (ISAG) is available to children of service members who died while performing duties in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11. Students eligible for the Pell Grant can't qualify for the ISAG.

Tuition Assistance Programs

Tuition Assistance (TA) helps military students cover the costs of undergraduate and graduate programs. Distance learning, independent studies, and vocational/technical programs also qualify. TA covers up to 100% of tuition and expenses for semester credit hours that cost $250 or less per credit hour or $166 per quarter hour.

How Long Do You Have To Be Active-Duty To Receive College Benefits?

The time needed as an active-duty service member to qualify for educational benefits depends on the program. For example, the Post-9/11 GI Bill requires at least 90 days on active duty for most service members and at least 30 continuous days with an honorable discharge and a service-connected disability. You could encounter programs with no specific active-duty requirements. Contacting benefits administrators can help you determine eligibility criteria.