Higher Education Support for the Military

Overview

The cost of higher education and the thought of taking on student debt can be overwhelming. Perhaps you don’t think college is right for you now and want to wait. The military has options to make education affordable — whenever you choose to attend.

Preparing for higher education includes considering and planning for a number of factors — selecting a course of study and understanding how that degree will affect your career options, preparing for college admission exams, choosing a school, knowing how much your educational options will cost and what financial aid is available to you, and more.

Committing to military service while in school: ROTC and military institutions

Tuition assistance and other education options while serving

College Loan Repayment Program: Various benefits are available to those who join the military after graduating from college. Qualified candidates could fast-track to officer training and apply for the College Loan Repayment Program and more. The military could pay off a portion or all your loans in exchange for a service commitment. This offer is not always available and is contingent on several factors, such as your military job and your loan amount. Keep in mind that not every service branch offers this program. A local recruiter can provide specific details.

Tuition assistance: As an active-duty service member, you may be able to attend school part time. Each service branch offers tuition assistance of up to $250 per semester hour for academic classes. Tuition assistance can be used for undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as several other programs.

Tuition assistance may not cover the full cost of college, but the Top-Up program allows you to use GI bill funding to cover the rest. Talk to your education counselor for more information.

GI bills: The Department of Veterans Affairs offers several programs to help veterans and active-duty service members pay for education. The GI bills are two of the most well-known programs.

Post-9/11 GI Bill: This is available to those who serve at least 90 days of active-duty service after Sept. 10, 2001 and receive an honorable discharge. The benefit covers up to 100% of tuition and fees, a yearly stipend for books and a monthly housing allowance. As a bonus, if you’re a veteran at the 100% benefit level, you may also be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program, available at military-friendly institutions, pays any tuition or fees not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Montgomery GI Bill: This education benefit requires you to have served at least two years on active duty and have a high school diploma or GED. Unlike the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill covers tuition and fees only, and you have up to 10 years after discharge to use the benefit.

National Guard/reserves: Joining the National Guard or reserves allows you to serve in the military part time and receive education benefits.

Credential program: Earning credentials can help you develop as a service member and prepare you for civilian employment after separation or retirement. The Credentialing Opportunities On-Line program can help pay for education or training that leads to certification or license. It may also cover the exam fees of a credential.

Things to consider about college

Look beyond the beautiful lawns and libraries in all those college brochures. You need to balance the cost and logistics of going to school with what you want to accomplish with your degree. There’s a right fit for you and your priorities.

Tuition and costs: While most schools offer tuition assistance to service members, certain institutions can be more affordable, like in-state or public universities. Private schools, on the other hand, can be costly. To reduce the amount of debt you graduate with, research each school’s tuition and financial aid offerings carefully.
Courses and programs: Some schools specialize in certain areas of study, such as engineering or nursing. If you have a specific area of focus that you want to pursue, narrow down your choices to schools with good reputations for those programs. If you’re considering graduate school or a higher professional degree, look into which schools offer those specific fields of study to help you make the next transition to graduate school.
Location: Choosing a nearby state school or local private college can allow you to stay in your current location and commute from home to class. By enrolling in evening or weekend classes you could continue to work or maintain your status in the services.

Smart tools for comparing schools and programs

Deciding which college to attend is much easier when you have the right information. Compare schools and programs with these smart tools:

College Navigator provides information on more than 7,000 postsecondary education institutions.
TA DECIDE is designed for participants of the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program and helps you compare schools and programs.
GI Bill® Comparison Tool helps you compare benefits and estimate costs by school.
Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding site lets you see which schools are participating in the federal Tuition Assistance program.

College admission exam preparation

Get ready for some studying even before college begins. Most colleges and universities require admission exams with your application. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, or DANTES, can help you prepare for enrollment and cover the cost of some of these academic tests. DANTES also offers college prep resources that can help you prepare for these admission exams, sharpen your study skills, and identify your interests and aptitudes to help you choose an area of study or career path.

Government Websites

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support

How to convert military experience into college credit

The skills you’ve mastered during your military service can count just as much as quizzes in a classroom. The Joint Services Transcript converts your military experience into civilian college credit, providing documented evidence to colleges and universities of professional military education, training and occupation experiences. The Joint Services Transcript is a collaborative transcript program that replaces previous transcript programs, making it easier for colleges to read and recommend credits.

Grants, loans and other financial assistance

As a service member, you have several options that can help fund your schooling. Your service-specific Voluntary Education Program, listed below in the voluntary education contacts section, can help you identify grants and other kinds of assistance — like federal loans, tax credits and deductions, and military tuition assistance.

Voluntary education contacts

If you’re planning to pursue higher education, your service-specific Voluntary Education Program counselor can help you decide which programs are the best fit for your goals. Find service-specific program information and contact information for education professionals who can help provide information about financing and additional education support.

Army Continuing Education

Marine Corps Voluntary Education Program

Navy College Program

Air Force Education Programs

Coast Guard Voluntary Education

Department of Defense Voluntary Education Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Readiness, Force Education and Training)

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, or DANTES

4 Tips for Transition and Career Success

Making the transition into civilian life is exciting but does take preparation. Make sure you are well-prepared by following these four tips.

Maximize your individual transition plan: Make the most of your ITP. Your ITP is your transition road map, and you will develop one during your initial counseling. If used correctly, your ITP will help guide you through tough decisions like your next career move, meeting your financial goals or continuing your education. Develop your plan with care and thought toward your goals and objectives for any areas of your life affected by the transition. Update and refine action steps to help keep you focused on your goals in order to land that civilian job.
Stay motivated: Bring your “can-do” attitude to this next step in life. Approach civilian life with the same strength, curiosity and courage with which you carried out your military mission. Put your strengths and skills to use in finding your next job.
Practice networking: Transition assistance programs emphasize the importance of networking for your job search and career development. Networking simply means talking to people about your career goals. Seek out people who may be able to help you with advice, job leads and contacts, and let them know about your skills and employment goals. For helpful networking tips, visit the Department of Labor-sponsored CareerOneStop website.
Show confidence: Take time to recognize and appreciate the scope of knowledge, skills and abilities you acquired in the military. It’ll be easier to present yourself to any prospective employer when you show confidence in your military experience. Not only do you have exceptional technical skills and training, you’ve also mastered the military traits of good discipline, teamwork, leadership and the ability to put mission first. Employers value these qualities in applicants regardless of the nature of the work. Learn how to incorporate these characteristics into your interview preparation and examples.

Job Search Success for Military Spouses

Networking leads to 70% of all jobs. While it isn’t difficult, networking does take time and effort. It requires getting to know people in your chosen field and staying in touch with them throughout your career. If you want to get hired, be your biggest fan. Here are a few ways to toot your own professional horn.

Market yourself

Network extensively. Attend industry and college alumni events. Reach out to friends, family, former classmates and colleagues.
Maximize the internet. Use career-focused social media portals, such as LinkedIn, to connect with former colleagues and bosses. Be sure you have a professional, noteworthy profile on internet sites like LinkedIn. Join relevant industry groups.
Reach out to potential employers. Find out about career opportunities and current openings at companies you like. You can also connect with employers who are committed to hiring military spouses through the Military Spouse Employment Partnership.
Make a great first impression. If you’re invited to interview for a job, get there early, dress for the position and know something about the company. Be sure to bring along your business cards and a polished resume. It’s also a great idea to have a well-rehearsed elevator speech when the interviewer asks you about yourself. This is a 30-second summary of your skills, experience and goals.
Be confident. When you’re confident in your abilities, others will notice.
Write a winning resume. Make sure your resume is polished and professional.
Write a brief thank you note within three days of meeting a potential employer. It should include where and when you met, any follow-up items and your contact information.

Take advantage of networking opportunities

Career fairs provide an opportunity for job seekers to meet with people from several companies in one location. Employers may be recruiting for specific job openings or giving information on future job opportunities at these events. Also, look for job fairs exclusively for military spouses.
Chamber of commerce groups hold regional events like mixers, workshops and fundraisers. For example, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation leads the Hiring Our Heroes initiative, which helps veterans and military spouses find work.
College career and networking events are generally for alumni and students and typically take place on campus.
Community service groups allow volunteers to staff fundraisers, where you might interact with hiring authorities. Don’t be afraid to work for free. Volunteering and interning are great ways to get your foot in the door, and it can be a great learning experience. The same is true for meetings, workshops and conferences for professional and trade associations.

Visit MySECO to learn more about marketing yourself for your career.

EXTERNAL RESOURCES FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Related MilLife Guides

Employment Tools and resources to help service members and transitioning veterans explore and find careers.

Spouse Education and Employment Take advantage of the many resources available for military spouses to help you achieve your education and career goals.

Libraries Libraries offer a wide variety of resources including activities for kids, book clubs, classes and professional development.

Preparing for Higher Education