Financial assistance is a key benefit provided to the eligible members and service holders of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guards. Congress has given each of the aforementioned service holders the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition and Educational Assistance for Military Personnel. They believe that a good education is compulsory and necessary for career growth as well as personal growth. This write up will give you valuable information regarding benefits, tips and tricks about higher education and employment.
Table Of Contents
Education Benefits
Various tuition assistance programs provide financial aid and assistance for voluntary, off duty educational programs to support employee’s professional as well as personal goals by each service industry. Programs offered by each services branch are;
- Army Tuition Assistance Program
- Marine Corps Tuition Assistance Program
- Navy College Program
- Air Force Tuition Assistance Program
- Coast Guard Tuition Assistance Program
Other than above-mentioned programs, the Department of Veteran Affairs has introduced educational programs to help service members, veterans, and their families.
Each service has its own eligibility criteria, obligations and duties, application process, and restrictions. The money or financial aid is given directly to the institution / organization by the individual services as per class basis. Tremendous array of educational assistance for military personnel can be used while a member is active on duty or after a member leaves the service.
During their service, members can get up to $4500 annually as their tuition assistance.
Summary of Educational Benefits
Following table is the brief summary of each educational benefit offered to service members, veterans, and their families.
| Program | What is it? | Who is Eligible? | Benefit |
| Educational Assistance | Military Benefit that pays the cost of tuition and some fees. | All military service members. | Covers up to 100% Tuition and Fees |
| Post-9/11 GI Bill | The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months (4 regular school years) of education benefits | Service members (Active on Duty, Guard and Reserve), Veterans, Survivors of military members | Paid Tuition and Fees, Living-Housing Stipend and Book Stipend. |
| Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty & Veteran | Provides up to 36 months (4 regular school years) | Active Duty members and Veterans | Up to $2,150 / month for full-time institutional education. |
| Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserves | Same as MGIB-AD at reduced rates. | Six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve.
Officers must agree to serve six years in addition to their original obligation. High school diploma. Maintain Selected Reserve Status. |
Up to $407 / month for full-time institutional education. |
| Loan Repayment (LRP) | Partial or full repayment of college loans. | Enlisted members only. | Repayment programs: Army Student LRP, Navy Ed Programs, Marines Ed Programs, Air Force Programs. |
| “Top-Up” Program | Benefit intended to supplement from the military with GI Bill benefits. | The person must be approved for federal Tuition Assistance by a military department and be eligible for GI Bill benefits. | Up to 75% of the cost of classes |
| Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance for Military Personnel Program (DEA) | Education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. | Son, daughter, or spouse of a service member who died, is missing, or was permanently disabled while on duty | Up to $1,298 / month |
| Work-Study Program | Full-time or ¾ time student in a college degree program, or a vocational or professional program. | The VA work-study allowance is available to persons training under one of the VA benefit programs | An hourly wage equal to the Federal minimum wage or your State minimum wage, whichever is greater. |
| Tutorial Assistance Program | Tutorial assistance for programs you are having difficulty with | Receivers of VA benefits at a half time or more rate. | VA may provide you with a tutor or with information for finding one. |
