Pursue Your Education With Flexibility
While you may be familiar with the GI Bill, its just the beginning of the education benefits available to you. Whether you want to pursue your education before you serve, while you serve, or youve already graduated college with student loan debt, the Army offers a wide range of education benefits throughout your service.
Start Out As An Officer
Individuals who have completed a bachelors degree prior to enlisting get the chance to become a military officer after completion of Officer Candidate School or Officer Training School and basic training. Officers lead and supervise platoons of 15 to 40 service members, and they are essential to the structure and function of the military. There are many benefits of being an officer including higher pay, more privileges, better treatment, being a leader, and more. Those who are on the officer track also gain more formal education, which leads to gaining more skills that can be applied to civilian jobs if they choose to leave the military.
Us Army Reserve Minuteman Scholarship
The Minuteman Scholarship gives high school and college students interested in joining the Reserve Officers Training Corps the chance to receive up to full tuition or $10,000 in room and board in return for a service commitment.
This scholarship covers full tuition and fees or $10,000 for room and board in return for a service commitment. Scholarship recipients may also be eligible for a yearly book allowance of up to $1,200 and a monthly $300-$500 living stipend. As part of the Simultaneous Membership Program, Minuteman Scholarship recipients will earn a salary from their Army Reserve unit.
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Join The Military & Drastically Cut The Cost Of College
1.) Join the armed forces after high school and work on your college degree while youre on active duty.2.) Start college as a civilian , graduate with your associate or bachelors degree and become a military officer.3.) Serve in a military reserve branch or the National Guard while youre in college.4.) Apply as a student in a military academy.
Prepare For The Asvab Test
Be prepared to study for the ASVAB test. Studying for the ASVAB is crucial to qualify for more military branch options and careers. Dont stress out too much though, if you take the test and wished you had scored higher, you are able to take the test again. Also, if you have a college degree, you may be able to enlist at a higher rank.
If you have children, you will need a guardian who is willing to provide care while you are away. You will attend basic training and your schooling, on a full-time basis, away from your family. Even if joining the reserves, you have to complete basic training and your tech school. Each military branch basic training length varies and tech school length depends on your career choice. Some schools are as quick as eight weeks, while others are one year long.
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Army National Guard Kicker
In addition to the Montgomery GI Bill, the Army National Guard Kicker pays up to $350 per month on living expenses. The kicker can last as long as 36 months and cover as much as $12,600.
It should be noted that you first need to qualify then apply for the Army National Guard Kicker.
Some of the pre-qualification requirements include:
- Must complete Initial Active Duty For Training . You actually cant receive Kicker payments while on active duty.
- Be eligible to receive a basic Montgomery GI bill benefit. This includes having at least a high school diploma, and maintaining selected reserve status.
In order to be eligible to receive the Kicker bonus, here are some of the basic eligibility requirements:
Non-prior service applicants
- Enlist for a minimum of 6 years
- Minimum AFQT score of 50
- Meet the Tier 1 educational requirements. Tier 1 includes those members who are either working on their first bachelors degree, or have earned one without tuition assistance funds and want to get their masters degree.
- Enlist for a critical skill vacancy in the grade of E-4 or below
Prior service applicants
- Minimum AFQT score of 31
- Enlist for a minimum of 6 years
- Enlist into a qualifying vacant position in an MTOE unit only. An MTOE unit is considered a combat ready, deployable force.
There are a wide variety of other stipulations that need to be met as well. For more information you should consult a local recruiter.
Theyll be able to lay out everything for you in an easy-to-understand format.
Can I Be In The Military And College At The Same Time
If youre on active duty and thinking about pursuing further education, you might find yourself wondering, Can I be in the military and college at the same time? Youll be interested to know that the answer to that question is a resounding, Yes! Thousands of servicemembers enroll in college during their military careers to boost professional goals, accelerate personal development, and gain increases in rank and pay. Success in college has increased with the growth of military-friendly colleges online. In addition to active military students, veterans and their family members are among the thousands who benefit by earning online degrees.
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National Defense Student Loan Discharge
The National Defense Student Loan Discharge is for military members who served at least 1 year in an area deemed imminent danger or in direct fire. Your Perkins or Direct Loans would qualify.
How to Apply for National Defense Student Loan Discharge:
Fill out the Department of Defense form and send a letter to your loan servicer explaining why you think you qualify for the discharge. The discharge amount varies, so your servicer is the best point of contact.
Are Military Dependents Eligible For Education Benefits
Individuals enrolled under the Post 9/11 GI Bill can transfer their benefits to their dependents. If youve served at least 90 days of active duty since September 10, 2001, then you or your dependent can already receive tuition and fees, in addition to a stipend for housing and books.
Family members who have survived a military members passing after September 10, 2001, may also be eligible for the Fry Scholarship, which offers the same benefits.
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Making It Work Under Difficult Circumstances
Perseverance and dedication are key characteristics of successful students. Spittler says shes helped hundreds of students, and always loves to hear their stories. A few of them still stand out in her memory.
She recalls advising an online military student who was deployed overseas. He was interested in a masters program at National. She told him itd be a great program for him, but that he needed to take the classes in sequence, without breaks in between. She also told him his options in case he needed to drop a class.
Throughout the program, the student kept in touch with Spittler and, although she knew he was deployed, she didnt know where. Spittler says when a student is on active duty, You cant really discuss where theyre at because of security reasons. I really dont ask.
Wherever he was serving, the time difference was significant, and the student would stay up late in order to call Spittler during her office hours if he needed to speak to her. His ability to focus on difficult coursework while deployed really captured her attention and she praised him for his efforts.
Finally, he arrived at his capstone project, which is the last course in a National University program. Going into the last course, he had all As, but he was upset to receive a B+ in his final class.
She told him not to be so unhappy about the B+, but rather to be proud of what he had accomplished. It was no small thing to transition from one country to another and then to transition home.
Are You Ready To Find Your Fit
Active-duty military personnel can prepare for civilian life by earning a college degree. These learners often face unique challenges, such as establishing residency for tuition purposes, transitioning between military and civilian learning styles, and balancing coursework with other responsibilities.
Fortunately, the best online colleges for the military offer numerous degrees and extensive support services. According to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute, 75% of student veterans attended college full time in 2018. Nearly half of these learners earned a degree while raising children. Many online programs deliver coursework asynchronously and employ advisors who work solely with service members.
The federal government promotes higher education with the GI Bill®. This bill provides significant financial assistance to qualifying degree-seekers. In 2017, revisions to the bill included expanded financial aid to Purple Heart recipients and refunds if a learner’s school closes. Service members can also apply for private and institutional funding.
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Overview Of Military Education Benefits
Military service offers a tremendous array of education benefits that can be used while you are on active duty or after you leave the service. A good education is essential for your career both in uniform and out, so take advantage of the education benefits you’ve earned.
While in service, members have access to up to $4,500 a year in Tuition Assistance. TA is paid to the school on a per class basis. Servicemembers can also use GI Bill benefits, however, it is seldom a good idea to do so while on active duty.
The centerpiece of armed services educational benefits is the GI Bill which encompasses several Department of Veterans Affairs education programs including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, The Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty and Veterans , Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves ,the Fry Scholarship, the Spouse and Dependents Education Assistance , and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program.You may be eligible for more than one educational benefit. Knowing when each is best for your situation can save you money and ensure you get the most out of your benefits. .
Finally, remember that each service has its own tuition assistance programs, college funds and other means that may be able to help you in ways beyond those of the “standard” benefits listed here. Talk with an Education Service Officer, Navy College counselor or military recruiter to find out more.
What Are Additional Educational Benefits Of Joining The National Guard
The Army National Guard offers the Montgomery GI Bill to provide college money for books, expenses and fees, which are not covered by the TA program. Soldiers can also receive up to $50,000 in repayment of college loans and a number of scholarships, including the Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarships and Dedicated ARNG ROTC Scholarships.
The Air National Guard offers its members the Montgomery GI Bill, repayment of existing college loans and additional financial aid incentives. States may provide its Air National Guard members with additional college financial aid, which can include waivers and repayment of college loans.
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Should I Enlist In The Military To Pay For College
Enlisting in the military is a life-defining decision that only you can decide for yourself. Youll need to go through strenuous training as a recruit before you become a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine. After that, you may find yourself enlisted in new locations that are far from home.
Although the military does pay for college, thats certainly not reason enough to join. You can also consider other affordable options for your education. From finding grants and scholarships to minimizing your college expenses, there are plenty of alternative ways to pay for college.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
Anyone serving in the military is eligible for the PSLF Program. The program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have finished 120 qualifying monthly payments under an eligible repayment plan working full-time for a qualifying employer like a US federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization.
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Additional Resources For Military Education Support
If youre considering attending school during or after your service, plenty of questions will come up along the way, even beyond how the military pays for college. Your main source of information for all things related to military education is the US Department of Veterans Affairs. These links to the military branches and other sources regarding the military may also be helpful:
It can be challenging to reintegrate into civilian life after service, and the military pays for college as a way to help with the adjustment. The decision to enlist comes with loads of responsibility and life changes, but if you are absolutely sure the military is for you, rest assured that your academic dreams are possible too!
If you want to get a college degree but remain unsure about joining the military, consider going for other affordable options in higher education: you can look into community colleges, public colleges, trade schools, or cheap universities around the country.
Take Advantage Of Military Family Scholarships
There are numerous scholarships available to children of service members. Each varies depending on eligibility, so check carefully to find the scholarships right for your childs educational goals, then apply, apply, apply.
- The Defense Commissary Agency created the Scholarships for Military Children Program in recognition of the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force, and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community.
- Military service relief organizations offer scholarships and no-interest loans for family members.
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Education Benefits Available To College Graduates
If you have already graduated from college and have outstanding student loan debt, there are programs that can help repay or cancel your loans. Additionally, you may qualify for financial scholarships offered to college graduates who wish to pursue a post-graduate degree in areas such as law and medicine.
How Often Does Army Reserve Deploy
How Often Does Army Reserve Deploy The U.S. Military PayScale is the base salary scale for all members of the armed forces. U.S. military pay scales serve as a principal gauge for determining the amount of pay. Army, Navy, Air Force as well as Marine Corps are the branches that use the military pay scale. Each branch has specific regulations that determine its pay grade. This includes bonuses and a special payment considerations for seniors.
An employment cost index establishes what is known as the U.S. military pay scale known asallowable Rate. The index is determined by analyzing the need for enlisted personnel permanently, permanent personnel, and temporary military retirees for 100 active-duty military personnel. After considering these factors it is then adjusted so that it will be based on the needs of each of these groups to ensure a sufficient workforce. This process is used to define a minimum military pay which is later used in each branch.
It is the U.S army has its ranking process in place. The ranks are established at the level of the First Lieutenant and up and include officers like Colonels, lieutenants, sergeants, and majors. Within the army, there are three levels classified from the highest to the lowest in the chain of command. They are referred to as major, first lieutenant, and second lieutenant.
For more info, please visit Military Pay
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How The Military Helps Pay For College And Job Training
The military is an honorable way for patriotic men and women to both serve their country and pursue a career. When it comes to education and career benefits, the military takes care of service members during, and after, their service. Of course, the military itself can be a rewarding career choice. But if they decide to move on, service members can access many tools, resources and benefits to successfully transition into civilian careers.
Some Soldiers May Have To Pay For Spring Classes After Tuition Assistance Computer Glitch
Soldiers using Army tuition assistance programs will need to foot the bill for new classes this semester after a major failure with the services new computer systems.
In a memo sent out last week, Army officials said that they are temporarily suspending funding for any new classes set to start the last week in April. Soldiers who decide to go ahead with the courses anyway will have to use alternate funding to cover tuition costs.
Soldiers enrolled in classes beginning 23 April 2021 and later should contact their educational institution to discuss withdrawing from these classes if they do not want to pay out-of-pocket, the message states.
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Army officials did not say how many soldiers they expected to be impacted by the funding pause. As of last September, more than 100,000 soldiers from all components active, National Guard and reserve had used some form of tuition assistance for fiscal 2020 classes.
Under the Armys tuition assistance program, eligible soldiers can use $4,000 to finance college courses from accredited colleges and universities. How much students may be forced to pay out-of-pocket because of the change depends on course credit hours and college costs.
Bain said officials are hoping to have the new system operational in time for soldiers to enroll in May classes through ArmyIgnitED.
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On the , dozens of soldiers and spouses have been lamenting the news and the short-sighted mistakes of Army planners.
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