Money For College After Serving Your Country

If you get money through the GI Bill, you can still apply for student loans, scholarships or grants. The tax-free money is not considered financial aid since it is sent directly to the veteran or service person. However,since it counts as income, GI Bill payments can reduce your eligibility for need-based financial aid. GI Bill money can be used for tuition, as well as fees, books and living expenses. Once you leave the military you have ten years to use your GI benefits. That means even after earning a degree, a veteran can put the GI Bill money toward independent study programs, continuing education classes, an apprenticeship of even to get a license or certificate in a particular field.

Last year, Congress approved a new GI Bill. The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides education benefits for service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001. The Post 9/11 GI Bill covers 100% of tuition. It also provides a monthly allowance for housing and up to $1000 a year for books and supplies. The new bill does not refund military members for courses completed before July 2009. Service personnel should not forget about such fare as the Pell Grant when seeking college financing sources.

Did you know you may have already earned college credit before you get there? Many colleges and universities will count years in the service as class credit. The American Council on Education, ACE, can help you and your school determine how many credit hours you earned while serving.

A fully-paid college education is a fantastic reward for your time in U-S armed services. The government has had programs in place for nearly 70 years to help military veterans and their dependents. College grants, the GI Bill, Tuition Assistance and scholarships offer tax free money to make getting a college degree part of the military experience. Add in completing a Pell Grant application for a comprehensive package.