How do college benefits work for military families?

Hey all, first post here. My dad's in the military, and someone mentioned that some colleges offer benefits to military families when it comes to tuition and stuff. Can someone explain how these benefits work? Like, how would I apply for them, or are they automatically considered when I apply to colleges?

The most commonly utilized benefit for college tuition for military families is the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This program provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or to individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. This means if your dad served in active duty after September 10, 2001 for 90 days at least, then he likely qualifies for benefits under this bill. Importantly, servicemembers can transfer unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. Typically, you must apply through the VA to certify your eligibility and will then receive a Certificate of Eligibility to use for tuition and fees.

Another commonly used benefit comes from the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program is a supplement to the Post 9/11 GI Bill and covers additional tuition costs at participating institutions that the GI Bill doesn’t cover. Your certificate of eligibility will determine your participation in this program. Educational institutions that participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition and fee costs that exceed the published amounts under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

When it comes down to the application process, typically, these benefits aren’t “automatically” considered when you apply to colleges. Once you receive your Certificate of Eligibility from the VA, you should present it to the school’s Veterans Affairs Office (if they have one) or to the financial aid office. They will assist you in applying these benefits towards your tuition. In short, the process looks something like this:

1. First, your dad would need to transfer his GI Bill benefits to you.

2. Then, you'd apply to the VA to use these benefits.

3. Off receiving your Certificate of Eligibility, you'd give this to your school's Veteran Affairs Office or Financial Aid office when you enroll.

4. The college would then apply your benefits to your tuition costs.

Remember, these benefits can significantly reduce the cost of college tuition, so it’s worth exploring your eligibility. Just make sure you work closely with your chosen school’s Veterans Affairs or Financial Aid office to ensure it’s handled correctly.