Best military branch for college benefits?

Hey there! I'm currently a junior contemplating enlisting in the military after high school as a way to fund my college education. Does anyone have insights into which military branch has the best college benefits?? How does the college funding system within the military work and how does one navigate it?

If you're considering joining the military for the purpose of earning college benefits, there are definitely a few programs to be aware of. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the main piece of legislation that provides education benefits to military servicemembers, and these benefits are available across all branches of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force) - although there might be slight differences based on the branch you choose.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill typically covers the full in-state tuition and fees at public colleges or up to a certain amount per academic year for private or foreign schools. It also provides a monthly housing allowance and a stipend for textbooks and supplies. To qualify for full benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you must serve on active duty for at least 36 months, or at least 30 continuous days and given a honorable discharge for a service connected disability. Those who serve for less time can qualify for a percentage of the benefits.

It's also important to know about the Yellow Ribbon Program, which can help cover the cost of out-of-state, private, or graduate school tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn't fully cover. Institutions voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Veterans Affairs to fund the tuition and fees. This can be a big help if you're aiming for a school with a higher cost.

While the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program benefits are generally the same across all branches, there is also Tuition Assistance which is branch-specific. This is an additional benefit that military members can use while they're still serving, and each branch has different policies on how much they'll pay per semester hour.

Ultimately, the best branch for you depends on other factors beyond just the education benefits, such as your career interests within the military, lifestyle, and the length of commitment you're willing to make. I recommend contacting recruiters from different branches to inquire about specifics of their education benefits, as well as what life would look like in the respective branches.