Hey all, wondering if you could help. I'm a college student planning on enlisting and I'm wondering - are there scholarships specifically for us folks who are joining the military after college? How do they generally work? Where would be the best places to start scouring for such funding opportunities?
It's great to see your commitment to serving the country and I'm glad to see your interest in education and financial aid. There are indeed scholarships and educational benefits available for those who decide to enlist in the military after college.
One such program is the ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) Scholarship. Although this is typically for students still in college, it is worth looking into as it offers scholarships in exchange for military service upon completion of the program.
Another significant program you should be aware of is the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides financial aid for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.
Moreover, each branch of the military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps, offers its own tuition assistance programs. In general, these programs cover up to 100% of tuition expenses and are available to active-duty, reserve, and National Guard members.
I would encourage you to reach out directly to the recruiting offices of the branches you're considering, as they can best guide you on all available opportunities. Information on these benefits can typically also be found on the official websites of each respective branch.
One key resource for scholarship information is the Department of Defense's website, which provides detailed information on many financial assistance programs. Your college's financial aid office may also be able to guide you to scholarships for military-bound students.
Lastly, remember to ask about and verify the service commitment attached to any military scholarship or aid, as they usually require a period of service in return for the financial support. It's best to be fully informed before making a commitment.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.