Hey there, I'm really interested in going to college, but I'm not sure about the financial aspect. I heard that some military branches offer free college tuition. Can anyone tell me which one does this? Thanks in advance!
Each branch of the U.S. military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, offers programs that can help with college tuition to some degree.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is perhaps the most well-known of these programs. It can cover up to the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges for up to 36 months (four academic years), or a set amount per academic year for private or foreign schools. Servicemembers can get these benefits for at least 15 years after their last 90-day period of active-duty service.
The Tuition Assistance (TA) program is another option, which each branch has. It provides active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve Component servicemembers with up to $250 per credit hour and up to $4,500 per year for courses at accredited colleges or universities.
Another option is the ROTC program (Reserve Officers' Training Corps). This program is available in colleges and universities across the country for the Navy, Army, and Air Force. In this program, students receive a paid college education and upon graduation, they become commissioned officers in their respective military branch.
Remember, all the branches have strict entrance and program requirements so it may not be possible to join just any branch or program. It's also essential to understand that military service is a significant commitment and may involve deployments and other duties that might impact your college experience. So be sure to do your homework and talk to a military recruiter to get all the most current and accurate information before making a decision!
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.