Military Aid
If your children are interested in pursuing a career in the military, it would be an advantage for them to avail of the student financial aids provided for them. The dependents of war veterans may also take advantage of the same provisions. The military financial aid for postsecondary education is meant solely for American citizens. Although there are several different assistance programs, if you are eligible for several of them then you may take advantage of as many as you possibly can.
Armed Forces Tuition Assistance
However, soldiers or members of the military who are in active duty may enjoy 100% free tuition when they enrol during their off-duty hours. However, different services have different requirements when it comes to their scholarship. There are different criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions. The Tuition Assistance should not be considered a loan. Instead, it is often treated as money earned during active duty like the base pay.
Post 9/11 GI Bill's Yellow Ribbon Program
This program is drafted for those members of the military who were in active duty for at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001 or individuals who were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.
Approved training under this bill includes graduate, undergraduate, technical or vocational training or education. This bill will pay for your tuition based on the highest in-state tuition charged by the state in the state where they plan to study.
These benefits can also be transferred to their dependents but the benefits may only be transferred under specific requirements.
Montgomery GI Bill
Under this bill, there are two different types: benefits for members of the Reserve and those who are in Active Duty.
Under the provisions of the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, there are only 36 months of entitlement which could be earned after serving the minimum 90 days of service. Any person will continue to be eligible for as long as they continue their service. The discount is dependent on the length of continuous service rendered but will be capped at 80%.
The provisions of the Veteran Educational Assistance Program can reach up to four years of educational assistance for as long as 48 consecutive months of service has been rendered during their career. This is the maximum amount of entitlement offered under this program. The veteran and their dependents' eligibility last only up to ten years after retirement or after the serviceperson's death during active service. This period of eligibility cannot be extended and after ten years, they will not be able to avail of the benefits anymore.
Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
If you are the spouse or child (biological, stepchild, adopted) of a veteran disabled during service, service member who is missing in action or captured in the line of duty, or a service member who is being detained by a foreign government then you are entitled to the benefits earned by that service member.
Benefits may be received for as long as there are still remaining entitlements to be used or if the eligibility period ends, whichever comes first. The eligibility period for a son or daughter is from the age of 18 to 26 while a spouse has an eligibility period of 10 years after the service member had been disabled, killed, declared missing or forcibly detained.
To make use of the benefits, it must be assured that the educational program you wish to enrol in is approved by the Veterans' Association. Then complete the application and ask the school to certify your enrolment to VA. The benefits will be determined by the service rendered by your relative and may be subject to variation.
