Looking for Financial Aid As a Veteran? Learn What Types of Financial Aid May Be Available to You
Whether you are still actively involved in the military, have been honorably discharged, decided not to reenlist, or have retired from the military, you may be curious to learn about Veteran financial aid programs. Getting a college degree can help you advance your military career or can help you build a career outside of the military. Fortunately, there are a variety of programs out there to help you pay for higher education. Here are some of the various types of financial aid that may be available to veterans.
Veteran Affairs Education Programs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs has worked hard to secure different types of funding and financial aid programs for both active duty military members and veterans who are looking to go to college. They have done this through both bills and programs. It is important to understand that there are different requirements for the various types of VA educational programs. For example, someone who served post 9/11 would qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, while someone who served prior to this date would not qualify for this program. Your local VA office can help you determine which options you may qualify for, and what the differences between the programs may be. Some of the various bills and programs that fall under this category include:
- The Montgomery GI Bill
- The Post 9/11 GI Bill
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Education Program GI Bill
- The Yellow Ribbon Program
- Veterans' Educational Assistance Program
Military Branch Specific Tuition Assistance Programs
Each military branch offers its own specific tuition assistance programs. Many of these programs apply only to active or reserve members, but in some branches, they may extend to veterans of a particular branch as well. Each military branch has educational counselors. Visit your local base to talk to one of these counselors to learn more about branch-specific tuition assistance programs.
Federal Financial Aid Programs
Finally, military members, including veterans, can qualify for federal financial aid programs. There are different requirements for different programs. As such, anyone seeking federal financial aid should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA application. The application will then tell you what forms of financial aid you may qualify for. Two of the most common types of federal aid include:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
The government has set up bills and programs to help ensure that active-duty military members and veterans have access to financial aid to help them further their careers while they are in the military or after they have left the military. Reach out to your local veterans' affairs office, military education counselor, or financial aid resources at the college to learn more about the various types of veteran financial aid you may qualify for.