Can I Go to College While in the Military?
Serving in the military can be a noble and rewarding experience, and many individuals who enlist aspire to further their education and advance their careers while also serving their country. Luckily, the military offers numerous opportunities for military personnel to pursue higher education, known as Tuition Assistance (TA) or Military Tuition Benefits. In this article, we will explore the different options available for military members to attend college while actively serving.
Can Military Personnel Attend College?
Yes, military personnel can attend college while in the military. The Armed Forces offer various educational programs and benefits to support and encourage their service members’ pursuit of higher education.
Types of Military College Benefits
The military provides several types of benefits that can help military personnel attend college:
- Tuition Assistance (TA): A program that reimburses military personnel for up to 100% of college tuition and fees, capped at $250-600 per credit hour, depending on the service branch. Note: Each military branch has its own eligibility criteria and requirements.
- Army: 100% of tuition and fees
- Navy: Up to 100% of tuition and fees
- Air Force: 100% of tuition and fees
- Marines: 100% of tuition and fees
- Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR): A program that provides monthly stipends to National Guardsmen and Reserve members.
- Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship: A program that offers education benefits to eligible service members, veterans, and family members.
- Student Yellow Ribbon Program: A program that provides scholarships for eligible veterans and service members.
Eligibility and Requirements
To be eligible for military college benefits, military personnel must:
- Be an active duty military member
- Meet their service branch’s specific requirements and eligibility criteria
- Be enrolled in an accredited institution
- Note: An accredited institution is one that is recognized by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) or another recognized accrediting organization.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Enroll in a program that meets the service branch’s certification requirements
Table 1: Service Branch Educational Benefits
| Service Branch | Tuition Assistance Benefits | Other Educational Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Army | $250-600 per credit hour | Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) |
| Navy | Up to $250-600 per credit hour | Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship |
| Air Force | Up to $250-600 per credit hour | Federal Tuition Assistance |
| Marines | Up to $250-600 per credit hour | MGIB-SR |
Tips and Considerations
- Research and understand the eligibility requirements and benefits of each military college program.
- Create a solid educational plan to ensure timely degree completion.
- Utilize online courses and remote learning options to better balance military and academic commitments.
- Consider transfer credits from community college or other institutions to ease the transition.
- Make sure to comply with service branch requirements, such as maintaining a 2.0 GPA and meeting certification requirements.
Examples of Military-Friendly Colleges
- Tarrant County College (TCC): A public junior college in Fort Worth, Texas, with a specialized program for military students, offering flexible scheduling and Prior Learning Assessment to grant credits for military experience.
- Liberty University: A private university in Lynchburg, Virginia, with a dedicated Office of Military Student Services to support military students, including online courses and flexible academic schedules.
- Drexel University: A private university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a Veteran Student Services team, offering online courses, transfer credits for military experience, and tuition discounts for veterans and spouses.
Conclusion
Going to college while in the military is not only feasible but also a rewarding and fulfilling experience. With a variety of benefits and educational programs available, military personnel can pursue their higher education goals while continuing to serve their country. By researching and understanding the eligibility requirements, benefits, and program offerings, military members can make informed decisions about their educational pursuits. **Service members, veterans, and their families should take advantage of these benefits to gain the skills, knowledge, and credentials necessary to thrive in their military and post-military careers.
