Will the Air Force Pay for Law School?
The United States Air Force is a prestigious and elite branch of the military that offers a wide range of benefits to its service members, including education benefits that can help them pursue a career in law. While the Air Force does provide financial assistance for law school, the answer to this question is not a straightforward "yes" or "no." Instead, the Air Force offers a flexible and customizable education benefit that can be tailored to each individual’s needs and career goals.
What Are the Air Force’s Law School Benefits?
The Air Force offers several education benefits that can help service members pay for law school. These benefits include:
• Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA): The Air Force offers tuition assistance to service members, which can cover up to 100% of their tuition costs. However, this benefit is limited to $250 per credit hour, and service members can only receive it for 12 credits per year.
• Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD): The MGIB-AD is a program that provides education benefits to service members who have served at least two years of active duty. The program offers up to 36 months of education benefits, which can be used to pay for law school.
• Post-9/11 GI Bill: The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a program that provides education benefits to veterans who have served at least 90 days of active duty since September 11, 2001. The program offers up to 36 months of education benefits, which can be used to pay for law school.
• Direct Commission Officer (DCO) Program: The Air Force’s DCO Program is a program that commission officers in specialized fields, including law. The program offers a full scholarship and a guaranteed commission in return for a service commitment of at least three years.
How Can I Pay for Law School with an Air Force Scholarship?
While the Air Force does not provide a full scholarship for law school, service members can use a combination of their education benefits and scholarships to pay for their education. Here are some ways service members can pay for law school with an Air Force scholarship:
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Service members who work in government or non-profit organizations while pursuing their law degree can qualify for PSLF, which forgives federal student loans after 120 payments.
• Air Force DCO Program: As mentioned earlier, the DCO Program offers a full scholarship and a guaranteed commission in return for a service commitment of at least three years.
• 3-Year ROTC Scholarship: The Air Force ROTC offers a 3-year scholarship that covers tuition and fees, as well as a stipend for textbooks and living expenses.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Air Force Scholarships?
To be eligible for Air Force scholarships, service members must meet the following requirements:
• Age: Service members must be at least 18 years old to apply.
• Citizenship: Service members must be U.S. citizens.
• Education: Service members must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to apply.
• Service Commitment: Service members must be willing to serve in the Air Force for at least 3 years after graduation to apply for the DCO Program.
Conclusion
While the Air Force may not provide a full scholarship for law school, service members can use a combination of their education benefits and scholarships to pay for their education. The Air Force offers a range of scholarships and education benefits that can help service members pursue a career in law, including tuition assistance, the Montgomery GI Bill, and the DCO Program. By highlighting the benefits and eligibility requirements for Air Force scholarships, this article has provided guidance for service members who want to pursue a career in law and serve their country.
Table: Comparison of Air Force Education Benefits
| Benefit | What it Covers | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force Tuition Assistance | Up to 100% of tuition costs | $250 per credit hour |
| Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty | Up to 36 months of education benefits | 12 credits per year |
| Post-9/11 GI Bill | Up to 36 months of education benefits | 12 credits per year |
| Direct Commission Officer Program | Full scholarship and guaranteed commission | Service commitment of at least 3 years |
Resources
- Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC)
- Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
- U.S. Air Force Education Benefit Programs
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
