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Will the military pay for college before service?

Will the Military Pay for College before Service?

The thought of joining the military is often driven by a desire to serve one’s country, but many aspiring servicemen and women also look to the potential benefits, including educational support. If you’re wondering whether the military will pay for your college before serving, the answer is generally yes – but there are some key factors to consider.

Pre-Commissioning Programs and Scholarships

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One of the main ways the military covers educational expenses for those who will serve later is through pre-commissioning programs and scholarships. These opportunities are usually open to individuals who have been accepted or are enrolling in college, but not yet received their degree. Some pre-commissioning programs can cover the entire cost of tuition and other related expenses, while others offer stipends, loans, or grants to help bridge the financial gap.

Programs Offered by Different Military Branches

National Defense Service (NDS): Offers financial assistance for education, internships, and work study programs in fields such as engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, and foreign languages.

Air Force ROTC: Provides funding for college students pursuing majors like aerospace studies, air power studies, and more, as long as they are on course to be commissioned as second lieutenants in the Air Force.

Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC): Similar to AFROTC, offers educational assistance in exchange for an active-duty service commitment, with scholarship amounts ranging from $13,000 to $16,000 annually.

West Point: Tuition-free attendance at the United States Military Academy for qualified applicants in exchange for a minimum eight-year service commitment after graduation.

Servicemember Educational Assistance Programs (SEAP)

The US Department of Veterans Affairs operates Servicemember Educational Assistance Program (SEAP), which offers money for education and training expenses in exchange for an active-duty service commitment. SEAP can help you pay for tuition, books, fees, and equipment, but only applies to courses directly related to your military training or degree field.

Important Requirements

  • Active-duty status required
  • Degree requirements specific to SEAP; non-degree certifications may not qualify
  • No cash out clause; educational assistance is reserved for direct expenses
  • Service commitments range from three to seven years

**Other Scholarship Options

Beyond the aforementioned programs and scholarships, individuals can pursue outside opportunities and third-party scholarships. Many institutions, private organizations, and foundations offer monetary assistance to outstanding students with plans to attend college, often unrelated to military service.

Private and Institutional Scholarships: Seek out institutions or organizations offering awards specifically for pre-military or future officers.

Service-to-School: The Air Force Academy Foundation’s scholarships for cadets or enlisted service members to attend the USAFA Preparatory School.

**Post-Graduation Loan Repayment Assistance

Assuming you take the time to pay for your degree before military service, or if the military does fund your education through the previously mentioned programs, don’t forget to factor in loan repayment. Upon graduation from college or completing an agreed-upon period of military service, loans may become repayable or eligible for discharge due to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). This allows eligible service members to consolidate or have eligible loans discharged, as repayment is already underway or after a service commitment has concluded.

Getting Started with the Military

Ready to take advantage of educational incentives and scholarships offered by the military? Follow these basic steps to begin:

Step 1: Review the respective branch’s application process for your desired scholarship or pre-commissioning program.
Step 2: Check your qualifications and academic performance for admission to eligible colleges or the military academies.
Step 3: Plan your major or area of study and prepare a rough outline for your course timeline.
Step 4: Confirm and track expenses, making adjustments to secure the right mix of student loans and scholarship/grant funding for your specific case.
Step 5: Register with the USAJOBS system (Air Force) or join NROTC/ROTC (Army and Navy), as well as update transcripts and military transcripts accordingly (if you already have basic training/Advanced Individual Training (AIT)).

The military may cover education costs before serving, but requirements and procedures can be unique to each branch. Start exploring programs, understanding stipulations, and weighing education expenses as part of the overall compensation package to gain a head start on funding your collegiate experience and set yourself up for a prosperous military and post-service future.

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