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Military members may find that because of their career obligations their education becomes lower on the priority list. Many academic careers are put on hold indefinitely and unfortunately, this can make it difficult to find a career outside of the military. In fact, unemployment rates for veterans are generally higher than within the civilian population.
In America, our military veterans are rewarded with respect and the best honors we can manage. We also offer another reward for years of military service: a multitude of options to help pay for college. Earning a degree can affect the life of anyone and our military veterans are no exception to that rule.
As for many American citizens, the government is often the most valuable source of college tuition assistance. There are many grants and scholarships available to veterans. Every one of these grants and scholarships can help pay the expenses associated with earning a degree, drastically reducing the full cost or covering a large percentage of it.
The GI Bill is probably the most recognizable form of tuition assistance for military veterans. It’s actually been in place for decades, assisting generations of veterans in paying for their education. As online college programs have become more popular and accessible, college has become a viable option for even more veterans than before!
The GI Bill reimburses students for college tuition and some associated expenses, depending on how long the student served in the military and the cost of the education. The Bill even takes into account the cost of books, supplies and equipment. The GI Bill can even cover overseas study and relocation expenses, depending on the student’s educational plan.
Some military veterans may be able to earn their college degree without paying any fees or the cost of tuition, depending on what state college they attend for their degree. Sometimes these benefits can be transferred to veteran’s children in lieu of those who have actually served. Either way, these federal benefits aren’t the only options for veterans who want to become students – privately funded scholarships also offer a number of options specifically focused on veterans.
The University of Idaho and Michigan State are two colleges that provide options for military veterans; they are willing to cover up to 100 percent of tuition for students who can qualify for the needs of the program. The Horatio Alger Scholarship is offered to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and can actually offer up to $20,000 annually for tuition coverage – a number that’s large enough to make almost any college program completely affordable.
A college education is not only affordable and achievable for any of our military veterans; it’s actually a privilege they all deserve to pursue. Returning to civilian life after active duty service can be difficult, but with veteran education options doing so with a college degree or the intent of earning one can make the transition much easier. Finding a job after the military is a simplified process with the addition of a college degree through online degree programs and that truly can be achieved by any veteran today.