This episode is focused on the Education benefits of the military. Specifically the U.S. Military. A lot of people know about the G.I. Bill. The GI Bill is a way to pay for college after your military service. It is a great benefit for serving in the military but there are other education benefits and you can start using them after graduating from Basic Training or sometimes your Career Training School. I also interviewed past guest, Ashley Gorbulja who has gained four degrees debt-free through scholarships and programs provided through her military service.

Education Benefits of the Military

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What you need to know about the GI Bill

The GI Bill was created to help World War II veterans. It gave veterans not only money for tuition but also a stipend to help pay for other expenses. In 1984, the GI Bill was made permanent and it helped ensure Vietnam veterans could receive a higher education. In 2008, the GI Bill went through another change and became the Post 9/11 GI Bill. It expanded benefits and gave service members the opportunity to transfer the GI Bill to dependents at certain milestones of time in service while incurring an additional service commitment. In 2017, the Post 9/11 GI Bill removed the fifteen-year time limit becoming the Forever GI Bill allowing veterans to use their post-9/11 GI Bill benefits until their death. There were a number of other expansions including certain work studies giving veterans more flexibility in how to use their earned benefits.

GI Bill limitations

One thing to note about the GI Bill is that the full GI Bill only applies to active duty members. Reserve and Guard members primarily fall under the GI Bill from 1984 but can earn the post 9/11 GI Bill if they are activated to active duty for at least ninety days (home or abroad). You can learn more about GI Bill benefits and what you can qualify for at the VA’s website.

Also, check with your service to see what additional educational benefits are available for its members. The Army National Guard can add a kicker to help you pay for your education and other branches offer other programs. It is also important to note only the Air Force and Army have a National Guard component. The Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines only offer the Reserve component. The Space Force is still working on what exactly they will do related to the Reserves and National Guard components.

Additional education benefits

But the Post 9/11 GI Bill is not the only option for getting schooling paid for. There are a number of options for members who are currently serving to help get their school paid for. One of the best programs available is Tuition Assistance (TA). Currently, TA pays up to $250 per credit hour.

According to MilitaryOneSource:

Courses and degree programs may be academic or technical and can be taken from two- or four-year institutions on-installation, off-installation or by distance learning. An accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education must accredit the institution. Your service branch pays your tuition directly to the school. Service members need to first check with an education counselor for the specifics involving TA by visiting their local installation education office or by going online to a virtual education center. Tuition assistance may be used for the following programs:

• Vocational/technical programs

• Undergraduate programs

• Graduate programs

• Independent study

• Distance-learning programs

TA can be used by members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Space Force. Members who serve in the Coast Guard have their own specialized program that helps with off-duty education.

Technical training

Besides school, the technical training you receive for your career field can help you get a job after leaving the military. If you plan to continue to work in your current field make sure to do research. Make sure there is not a civilian certification required to do the work. Sometimes Tuition Assistance can help pay the fee to obtain certifications. Make sure to talk to your education office when looking to pursue your education or certification. They can provide the most up-to-date information along with resources to help you.

Organizations that can help you while in college

Once you leave active duty a great organization to learn about when going to school is Student Veterans of America. A number of podcast guests are involved with SVA. They have talked about how they found community with other veterans. SVA’s mission is to act as a catalyst for student veteran success by providing resources, network support, and advocacy to, through, and beyond higher education.