Active Duty Grad School Benefits

Did you know that you may be eligible for more than one educational benefit at a time?

In fact you can save time and money by learning to use them at the right time. Click here to get “Answers-at-Glance”   before you start using your benefits.
     
    Tuition assistance program guidelines, application procedures and policies for determining eligibility vary between services. Select one of the following links to get detailed information:

   

In addition to tuition assistance you may be eligible for service specific   scholarships, college funds, and other education programs that can help you reach your goals. To learn more about your specific education benefits, check out the following related links:

   

The following table highlights the most common active duty education   benefits.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Program

What is it?

Who is Eligible?

Benefit

Tuition   Assistance

Tuition Assistance is a military benefit that pays the cost of tuition and   some fees.

Virtually all military servicemembers are eligible. However each service   branch determines its criteria for eligibility.

Tuition Assistance covers up to 100% Tuition and Fees Not to exceed:

           
                 
  • $250 @ Semester Credit Hour
    •              
  • $166 @ Quarter Credit Hour
    •            
         

$4500 @ Fiscal Year
            *Navy has a 12 credit hour Annual Limit.

Tuition   Assistance "Top-Up" Program

An additional benefit intended to supplement other tuition assistance   programs.

To be eligible for the Top-up benefit, the person must be approved for   federal Tuition Assistance by a military department and be eligible for   MGIB-Active Duty benefits.

The amount of the benefit is limited to the amount that a person would   receive for the same course if regular MGIB benefits were being paid.

Montgomery   G.I. Bill - Active Duty & Veteran

MGIB provides up to 36 months (4 regular school years) of education benefits to eligible veterans for:

           
                 
  • College, Business
    •              
  • Correspondence Courses
    •              
  • Advanced Flight Training
    •            

Active Duty members who have served at least two years on active   duty.
               
          Veterans - there are four categories of Veteran eligibility depending on when you enlisted and how long you served on active duty.

Up to $1075 per month for full-time institutional education (beginning Oct. 1, 2005).
               
          Benefits end 10 years from the date of your last discharge or release from active duty.

Veterans   Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

Available if you elected to make contributions from your military pay to   participate.
               
          For degree, certificate, correspondence, apprenticeship/on-the-job training programs, and vocational flight training programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher training.

Meet all requirements:

           
                 
  • Entered service for the first time between January 1, 1977, and June 30,   1985;
    •              
  • Opened a contribution account before April 1, 1987;
    •              
  • Contributed $25-$2700;
    •              
  • Completed 1st period of service;
    •              
  • Discharge/release was not dishonorable.
    •            

Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government.

Federal   Student Aid

The Federal Government offers students low interest loans  to help   finance the cost of going to school. Federal Pell Grants are normally not available to students pursuing their post-graduate degrees and certification.

Virtually all citizens are eligible. However the program is needs based, so   certain income limits can apply.

The loans are capped each fiscal year and depend on your personal   economic circumstances..

Scholarships

Scholarships can come in the form of direct cash, tuition payments, vouchers   and waivers.

Each scholarship has its own set of eligibility criteria.

Scholarships can range from as little as $50 dollar book vouchers to “full   rides” paying for tuition room and board.

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