Tuition Assistance

School is expensive and finding the money for it can be really hard, especially for a soldier. Thanks to the G.I.Bill it makes finding ways to pay for school a little less stressful. The G.I. bill allows for active duty soldiers to receive 36 months of $1036 for school. This money can be applied towards a variety of different degrees and programs. In addition to the G.I. Bill another program offered called "Tuition Top Up." This allows for the VA to pay for part of the your schooling. Other programs that are offered to assist with the costs of school include: loan repayment assistance and a work-study program.

Federal Student Aid

Federal student aid offers a couple of different ways to help you in paying for school. One of the main Federal student aid programs is grants. Grants are very helpful because they don't have to be repaid. Thus not creating the financial burden that loans do. The amounts awarded vary on need and qualification. Additional federal aid programs include Plus Loans, Stafford Loans and campus-based aid. With the Stafford and Plus loans students are required to pay them back. The amount that can be borrowed dependents on a few different factors. The campus-based aid is money that the school gives out to students to use and doesn't need to be paid back.

Service Specific Aid

Soldiers are eligible to use Federal Student Aid in paying for school. In order to be eligible for a Federal Student Aid program soldiers must fill out and complete a FAFSA form. Filling out the FAFSA form is free.

Scholarships

Scholarships allow for students to get some or all of college paid for without having to pay it back. This reduces the amount of stress that comes with paying for school. There are several scholarships available for soldiers. The IMPACT foundation awards scholarships to soldiers who have completed their military service and now are looking to get back into school. The Army ROTC scholarship program assists students regardless if they are just starting school or currently attending. The OAC provides several different scholarships. In addition to these scholarships each branch of the military provides scholarships to aid their soldiers in paying for their education.

State Veteran Benefits

Each individual state manages its benefits programs. The benefits vary depending on the state. These benefits range anywhere from grants and scholarships to exemptions on taxes. For a complete list of each states benefits go here.

Spouse and Family Benefits

There are many different benefits for the spouse and family members of soldiers. Medical benefits are provided through TRICARE. Soldiers are covered by a $400,000 life insurance policy. The army will also pay back up $65,000 of college loans. Solders can also receive retirement income. A housing allowance is provided as well to assist in rent/mortgage. In addition to these scholarships are also available to family members of soldiers.