US Armed Forces Recruiting Programs

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of January 31, 2003, there were 1.4 million men and women on active duty in the United States. Additionally, there were 26.4 million veterans of the armed forces living in the United States. Why do so many people enter the U.S. Armed Forces? For many, it's the chance to get a chance to pay for schooling.

Montgomery G.I. Bill
Because of the Montgomery G.I. Bill, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, as well as their Reserves, and the National Guard, provide an education incentive to get people to serve. The Bill provides as much as 36 months of education benefits to veterans, which can be used either while on active duty, or after an honorably discharge. Benefit amounts change every year, as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) changes. For active duty of three-plus years, you can earn more than $1,000 per month. That can add up to $36,000 a year toward education.

Tuition Assistance
In addition to G.I. benefits, there is an Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) Program which lets enlisted personnel sign up for courses at accredited two- and four-year schools, high schools and vocational or technical schools. TA may pay as much as 100 percent of the price for the course. It also will pay up to 100 percent of the cost for the service member to earn a high school degree. However, there is a limit per credit hour of $4,500 annually. The good news is, service members can use G.I. Bill money to cover the difference. If you serve in the military there is a TA "kicker" program for you to add onto the money you get through the G.I. Bill. Depending on which branch you enlist in, it can increase the amount of support to as high as $70,000. The funds are granted on a competitive basis, based on academics---so you'll want to score high on your aptitude tests. Also, you have to serve six years to get this money, so you're in for a longer-term commitment.

Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
This program is a great deal if you have qualified educational loans, including the Perkins, Stafford, PLUS or Federal Consolidation Loan. It does not apply to private loans nor to those in default. When you enlist in the Army, they'll pay back as much as $65,000 in qualified loans (or $20,000 for reservists). The Navy will also pay up to $65,000, and the Air Force will pay as much as $10,000. Here's how it works: Every year, the SLRP will pay 15 percent of the loan balance, or $500 (whichever is higher). To be eligible for this money you have to achieve a specific score on the Armed Forces Qualifications Test (AFQT), and you have to ask to be part of the program when you enlist. Bear in mind, any payments made under this program will be considered taxable income.

ROTC
The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program is one of the most familiar ways (to non-service members) of paying for college via the military. How does it work? You make a commitment to serve in the military, and take one military science course while you're in school. When you graduate, you enter the military as a commissioned officer. A full ROTC scholarship will pay for nearly all of your college costs, and there's no military commitment for the first year, so you can try this on a trial basis. U.S. Service Academies The U.S. Service Academies operate for each branch of the service, including the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. Students get full scholarships in addition to a monthly payment, and when they graduate are made second lieutenant in the Army, Air Force or Marines, or ensign in the Navy or Coast Guard. Getting into one of these academies is very competitive.

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