The Military Will Help You Pay For College

One reason many people enter the military is to help paying for a higher education. In fact, recruiters plug these programs to potential enlistees in hopes of boosting the number of people serving. So just how does the military help you pay for college?

Education Incentive: The Montgomery G.I. Bill and Tuition Assistance
With these programs, veterans can receive as much as 36 months of education benefits, with the amount of the benefit changing according to the Consumer Price Index. In exchange for a tour of active duty in the U.S. military, you could earn more than $36,000 toward your education. That's a pretty powerful incentive. But that's not all. There is a lot a tuition assistance---or "kicker"---program, which allows you to add additional money on top of the aid you get through the G.I. Bill. These funds are awarded on a competitive basis, and the higher your score on the aptitude tests, the better your chances. In addition, you have to make a longer-term commitment to qualify---six years minimum.

Repaying Your Loans: The Military Can Help
If you've got a federal loan like the Perkins, Stafford, PLUS or Consolidation Loan, the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) is designed to help you. Under this program, the Army or Navy will pay back as much as $65,000, and the Air Force will pay as much as $10,000. You have to reach a specific score on the Armed Forces Qualifications Test (AFQT) to qualify for this money, and you have to ask to be part of the program when you enlist. ROTC Most folks who've been to college are familiar with this program.

Under the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program, you make a commitment to serve in the military following graduation. You have to take military science classes while you're in school, and when you graduate, you enter the military as a commissioned officer. The good news with this program---especially for high school students looking to get a good education---is that it covers almost all of your college costs. U.S. Service Academies Another way the military provides higher education for those who sign up for duty is through the U.S. Service Academies. These include:

• U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY
• U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
• U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY

In addition to being able to attend the academy (pick one) on a full scholarship, you'll get a monthly stipend. When you graduate, you're made a second lieutenant in the Army, Air Force or Marines if you attended the U.S. Military Academy or U.S. Air Force Academy. If you attended the U.S. Naval Academy or U.S. Coast Guard Academy, you'll be made an ensign in the Navy or Coast Guard. Admission into the academies is extremely competitive, but you'll get a great education while you're there. Find Out More You can find out a lot more in the book, "How the Military Will Help You Pay for College: The High School Student's Guide to ROTC, the Academies and Special Programs" by Don M. Betterton.

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