Military service offers many ways to earn money for education. Check out a few of the options that joining the military offers below.
Loan repayment
Joining the military may help you repay your student loans if you attend schools on an approved Perkins, Stafford or other Department of Education-guaranteed student loan.
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
In ROTC, you can get up to a full four-year scholarship plus an annual stipend. ROTC graduates also enter the services as officers. You can try ROTC for two years with no obligation. Ask at your college or local recruiting office for details.
Service academies
Service academies offer a quality education with technical and liberal arts majors available. Cadets earn a monthly salary while at the academies and earn a commission upon graduation. Acceptance to the academies is competitive.
Navy College Assistance/Student Headstart (CASH)
High school and college students can earn Navy pay and benefits while attending college for up to 12 months if interested in the Navy and qualify for the nuclear, missile technician or submarine electronics computer fields.
Tuition assistance
All of the services offer up to 100 percent of tuition costs for courses taken while off duty at accredited institutions.
Community College of the Air Force
The Community College of the Air Force provides two-year educational programs to enlisted members of the active duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves. These programs combine Air Force technical training with general education course work from civilian accredited colleges.
Montgomery GI Bill
Veterans can earn money from the Montgomery GI Bill if honorably discharged and have a high school diploma or GED, or in some cases 12 hours of college credit. The bill also provides money for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeships and correspondence courses.
Army & Navy College Funds
The College Fund, also known as a “GI Bill kicker,” can nearly double the value of the GI Bill. Qualifications and amounts vary from service to service. This benefit is available for both active duty and reserve servicemembers.
Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserves
Members of the Reserves or National Guard can also collect money through the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserves. You may use this money for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, independent study, apprenticeships and vocational flight training.
This article reprinted from Military.com, your online resource for all things military. Visit the no-cost, no-obligation site to learn about the process and benefits of joining from those who have served in the U.S. armed forces.