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US Armed Forces Recruiting Programs

The U.S. Armed Forces offer several programs to provide students with money for school. Several key programs are listed here. Detailed information about these and other programs can also be found in the Education section of the Military.com web site.

Montgomery G.I. Bill
Under the Montgomery GI Bill, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard (and their Reserves and the National Guard) provide a cash education incentive to encourage you to join and serve a tour of duty. The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for college, business, technical or vocational courses, correspondence courses, apprenticeship/job training and flight training. MGIB benefits may be used while on active duty or after a fully honorable discharge from active duty.

The Montgomery GI Bill benefit amounts are adjusted each year according to changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Current education benefit rates are $1,101/month for periods of active duty of three years or more and $894/month for periods of active duty of two years. Rates for those serving part-time in the Reserve or National Guard are $317/month. Thus you can receive up to $11,412 for serving part-time in the Reserve or National Guard and up to $39,636 for a tour of active duty in the military services.

To qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill, recruits must agree to have $100 deducted from their pay each month. Currently, only 57% of soldiers making these payments eventually use their GI Bill benefits.

In addition to the MGIB, there may be additional funds available from the College Fund and Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) “kicker”. If you are receiving Tuition Assistance (TA) from your branch of service, you may be eligible to use MGIB to supplement or “top up” your tuition assistance. Benefits end 10 years from the date of your last discharge or release from active duty. You may be able to transfer your MGIB entitlement to basic educational assistance to one or more of your dependents, including your spouse and/or children. To apply, file VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits. For more information, call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) or visit the GI Bill Education Benefits web site.

Tuition Assistance (TA)
The Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) Program allows enlisted servicemembers and offers to enroll in courses at accredited colleges, universities, junior colleges, high schools, and vocational-technical schools. TA will pay up to 100% of the cost of the course and up to 100% of the cost of obtaining a high school degree, with a limit of $250 per credit hour and an aggregate annual limit of $4,500. MGIB benefits may be used to “top up” TA benefits, paying the difference between tuition and the TA benefits. Military.com provides a good overview of the tuition assistance program.

Army/Navy/Air Force/Marine Corps College Funds
The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps each provide tuition assistance (a “kicker”) in addition to what you earn through the Montgomery GI Bill. Each service controls the amount of extra money it provides. The Army fund increases the amount of support to as much as $70,000, the Navy fund increases the amount of support to as much as $50,000 and the Marine Corps fund increases the amount of support to as much as $30,000. College Funds are awarded on a competitive basis according to academic merit (i.e., scoring in the top half of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). To qualify one must also agree to serve six years.

Community College of the Air Force
The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) is a two-year college open only to enlisted men and women. It offers a variety of programs leading to an Associate’s Degree, in more than 70 scientific and technical fields. The Air Force pays for up to 100% of the cost of the college courses through its Tuition Assistance Program.

Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
Under the Student Loan Repayment Program, when you enlist the Army will pay back up to $65,000 in qualified education loans (up to $20,000 for reservists), the Navy up to $65,000 and the Air Force up to $10,000. Each year 15% of the loan balance or $500, whichever is greater, will be repaid by SLRP. There may also be annual and cumulative caps on the amount repaid. Participants must score 50 or higher on the Armed Forces Qualifications Test (AFQT). SLRP must be requested at the time of enlistment or reenlistment. Qualified education loans include federal education loans such as the Perkins, Stafford, PLUS, or Consolidation loans, but not private alternative loans. Defaulted loans are not eligible. Payments made under the SLRP are considered taxable income.

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