Military Educational Benefits for Veterans and Service Members
Are you a veteran or a current service member wanting to pursue a college degree?
If so, thank you for your service! We really appreciate the sacrifices you make
every day to protect our way of life. A variety of aid programs are available to
help you and your family pay for college.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
The generous Post-9/11 GI Bill has been called "the greatest veteran benefit since
the original post-WWII version of the GI Bill." It took effect August 1, 2009, and
offers extensive benefits for veterans and service members who served on active
duty on or after September 11, 2001. If you are eligible, you can receive a significant
amount of aid to help you pay for your college expenses.
Veterans and service members are eligible for this benefit based on the amount of
service time they have completed since September 11, 2001.
Learn more about the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and eligibility:
Montgomery GI Bill
The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly called the GI Bill, was designed
to help the many veterans returning from World War II. In 1985, the GI Bill was
updated and renamed the Montgomery GI Bill. This bill is available for reserve and
current service members, with each group having different eligibility requirements
and benefits. Find out if you are eligible for the
Montgomery GI Bill.
Other Military Education Programs
Besides the Post-9/11 and Montgomery GI Bills, there are other education benefits
for veterans, current service members, and their dependents.
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Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP):
REAP is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational
assistance to members of the Reserves who were called or ordered to active duty
in response to a war or national emergency.
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Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (SDEAP):
Survivors and dependents of some service members are eligible for education benefits
under this program. Eligible survivors and dependents may receive as many as 45
months of education benefits toward a college degree or certificate, apprenticeship,
or on-the-job training.
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Army, Navy, and Air Force Loan Repayment Program:
For many college students, debt becomes a significant concern after graduation.
Those who enter the Army, Navy, or Air Force may be eligible to have some or all
of their student loans repaid.
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Hazlewood Act:
Benefits under this program are specifically for service members who were residents
of Texas at the time of entering military service, as well as certain dependents
of those service members.
Military Careers
For students who are interested in pursuing a
career in the military,
the U.S. Military provides college programs that give you military training while
you earn a degree. These programs can put you on the fast track to a career in the
military and provide financial aid for college expenses.