You’ve served your country. Now that you’ve come home from active duty, it’s time to take advantage of your military education benefits.
Military service is only the beginning of your career. The GI Bill propels veterans and qualifying dependents toward the future.
Wondering how to participate in the program? Here’s what you need to know:
FAQs About Military Education Benefits
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What is the GI Bill?
The GI Bill has fueled dreams since 1944. It provides monetary support to veterans and their families. This compensation comes in the form of grants or stipends. These benefits can apply to vocational training and college degrees.
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How Does the Military Pay for College?
Servicepeople can, and should, take advantage of the GI Bill to fund their education. Veterans can take advantage of the Department of Veterans Affairs website to discover what benefits they qualify for.
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How Can I Use the GI Bill?
Military education benefits cover much more than college. The GI Bill can boost your degree through tutorial assistance and foreign programs. These funds can also be used to cover career training, including apprenticeships, vocational school and on-the-job training. It can cover tuition along with costs for supplies and housing.
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What is the Post 9/11 GI Bill?
The Post 9/11 GI Bill is the most popular GI Bill program. This bill can be used by anyone who served in the military after September 10, 2001. The Post 9/11 GI Bill qualifies service people for up to 36 months of benefits. These benefits include:
- Tuition: Military benefits can cover part of or the full cost of education.
- Additional Funds: The military can also cover costs for housing, moving and supplies.
These benefits expire 15 years after service for veterans that served before 2013. Education benefits won’t expire for members whose service ended after 2013.
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Other Veteran Benefit Programs
Veterans who’ve served before 9/11 can still take advantage of military benefits. Here are some of the other benefits you could qualify for:
- Montgomery GI Active Duty (MGIB-AD): If you’ve been on active duty for at least two years, you qualify for the MGIB-AD. This GI Bill provides a monthly stipend for up to 36 months of benefits.
- Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR): Members who are serving or have served their six-year service obligation qualify for these benefits. To qualify, a military must have started their obligation after June 30, 1985, or received training after September 30, 1990.
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Can a Veteran Lose Their VA Benefits?
Veterans that haven’t served since 2013 lose their Post 9/11 benefit opportunity 15 years after service. However, service members can apply for an extension if:
- They served a later period of duty
- If they were prevented from going to school due to injury or illness
- If they were held by a foreign government
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How Does the GI Bill Work for Dependents?
The GI Bill doesn’t just cover the military. It looks out for their dependents too. Military spouses and children can qualify for military education benefits if the service member:
- Died on duty after September 10, 2001
- Is MOA or captured
- Was held hostage while on duty
- Is receiving treatment for service-related injuries
Qualified dependents can receive financial aid to cover tuition and other education-related costs. They’re eligible for two types of benefits:
- DEA: The DEA applies to spouses and children of military members whose loved ones died or were gravely injured while on duty. The scholarship covers education programs, certifications, work-study, apprenticeships and tutorial assistance for up to 45 months. The payments are made directly to the dependent. Spouses can use the benefits for up to 20 years after the death or injury of the service member. Children are eligible between the ages of 18 and 26.
- Fry Scholarship: Dependents can use Fry Scholarship if their loved one died in the line of duty or from a service-related injury on or after September 11, 2001. This aid covers flight training in addition to the programs covered by the DEA. Children of veterans who become eligible before 2013 qualify from the ages of 18 through 33. However, children of servicemembers that qualified on or after 2013, as well as spouses have no time limit. The Fry Scholarship can cover tuition, supplies and housing. These benefits can be used for up to 36 months.
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How to Apply for Military Education Benefits
Veterans need to apply for benefits through the VA. They can apply online, by mail or in person at a regional office.
The application requires the following documents:
- Social Security Number
- Direct deposit information
- Military history
- Information about the school you’re interested in attending
Why a Vocational School is the Right Use for Your GI Bill Benefits
FVI School of Nursing and Technology is there for those who have served our country.
FVI’s healthcare programs will give you a new route to serve your country. Healthcare, like the military, is rewarding and essential. Vocational school provides short-term career training so you can start your future as soon as possible.
We’re determined to see you succeed. That’s why our career support team will help you with resume writing, interviewing and updating your LinkedIn page. Your military education benefits exist for your future. FVI will help you get there.
Visit our website to learn more about FVI’s GI Bill benefits.
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