Military Education Programs, Scholarships and Loan Repayment

Understanding Military Programs for Education

• scholarships for military dependents
• school loans for a dependent military spouses and/or children
• tuition and living expenses for veterans
• tuition assistance for a current service member.

The Montgomery G.I. Bill

• can be used for study at accredited schools
• is deposited in service member's bank account (The service member is responsible for paying the school.)
• must be used within 10 years of release from active duty
• pays as much as $1,075 per month for full-time study
• pays more to veterans than to active duty service members
• requires forfeiture of $100 per month for 12 months. (Money not refundable, even if service member is no longer eligible.)

Armed Forces Tuition Assistance

• are worth up to $4,500 per fiscal year
• can cover 100 percent of tuition and some fees
• may be used in conjunction with Montgomery G.I. Bill to cover tuition expenses over the $4,500 cap
• pay the educational institution directly
• require commitment of six years of military service.

Military College Loan Repayment Program

• cannot be used in the same enlistment period as the Montgomery G.I. Bill
• is considered taxable income
• is limited by federal law to $65,000, but payment caps vary by military branch
• is only available to enlisted service members with no prior military experience
• is paid directly to lender
• must be listed on enlistment contract
• repays 33 1/3 percent of outstanding principal loan balance for each year of service (for active duty only; reservist numbers are lower).

The military considers the following as loans that may qualify for the CLRP:

• Auxiliary Loan Assistance for Students (ALAS)
• Consolidated Loan Program
• Federally Insured Student Loans (FISL)
• Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
• Perkins Loan (previously known as the National Direct Student Loan)
• Stafford Student Loan
• Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS).

Reserved Officers' Training Corps Military Scholarships

• ability to meet physical requirements
• age between 17 and 26
• agreement to serve in U.S. military as an officer after graduation
• enrollment in military science course
• full-time student status
• high school grade point overage of 2.5 or higher on 4.0 scale
• SAT score of 920 or higher or ACT score of 19 or higher
• U.S. citizenship.

Scholarships and School Loans for Dependent Children and Spouses of Military Personnel

• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)
• Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program
• General George S. Brown Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) – Air Force
• General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program – Air Force
• private scholarships and grants
• Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program
• Spouse Education Assistance Program (SEAP) – Army
• Spouse Tuition Aid Program (STAP) – Navy/Marines
• The Admiral Mike Boorda Seaman-to-Admiral Educational Assistance Program – Navy/Marines
• transfer of Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits to spouses
• VADM EP Travers Scholarship and Loan Program – Marines
• VADM E.P. Travers Scholarship and Loan Program – Navy.