Just because you are preparing or have already retired, it doesn’t mean that the grind is over. Maybe you want a new career, or maybe you just want to take some time to improve or update your skills since the military trained you. Either way, you have choices.
When considering further education, remote or not, you have several options post-service and each of them has unique benefits and uses. Here are seven you can select.
1. Post-9/11 GI Bill
As stated on the MyArmyBenifits page, “the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33 benefits) is an education benefit program specifically for military members who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Depending on an individual’s situation, provisions of the program may include coverage of tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, a books and supplies stipend, Yellow Ribbon payments, a college fund, rural benefit payments, and transferability to eligible immediate Family members (spouse and children).”
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits, including tuition, housing allowance, and books.
2. Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover, according to VA.Gov.
To qualify for the YR program you must have served at least 36 months on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) and were honorably discharged, or received a Purple Heart on or after Sept. 11, 2001, you’re a spouse who was transferred benefits, you are a dependent child who was transferred benefits, and several more which can be found on the website.
Offers additional financial support for education expenses that exceed the GI Bill’s benefits.
3. Tuition Assistance (TA)
Covers up to 100% of tuition expenses for active-duty members, which can sometimes extend to those retiring shortly after their service.
While in service, members have access to up to $4,500 a year of TA. TA is paid to the school on a per-class basis. Service members can also use GI Bill benefits by using a “top-up” program option that pulls from their post-service benefits, although it is seldom a good idea to do so while on active duty. This option is not the best to rely on as you will only be able to use it as you approach the end of your service.
4. Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
Helps with career counseling, education, and job placement for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
According to the VA, you may receive Veteran Readiness and Employment, formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services to help with job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development and job-seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans and Service members in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment.
5. Military Spouse and Dependent Education Benefits
Offers educational benefits to spouses and dependents, including scholarships and tuition assistance programs.
If you’re a dependent or surviving spouse of a Veteran, you could be eligible for education benefits via the VA. If you qualify for both Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance and the Fry Scholarship, you’ll have to pick one or the other when you apply. After you’ve made this decision, you can’t switch. But you can use transferred benefits with both DEA and the Fry Scholarship.
The Fry Scholarship is for a child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who died in the line of duty or from a service-related disability on or after Sept. 11, 2001.
6. College Credit for Military Training
Many colleges award academic credit for military training and experience, reducing the time and cost required to complete a degree.
You will need to get an official transcript from your service-related education and submit that to the school that you are attending or plan to attend. Some schools will not apply the credit, nor even translate it without a year of courses having been taken with the school. Also, it seems to translate differently for each school that you submit the transcripts to.
7. State and Local Education Benefits
Various states provide additional educational benefits to veterans, including tuition waivers, scholarships, and grants.
This topic is best googled, or searched via your State and City government pages. Many states have different benefits for a service member’s status. Also be sure to check tax exemptions, as well as any TA or local grants that your city, state, or county might offer as a veteran or dependent.
These benefits can significantly ease the transition from military to civilian life, helping retirees gain new skills and qualifications for their post-military careers. The options seem to be very different on where you decide to retire to, and these benefits might even dictate where that is, but don’t do yourself a disservice by skimping on the research.
