If you’ve served in the U-S armed forces, the government wants to say thank you.  Making a college education accessible is just one of the ways. Through pell grant and the GI Bill, the U-S government has millions of dollars available to veterans and their dependents to help pay for college. The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs  are just two places veterans and their dependents can look for education funding.

The Montgomery GI bill, or MGIB is just one element in the government’s effort to educate veterans. The GI Bill went into effect in 1944 under President Roosevelt. Since World War II, it’s estimated more than two million veterans have taken advantage of the GI Bill. Under the plan, service members and veterans get monthly payments to use for higher education. To qualify you must have served at least two years on active duty and have your high school diploma or equivalent. Participants are eligible for 36 months of education, a value of more than $40,000.

Getting money through the GI Bill does not disqualify you from receiving money from other student loans, scholarships or grants. That’s because since the money goes directly to the veteran or service person, it’s not considered financial aid. However, GI Bill payments can reduce your eligibility for need-based financial aid.  Money from the GI Bill can be used not only for tuition, but also, fees, books and living expenses. If a veteran or service member already has a degree they can still get GI Bill money to pay for independent study programs, continuing education classes or to get a license or certificate in a particular field. Once you leave the military you have ten years to use your GI benefits.

In August 2009 a new GI Bill went into effect. The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides education benefits for service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001. The new bill covers 100% of tuition, provides money for housing and up to $1000 a year for books and supplies. Unfortunately, the Post 9/11 GI Bill cannot be applied to courses finished before July 2009.

Armed Forces Tuition Assistance, TA, is another benefit for eligible members of all the armed services. The Army, Navy, Air Force and the Marines all have the capability to pay up to 100%  of tuition expenses for its members. TA is not a loan, it’s considered money a veteran has earned. Each division of the armed forces determines its criteria for eligibility, amount of service and application process. Unlike money from the GI Bill, tuition assistance is paid directly to the school.

federal pell grant provide more than $300 million for members of the military, veterans and their families. Many scholarships are awarded to veterans fitting a specific description. Veterans of foreign wars, disabled veterans and veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom are just a few of the scholarships available. Even if you are getting money through the GI Bill, scholarship money can be used to off-set the costs of books, fees, and living expenses.

Many colleges and universities are also willing to count your years in the service as class credit. The American Council on Education, ACE, can help you and your school figure out how many credit hours you earned while on duty. You may alread be ahead of the game.

If you have served in the armed forces, you’ve earned the right to an affordable college education. The U-S government has millions of dollars for veterans and their dependents through the GI Bill, Tuition Assistance and student loans. It’s tax free money you can use to cover your education and the expenses that go with it.