Scholarships from Military Sources
Cut Your College Costs with Your Benefits
Each branch of the United States military - the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard - is slightly different and offers its own rules regarding educational tuition. In all of these branches, the Montgomery G.I. Bill is in effect and assists service men and women with tuition assistance. While it is not a regular scholarship, this option should be explored and taken into consideration when applying for scholarships.
Scholarships Based on Branch of Service
Each military branch has its own set of rules which apply to education. If you have not yet enrolled in college, one available option is to check with the local recruiting offices for each branch. Recruiters are a good source of information if you are thinking about joining the military for the educational benefits and scholarships. They can outline your options. In addition, use the internet and visit the websites for each branch of military service to find out more about the scholarship and educational opportunities.
If you are currently serving for the United States government, check with the Servicemember Opportunity College (SOC) nearest you. Advisors will point you in the right direction in regards to scholarships that are specific to your branch of service. Service academies, the most famous being West Point, offer a full ride scholarships which include medical and dental coverage as well as a modest living stipend. There are two caveats to this option. First, competition is extremely fierce. Your high school career will be examined as well as your community service, test scores and extracurricular activities. And second, you must commit at least five years of service after college graduation.
The Coast Guard Academy accepts about three hundred students a year and offers a tuition-free education. In return, graduates must serve for five years in the Coast Guard. There is also a program called the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative or CSPI. Sophomores in college are eligible to apply for this program. All tuition, college fees, books and even a salary and benefits are awarded students in the program. In return, students will train at Officer Candidate School after receiving their degree. From there, CSPI participants must serve for three years in active duty.
The ROTC Route
The four main branches of the military - the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines - all have Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) programs available. In some cases, students can get a full free ride scholarship. The programs not only differ from each branch but also from each university, so you must check out each option to determine the best scenario for you. Be advised that with the ROTC program, you will likely have commit to a certain number of years of service in exchange for your scholarship.
The Naval ROTC program, which serves both the Navy and Marine Corps, has two and four year scholarship programs available. In both instances, upon graduation, you would have to serve a minimum of eight years of commissioned service either in the Naval Reserves or the Marine Corps Reserves.
The Army ROTC offers a four year scholarship to graduating high school seniors who achieved high test scores and academic standards. They also offer two and three year scholarships to those students who have already completed at least one year of college. In either case, to receive a scholarship, you would have to accept a commission with the Army for active duty or accept a position within the Army's National Guard or Army Reserve. If you want to know more on the specifics of college-entry tests, head over to our Test Section.
The Air Force ROTC offers four year scholarships to graduating seniors based on a number of factors like grades, test scores, leadership and community service. They also offer scholarships to current college students. In both cases, before scholarship funds can be received, a contract must be signed announcing your commitment to serve in the Air Force Reserve. Air Force enlisted service people are also eligible for scholarships too based on their field of study. These enlisted individuals should talk with their commanding officers to discuss their options.
Other Options
Each branch of service has its share of support or community groups, that while not an official part of the government, have close ties with them. These groups often offer scholarships to deserving service men and women. In some instances, all you have to do is fill out a form. Your best source of information regarding some of these scholarships is your local American Legion Auxiliary. While it is primarily an organization for veterans, they have a wealth of information available to active duty personnel and even family of the military. To find out more, visit www.legion.org for more details.
There are also several websites online like www.military.com which cater to current or retired military who are seeking advice and information on college education. There are specific search functions on these websites that allow you to enter information like your military branch and background or training. It is a handy tool which can save you a lot of time in your scholarship search.
Our section on grants from military sources should also be of service.
