It’s more important than ever for military students to educate themselves on the financial aid benefits available. There are a multitude of financial aid programs military personnel can take advantage of, from active duty to reserve to a veteran. These include, but are not limited to:
- Post 9/11 GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill
- Scholarship programs
The Post 9/11 GI Bill is the newest of the financial aid programs available to the military. In many ways, it’s similar to the MGIB, but the differences are enough that students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the program. Once a student decides they’re going to apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, they may not revert back to the MGIB, so it’s important to get all your answers prior to application. At the same time, the VA has to go through thousands of Post 9/11 GI Bill applications, so the sooner you’re prepared to apply for it, the more likely you will receive it the semester that it’s needed!
What are some of the perks of the Post 9/11 GI Bill vs. the MGIB?
- Students studying at a campus may receive BAH, or a housing allowance, and may also receive funds for covering textbooks and other miscellaneous materials.
- Students may attend vocational schools with government funding.
- Military-friendly schools like Saint Leo University may opt to offer additional financial aid assistance for tuition that is not already covered through the state-determined allotment of the Post 9/11 GI Bill; this is called the Yellow Ribbon Program.
To learn more about the Post 9/11 GI Bill, including whether you qualify, what you need to do to apply, and the benefits you may be eligible for, visit the Veteran Benefits GI Bill Blog to learn about the Yellow Ribbon Program; alternatively, you can check out the Department of Veteran Affairs’ VA GI Bill page.
