Military College Programs

Education Benefits Connected to Military Service

Military service can provide access to education benefits that help pay for college, career training, apprenticeships, certifications, and other approved education programs.

Benefits may be available to:

Active-duty service members
Veterans
Members of the National Guard or Reserve
ROTC participants
Spouses and dependent children of eligible service members or Veterans
Survivors of eligible service members or Veterans

The benefits available to you depend on factors such as your type and length of service, duty status, education program, and individual eligibility.

Know Before You Commit

Military education benefits are connected to military service and may include significant service obligations.

If you're considering military service as a way to pay for education, understand both the education benefit and the service commitment before making your decision.

GI Bill Benefits

The GI Bill includes several U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit programs for eligible service members and Veterans.

Depending on the benefit and your eligibility, GI Bill benefits may help cover expenses such as:

Tuition and fees
Housing
Books and supplies
Education and training costs

Major programs include:

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides education benefits to eligible individuals with qualifying active-duty service after September 10, 2001.

The amount of benefits available depends on eligibility and qualifying service.

Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty

The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty program provides education and training benefits to eligible individuals with qualifying active-duty service.

Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve

The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve program provides education and training benefits to eligible members of the Selected Reserve, including qualifying members of the National Guard and Reserve.

Eligibility requirements differ among GI Bill programs.

Explore GI Bill Benefits →
Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool →

GI Bill Benefits Can Cover More Than College

GI Bill benefits aren't limited to traditional four-year college degrees.

Depending on your eligibility and the program, benefits may be used for approved:

Undergraduate and graduate degrees
Career and technical training
Non-college degree programs
Apprenticeships and on-the-job training
Licensing and certification tests
Flight training
Entrepreneurship training
Other approved education and training

Before enrolling, make sure the school or training program you're considering is approved for VA education benefits.

Explore Approved GI Bill Education & Training Options →

Watch and Overview of VA Education and Training Benefits

ROTC Scholarships

Prepare to Serve While Earning Your Degree

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) allows students to complete college while preparing to serve as officers in the U.S. military.

ROTC opportunities are available through participating branches of the Armed Forces.

Scholarships may help eligible students cover certain education expenses.

In exchange, scholarship recipients generally make a commitment to serve in the military after completing their education.

ROTC isn't simply a college scholarship program.

It's a pathway to becoming a military officer and includes military training and a service obligation.

Before accepting an ROTC scholarship, make sure you understand:

Scholarship benefits
Academic requirements
Physical and military requirements
Training expectations
Service commitment
What happens if you don't complete the program or service obligation

Explore Army ROTC Programs →
Explore Air Force ROTC Programs →
Explore Nacy ROTC Programs →

Iowa National Guard Education Benefits

Benefits for Eligible Iowa Guard Members

Eligible members of the Iowa Army National Guard and Iowa Air National Guard may have access to state and federal education benefits.

Iowa programs currently include opportunities such as:

Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship
Iowa National Guard STEM Master's Scholarship
Iowa National Guard Professional Qualification Scholarship
Federal Tuition Assistance
Other federal military education benefits for eligible members

Eligibility and award amounts vary by program and may change from year to year.

Some Iowa National Guard education programs require the:

FAFSA
Iowa Financial Aid Application
Federal Tuition Assistance application

Check current requirements and deadlines before applying.

Explore Iowa National Guard Education Benefits →

Benefits for Spouses and Dependents

Military education benefits aren't limited to the person who served.

Eligible spouses and dependent children may qualify for education assistance through programs such as:

Transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Eligible service members may be able to transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or dependent child.

The Department of Defense determines whether a service member is eligible to transfer benefits.

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance

The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program may provide education or training benefits to eligible spouses and children of Veterans or service members who meet certain requirements.

Fry Scholarship

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship may provide education benefits to eligible children and surviving spouses of certain service members and members of the Selected Reserve who died under qualifying circumstances.

Eligibility requirements differ among programs.

Explore VA Education Benefits for Family Members →

Military Benefits and Other Financial Aid

Military education benefits may be one part of your overall plan to pay for education.

Depending on your circumstances, you may also qualify for:

Scholarships
Federal or state grants
Institutional financial aid
Federal Work-Study
Other education benefits

Complete the FAFSA if you're applying for financial aid programs that require it, and tell your college's financial aid or Veterans services office about the military education benefits you expect to use.

Ask how those benefits will work with your other financial aid and your remaining college costs.

Learn About the FAFSA →
Learn About Scholarships & Grants →

Compare Your Benefits With Your Education Costs

Before choosing a school or training program, understand exactly what your military education benefits are expected to cover.

Consider:

Tuition and required fees
Housing
Books and supplies
Transportation
Other living expenses
Benefits paid directly to the school
Benefits paid directly to you
How long your benefits will last
Any remaining costs you'll need to cover

Don't assume that having military education benefits means every education expense will be covered.

Build a complete financial plan.

Learn About College Costs →
Covering Your Remaining Costs →

Verify Your Eligibility

Military and Veterans education benefits can be complex, and eligibility depends on individual circumstances.

Use official government resources to confirm:

Which benefits you're eligible for
How much assistance you may receive
How long you can use the benefit
Which schools and training programs qualify
How to apply
Whether a service obligation applies

For VA education benefits, use the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

For Iowa National Guard education programs, use the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa National Guard.

Your college may also have a Veterans services office or school certifying official who can help you understand how your benefits work at that institution.

Military Service Is More Than a Financial Aid Decision

Education benefits can be a significant advantage of military service, but they shouldn't be the only factor in deciding whether the military is right for you.

If you're considering joining the military, explore:

Military career options
Branches of service
Enlistment requirements
Officer pathways
Training commitments
Active duty, Reserve, and National Guard options
Length and terms of service

Make the career decision first, then understand how education benefits can support your goals.

Explore Military Career Options →