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Funding Your Education
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College Guide for Servicemembers and Veterans
This quick-reference directory lists some of the internal financial assistance programs each branch of military service offers to its servicemembers and veterans. Links to program home pages are provided.
External Website: Best Colleges
Paying for College: Information and Financial Aid Shopping Worksheet
Students and former students need to make smart decisions about financing their college education. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers some tools and resources to help make the best decision for your circumstances whether you're attending college soon, are a current student, or already have student loans. Information about student loans and banking, comparing financial aid offers (worksheet template included) and repaying school debt is available on this site.
Financial Aid Shopping Worksheet
External Website: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Education and Training for Veterans, Survivors, and Family Members (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Resources
Chapter 3, VA Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors Non-health Care Benefits)
Chapter 3 of the "VA Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors" handbook reviews all VA education and training benefits and provides contact information.
Programs include: Post 9/11 GI Bill, The Yellow Ribbon G.I. Bill Education Enhancement Program, Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry (this scholarship entitles children of those who die in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, to use Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits), VetSuccess on Campus, Montgomery GI Bill and the Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP).
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program
The "Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA)" program offers information about education and training opportunities for eligible veteran family members. Family members of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition should contact the VA for more information about these programs.
VA Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program Site
Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program Brochure
Educational Assistance Allowance Rate Tables
Dependents' Application for VA Education Benefits
External Website: Department of Veterans Affairs Education & Training Benefits
Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund
The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund was established in 2011. The program provides direct assistance to veterans in their beginning years of farming or ranching. The Fund gives money to a third party vendor, not directly to the veteran, for any items critical to the launch of a young farm business.
The Fellowship also provides the following support:
- Scholarships to study for a career in agriculture at a college, university or farm-training program.
- Guidance in production, business planning, and marketing.
Visit their site for applications and other guidelines.
External Website: Farmer Veterans Coalition Fellowship Fund
Federal, State, School & Nonprofit/Private Student Aid
Financial aid is available from a variety of sources for college, career school, graduate school, and professional school. This Department of Education site offers information on federal, state, school and nonprofit/private student aid.
External Website: Federal Student Aid
Resources for Scholarships & Other Financial Assistance
The Veterans Administration e-Benefit National Resource Directory "Resources for Scholarships & Other Financial Assistance" is a listing of financial assistance for veterans, servicemembers and their families offered by the federal government, Service and veteran organizations and other entities.
External Website: VA E-Benefits National Resource Directory
Scholarships, Grants, Loans and Other Financial Aid for Veterans and Military
Education scholarships and grants for veterans, military personnel and their families are supported by the Federal government as well as by military associations, universities and private donors. This site offers searches for financial assistance by veteran or military status, branch of service, family members, interests and skills. Additionally, there are tools and tips for submitting school applications, tax credits, books and other college saving tips.
External Website: College Scholarships
Student Veterans of America Scholarships
The Student Veterans of America nonprofit organization offer several scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $12,000 each. More more details, visit their website.
Student Veterans of America is a nonprofit student veteran organization with a goal of supporting veteran success in post-secondary programs and contribute to civilian society in meaningful ways. They advocate and offer various leadership programs and scholarships in addition to partnering with others sharing common interests.
National Headquarters
Student Veterans Of America
1012 14th Street NW, Suite 1200
Washington D.C. 20005
Telephone: 202-223-4710
Local Chapters
External Website: Student Veterans of America
Veterans Scholarships and Grants
This Veterans Scholarships and Grants site lists a few assistance programs, some that are offered by specific federal agencies requiring in-kind employment obligations. All levels of service are acknowledged with a variety of veterans scholarships and grants to help cover tuition, books, lodging and expenses for those who served their country.
External Website: Scholarships and Grants
Yellow Ribbon Schools (Nationwide List)
The Yellow Ribbon program helps students avoid up to 100 percent of their out-of-pocket tuition and fees associated with education programs that may exceed the Post 9/11 GI Bill tuition benefit. It is a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that can help students attend expensive private schools at little or no cost to themselves. To qualify to receive the Yellow Ribbon benefits you must meet the following criteria:
- Served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001 of at least 36 months;
- Honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and they served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001;
- A family member (dependent) eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran's service under the eligibility criteria listed above.
Other reference sites for this program:
The Yellow Ribbon Program Explained
The Yellow Ribbon School Locator Map
External Website: VA
Fisher House Foundation & Partner Scholarships for Disabled Servicemembers & Military Families
Heroes' Legacy Scholarship: This program is open to eligible disabled servicemembers and their dependent unmarried children under age 23. A disability is defined as one that results in the service member being eligible for, and receiving, Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) or a permanent and total disability compensation rating of 100%.
Other Scholarships for Military Family Members: See the Fisher House Foundation site for links to other scholarship funds they and their partners offer.
External Website: Heroes' Legacy Scholarship/Fisher House Foundation
Military Scholarships for Service Members, Spouses, and Dependents
This site lists scholarships available to veterans and their spouses and families. You need to visit the individual websites for more information on the various scholarships, complete eligibility requirements, and deadlines. Be sure to check with your college or university to search for other available scholarships.
External Website: Scholarships
Scholarships for Military & Veteran Family Members (Offered Annually with Varying Application Deadline Dates)
As new scholarships are identified, they'll be added to the attached list of opportunities for educational financial assistance. You'll need to check each scholarship to verify eligibility criteria and application due dates, which in some cases, are subject to change.
Repayment of Student Debt
Optimizing Student Loan Pay Off
The Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) provides an informational tool and advice for student loan pay off optimization based on some basic information about your particular situation. While the CFPB may not be able to provide advice for you exact situation, the CFPB can point you in the right direction and help you learn about some of your options.
Need a list of all of your federal loans?
You can also get a list of all federal loans made to you by visiting the National Student Loan Data System.
Social Security Retirement & Disability: Garnishment for Federal Government Agency Debt Collection
The Department of Education may be able garnish a part of social security retirement or disability to pay on these old loans. Income-based repayment programs or disability waivers are available to consumers. Visit this site for more information:
External Website: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Repayment of Student Debt