The G.I. Bill is an attractive option to help veterans get an education, but many military personnel don’t realize that there are also opportunities to help them start working on a degree while they are still actively serving, allowing them to maximize the effect of the GI Bill once they are out of the service.
Those who are currently serving can use the military Tuition Assistance program, which reimburses military personnel for educational expenses. This program pays for 100 percent of tuition and fees, up to $4,500 per year.
The program can make it easier for soldiers to work on a degree while they are serving. Many veterans must drop their educational plans when they are deployed, which can make it hard to find a job when they return, as New York’s commissioner of labor, Patricia Smith, recently told NPR.
She said that when a soldier’s education is interrupted it can make a tough job market even harder. Smith told NPR that unemployment rates for veterans are nearly twice what they are for civilians. However, completing a degree can make the job search easier.
In these cases, online education can be a great benefit the active-duty service member. If they are attending an online school or online military college, they are still able to attend classes even while deployed. In many cases, their education benefits can cover the total cost of getting an online degree. They are able to take advantage of tuition assistance while in the military and at war. Then, once they return to U.S. soil and civilian life they are better prepared for the job market.
July 20, 2010
How much of tuition is covered by the GI Bill?
July 21, 2010
support the troops and their education!
August 3, 2010
Does the GI Bill cover tuition while deployed?
August 4, 2010
If my dad is currently active in the military, and I eligible to have my online school payed for as well?
August 4, 2010
I am really interested in getting my degree so that when I get home from Iraq I will have a good start on my career. Is there a good enough internet connection overseas to take these online classes?
August 7, 2010
Great idea, I am in Afganistan and would love to take my mind off of this place with some good old US college courses.
November 12, 2010
[...] Deployed Military Can Use Tuition Assistance For Online College [...]
November 28, 2010
I feel this is truly an amazing idea and opportunity for those that are serving in the war. It will also be beneficial to them post war life.
January 12, 2011
My brother is in the military in the middle east and I have been encouraging him to take online classes. He just started taking them and now he feels at least a part of home.
January 12, 2011
When I was stationed in Iraq I took courses online and it was the best decision I ever made. I finished my degree and made it through my service.
January 15, 2011
I think that this is a great idea. I didn’t know our military could get hooked to the internet while in active duty overseas.
January 15, 2011
I think anything that can make like more normal while our boys are on the battleground is great.
January 19, 2011
Hey Shane, the new post 9/11 GI bill covers the maximum in-state tuition at a public institution. Private colleges are covered up to $17,500. Eligible veterans may also receive a book and housing stipend.
February 22, 2011
The GI bill stipulates that financial support is available to those with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. And yes there have been reports of military students who are deployed taking online courses.
February 22, 2011
Hi William. While we have heard of students deployed in Iraq taking online courses, you would have to check with your officer or office of veteran affairs to find out how good internet connection is/will be where you will be stationed.
July 20, 2011
Hi Mike. Eligibility requirements for military education benefits vary. Please check with office of veteran’s affairs to learn more.