For those who are inclined, the military is an excellent, and proven, way of ensuring a debt-free education. The GI Bill has been providing American veterans with quality educational opportunities since the end of World War II. Countless lives have been changed, from receiving free education as a result of their selfless service to the nation. And in my personal opinion, I believe that veterans are more than deserving of the incredible gift of having their education paid for – it is a small token of appreciation for putting their very lives at risk in defense of our country.
Working on your degree while on active-duty
The military pays for a substantial portion of the cost of college tuition, while on active duty. Generally speaking, the military pays for the entire tuition for active-duty members, and some of the tuition for those who enlist in the reserves. Students can either attend class on base, attend class at a branch campus while deployed or take online classes. Exactly how much is paid for by the military is determined by prescribed tuition rates, which can be found within the Defense Activity for Non-Transitional Education Support (DANTES) website. Here, prospective students can learn about how much tuition assistance they are entitled to, depending on which branch of the military they serve under, how long they’ve been serving for, and several other factors.
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
Military members can test out of required classes with the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). Much like CLEP exams, which are also another viable option for military members, DSSTs provide military personnel the opportunity of saving considerable time and money by signing up, studying for and testing out of required classes. There are about 30 different subjects available, the majority of which are required as part of any freshman year curriculum. Subject categories include Business, Composition & Literature, Foreign Languages, History & Social Sciences and Science & Mathematics. The best part is that the military fully pays for the first attempt of any test – retakes will have to be paid for out-of-pocket by the student.
ROTC Scholarships – Entering the military as an Officer
The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is also another way of having the military cover your college tuition. The ROTC program is designed to help students prepare for military life, while still in college. When students graduate college and the ROTC program, they have the opportunity to join the military as commissioned Officers – a major step up from being Enlisted. Officers usually receive many more “perks” and amenities that Enlisted cadets don’t get. For one, eligible Officers who graduated from the various ROTC branches have their college paid for by the military. Their ROTC scholarship, while in college, covered their tuition, room and board, fees, textbooks and other costs, including a stipend for personal expenses.