You may be able to get money for college or career school for your or your family member’s military service.

Scholarships and loan repayment assistance are available from a number of sources.

Aid for Military Families

Both the federal government and nonprofit organizations offer money for college to veterans, future military personnel, active duty personnel, or those related to veterans or active duty personnel.

What financial aid does the government offer for military service or for family members of military personnel?
     Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships
     Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits
     Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant or Additional Federal Pell Grant Funds
     Limited Interest Rates, Suspended Accrual of Interest, and Deferment of Student Loans
What financial aid do veterans service organizations offer for military service or for family members of military personnel?
How can I learn more about military service?


What financial aid does the government offer for military service or for family members of military personnel?

Below are a few sources of financial aid that you might want to consider. You also should explore todaysmilitary.com’s list of educational benefits for service members.

Top

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit rather than financial need:

  • Army ROTC scholarships are offered at hundreds of colleges. Application packets, information about eligibility, and the telephone number of an ROTC advisor in your area are available from College Army ROTC or 1-800-USA-ROTC (1-800-872-7682). 
  • The Air Force ROTC college scholarship program targets students pursuing certain foreign language and technical degrees, although students entering a wide variety of majors may be accepted. Information about Air Force ROTC scholarships is available from Air Force ROTC College Scholarship Section or 1-866-4-AFROTC (1-866-423-7682).
  • Navy ROTC offers both two-year and four-year scholarships, with options to join the Navy, the Marines, or the Navy Nursing Corps. For information and applications, contact Naval Service Training Command or 1-800-NAV-ROTC (1-800-628-7682).
  • The Marine Officer NROTC Program pays your way through college at approved schools and offers an additional scholarship if you attend one of a list of approved Historically Black Colleges and Universities (known as HBCUs). Learn about the Marine Officer NROTC Program and request more information.

Top

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits

The VA offers education benefits for veterans and for their widows and dependents on its GI Bill site. 

Top

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant or Additional Federal Pell Grant Funds

If your parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, you may be eligible for additional aid. To be eligible, at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death, you must have been less than 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time at a college or career school. Payments will be adjusted if you are enrolled less than full-time.

  • Federal Pell Grants: If you meet the requirements above and are eligible to receive a Pell Grant, you will receive an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero, which maximizes your Pell Grant eligibility and can increase your eligibility for other federal student aid programs.   
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants: If you meet the requirements above but are not eligible for a Pell Grant based on your EFC, you will be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. The maximum amount of the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is the same as the maximum Pell Grant award. Your EFC will not be affected, and therefore neither will your eligibility for any need-based federal student aid.

Top

Limited Interest Rates, Suspended Accrual of Interest, and Deferment of Student Loans

To receive the benefits below, contact your loan servicer for information about the documentation you must provide to show that you qualify.

  • Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, if you took out student loans prior to entering the military or being called to active duty, the interest rate on those loans will be limited to 6% during and immediately after your military service. This applies to both federal and private student loans (and other loans as well).
  • If you meet certain criteria, then no interest will accumulate on your loan for a period of no more than 60 months during the service described below. For Direct Consolidation Loans, this benefit applies to the portion of the consolidation loan that repaid loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2008. To be eligible, you must  
    • have a Direct Loan that was first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2008, and
    • be serving on active duty or performing qualifying national guard duty during a war, other military operation, or national emergency, and serving in an area of hostilities qualifying for special pay.
  • You will qualify for deferment of repayment on any of your federal loans while serving on active duty in the military during a war, military operation, or national emergency if those loans were first disbursed on or after Jul. 1, 2001. (In the case of a consolidation loan, all of the loans that were consolidated must have been first disbursed on or after Jul. 1, 2001). You may receive this deferment on each of your eligible loans for a maximum of three years. 

Top 


What financial aid do veterans service organizations offer for military service or for family members of military personnel?

The following major national organizations offer scholarships primarily to active duty military, veterans, and/or their families:

There are many smaller veterans service organizations around the country that might offer scholarships. Check with your local organization or try a scholarship search.

Top 


How can I learn more about military service?

Contact a recruiter to learn more about service with the following military branches:

Top