Military Scholarships, Grants, and Financial Aid for Veterans and Active Service Members

To all veterans and active-duty military members reading this blog post, thank you for your service. We recognize the sacrifices you’ve made and the unique situations that you and your family may be in when it comes to college and finishing your degrees.

Going back to school can be a challenging but rewarding experience and one that we strongly encourage you to continue exploring.

While there is a cost with returning to college, the good news is that there is an abundance of military financial aid options available to you. Many of these programs are specifically designed for service members like you to help you get across the finish line and earn your degree. 

Continue reading this blog post for insights into the scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options for which you may be qualified.

Does the Military Pay for College?

This is a question that gets asked quite a lot.

The answer to this question is layered, as there are many factors that go into what kind of financial aid you can expect from the military or government as a service member.

There are several military grants for college and financial aid for military members, but it’s not always clear exactly what’s covered, how much is covered, and whether or not family members will receive tuition assistance.

The financial aid you’ll receive as a member of the military will depend on several factors, including:

• The length of your military service
• Whether or not you saw active duty
• Which branch of the military you served in
• How many credits you’ve already earned
• What type of work experience you have
• Whether you’re on active duty or discharged

If you’re not totally sure about which financial aid you may qualify for, it’s a good idea to speak with an Admissions Counselor who can help you navigate these options. They’ll help you understand where you stand and may point you in the direction of military tuition assistance programs you may not even have known about.

How to Find Military Scholarships for College

So, how exactly do you find military scholarships for college? 

First of all, you should know that there are scholarships for the active-duty military as well as scholarships for military veterans. Many financial aid programs are designed for one or the other, so you should be as specific in your research as possible.

Each branch offers its own tuition assistance with its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, the application process, and restrictions.

Here’s a reference chart to give you an idea of what military tuition assistance looks like for each branch:

These numbers may be subject to change, so it’s best to speak with the education department of your specific branch of service to get the most accurate and up-to-date information.

The Tennessee Helping Heroes Grant

For those of you in Tennessee, make sure you look into the Tennessee Helping Heroes Grant. 

To be eligible, you must be an honorably discharged veteran who has formally served the armed forces of the United States, or a former or current member of a reserve or Tennessee National Guard unit who was called into active military service of the United States.

Additional eligibility requirements include that you must:

• Be a Tennessee resident
• Be awarded the following:
• Iraq Campaign Medal;
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal; or
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, on or after Sept. 11, 2001
• Other qualifying medals as authorized by Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
• Be enrolled at an eligible institution

To see a full list of requirements and a link to apply for the grant, visit the Helping Heroes website.

For more information about grants and scholarships in Tennessee, read our blog post, A Quick Guide to Scholarships for Adults in Tennessee.

Looking for more insights into tuition assistance programs and military financial aid? Download our guide,  Financing Your Degree: A Guide to Help Working Adults Afford their Degree Completion Program.

We also invite you to connect with the Director of the Adult Degree Completion Program here at Southern to talk about the financial aid we offer for military members and their families. Schedule time below!