Financial Aid for Military & Veterans
After World War II, the United States committed to providing educational support for veterans. In recent years, however, the number of service members and veterans earning degrees with their military benefits has increased to historic levels. Military service members and veterans pursuing degrees in psychology benefit from a wealth of financial aid opportunities; these various forms of financial aid can be used to cover tuition costs and other education expenses, but can also be applied to the cost of a psychology license, a professional certification, and some national examinations.
Military personnel and veterans can qualify for a number of financial aid opportunities. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and each branch of the Armed Forces, for example, offer financial resources and scholarships. Many private scholarships are also designed specifically for military veterans, active duty military, and military dependents. Meanwhile, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides extensive education benefits, and the Yellow Ribbon Program offers additional funding for military members and veterans. Reservists and National Guard members can also qualify for a number of VA education programs.
In addition to support from the VA, military service members can access numerous scholarships for active duty military, including those for military dependents. Private organizations and groups offer additional awards to individuals with a military background, including service members from all branches of the Armed Forces. This page describes the many sources of financial support available to military service members and veterans pursuing psychology degrees.
Financial Aid Programs for Military and Veterans
The Montgomery GI Bill®
There are two versions of the Montgomery GI Bill: the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD), aimed at active-duty service members and veterans who served at least two years in active duty; and the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), for reservists who sign a six-year service obligation. Both cover educational expenses, including those related to earning a psychology degree or gaining a license.
- What’s Covered: Both programs provide funds toward a college degree, a certification or a professional license, and the cost of certain examinations.
- Who’s Covered: The MGIB-AD covers active-duty service members and veterans who complete a minimum of two years of active duty. Recipients can use the Montgomery GI Bill for 10 years after being released from honorable service. The MGIB-SR covers reservists for up to 36 months of educational benefits while they are completing their service obligation.
- How to Apply: Recipients who qualify for the active duty benefits submit a VA application for education benefits. Reservists provide a notice of basic eligibility and an application for education benefits to their school, which files an enrollment certification and submits the forms to the VA.
Post-9/11 GI Bill®
Active duty service members and veterans receive assistance from the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The program covers a variety of educational expenses, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, licensing and certification reimbursement, and reimbursement for national testing costs. Recipients receive up to 36 months of education benefits.
- What’s Covered: The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers college tuition, training programs, certifications, and national testing, among other educational expenses. In the cases of tuition assistance, the VA pays the benefit directly to the school, up to a national maximum rate.
- Who’s Covered: Eligible service members must have at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001, or must be honorably discharged due to a service-connected disability with at least 30 days of active duty service. Some recipients can transfer unused benefits to a dependent.
- How to Apply: Active duty military and veterans can check their eligibility or apply online. They can also visit a VA regional office or consult with the VA official at their institution’s registrar’s or financial aid office.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Veterans eligible for the maximum Post-9/11 GI Bill amount can also receive support through the Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides additional educational assistance on top of the GI Bill entitlement. Colleges and universities choose whether to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, and participants agree to fund a certain number of eligible candidates.
- What’s Covered: Veterans who qualify for full GI Bill support can receive additional funds through their degree-granting institution and the VA, which can be used to cover tuition and fees.
- Who’s Covered: Eligible recipients served at least 36 months total in active duty after September 10, 2001; served 30 days after September 10, 2001 and received an honorable discharge from active duty because of a service-connected disability; or meet the dependent eligibility for a transfer of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
- How to Apply: Veterans contact their school to apply, and the institution certifies the recipient’s enrollment to the VA. The VA provides a list of participating Yellow Ribbon Program institutions.
National Call to Service
A Department of Defense program administered by the VA, the National Call To Service incentive program provides educational assistance to service members who perform a minimum number of years of national service. The program provides cash benefits, tuition support, or loan repayment support.
- What’s Covered: Recipients select from a cash bonus of $5,000, repayment of a student loan up to $18,000, or entitlements that equal the GI Bill educational benefits. This can mean either 12 months of the GI Bill active duty rate, or 50% of the GI Bill active duty rate for 36 months.
- Who’s Covered: Eligible service members must pass initial entry training and serve on active duty for at least 15 months, followed by additional active duty or 24 months in active status in the Reserve force. Service members may then meet the remaining service obligation in active duty, the Reserves, or AmeriCorps.
- How to Apply: Members join the National Call to Service incentive program when they enroll for service, at which point they choose from the list of incentives.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program
The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) provides educational assistance for reservists, National Guard members, and veterans. In November 2015, Congress phased out REAP, with the educational benefits largely replaced by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Current REAP beneficiaries can use the program through November 25, 2019.
- What’s Covered: Eligible reservists and National Guard members can cover expenses at an educational institution through REAP. Recipients must have applied for benefits prior to November 24, 2015.
- Who’s Covered: The program covers reservists, National Guard members, and veterans. Current REAP recipients — and any qualifying applicants who submitted their application before November 24, 2015 — can continue to use the program.
- How to Apply: REAP is no longer accepting new applicants. However, reservists qualify for educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance
Offered through the VA, the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program provides support for the eligible dependents of veterans who died on active duty, or those who died or were permanently and totally disabled because of a service-related condition. The program provides up to 45 months of education benefits.
- What’s Covered: The DEA covers degree and certificate programs, on-the-job training, and apprenticeships. Spouses can also take correspondence courses, and funds may cover remedial courses.
- Who’s Covered: Eligible recipients include the son, daughter, or spouse of a servicemember who was captured in the line of duty, went missing in action, was a POW, died, and veterans who are permanently and totally disabled because of a service-connected disability.
- How to Apply: Eligible dependents apply online through the VA using the Dependents Application for VA Education Benefits. Students can also take an application directly to their school.
Scholarships for Military and Veterans
U.S. Army Scholarships
U.S. Navy Scholarships
U.S. Air Force Scholarships
U.S. Marine Corps Scholarships
National Guard Scholarships
Coast Guard Scholarships
Military Families Scholarships
Resources for Active Military and Veterans
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs The VA offers multiple programs for veterans, including educational support, housing assistance, and healthcare benefits. The website provides extensive resources on education assistance for military and veterans.
GI Bill The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers resources for active duty military and veterans on their educational benefits under the GI Bill, including resources on how to apply for benefits.
Veterans Upward Bound Offered through the U.S. Department of Education, this program helps veterans develop academic skills in preparation for enrolling in postsecondary education.
Veterans’ Employment and Training Service Run by the U.S. Department of Labor, VETS provides employment support and training for veterans in the workforce, including job search support and employment rights assistance.
Veterans Employment Program Office The office, operated through the U.S. Department of Education, helps veterans find jobs, both in government agencies and private organizations.
Yellow Ribbon Program GI-Bill-eligible veterans can participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program to increase their educational funding. The website includes institutions that participate in the program.
* GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
