Last updated: August 12, 2022
If you’re a veteran who has served in the United States military, you and your family qualify for a number of scholarships and grants that will help cover the cost of higher education. As an opportunity to thank the men and women who have served their country, many organizations and schools offer scholarships to help veterans earn an undergraduate or graduate degree.
Whether you’re looking into schools for yourself, a spouse or a family member, you can find the financial support and resources you need regardless of military branch. Follow this guide to find out how you can apply for financial aid and use our interactive tool to sort through over 80 scholarships for veterans based on type and award amount.
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Regardless of the branch of military you served, there are many opportunities available to help you pay for college such as government programs, student loans and scholarships—find the best combination that works for you!
Veterans with an honorable discharge who served in the military for at least 90 days after September, 10, 2001 are eligible to receive education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Bill. The funds that you receive are based off of the amount of time served. Although the GI Bill is a great opportunity for veterans, there are caps to the budget, so it may not cover the entire cost of attending college.
The Yellow Ribbon Program provides money to veterans who plan to attend private schools or graduate programs that cost more than what the post-9/11 GI Bill allows. To find out if you’re college or university participates in the program, use the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs information page.
There are thousands of scholarships available for military veterans, which are awarded by organizations, private companies, societies and more.
You can borrow money from the government or a bank, but it needs to be paid back with interest. The federal government offers many loan options—fill out the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for financial aid. If you’re having any trouble answering the questions, you can refer to our FAFSA step-by-step guide.
If you’re just beginning the process of finding suitable scholarships, make sure you’re prepared for the application process by starting a folder with the assets below.