As a soldier, one of the first things you learn is that education is one of the biggest priorities in the U.S. Army. Right after basic training, a soldier will attend AIT, Advanced Individual Training. For how long and where the training takes place depend on the job that the soldier chose before entering the Army. This is the first of many education benefits that a soldier receives while serving.
The Army Education Benefits also has a program to help pay for past college. If soldiers have accumulated student loans, they can have these paid partially or completely, if their loans qualify. For an active duty soldier, qualified loans are eligible for $65,000 and reserve soldiers are eligible for $40,000. This can help those soldiers who are struggling with the burden of paying off the debt of higher education.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill is for any soldier who has served more than ninety days on active duty since September 2001. This bill provides 36 months of educational benefits to the soldier. The unique thing about this program is that it covers the cost of tuition, books, supplies and living expenses. It can also be transferred to the soldier’s spouse or children.
Many soldiers use the Montgomery GI Bill or the Army College Fund. This is a fund that the soldier needs to contribute to while serving in the Army. The soldier has $100 taken out of their monthly pay. Depending on the length of their enlistment, soldiers will qualify for up to $83,448 for college and expenses. This is a good investment for their education.
The army education benefits are also for those that are on active duty. Soldiers qualify to further their college education while still wearing their uniform. CONAP is Concurrent Admission Program. The Army and over 1,900 colleges collaborate to further the education of those that are enlisted. College credit can be earned while taking classes. Credit is also given for military courses the soldier has taken for their MOS or leadership courses.
Eligible soldiers can also qualify for 100% funding of up to $4,500 per year through the goarmyed.com program. Here a soldier can further their Army training. They can request tuition assistance (TA) for distance learning, eArmyU online classes and traditional classroom courses. This covers a wide variety of options for the modern soldier to obtain higher education. TA will cover 100% of the cost of college credits up to $250 each.
The education center on any Army base is the hub for soldiers seeking Army Education Benefits. It is at the Ed Center that they can speak with a counselor, sign up for classes and work with satellite schools. Many colleges offer classes right at the Ed Center for soldiers. While these classes are taken at the education center or on post, they are accredited from a qualified college. Other schools offer convenient online courses, which can be completed anywhere the soldier can access an Internet connection. Any credits that are earned are transferable.
The Army educational benefits are why many young men and women enlist. They provide a viable solution to gaining and paying for a college education. After soldiers complete their enlistment, they have money for college, job skills and college credits, and are well on their way to their life goals.