To apply for financial assistance for higher education expenses, all students should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) annually. Financial aid is available to qualified applicants based on a variety of criteria, one of which is military service. Both the federal government and several nonprofit organizations offer money for college to veterans, future military personnel, active duty personnel, or those related to veterans or active duty personnel.
StudentAid.gov offers helpful information on the types of scholarships and assistance that may be available to you or someone you know that’s a service member. Some of the aid provided includes:
- Veterans Affairs education benefits
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
- Additional Pell Grant funds
- Federal student loan benefits
- Scholarships from various organizations:
- ROTC
- American Legion
- AMVETS
- Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
It’s important to gather important documents before starting the 2023-24 FAFSA application. Check out Review the 7 Things You Need Before Filling Out the FAFSA before you begin. You’ll create an account and login to complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/.
Visit these sites to learn more:
- StudentAid.gov – Aid for Military Families
- Veteran.com – FAFSA Veteran Education Benefits
- The MilitaryWallet.com – FAFSA Guide for Military Members and Families