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VA Educational Benefits and Veterans Scholarships

GI Bill and Other Educational Programs

When an education program is approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs military veterans and their dependents can utilize the Yellow Ribbon Program, a.k.a. the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill and other programs to help pay for their education.

Tuition Assistance

Government assistance is also available to military personnel while still on active duty via Tuition Assistance. Therefore, veterans are also able to acquire their online training immediately prior to being discharged for a smooth transition into a new career. Here is a list of the unique Tuition Assitance progams:

Armed Forces Tuition Assistance

Up to 100% Tuition Assistance for college courses, vocational training, and certificate courses taken during off-duty hours. Eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

Air Force Tuition Assistance

100% tuition and fees for courses taken by active duty personnel. Eligible members of the Air Force.

Army Continuing Education System

Tuition assistance automation will allow active duty soldiers to request assistance and enroll in courses online.Active duty soldiers.

Navy Tuition Assistance Program

Tuition and fees charged by educational institutions for course enrollments. Available to both Naval Officer and Enlisted active duty personnel and Naval Reservists on continuous active duty.

Marines Tuition Assistance

Up to 100% of charges for tuition, instructional fees, laboratory fees, computer fees and mandatory enrollment fees. All active duty marines, to include selected Marine Corps Reserve enlisted Marines on continuous active duty.

The Coast Guard Institute

100% tuition funding for off-duty voluntary education courses. Eligible personnel, which includes active duty reserves and civilian employees.

National Guard Tuition Assistance:

Various by state. However most states offer 100% tuition. Eligible personnel. Available funds are not guaranteed and are issued on a first come first served basis.

Air National Guard

Various by state. However most states offer 100% tuition. Federal education benefits are available to all unit members provided they enlist for 6 years.

Service-Connected Disabled “VetSuccess” Program

Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities may be eligible to obtain funding via the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess Program. This program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. It is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 program. The VetSuccess program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. They may also provide funding for post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school.

Other Government Grants for Veterans

In addition to Pell Grants and a few others, grants may also be awarded to veteran students via the Workforce Investment Act. The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides increased flexibility for state and local officials to establish broad-based labor market systems using federal job training funds for adults, dislocated workers and youth. With this increased flexibility come challenges and opportunities for organized labor. While the act did not "block grant" all training programs (as some state advocates had hoped), the law mandates coordination among a range of federal job training programs, including the Employment Service, adult education and literacy programs, welfare-to-work, vocational education and vocational rehabilitation. WIA’s goal is to provide workforce development services to employers and workers through a universally accessible, information-driven, one-stop career center system.

Reimbursement for Veterans Dependents

Veteran’s eligible spouses and dependents may also receive reimbursement through the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA). This program will provide the spouse or dependent financial aid up to $4000.00. Similarly, the Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans.

Scholarships for Veterans

American Legion Scholarship - American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students. Applicant must be a member of the American Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion and shall have paid dues for the two preceding years and for the calendar year in which application is made. The applicant must also be a student who has had at least one year of college and is in need of financial assistance to pursue an undergraduate degree. Check with your local American Legion for additional scholarship opportunities.

AMVETS - Dr. Aurelio M. Caccomo Family Foundation Memorial Scholarship - The Dr. Aurelio M. Caccomo Family Foundation Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Veterans, including members of the National Guard and Reserves, who are seeking new skills in order to be competitive in the job market.

AMVETS National Scholarship Program - The AMVETS National Scholarship Program is available to financially assist Veterans who have exhausted government aid, or who might not otherwise have the financial means to continue their education.

AMVETS Scholarships - AMVETS annually awards scholarships to Veterans/active military, their sons, daughters or grandchildren. A son, daughter or grandchild of a deceased Veteran is also eligible.

Colonel Christie Marine Corps Scholarship - The Christie Memorial College Assistance Award is given to a former enlisted Marine leaving the Marine Corps to attend a four-year institution. This award recognizes a Marine who has demonstrated exceptional courage and integrity in the face of great obstacles. Award will be given as a monthly stipend.

Grand Lodge Matching Funds Scholarship Program - Minnesota Masonic Charities matches the local lodge scholarships, up to the maximum matching award per lodge of $1,500 for 2010.

Horatio Alger Military Veterans Scholarship - The Horatio Alger Military Veterans Scholarship is awarded to Veterans who have served under the United States Military Operation in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom beginning Sept. 11, 2001 or later.

Mike Nash Memorial Scholarship Fund - The Mike Nash Scholarship Fund was established in 1991. Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) established a scholarship program to provide financial assistance to: Vietnam era Veterans, dependent children, grandchildren and orphans and widows of deceased Vietnam Veterans, for costs associated with undergraduate studies at accredited educational/technical institutions.

Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship - The Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship is available to the recipient of a Purple Heart; a direct descendant of a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart or of a Veteran killed in action or who died of wounds; or a spouse or widow(er) of a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Minnesota National Guard Scholarships - Minnesota National Guard has several options for scholarships.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society - Visit the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Programs site for a listing of education programs available to help eligible Navy and Marine Corps families pursue their academic goals by providing a source of education financing.

NBCC Foundation - The NBCC Foundation Military Scholarship Program is designed to encourage Service Members and Veterans to pursue careers in professional counseling. The program provides financial support to students who enroll, or seek to enroll, in a CACREP accredited counseling program during or after military service, and who commit to serving military personnel.

Pat Tillman Foundation - The Pat Tillman Foundation has announced that the new Leadership Through Action - Tillman Military Scholars program is accepting applications. Individuals eligible for the Leadership Through Action - Tillman Military Scholars program include Veterans and active Service Members of both pre- and post- 9/11 service; Service Members who wish to start, finish, or further their education; Service Members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserve); Service Members pursuing undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, two-year, four-year, public, private, vocational, and trade degrees or certifications; and dependants of Service Members (children and spouses).

Troops to Teachers - The Troops to Teachers (TTT) program enriches the quality of American education by helping to place mature, motivated, experienced, and dedicated personnel in our nation's classrooms. TTT provides financial assistance, counseling, and employment referral through a network of state TTT Placement Assistance Offices.

University of Minnesota Founders Free Tuition Program - The Founders Free Tuition Program is a special award program that benefits qualified incoming students from Minnesota who meet certain financial need requirements.

VFW Military Scholarships - The VFW's Military Scholarship program provides 25 $3,000 scholarships annually to VFW members who are currently serving in uniform or have been discharged within the 36 months before the December 31 deadline.

Scholarships for Veterans and Their Dependents/Spouses

CalVet College Tuition Fee Waivers For Veterans' Dependents

All students must meet California residency requirements. This program provides a waiver of mandatory system wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University or University of California campus.

CalVet NON-Resident College Fee Waiver provides a waiver of non-resident fees (pay at California resident rate) at all State of California Community Colleges, California State University or University of California campuses.

Air Force Aid Society General George S. Brown Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) - The purpose of the Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) is to provide partial tuition assistance for spouses of Active Duty airmen or officers, who accompany members to overseas locations and will be attending college programs. The focus of the program is on the completion of degree or certificate programs that provide increased occupational opportunities for spouses.

Air Force Aid Society General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program - The Air Force Aid Society General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program provides $2,000 grants to selected sons and daughters of active duty, Title 10 AGR/Reserve, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired reserve and deceased Air Force members; spouses (stateside) of active duty members and Title 10 AGR/Reservists; and surviving spouses of deceased personnel for their undergraduate studies.

American Legion Legacy Scholarship - The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is available for children or legally adopted children of active duty U.S. military and Guard, and Reserve personnel who were federalized and died on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.

Army Emergency Relief: Dependent Children Scholarship Program - The MG James Ursano Scholarship program is for dependent children of Soldiers on federal active duty, retired, or deceased while in active or retired status.

Army Emergency Relief: Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program - The Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program is a need-based education assistance program designed to provide spouses of active duty and retired Soldiers and widows(ers) of Soldiers who died either on active duty or in a retired status, and residing in the U.S. with financial assistance in pursuing educational goals.

Fallen Heroes Children's Education Fund - This education fund will be used to provide funding for education accounts setup in the names of the children of Minnesota’s fallen soldiers. Eligible children are those surviving sons and daughters, including step-children, of fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq. There are no other qualifications necessary and no application process.

Folds of Honor Foundation - Folds of Honor Foundation (FHF) provides post-secondary educational scholarships to the spouses and children of Service Members disabled or killed as a result of their military service to our great nation. Our unique scholarships can be applied to schooling now or held by Folds of Honor on behalf of young children until needed at the time of enrollment. http://www.foldsofhonor.com/

Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund - Students are eligible if they are the dependent child of an active duty Service Member who was killed or permanently disabled (100%) rating as the result of an operational mission or training accident, or who is currently certified as POW or MIA. See application form and scholarship rules for complete eligibility details.

Marine Corp Scholarship Foundation (Dependents) - The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships for higher education to deserving sons and daughters of Marines and children of former Marines, with particular attention being given to children whose parent was killed or wounded in action.

Military Officers Association of America Scholarships and Grants - Visit the MOAA Scholarships and Grants site for information on a variety of different scholarships, grants and interest-free loans.

MilitaryOneSource: Military Spouse Alternative Education Funding Resources - Review an extensive listing of Federal, Service Branch, and other programs available to military spouses and family members.

Minnesota National Guard Scholarships - Minnesota National Guard has several options for scholarships.

National Military Family Association (MNMFA) MILITARY SPOUSE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - NMFA scholarship funds are awarded only to military ID-carrying Uniformed Services’ spouses (active duty, retiree, Reserve, National Guard, and/or survivor); If notified you have been selected for a scholarship, you must provide a copy of current military dependant ID within one week, or your scholarship funds will be awarded to another card-carrying applicant. If at any point you are no longer considered to be a spouse of a Service Member, you must notify NMFA immediately.

National Military Family Association Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program - The National Military Family Association's Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarships are awarded to spouses of Uniformed Services members (active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees, and survivors) to obtain professional certification or to attend post secondary or graduate school.

Navy League of the United States - Currently, the Navy League Foundation has a total of 25 endowed scholarships. Navy League Councils across the United States provide additional scholarships to students and Sea Cadets in their cities and regions.

Operation Homefront and Saban Family Foundation Announce 2011 Saban Military Wife Educational Scholarship - Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit that provides programs to U.S. troops and their families, and the Saban Family Foundation have announced they are accepting applications for the 2011 Saban Military Wife Educational Scholarship.

The scholarship award is offered to wives of uniformed service members who want to attend vocational training programs in the medical field. Fifteen scholarships of $8,500 each and five scholarships of $10,000 each will be awarded for tuition for vocational training in the following fields: dental assistant, medical assistant, medical billing and coding specialist, medical insurance technician, patient care assistant/technician, nurse assistant training program, and medical transcription. In addition, two $30,000 scholarships will be awarded for tuition at vocational nursing programs.

Detailed information on eligibility and the full application are available at the Operation Homefront Web site.

Pat Tillman Foundation - The Pat Tillman Foundation has announced that the new Leadership Through Action - Tillman Military Scholars program is accepting applications. Individuals eligible for the Leadership Through Action - Tillman Military Scholars program include Veterans and active Service Members of both pre- and post-9/11 service; Service Members who wish to start, finish, or further their education; Service Members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserve); Service Members pursuing undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, two-year, four-year, public, private, vocational, and trade degrees or certifications; and dependants of Service Members (children and spouses).

Retired Enlisted Association - The Retired Enlisted Association's (TREA) National Scholarship program. TREA members are proud to be able to offer these scholarships to our Nations high school student. The program is open to any high school student.

Scholarships for Military Children - The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created to recognize the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community. If your mother or father is active duty, reserve/guard, or retired military personnel or you are the survivor of a deceased member, and you have a military dependent I.D. card you can apply! You must be planning to attend a college or university on a full-time basis.

ThanksUSA Scholarships - All dependent children, age 24 and under (as of the application deadline), and all spouses of active-duty U.S. military service personnel are eligible to apply for scholarships with ThanksUSA®.

VA Mortgage Center Scholarship - An ongoing scholarship offer for students with military affiliation, ROTC, and children of military members. Each semester, three $1,000 scholarships are awarded to the winning students.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Scholarship Programs - The Veterans of Foreign Wars has several scholarship programs across the nation. Visit the site to learn more or contact your local VFW.

VFCC FINANICAL AIDE

Funding your education may be easier than you think. In fact, you may not even need to utilize your VA Educational Benefits at VFCC.