he military has a wonderful benefit, Tuition Assistance (TA), which covers up to $250 per credit hour, up to $4,500 per fiscal year for your undergrad or graduate degree. Active duty, Guard, and Reserve all offer this benefit and you can find out more through your installation’s Education Center.
There are several non-profit schools that reduce their tuition rates for service members, regardless of whether the member is using Tuition Assistance.
It should be noted, TA incurs a two-year service commitment beginning the day after your final day of class. So, if you’re planning to separate within two years after completely the program, you may be forced to begin paying out of pocket so as not to extend your ETS.
Fortunately, if you didn’t have your heart set on one school or program in particular, there are several non-profit schools that reduce their tuition rates for service members regardless of whether the member is using TA. Some schools also offer tuition discounts for military spouses. This means you can pay for a low out-of-pocket degree, without incurring a service commitment, and save your GI Bill benefits for post-separate, in-residence degree or your dependents.
This is how I earned my Master’s degree for about $5,250 and barely touching my GI Bill benefits. Looking back, I wish I wouldn’t have touched my GI Bill at all with prices this low. I earned my Masters in Science in International Relations from the public, non-profit Troy University based in Troy, Alabama.
Before you apply for any program, double-check their website, talk with their student veteran office, and confirm their accreditation.
Coincidentally, I have been to their campus on a weekend morale trip from Officer Training School as Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery. So, I knew it was legit and I’ve placed it first on this list.
Before you apply for any programs, double-check their websites, talk with their student veteran office to confirm their reduced tuition rates, and confirm their accreditation (regionally accredited is best) through the United States Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
Do not give your money to a for-profit school!
I highly recommend also researching the institution through the VA WEAMS Institution Search, even if you don’t plan to use your GI Bill benefits. If they are not a GI Bill-authorized institution or have not agreed to Executive Order 13607 “Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family Members,” then PAUSE. You may have found a “fake” school and/or a private, for-profit school.
Do not give your money to a private, for-profit school! I have purposefully excluded for-profit and not-for-profit companies from this list. To read more about why, visit my “For-Profit Schools Prey on Military Members” post.
Now, finally, onto the list!
- Troy University
- Public, nonprofit university, based in Troy, Alabama
- Amridge University
- Private, Christian university, based in Alabama
- Columbia College
- Private, non-profit university, based in Missouri
- Bethune-Cookman University
- Historically black, private, non-profit university with United Methodist Church affiliation, based in Florida.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Private, nonprofit, based in Florida
- Undergraduate programs only
- Faulkner University
- Private, nonprofit, Christian university, based in Alabama
- Fort Hays State University
- Public, nonprofit university, based in Kansas
- Undergraduate $243/credit; graduate $320/credit
- Hawaii Pacific University
- Private, nonprofit university, based in Honolulu
- Henderson State University
- Public, nonprofit university, based in Arkansas
- $288/credit or less for all students, regardless of military affiliation
- Liberty University
- Private, Christian university, based in Virginia
- Palm Beach State College
- Public, nonprofit college, based in Florida
- Undergraduate degrees only
- Pensacola State College
- Public, nonprofit college, based in Florida
- Savannah State University
- Public, historically black, nonprofit, based in Georgia
- Georgia residents or Georgia-assigned personnel only
- St. John’s River State College
- Public, nonprofit college, based in Florida
- Undergraduate degrees only
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Private, non-profit university, based in New Hampshire
- Thomas Edison State University
- Public, nonprofit university, based in New Jersey
- Non-nursing, undergraduate programs only
- University of Alaska – Fairbanks
- Private, non-profit, based in Alaska
- Alaska state residents only
- University of Hawaii Maui College
- Public, nonprofit university, based in Hawaii
- Hawaii residents or Hawaii-assigned personnel only, although out of state tuition is only $345/credit
You can read more about other education benefit for military, through universities and states, at College Recon. Also always, do your own homework before giving your money to anyone!
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