Does the army really pay for your education?

Question

Ok, so am a junior in H.S and yes am an excellent student i take ap courses and have a 4.1 GPA, but my family can't afford to go to the university I want to go. I've heard a lot of people say that if you join the army, they'll pay for your school, my friend who is a senior, said he's going to do that. But my question is does the army really pay for your school ? Does it have to be a school they choose for you, or your school? Do you have to be in combat to gain the pay or can they still pay for it even if your like a doctor or anything else on the field? thank you!

Answer 1

It will depend on where you go to school. The G.I. bill will pay a substantial amount towards education, but this amount will go further at a state school as opposed to a more expensive private institution. To qualify you only need to have served. You can choose any school.

Illinois is one of the states that will let veterans attend any of their public universities tuition free in addition to getting the G.I. Bill.



Given your GPA and the fact you are an excellent student, you may want to investigate service schools, West Point, Annapolis, etc. If you make the cut, you will get an excellent education, graduate as an officer and then serve. Also check out ROTC programs available.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Because you're such a good student, definitely look into the academies. To be a strong candidate, you'll need to be physically fit as well as show leadership skills. so join a sports team and clubs. this is the best option if you want to be an officer in the military. all the branches have one, and not only will school be free, but you'll get a monthly stipend to spend on whatever you want.



the GI bill was mentioned, but also consider ROTC. There, you'll be paid a monthly stipend as well as have the opportunity to get a scholarship which will pay for your tuition. with this program, you can attend any university that has an ROTC program. google it and contact the commander at the school and they can give you more information.



I would also recommend you look at the other branches to make sure you join the one you want. if you're interested in flying, maybe the navy or air force are better for you. if you want to be part of the infantry, then maybe the marines or army are better. so it's something you should think about.



also, definitely go talk to a recruiter. if you have interest in becoming an officer (both the academies and ROTC will get you there) then make sure you tell them that. there are different recruiters for different things.

Answer 3

Yes they will pay for it and it does not have to be a community college or something cheap. They have a lot of different programs depending on what you want to do. You can go to school first and then be obligated to so much time, you can go to school while you are in and they have tuition assistance which pays 100% of any school but only for so many credits per year. Or you can wait until you get out and use the GI bill which now is called the Post 9/11 GI bill and it pays your full tuition, $500 in books a year, and housing allowance monthly, which varies by location, anywhere from $1000-3000. Main point, YES the army or any service will pay for your college and there are plenty of programs that you can chose from.

Answer 4

What university do you want to go to??



There's a separate recruiting and funding system if you're interested in becoming a doctor.

http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/hpsp.jsp

http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/education.jsp



Be aware that military doctors are sent to and serve in dangerous areas. Sure, they're not manning machine guns, but they can still get caught in indirect fire. And it's probably the toughest place you can be a doctor.



The Army will absolutely pay for your education. But you need to plan ahead and choose a specific path. A lot of people just sign up for the Army with vague promises of getting a college degree, but they never do anything to get the ball rolling, so it doesn't work out for them.



There are many options. One, join the Reserves or Guard and then go to college full time. Tuition assistance is good, but it caps out at $4500 a year - so it will only work if your state has pretty cheap public universities.



Another, join ROTC and compete for a scholarship. That will pay for at least your last two years of college. And you'll come in as an officer. Not all universities have ROTC. So you need to start looking around for them right now, and those need to be the schools you apply for. I believe you would apply for ROTC at the same time you applied for getting into the university, but each school's ROTC program has its own website.



A third option, Student Loan Repayment. If you can finance your education through scholarships and FEDERAL student loans, the Army will repay those Federal Student Loans for three years of enlisted service. Up to $65,000. The Navy will do the same. You will be enlisted, not an officer, but you can apply to become an officer once your three year obligation is up. I had my entire undergrad education paid for by the U.S. Army. I came in with a degree, got the rank of E-4, and all my loans were paid off at my three year mark. Pretty good deal.



The Navy also has a Bachelor's Degree Completion Program. You apply your Sophomore year of college, and if you're accepted they will PAY for the rest of your tuition, and give you a decent living stipend while you are at it. You'd come in as an officer. Not sure what the requirements are, but if living in a little compartment on a ship for four or six years sounds bearable to you, look into it.



So, do some research, before you set foot in a recruiter's office. You are smart enough to do that. Once you've settled on an option or two you like, then you can go see a recruiter. You won't be talking to a recruiter for ROTC, though, like I said, you'd be applying directly to the program at a specific college.



Good luck!

Answer 5

You are confused.



Its not like your going to enlist in the Army



And then go to college full time, and have the army pay for it.



If you enlist, they will pay for any class's you take, while on active duty.



You can take online class's, class at a local university or on post at the education center.



But your only going to be taking one or two class's each semester.



Your in the Army, you still have to go to work everyday as a soldier.



You take class's in your off duty time.



Or,



You will earn GI Bill benefits while on active duty.



Then after you have finished your enlistment in the Army.



You can go to any school you want to.



The GI BIll will pay 100% tuition , a book fee and a housing allowance based on where you live.



Your responsible for everything else.

Answer 6

If you go to the military right from high school with your high school diploma, how long do you have to serve before they will pay for whatever percentage of your education at a 4 year college?

Answer 7

They will pay for school but it is generally going to be for a community college or classes that they provide. If your grades are as good as you say they are you should start putting in for scholarships now. You could also get a job and save as much as possible now so if you need to you can have some money to supplement student loans. There are also many options for grants available.