Your students can learn about financial aid for current and potential military families at StudentAid.gov/military. You also should direct them to benefits.va.gov/gibill for information on aid specifically from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Meanwhile, here are a few programs you might wish to familiarize yourself with.
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships
Federal Student Aid
Limited Interest Rates, No Accrual of Interest, and Deferment of Student Loans
Veterans Service Organizations
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships
Encourage students interested in joining the military after college to explore ROTC scholarships.
Talking point: ROTC scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit rather than financial need.
Federal Student Aid
For the 2024–25 School Year
A student will be eligible for the maximum Federal Pell Grant amount if
- their parent or guardian died in the line of duty while serving on active duty as a member of the U.S. armed forces on or after Sept. 11, 2001.
- they're less than 33 years old as of Jan. 1, 2024.
- they meet the basic federal student aid eligibility criteria.
For the 2023–24 School Year
A student may be eligible for a special grant or for additional Pell Grant funds if their parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and the student was less than 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time at a college or career school at the time of the parent or guardian's death.
Limited Interest Rates, No Accrual of Interest, and Deferment of Student Loans
Loan borrowers may be eligible for
- student loan interest rates of no more than 6% while on active duty;
- no interest charged for up to 60 months during certain periods while qualifying for special pay;
- deferment while on active duty or on qualifying National Guard duty during certain periods; and/or
- deferment for 13 months following the end of active duty (or until returning to school at least half-time), whichever is earlier, for certain members of the National Guard or other reserve components of the U.S. armed forces.
The list above is intended to give a general idea of the types of benefits available and should not be used in counseling students. Please review details about benefits for student loan borrowers in the military, and be sure to advise borrowers to contact their loan servicers for further information or to apply for benefits.
Veterans Service Organizations
Several major national organizations, including the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, offer scholarships primarily to active-duty military, veterans, and/or their families.
Talking point: Students should explore all financial aid opportunities available to them. Remind your students that they should look beyond just military-related aid and search for scholarships based on any eligibility criteria (talents, academic strengths, ethnic background, etc.) that might apply to them.