Keeping the Cost of College Down (continued)
The armed forces offer educational programs during or after active duty. If your child prefers to work toward a college degree immediately after high school, attending one of the military academies or attending a civilian school and enrolling in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program are options. If your child wants to joint the armed forces before attending college full time, he or she can attend college after military service by taking advantage of the Montgomery GI Bill or by obtaining college credit for some of the military training he or she will receive. Military Academies Each branch of the military, with the exception of the Marine Corps, has its own academy -- a four-year college that offers a bachelor's degree and a commission in the military upon graduation. The military academies are highly competitive and are tuition-free to students who are admitted. The three main military academies are:
- U.S. Military Academy, located in West Point, New York;
- U.S. Naval Academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland; and
- U.S. Air Force Academy, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Other Academies
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy, located in New London, Connecticut; and
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, New York.
ROTC
In the ROTC scholarship program, the military covers most of the cost of tuition, fees, and textbooks and also provides a monthly allowance. Scholarship recipients participate in summer training while in college and fulfill a service commitment after college.
The Montgomery GI Bill
This bill provides financial support for people who wish to pursue a college education after serving in the military.
Other Ways To Get a College Education in the Armed Forces
Most branches of the military offer some kind of tuition assistance program that enables members to take college courses at civilian colleges during their off-duty hours while on active duty. In addition, military training while on active duty can sometimes count toward college credit. All branches of the military offer training in various technical and vocational areas, and military enrollees can often obtain college credit for some of this training.
The National Guard and the Reserves offer the same kind of educational benefits as those available to people on Active Duty.
Local armed forces recruiting offices can provide detailed information about education opportunities through the military.
Excerpt from "Preparing Your Child for College," published by the U.S. Department of Education
Reprinted with the permission of the U.S. Department of Education.
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