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Chapter VIII

Military Options

Page 118

Applications are time-sensitive.  Students must apply in the fall of their senior year.  Contact the college ROTC department or go online to Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines.

Page 119

(UPDATE)  Every military branch has enlistment quotas and tools to assist their recruiting efforts.  In place of the College Fund, the Army can now offer an incoming recruit up to $20,000 as an enlistment bonus for specific job specialties plus the Montgomery GI Bill.  For more information, call 800-USAArmy or check out www.goarmy.com.

Page 119 & 120

(UPDATE)  New figures have just been released concerning the Army College Fund (ACF) and the Montgomery G.I. Bill.  For example, for a 4 year service commitment, the Army will add $23,400 into a college fund, in addition to $49,248 from the G.I. Bill.  Once out of the military and attending college full time, students will receive $2,018 per month for 36 months to pay for their education. Servicemen and women are required to contribute $100 per month towards the college fund during their first 12 months of service.  These figures change often.  Check with an Army recruiter.  

TIME PERIOD     GI BILL    COLLEGE FUND   FOR COLLEGE     TOTAL FUNDS

   3 years                   $49,248          $16,200                     $1,818 per month        $65,448

   4 years                   $49,248          $23,400                     $2,018 per month        $72,648

   5 years                   $49,248          $30,600                     $2,218 per month        $79,848

   6 years                   $49,248          $34,200                     $2,318 per month        $83,448

Every military branch has enlistment quotas and tools to assist their recruiting efforts.  In place of the College Fund, the Army can offer an incoming recruit $12,000 as an enlistment bonus for specific job specialties plus the Montgomery GI Bill.  For more information, call 800-USAArmy or check out goarmy.com.

Those who have served for a minimum of 90 days of active service on or after September 1, 2001, are eligible for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.  The new Bill does not include the ACF as noted above, but it does provide for up to 36 months of education benefits including tuition fees, books & supplies, plus a living allowance up to $1,300 per month.  (Benefits may also be transferred to a spouse or dependent children.)  The figures can change.  Check with an Army recruiter.  

Page 119-121

(UPDATE)  Select Military Programs   (NOTE: These programs are subject to change)     

The Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC) offers up to $168,300 while finishing your degree, providing a regular monthly income ranging from $3,280 to $5,610 for up to 30 months prior to your graduation. That includes a generous military salary, a food allowance, plus a housing allowance that is based upon the location of the school you attend. You’ll also enjoy comprehensive military health-care benefits – with no uniforms, no drilling requirements and no service obligation until you graduate.

From there, you’ll begin the process of being commissioned as a Navy Nuclear Officer and take on unrivaled training and professional responsibilities.  Check with a navy recruiter for current details.

To qualify for the nuclear power program, applicants must hold a certified diploma from an accredited high school, have a strong math and science background, be drug free, and pass the Navy Advanced Program Test.  There are many opportunities available in the missile technical field aboard submarines, and aboard the Navy’s newest nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.  For more information, log onto Nuclear.

For a 3-year commitment, the Air Force provides a total of $49,228 in education benefits through the Montgomery GI Bill. Active duty men and women can earn their Associate’s degree through the accredited Community College of the Air Force with the military paying up to 75 percent of all tuition costs.

High school graduates entering the Army may apply for admission into a college or university through the Army Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP).  The Army will pay 75 percent of tuition costs.  If the candidate meets all the requirements for admission into one of the ConAP colleges, he or she will receive a written admission guarantee and be assigned a special college academic advisor. Men and women can earn college credits while on active duty, later transferable to that college.  Participating in the plan can save thousands of dollars by shortening the time needed to graduate.

Page 122

(UPDATE)  During active duty, college credits may be earned while enrolled in one of the Army Education Centers through the College Level Exam Program (CLEP), based on job experience or military courses taken while in the service.The tuition assistance programs offered by the Army, Navy and Air Force are in addition to the Montgomery GI Bill and the College Fund.  Since many students graduating from high school are undecided about college or what courses to take, the tuition assistance plans are exceptionally attractive for those unsure about career objectives.

Page 122-123   (NOTE: These programs are subject to change)    

(UPDATE)  Today’s pro-college Guard units will pay up to 100% of a student’s tuition and fees, up to $18,000 over a four  year period.  The Army National Guard Kicker supplement to the G.I. Bill pays up to $350 per month in living expenses.  That’s up to $12,600 over 36 months. 

If students have an existing student loan obligation when they enlist in the National Guard or the Air National Guard, the Student Loan Repayment Program may pay up to $20,000 for designated shortage positions within the Guard.

Once the basic and advanced training is completed, students will also receive the Montgomery GI Bill every month up to $11,988, plus be eligible for the Army Reserve MGIB Kicker which adds another $683 per month ($24,588) in education benefits.  For more details, log onto Reserve.

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              AIR ACADEMY - US Air Force Academy

              2304 Cadet Drive Admissions

              Colorado Springs, CO 80840-5025           

              800-443-9266                    www.academyadmissions.com/

              ANNAPOLIS - US Naval Academy 

              117 Decatur Road            

              Annapolis, MD 21402-5018         

              800-638-9156                    www.usna.edu/homepage.php

              COAST GUARD - US Coast Guard Academy

              15 Mohegan Avenue

              New London, CT 06320-4195

              800-883-8724                    www.uscg.mil

              USMM ACADEMY - US Merchant Marine Academy

              Kings Point, New York 11024-1699

              800-732-6267                    www.usmma.edu

              WEST POINT - US Military Academy

              606 Thayer Road

              West Point, NY 10996-1797

              800-822-8762                  www.usma.edu

VETERAN'S BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTED

For the brave men and women who have just left the service and are looking for educational benefits, log onto Veterans for updates on college admission, scholarships, and military-friendly schools.  In addition, your military training courses, and occupational specialty may be considered for college credit.  This is a non-government site supported by advertising.