| Making the decision to work towards an advanced or | | | | that the student can only work a limited number of |
| bachelors degree is a big decision in many people's | | | | hours. To help out with living expenses, the Post 9/11 |
| lives. For some veterans, returning to school after | | | | GI Bill offers a monthly housing allowance for |
| leaving the armed forces is a pivotal move that | | | | individuals with dependents. |
| determines the direction in which their life will go. It | | | | Of course, the Post 9/11 bill is not the only grant |
| can be quite a daunting task to try and work out | | | | option for veterans who want to become students. |
| how to pay for school, but luckily there are many bill | | | | The Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty aims to assist |
| options to help ex-servicemen and women with their | | | | a more select group of servicemen and women. |
| military degrees. | | | | Eligible individuals must have received an honorable |
| The Montgomery GI Bill was created in 1944 after | | | | discharge and already have a high school diploma or |
| World War II. Since then it's helped more than two | | | | GED. This GI bill also provides up to 36 months of |
| million veterans to college. Last year the bill was | | | | education benefits, allowing veterans to pursue the |
| updated to include even more funding. The new Post | | | | degree of their choice. |
| 9/11 GI Bill grants money to veterans who have | | | | In addition, the Montgomery Bill - Active Duty has a |
| served an aggregated 90 days on or after | | | | number of different clauses, so soldiers who may not |
| September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged. | | | | immediately think that they are eligible for this |
| Veterans discharged with service-related disabilities | | | | funding may find that they can apply under a |
| after 30 days may also qualify for funding. This is not | | | | different category. |
| considered financial aid by colleges and universities, so | | | | In addition to federal aid, there are over $300 million |
| veterans are still eligible for student loans and | | | | in private scholarships and grants for members of the |
| government grants. | | | | military, veterans and their families. For example, |
| The Post 9/11 GI Bill gives a potential bachelors | | | | there are scholarships for disabled veterans, veterans |
| degree candidate enough money for his or her | | | | of foreign wars, and veterans of Operation Enduring |
| course of study, provided that the tuition and fees | | | | Freedom. Even if your tuition is fully covered by the |
| do not exceed the highest amount at a public | | | | GI Bill, it's a good idea to pursue private scholarships. |
| in-state institution. This means that the veteran will | | | | Veterans with children might want to look into |
| be able to study near his or her home, which can be | | | | options that help them pay for housing or childcare, |
| an important factor for those with children. | | | | even if they choose to pursue an online degree, as |
| Opting for a full-time bachelors degree often means | | | | the additional funds can help them study stress-free. |