6 answers
Alessandra
Student
Cleveland, Texas
1
Question
Updated
352 views
What are the downsides to joining the military to pay for college?
I'm a current senior and looking at options to pay for college. I know the military has a lot of benefits and can pay for college, but what are the downsides?
Login to comment
6 answers
Ryan Sheffield
1
Answer
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
There are many good answers here! Joining the military can be a fantastic way to pay for college. I was in the Air Force from 1999 to 2005 and used the GI Bill to earn my MS and MBA without any student loans. It's important to pick a branch that suits your personality and, if possible, choose a job that interests you and has applicability outside the military.
The ASVAB test will help match you with suitable job skills. I recommend exploring each branch to find the best fit for you, as they all offer similar education benefits. I chose the Air Force because it allowed me to select the job I wanted, which was a big plus. Picking a job that is useful outside the military is smart because after 4+ years, you'll have valuable experience when you leave.
Keep in mind that the military will send you where you're needed, which can be a downside, but it also offers a chance to grow and learn.
The ASVAB test will help match you with suitable job skills. I recommend exploring each branch to find the best fit for you, as they all offer similar education benefits. I chose the Air Force because it allowed me to select the job I wanted, which was a big plus. Picking a job that is useful outside the military is smart because after 4+ years, you'll have valuable experience when you leave.
Keep in mind that the military will send you where you're needed, which can be a downside, but it also offers a chance to grow and learn.
Katlynne Hytrek
Blackhawk Mechanic, Animal Care Specialist
24
Answers
New Brockton, Alabama
Updated
Katlynne’s Answer
Hi Alessandra,
Great question! It's important to look at all your options carefully, and you're doing the right thing by asking questions.
One of the main challenges of using the military to pay for college is that it takes time. You can access your GI Bill benefits after 90 days of active duty, but this time goes by quickly with training. If you complete your contract, your GI Bill can cover most or all of a four-year degree. Keep in mind, the reserves and National Guard have different rules for getting the GI Bill, which requires more time in service. Also, if you are unable to fulfill your contract for any non-medical reason, you will be ineligible for your GI Bill.
Another potential downside is managing your time to take classes while serving. Taking college courses can be demanding, but it's possible. You can save your GI Bill for later and use Tuition Assistance (TA) while active. TA covers 18 credit hours per fiscal year, helping many soldiers complete the first two years of their degree online. Many soldier's then will complete their bachelor's and master's with their GI Bill after service.
Lastly, the GI Bill isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It's accepted by most colleges, but not all. Check VA.gov to see if your chosen school is covered. The GI Bill also has a monetary limit of $250 per credit hour, so ensure your college is part of the "Yellow Ribbon" program to cover any extra costs. (You can find that information, along with everything you need to know about the GI Bill, on VA.gov).
Overall, the military is a great option for funding college. It offers financial aid and the time your spend in the military can offer real-world experience in your field. If you join the Army or Navy, you can choose the occupational specialty you go in to. Keep exploring all your options to find what suits you best. Good luck!
Great question! It's important to look at all your options carefully, and you're doing the right thing by asking questions.
One of the main challenges of using the military to pay for college is that it takes time. You can access your GI Bill benefits after 90 days of active duty, but this time goes by quickly with training. If you complete your contract, your GI Bill can cover most or all of a four-year degree. Keep in mind, the reserves and National Guard have different rules for getting the GI Bill, which requires more time in service. Also, if you are unable to fulfill your contract for any non-medical reason, you will be ineligible for your GI Bill.
Another potential downside is managing your time to take classes while serving. Taking college courses can be demanding, but it's possible. You can save your GI Bill for later and use Tuition Assistance (TA) while active. TA covers 18 credit hours per fiscal year, helping many soldiers complete the first two years of their degree online. Many soldier's then will complete their bachelor's and master's with their GI Bill after service.
Lastly, the GI Bill isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It's accepted by most colleges, but not all. Check VA.gov to see if your chosen school is covered. The GI Bill also has a monetary limit of $250 per credit hour, so ensure your college is part of the "Yellow Ribbon" program to cover any extra costs. (You can find that information, along with everything you need to know about the GI Bill, on VA.gov).
Overall, the military is a great option for funding college. It offers financial aid and the time your spend in the military can offer real-world experience in your field. If you join the Army or Navy, you can choose the occupational specialty you go in to. Keep exploring all your options to find what suits you best. Good luck!
Robert Peters
Customer Service Support Driver
34
Answers
Kissimmee, Florida
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Alessandra,
the main thing would be what branch you want to join and your career field. When I took a class in Germany back in 1981 I worked 12 hour night shifts so I had to take a course that was offered on my day off. If you took a Monday. thru Friday normal hours job that would possibly work or on you days off also. Hopefully the recruiters you talk with will give you guidance. Now if you want to just serve 4 years or want to go into the reserves or guard then that would be a different approach but again it would depend on your career field. Good luck.
the main thing would be what branch you want to join and your career field. When I took a class in Germany back in 1981 I worked 12 hour night shifts so I had to take a course that was offered on my day off. If you took a Monday. thru Friday normal hours job that would possibly work or on you days off also. Hopefully the recruiters you talk with will give you guidance. Now if you want to just serve 4 years or want to go into the reserves or guard then that would be a different approach but again it would depend on your career field. Good luck.
Ariane Copeland
HR, Payroll
10
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ariane’s Answer
The military covers your education costs, but you agree to serve for a set number of years. You can't just leave if you find it's not the right fit; you have to complete the full contract.
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
195
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
I am going to list out some things that are realities when joining the military (I have not served before you consider what I say). I think overall the military is a great way to pay for school and get some professional and life experience. A lot of people in my life and people close to me (also a major demographic of my region) have served and they all have stories about when they served and how it impacted them positively and or negatively.
First is, the military exists to serve the country for its needs. This means that if there is a need for you to do something like go to war or stand post somewhere, you are there to do that first.
The next is people will join the military, I think you choose your division and where you go to boot camp, but the military will choose for you what you do after. This is what I have heard and known from people, I am sure that other people will be able to explain it better.
People will join expecting to do a specific occupational specialty but then have one chosen for them. I don't think this would affect college but if you joined expecting to go to med school in the end, and you ended up doing engine repair, that might not suit you as well as you were hoping.
People will join with no clear path hoping to figure themselves out on the way and sometimes end up in a path they did not expect to take. I know people that were not doing well for themselves as a teen and the military shaped them into great adults because they lacked structure, I know people who were intelligent end up with grunt jobs because they didn't score well on the ASVABs.
Lastly, politically things change and can change unexpectedly. If the government chooses to do something new and different with the military, it will do so and not pay attention to you college opportunity. I say this because my high school class was literally told that the United States would never end up in another war because of everything that happened in the Vietnam war. High school advisors told students that there would be no real reason to join other than your family served, or you needed to shape yourself up. This was in the late 1990's. In 2001, that changed and the US ended up in a war that lasted almost two decades. Granted my high school advisors were not fortune tellers, they would not have been able to tell about the future to come, but military service turned from "yeah you caaan" to the forefront credential you hear about today.
Again I think military for college is a great way to go and I would recommend it, I would just be cautious if you don't really intend to serve or you have personal reserves about serving, there might be other paths to a degree. The people that I know who served, got their degree, and are in their professional environment today are extremely impressive. Make sure for yourself this is the best path for you before signing up.
First is, the military exists to serve the country for its needs. This means that if there is a need for you to do something like go to war or stand post somewhere, you are there to do that first.
The next is people will join the military, I think you choose your division and where you go to boot camp, but the military will choose for you what you do after. This is what I have heard and known from people, I am sure that other people will be able to explain it better.
People will join expecting to do a specific occupational specialty but then have one chosen for them. I don't think this would affect college but if you joined expecting to go to med school in the end, and you ended up doing engine repair, that might not suit you as well as you were hoping.
People will join with no clear path hoping to figure themselves out on the way and sometimes end up in a path they did not expect to take. I know people that were not doing well for themselves as a teen and the military shaped them into great adults because they lacked structure, I know people who were intelligent end up with grunt jobs because they didn't score well on the ASVABs.
Lastly, politically things change and can change unexpectedly. If the government chooses to do something new and different with the military, it will do so and not pay attention to you college opportunity. I say this because my high school class was literally told that the United States would never end up in another war because of everything that happened in the Vietnam war. High school advisors told students that there would be no real reason to join other than your family served, or you needed to shape yourself up. This was in the late 1990's. In 2001, that changed and the US ended up in a war that lasted almost two decades. Granted my high school advisors were not fortune tellers, they would not have been able to tell about the future to come, but military service turned from "yeah you caaan" to the forefront credential you hear about today.
Again I think military for college is a great way to go and I would recommend it, I would just be cautious if you don't really intend to serve or you have personal reserves about serving, there might be other paths to a degree. The people that I know who served, got their degree, and are in their professional environment today are extremely impressive. Make sure for yourself this is the best path for you before signing up.
Jose Guevara
Pilot
18
Answers
Yuma, Arizona
Updated
Jose’s Answer
You'll be busy and gone a lot. Try looking into the guard or reserves. You're only working 1 weekend a month but you can still be away for long periods of time depending on if they're a a natural disaster or something like that..