Yes, many people go to college after serving in the military.
Detailed answer to your inquiry
Yes, many people go to college after serving in the military. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there were over 700,000 veterans using the GI Bill to attend college in 2020.
One reason for this trend is that military veterans often have valuable skills and experiences that can be applied to higher education. In particular, they frequently possess strong leadership qualities, discipline, and a commitment to excellence that can make them excellent college students. Additionally, many military veterans are eligible for educational benefits under the GI Bill, which can help offset the cost of tuition and living expenses.
According to a study by the American Council on Education, veterans tend to have higher graduation rates than their non-veteran peers. That same study found that veterans are more likely to major in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields than non-veterans.
In fact, many colleges and universities have programs specifically designed for military veterans. For example, the University of California, Berkeley has a Veterans Services Center that provides support and resources to help veterans succeed in college. Similarly, the University of Texas at Austin offers the Veterans Education and Transition Services program, which includes academic advising, mentoring, and career counseling.
In the words of former U.S. President Barack Obama, “One of the most enduring strengths of the United States is that generations of immigrants from around the world have come here with little more than the desire to work hard, improve their lives, and give their children a better future. That’s why immigrants have always been the driving force behind our nation’s greatness. And that’s why I will continue to fight for DREAMers and comprehensive immigration reform.”
Below is a table outlining the number of veterans using education benefits under the GI Bill from fiscal year 2009 to fiscal year 2021:
Year | Number of Veterans Using GI Bill to Attend College |
---|---|
Fiscal Year 2009 | 304,000 |
Fiscal Year 2010 | 440,000 |
Fiscal Year 2011 | 563,000 |
Fiscal Year 2012 | 550,000 |
Fiscal Year 2013 | 590,000 |
Fiscal Year 2014 | 630,000 |
Fiscal Year 2015 | 707,000 |
Fiscal Year 2016 | 711,000 |
Fiscal Year 2017 | 751,000 |
Fiscal Year 2018 | 764,000 |
Fiscal Year 2019 | 815,000 |
Fiscal Year 2020 | 775,000 |
Fiscal Year 2021 | 739,000 |
In this video, you may find the answer to “Do people go to college after military?”
The YouTuber shares insights about the process of going to college while serving in the military, emphasizing the valuable financial assistance available. However, he cautions that attending school while being in service requires careful scheduling due to factors such as deployment schedules. He recommends researching potential schools as some may not be the best fit for military members utilizing tuition assistance or GI Bill benefits, and advises against taking out loans. Another speaker highlights the need to find a school with regional accreditation, credits that can be transferred, and suggests Pell Grants as a good resource for financial aid. She encourages students to plan their schedules carefully and take proactive measures to advocate for themselves to achieve their goals. Lastly, a third speaker urges viewers to use free resources such as online classes and computers at work or the library. The overall message is to be diligent, take advantage of various funding sources and resources, and be proactive in obtaining an education while being in service.
Here are some other responses to your query
Can You Go to College After the Military, as a Veteran? Yes! Going to college as a veteran is entirely possible for you, even though you may feel intimidated at the thought. In fact, many military veterans choose to go to school after their service, and most are first-generation students.
Yes! Going to college as a veteran is entirely possible for you, even though you may feel intimidated at the thought. In fact, many military veterans choose to go to school after their service, and most are first-generation students.
After service, many military veterans go to college or university to complete or advance their education. This can prove an excellent decision in cases where advanced education makes you more competitive in the civilian job market.
Over 1 million veterans have entered college over the last four years, according to the VA, due both to the draw-down and the ease of using the GI Bill to attend college. But, as most of you are older than the average 18 year old college freshman, and spent the last few years dodging bullets instead of playing football or learning to drive.
Thanks to the post-9/11 GI Bill, the option to go to college doesn’t go away. While going right after exiting service is the right answer for many veterans — but it is not the only choice. Rather than go too soon, reflect on your list of core values and professional/personal goals.
Plenty of service members have gone before you in attending college after the military. We’ve rounded up advice from service members who’ve attended college so you can feel prepared for your next big step of earning a degree.
However, the academic, social, and cultural realities of college life will likely require some adjustment on your part. Fortunately, with the expanded opportunities created by the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Forever GI Bill®, more than 1.7 million military veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere can access college educations.
The GI Bill makes it easier for students to get a degree even after leaving the military. In fact, 75% of veteran students in 2018 were enrolled as full-time students.
For many veterans, the transition from the military to a civilian career begins first with earning a college degree, and for good reason. A college education brings a number of powerful benefits, including higher wages, increased marketability, increased employment opportunities, economic stability, and greater job satisfaction.
Furthermore, people are interested
- Obtain Your Joint Service Transcript.
- Choose Your Course of Study.
- Choose Your College.
- Enroll.