While there is a federal GI Bill intended to help veterans with their school costs, sometimes the bill doesn’t help veterans enough. That’s where states come in with their own set of laws offering veteran-specific student assistance, and often also to help their families receive education benefits. But which states provide the more comprehensive benefits, and which states’ programs can veterans get the most use out of?
4. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers a Military Educational Assistance Program that helps members of the military, specifically the state’s National Guard to receive tuition reductions. This includes free tuition, a grant program, and priority course scheduling.
3. New York
New York State offers another good set of opportunities for veterans seeking higher education. New York offers tuition awards for both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. And, unlike other state’s programs, there is no minimum time requirement in the military in order to receive these benefits.
2. Texas
Under the Hazelwood Act, Texas offers resident veterans who have at least 181 days of active duty (about 6 months) to free tuition at a state school. This Act can also be applied to a spouse or dependent. While the dependency clause it isn’t a well-known part of the Act, many veteran families are happy to use this benefit.
1. California
The California state college and university system offers the most comprehensive veteran-specific student assistance. Almost all of their campuses have a student veteran organization, and all of the campuses have at least one staff member devoted to veteran students. The majority of campuses also have a Veteran Success Center. This infrastructure is all part of California’s Troops to College program that provides different kinds of assistance to veteran students, including California VA loans, state grants for tuition, and waiving all college and university fees.
Veterans make many personal sacrifices for our country, and while many programs exist across the nation to help them and their families get the education that they need, not all have equal benefits. While there are nationwide programs, such as the Yellow Ribbon Program, and a new and revitalized GI Bill for Post-9/11 veterans, the additional education benefits that certain states have can help a veteran family with the burden of higher education. Many states have good programs, but we have listed some of the best ones here. If you know someone who is a veteran, make sure to share the information in this article so that all veterans can get the help and assistance they have earned.
Author Harper Harmon is a freelance writer and blogger who focuses on business, health and other various topics. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication from UCLA and currently resides in Santa Cruz with her dog, Sassy.
