Ditch the Debt: Choose the Military Route to College
How are you going to pay for college? Most students struggle to find means to pay for school on top of not really knowing what they want to go to school for. Did you know that enlisting in the military provides you college credits for training, tuition assistance while you’re serving and full college tuition as well as housing allowance (money to live on) when you get out?
My name is Andrew, I am a 24-year-old United States Air Force veteran attending university for ministry. When I graduated from high school I had no idea what I wanted to do, so I enlisted in the Air Force because I was told it was a smart move. While my reasoning at the time was kind of goofy, the Air Force afforded me the opportunity to see the world, grow as a person, and find my passion for ministry. I couldn’t be more grateful to the Air Force for not only helping me find my future, but paying for it as well.
The cost of higher education is no joke. Between tuition, books, and housing, finding a means to cover all of these expenses can be quite overwhelming and it may seem like the only option is to take on debt. Though it may seem like taking on student debt is worth the elevated income in the future, interest on those loans can be detrimental to your credit and peace of mind. Rick Betancur, a chiropractor in New Jersey, has had his debt following him for more than 26 years. Even with his now elevated income he has this to say about his student debt “I have nonstop fear, worry and anxiety over these loans” later stating “It’s just been a big strain mentally on a daily basis” (Adedoyin par. 51). Even with his own chiropractic practice, student debt has continued to follow Betancur throughout his life, you don’t have to put yourself in this position.
I Want You to let the military pay for your education. Joining the military after high school may be more than just another option for you as you move on to the next chapter in your life. “The skyrocketing cost of a college education today prevents many students from realizing the dream of higher education. The Army, Navy and other branches open a door to these students that otherwise would be closed” Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga on the topic of military recruiting (Isakson par. 5). Joining the United States military has become a viable means to get your college paid for, get credits for your training and provide you with financial and health benefits for the duration of your career and even once you put on your sweet United States veteran hat. While serving you not only have access to your G.I bill, but you are also given tuition assistance while you serve. This means as you go about your day-to-day job in the military, you’re able to knock out classes for your degree and even encouraged to do so at no cost to yourself.
Often, I met service members who originally joined for school but later found purpose and passion in their military career. Many individuals join, because they don’t know exactly what they want to do for their future, and after spending time in a professional workforce with great responsibility, they begin to understand what they truly want for themselves. It is also incredibly common for service members to wait a little longer to decide what they want to study, because they are secure and not in a rush. According to Laura Holian and Tara Adam, authors for the department of education, “A greater percentage of military undergraduates who received veterans’ education benefits were in the 24–29-year-old range” (Holian and Adam p. 6). I fall into this category, as a 24-year-old who had no idea what I wanted to do when I initially enlisted, now taking advantage of some pretty great education benefits.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill is an incredible benefit and most commonly what people are talking about in relation to military benefits. What is the GI Bill? “The Post-9/11 GI Bill (PGIB), or Chapter 33, helps you pay for school or cover expenses while you’re training for a job” (“Post-9/11 GI Bill” par. 1). The benefits qualified members can obtain include tuition and fees, money for housing, money for books and supplies, tutorial assistance, national exams, licensing and certification tests, prep courses, work study and money to help you move from a rural area to go to school (“Post-9/11 GI Bill” par. 5). Every one of these benefits is included in the GI Bill for honorable service members and veterans. My favorite benefit is the money for housing or housing allowance, the ability to go to school full time and not have to focus on anything but your studies is a tremendous help. The GI Bill can keep you from ever needing to take a loan for school, which means once you get the career of your dreams, your money can really be your money.
Time to address the elephant in the room, the military is not for everyone. While the benefits are amazing and I believe that just about anyone can find their place in the military, service will require more than you have likely ever had to give for anything. The most common initial enlistment in active duty is four years, so the first big commitment is your time. Along with the initial commitment of time, the military will require your effort, responsibility and dedication to carry out your mission, whatever that may be. Service will also cost time away from family, which is not an option for some people. For those concerned with being away from home there are also the options of the National Guard and US military reserves, which will also pay for your school, but will still require a lot from you. While the military can seem intimidating, through my service I met some of my closest friends and experienced things that I never would have otherwise.
In conclusion, serving in the military is an honorable way to find your purpose and pay for your education. Whether you stay in for 20 years and retire or get out after your first contract you gave your effort and part of your life to ensuring that all Americans get to keep their freedom and peace of mind. No matter what you decide, career or college, you will be free from student loan debt and have a more secure future.