Veteran Pathways to Advanced Degrees

Education is one of the most valuable rewards that the U.S. government offers for military service. According to the 2010 National Survey of Veterans, nearly 75 percent of veterans who have used their education benefits view these benefits as being extremely important in helping to meet their educational goals and prepare for a future career. The survey also found that more than a third of Veterans who didn't use their education benefits were not aware how they could be used. These figures drive home how important it is for active duty personnel and veterans to learn about their education benefits.

Earning an advanced degree is even more important in a bad economy seeing that those with only their high school degrees have a much harder time finding work. Every veteran should make education an essential next step in his or her life plan and take full advantage of their benefits. To that end, these are some of the education programs available for active duty service members and veterans:

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial benefits for tuition and student housing. Individuals who were honorably discharged after completing a minimum of 90 days of service after September 10, 2001 or were discharged after 30 days with a service-related disability are eligible. Some of the benefits provided by the GI Bill include full or partial payments for tuition and allowances for housing and books. Eligibility extends for 15 years after release from active duty.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program

The Veterans Educational Assistance Program is a voluntary contribution program for service members. Contributions from $25 to $2,700 are matched by the U.S. government on a $2 for $1 basis. This benefit can be used for degrees or training programs for up to 10 years following release from active duty.

Veterans Upward Bound

This free Department of Education program is designed to help veterans improve their academic readiness with the goal of helping them earn a college degree and pursue their career goals. The Veterans Upward Bound program includes support for completing college applications and applying for financial aid, personalized counseling and a variety of other services. Short-term remedial and refresher courses are also available.

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Department of Veteran Affairs allows college and universities to support veteran education by participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Participating schools provide eligible student veterans with grants and tuition waivers that are matched by the department. These funds can be used to make up the gap between private school tuition and financial support provided by the GI Bill.

Choosing a School

In addition to learning about education benefits, veterans can maximize the value of their education by researching schools before they enroll. One of the most flexible options for veterans and active duty personnel who are subject to frequent moves or deployment is an online degree program. Veterans and service members should be wary of for-profit online programs that target beneficiaries of financial aid. Instead, they should focus on fully accredited and reputable institutions that offer both on-campus and online program. 

One example of an accredited online program is MSW@USC, an online master of social work degree offered by the top-ranked University of Southern California’s School of Social Work. This program includes a military concentration that prepares graduates to provide human services to military personnel, veterans and their families. The degree granted by this program is equivalent to a degree earned on-campus from USC, and the MSW@USC also provides a range of placement options for graduates who are interested in a career helping our nation's veterans.

This article was written by Gabriela Acosta, the community manager for the online Master in Social Work program at the University of Southern California.