Financial Aid for Military and Veterans
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- Financial Aid Programs for Military and Veterans
- ROTC Nursing Programs
- Military Nursing Corps
- Scholarships for Military and Veterans
- Active Military and Veterans Resources
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: SDI Productions | E+ | Getty ImagesMilitary members and veterans can choose from a myriad of financial aid opportunities to help fund their studies. In 2021, 841,603 veterans or their families and dependents received some kind of educational assistance. There are also many nursing scholarships available to the general public.
There are many reasons some veterans pursue a nursing career, including the desire to continue serving others, positive experiences with nurses during their military service, or wanting a job that offers a variety of career options. This guide explores military scholarships for nursing students, including veterans administration nursing scholarships, and how to apply for them.
Financial Aid Programs for Military and Veterans
Veterans, military members, and their families are eligible for the following educational assistance programs. You should note that taking advantage of one military financial aid program may limit your ability to apply for others.
For example, you can take advantage of only one U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program per period of military service. You can get help deciding which education benefits to use by calling the VA at 888-442-4551.
The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty
The GI Bill, also known as MGIB or MGIB-AD, is one of the best known military benefits and forms of financial aid for military members.
It generally covers tuition and housing for approved college and training programs. The amounts depend on many factors, but the VA website and advisors can assist you with which veteran financial aid you are eligible for and which program might best benefit you.
Eligibility Requirements
Active service members with a high school diploma, GED certificate, or 12 hours of college credits and at least two years of active service duty may be eligible. Check the VA website for more details.
What’s Covered
This financial aid for veterans program is limited to specific approved schools and programs. If a program you want to attend is not on the list, you can ask for that school to apply for approval. But approval is not guaranteed.
Details for veteran financial aid amounts vary based on the type of educational program or school you attend, but you can get details in the listing for individual approved programs.
How to Apply
You can apply online, by mail, or in person. If you encounter problems applying, ask for free assistance. Once you start attending school, continued enrollment must be confirmed each month. You can do this online or by phone.
The Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve
This military financial aid program, also known as the MGIB-SR, is for members of military reserve programs. It can pay up to 36 months of educational or training financial aid.
To be eligible for this financial aid for military members, you must be in a six-year service obligation or have an active agreement to serve six years beyond your initial service obligation.
Eligibility Requirements
In addition to the six-year service obligation, you must complete your initial active duty for training and have a high school diploma or GED certificate. You must be in good standing with your unit or be discharged because of circumstances beyond your control.
What’s Covered
The specific amount of financial aid for military reserve members changes annually. As of October 2022, full-time students could receive up to $439 monthly. You must attend an approved school or program. If a program is not yet on the approved list, you can ask the school or provider to apply for approval.
How to Apply
To apply, ask your unit for a notice of eligibility (DD Form 2384-1) and confirm that the program or school is approved. You can apply online, by mail, or in person. You can also request free assistance with your application.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers financial aid for military members who served on active duty on or before September 11, 2001 (9/11) and for their children. Recipients are eligible for up to 48 months of financial aid, but the VA notes that, “many applicants are eligible for only 36 months.”
If you left the service before January 1, 2013, you have 15 years before these benefits expire; if you left after that date, this veteran financial aid does not expire.
Eligibility Requirements
This veteran financial aid is for military members who either served active duty on or after 9/11 for at least 90 days, received a Purple Heart and honorable discharge after 9/11, or served at least 30 days and received an honorable discharge after a service-related disability.
Eligible members can transfer this military financial aid to their children.
What’s Covered
Recipients are eligible for up to 48 months of military financial aid for the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. It also covers a housing allowance (amounts vary but are based on basic allowance for housing with dependents), up to $1,000 for books and supplies, and for certain rural residents, a one-time $500 subsidy for travel.
How to Apply
You can apply online through the VA website, through the mail, or in person at specific offices. You are also eligible for free assistance with your application from designated professionals. The average processing time is 30 days.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon Program offers more extensive financial aid for military members, veterans, and dependents, including out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition than the Post-9/11 program.
Through the Yellow Ribbon Program, the school and the military jointly cover at least some of the difference between the normal costs covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill and regular fees.
Eligibility Requirements
This veteran financial aid program is open only to schools that participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program (listed on the VA website) that have not exceeded the maximum number of students that year.
Students must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and meet additional service length requirements, detailed on the website.
What’s Covered
This financial aid for veterans program covers tuition and fees at a higher level than the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Depending on the school’s agreement with the Yellow Ribbon Program, it may cover all your tuition and fees or part of the difference. Each school listing includes specific details.
How to Apply
When you successfully apply for post-9/11 financial aid for veterans benefits, you will receive a certificate of eligibility. Send this to the school and it will inform you whether the program is full for that year and the amount for which you are eligible.
National Call to Service
The National Call to Service military financial aid program is an alternative to the MGIB that is open for veterans who served specific, unbroken lengths of service in a military occupational specialty. It provides a choice of veteran financial aid awards, including a cash bonus or assistance with education.
This is the only VA financial aid for veterans program that offers an alternative to educational support.
Eligibility Requirements
You must have completed your initial entry training, served on active duty for 15 months in a military occupational specialty designated by the Secretary of Defense, and after that, immediately served an additional period of active duty or 24 months in the Selected Reserve.
You must also have spent the rest of your service on active duty, in a reserve role, or in another eligible service role such as Americorps. The VA website outlines the specifics, or your recruiter can assist you in determining your eligibility.
What’s Covered
This program offers either veteran financial aid in the form of a $5,000 cash bonus; up to $18,000 student loan repayment for qualifying loans; 12 months of educational assistance equivalent to the three-year monthly MGIB rate; or 50% of the less-than-three-year monthly MGIB rate for 36 months.
How to Apply
You can apply online for this financial aid for veterans. If you have questions, call 1-888-442-4551, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. CST for any questions about this or other GI Bill benefits.
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA) program, also known as Chapter 35, offers financial aid for military families of veterans who were killed, captured, or disabled, or who are missing in the line of duty.
Eligibility Requirements
Children of service members who were killed, captured, or disabled, or who are currently missing are eligible if they are between the ages of 18-26. Those older than 18 who take advantage of the DEA are not eligible for dependency and indemnity aid.
Spousal benefits last for either 10 or 20 years, depending on the circumstances. See the website for details. You must attend an approved school or program.
What’s Covered
Through July 2023, this financial aid for military families provides $1,401 each month for full-time students and lower rates for part-time students. The amounts change annually and are listed online. Students are eligible for 36 months of benefits.
How to Apply
You can apply online or by mail. If you need help, the VA offers free assistance with your application.
ROTC Nursing Programs
The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) provides students with military financial aid for college in exchange for a commitment to enlist as an officer in the Army, Navy, or Air Force upon graduation.
During college, students take military science classes and their regular classes. Students receive funding for tuition, room and board, and additional costs like textbooks. For students planning on a military career, this can be an efficient way to earn a degree and enter the military as an officer, while receiving valuable leadership training.
You must meet the usual standards for military enlistment, pass the physical fitness test, and have a minimum GPA, which depends on the branch of service. You must also maintain a specific GPA.
Military Nursing Corps
Military nursing corps members are nurses or nursing students who receive either student loan forgiveness for nurses or scholarships in exchange for a period of military service. You can choose between full-time and part-time options. Participants with a nursing degree receive officer status upon enlistment.
Military nurses serve on either domestic or foreign bases or in other military placements. Participants may be able to take additional training that can lead to a raise or make them eligible for certifications.
Those who work in combat settings are eligible for combat pay. Military nurses are eligible for retention bonuses.
Nursing Scholarships for Military and Veterans
In addition to the financial aid for veterans, military members, and families described above, there are also scholarships available to help pay for school. Many of these scholarships are funded by organizations other than the military.
American Legion Auxiliary Non-Traditional Student Scholarship
Intended for adults returning to their studies later in life, this scholarship helps cover the cost of attendance at schools, professional programs, and two- and four-year degree programs.
Applicants should be active members of the American Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of the American Legion.
Amount: $2,000 annually
American Legion Legacy Scholarship
This scholarship is for children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active duty or who, as a result of their service, have a combined VA disability rating of 50% or greater. Awardees receive up to $20,000 in aid for undergraduate or graduate programs based on need and expenses.
Recipients may receive up to six total awards.
Amount: Up to $20,000 annually, renewable
American Legion Legacy Scholarship
This scholarship is for children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active duty or who, as a result of their service, have a combined VA disability rating of 50% or greater. Awardees receive up to $20,000 in aid for undergraduate or graduate programs based on need and expenses.
Recipients may receive up to six total awards.
Amount: Up to $20,000 annually, renewable
AMVETS Scholarships
AMVETS sponsors multiple scholarships for veterans, active-duty service members, and individuals in the reserves, along with their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Awards vary in amount.
Amount: $4,000-$12,000
Fisher House Foundation Scholarships
The Fisher House Foundation offers financial aid for military families and veterans. The scholarships include the Heroes Legacy Scholarship for children of military members who died or were disabled after 9/11.
It also includes funds for military spouses that can be used for college, certification, continuing education programs, or other educational or business-related expenses. Scholarships for children of active and retired military are available too. Amounts and requirements vary.
Amount: Varies
Francis P. Matthews and John E. Swift Educational Trust Scholarships
The award supports candidates with a parent who was killed or permanently disabled by hostile action while serving in the military. Applications must be filed within two years of the date of death or official determination of disability. Recipients must attend a bachelor’s program at a Catholic college.
Amount: Maximum of $25,000 per year; covers only tuition
Health Professions Scholarship Program
Eligible applicants must be active duty members of the Army enrolled in qualified medical programs, including specialty nursing graduate degrees.
Amount: Full tuition, plus $2,608 monthly stipend and a $20,000 sign-on bonus; monthly allowances for food and housing; the cost of books, equipment, and other fees
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship)
This scholarship provides funding for spouses or children of active-duty service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-related disability on or after September 11, 2001.
Amount: Full in-state tuition costs for public schools or up to $22,805 per year, plus the cost of housing, books, and supplies
Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship
This award funds Purple Heart recipients, their spouses, and their direct descendants. Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students. Membership is recommended.
Amount: Varies
Pat Tillman Foundation
The Pat Tillman Foundation offers merit-based scholarships to help service members, veterans, and military spouses begin careers in the public and private sectors. Applicants should be full-time undergraduate or graduate students.
Amount: Varies; $10,000 average
Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship
Service members and veterans can apply for this collaborative award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Student Veterans of America, and Sport Clips Haircuts. Applicants should hold a military rank of E-5 or below and demonstrate financial need.
Amount: $5,000
Tailhook Educational Foundation Scholarship
This Navy nursing scholarship supports the children and grandchildren of Naval aviators, Naval flight officers, air crewmen, or any veterans who served on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.
Applicants should be high school graduates preparing to enroll in an undergraduate program.
Amount: $3,500-$15,000
TonaLaw Veterans Scholarship
Sponsored by a New York law office, this scholarship offers funding for Armed Forces veterans. Applicants must submit proof of service and an essay. They should also be enrolled or accepted at an accredited school.
Amount: $2,500
Resources for Active Military and Veterans
These organizations can help you find and apply for financial aid for veterans and military members. Some also have their own funding or scholarships.
Aid for Military Families
The Department of Education’s student aid website includes a resource list for military personnel and family members.Department of Veterans Affairs
The VA website helps students find approved schools and programs, research and apply for benefits, and keep track of benefits-related news. Military spouses and veterans can also find resources for nursing scholarships.Student Veterans of America
This organization advocates for veteran education and benefits, with support centers on many campuses. SVA connects students with scholarships, mentorships, and other resources.Veterans of Foreign Wars
VFW is a longstanding resource organization that sponsors community centers and helps veterans obtain benefits.Disabled American Veterans
DAV assists veterans with securing resources for themselves, their families, and caregivers as they transition to civilian life. The organization conducts outreach programs and offers employment resources.The American Legion
The American Legion is the nation’s largest veterans’ service organization. The group’s website hosts a list of state-specific educational benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Military and Veteran Financial Aid
Will the military pay for my nursing school?
The military provides scholarships or loan forgiveness for nurses in exchange for a period of service in a military nurse corps. Military members and veterans are also eligible for financial aid during or after their service which they can use for nursing school.
Do military kids get financial aid?
Children and dependents of service members and veterans are eligible for several VA education benefit programs, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance.
Some private scholarships are also open to children of military members.
Can you study nursing while in the military?
Programs like the ROTC or military nurse corps can pay for nursing school in exchange for military service. There are also programs like the AMEDD Enlisted Commissioning Program that let military members enroll in nursing school and pay the costs.
Are military nurses in demand?
The military needs nurses and nurse practitioners. It pays scholarships, offers loan forgiveness, and provides signing and reenlistment bonuses of up to $30,000 for registered nurses and even higher for advanced practice nurses.
Page last reviewed November 3, 2022
*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the VA. FInd more information about the VA’s education benefits at the official U.S. government website.
