GI bill for graduate/med school

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Dec 9, 2015
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After USNA graduation and 5 years of service if DD attends graduate school/medical school will the GI bill help cover tuition?
 
http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/docs/pamphlets/ch33_pamphlet.pdf

This is a VA benefit. It all depends on length of service. Most university and college admissions offices now have staff trained to certify and advise on veteran benefits with regard to tuition and fees.

Whether separating or retiring, the benefit can be used for an array of educational options, even shared with spouse or kids.

I know several JOs who have used it for:
- med school, dental school, other health care degrees (some returned to military service)
- MBA and other Master's degrees
- veterinary school (now a large animal vet in Montana)
- range conservation degree (now a Fire Service pilot using Navy helo experience)
- Ph.D. in foreign relations, now with a major think tank
- and many more!

I have used my own to increase some areas of business acumen.

Edit: SA and ROTC must complete original service obligation period, then start accruing years that count for this benefit. Many JOs I knew did just that, took one or two more tours, after calculating how much post-obligation time they needed.
 
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Graduates of the USNA or NROTC are not eligible for VA GI Bill benefits. They've already had their education paid for once. :)

However, they are eligible for tuition assistance programs, but must remain on active duty or in the reserves to receive them.
 
They are eligible. Under the old GI Bill they were not eligible. The 9/11 GI Bill qualifies them if they serve X amount of years beyond their original commitment. If your DD gets out after 5 she will not be eligible. I believe (don't quote me on this) she will need to serve an additional 3 years beyond her 5 to qualify for it. Google can confirm on the years. I think there are some older threads on here about that. Also Tuition Assistance can be used. TA has somehow become a victim of budgets recently, but believe its back on track for now (no way to judge where it will be in 5 years). That can be used while on Active Duty to purse education. Alot of officers will use it to get their Masters while on a shore tour/B billet. There are some pay backs for it and the education offices and education reps in each unit know these details.
 
Consider Uniformed Services University School of Medicine. Many of my classmates were academy grads!
 
Consider Uniformed Services University School of Medicine. Many of my classmates were academy grads!

Many of my favorite docs went there, including two USNA sponsor mids. Great way to go, full pay and allowances, joint setting. I had many 4th year med students or 1st year residents taking my history and presenting to the chief resident or attending at WRNMMC Bethesda. The fun of a teaching hospital.

Dad, are you and kp2001 in touch? Navy doc. You know you are going to get pulled in about med school discussions now.
 
Many of my favorite docs went there, including two USNA sponsor mids. Great way to go, full pay and allowances, joint setting. I had many 4th year med students or 1st year residents taking my history and presenting to the chief resident or attending at WRNMMC Bethesda. The fun of a teaching hospital.

Dad, are you and kp2001 in touch? Navy doc. You know you are going to get pulled in about med school discussions now.

Yes, Sir. My daughter is going to USMMA and wants to attend USUHS, so kp2001 has been very helpful. Would be happy to share my experience at USUHS/in the medical corps with anyone! I did my transitional internship at Bethesda when it was NNMC.
 
What if we are a dependent going to the academy? Can the benefits be transferred?
 
Great way to go, full pay and allowances, joint setting.

... which is why the added service commitment is much longer through the USUHS program (Bethesda) vs. HPSP (civilian medical school). They both get you to the same place and the Navy pays for 100% of tuition and equipment. HPSP recipients get a $20,000 signing bonus, which USUHS does not offer. The majority of Medical Corps selectees from the Naval Academy choose HPSP. But, that's mostly because their life is simple - they are single - and they can usually get by on the stipend. Going the HPSP route would be more challenging if one was older and married with children. If one is already committed to making the Navy a career, USUHS might be a better option. 22-yr-old USNA graduates have not yet made that career decision. If you're thinking that you might get out and practice medicine in the civilian world, HPSP is probably a better choice. In any case, they are both excellent options.
 
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Agree on pros-cons for USUHS and HPSP. We had one USNA sponsor son, who married the summer after graduation (2% club!), who chose USUHS. He could use TRICARE health insurance, get with-dependents BAH, etc. Though accepted at Tulane, Med College of Charleston, Washington U and elsewhere, living on the stipend in Reserve status with a young family was not the way they decided to go. Good options both.
 
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