Veterans Education Benefits in Idaho
The State of Idaho and the federal government provide eligible service members, veterans, and their military families with many different military educational benefits, which may be used to help reach financial goals. Some of the benefits provide up to 100 percent of the costs of their tuition for a college degree.
Idaho service members may find that earning college degrees with their military education benefits can help with the transition to civilian careers. Idaho veterans, military spouses, and dependent children might find that earning a bachelor's or master's degree creates additional job opportunities and increases their earning potential. There are military education programs that pay for online degree programs, which can facilitate earning a degree for those with a busy schedule.
Idaho Military Education Benefits
Idaho military education benefits provide financial assistance to eligible service members and veterans, and there are programs that provide benefits to eligible military spouses and dependent children.
Operation Idaho Scholarship
The Operation Idaho Scholarship offers financial assistance to severely injured military personnel in order that they may continue their education. The scholarship is available at the University of Idaho, and may also be used by the spouse of a severely injured service member. In addition to financial assistance, the scholarship provides logistic assistance as needed.
Scholarship for Children of MIA/POW
The Scholarship for Children of MIA/POW is available at the University of Idaho. The service member must be officially declared as MIA/POW at the time application for the scholarship is made.
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart Scholarship is available to the children, stepchildren, or grandchildren of Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) members, veterans who were killed in action, or veterans wounded in action who died before they could join MOPH.
In State Tuition
Idaho National Guardsmen and Reservists who live outside of the state but serve with an Idaho unit may be eligible for in-state tuition rates at Idaho state-supported schools.
Federal Military Education Benefits
Idaho service members and veterans may be eligible for one or more of the federal military education benefits programs. There are also federal military education benefits programs for military spouses and dependent children.
Tuition Assistance
Tuition Assistance is a military education benefits program for eligible active duty service members. It pays up to 100 percent of the tuition costs associated with earning an undergraduate or graduate college degree. Eligible active duty service members may use the benefits to attend college classes during their off duty hours, or they may earn an online bachelor's degree, online master's degree, or study in an online doctoral program.
Montgomery GI Bill
The Montgomery GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits may be used by eligible service members and veterans to pay the costs of undergraduate and graduate college degrees. The benefits under this program cover up to 100 percent of the costs. The program can also be used by eligible military spouses and dependent children, and pays for conventional college courses or online college courses.
Find out more about these and other military education benefit programs. The Idaho Department of Veterans Affairs can answer questions about eligibility requirements, and what the programs may provide. They may be contacted at: 805 West Franklin Street, Boise, ID 83702, or call (208) 334-3513.
