By Meredith Barnhart, Director of Integrated Communications, MEFA
November 10, 2020
It’s Veterans Day, and in honor of those men and women who have served, we’re highlighting education benefits available to military veterans and their families. Opportunities range from financial assistance to counseling services to helpful videos, all provided to help military members and their families pursue higher education. Click the link of each benefit below for full details. 
- The Post–9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits for Veterans and service members (and their families) who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. The bill covers both education and training, and also includes the Yellow Ribbon Program and the Transfer of Entitlement Option.
- The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) offers Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for 36 months to the spouses and dependents of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.
- The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program makes available 36-45 months of financial assistance for academic programs, apprenticeships, and job training to eligible dependents of Veterans who have died or become disabled due to a service-related condition.
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs actively uses social media to explain its education benefits and provide updates on new opportunities. You can find instructional videos on the VA YouTube Channel and helpful posts on the VA Benefits Twitter Page and the GI Bill Facebook Page.
- This list of non-VA resources provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs includes plenty of links to additional organizations and programs that support the educational pursuits of Veterans and their families.
- The Federal Student Aid site provides information for military families on grants and scholarships, student loan benefits, and financial aid provided from national organizations.
Many of the resources listed above, as well as additional opportunities, are found on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. Visit the site for a comprehensive listing of benefits and services provided to military members and their families.
About the Author
Meredith Barnhart is the Director of Integrated Communications at MEFA. MEFA’s mission as a not-for-profit, since its founding in 1982, has been to help students and families access and afford higher education and reach financial goals through education programs, tax-advantaged savings plans, low-cost loans, and expert guidance. Learn more at MEFA.org.