Since the end of the Second World War, with returning soldiers taking advantage of the G.I. Bill to attend school, the U.S. Armed Forces have helped millions of Americans go to college.

The U.S. Armed Forces offers several programs to provide your child with money for school. He or she can choose to serve in the military first and attend college after or attend college first and serve later.

Military first, college later

Students who choose to serve in the military first can receive, depending on the program, up to $50,000 toward school expenses in return for an active duty tour. Or students can serve part-time in the Reserves and receive up to $24,000 in return for a commitment of one weekend a month and two weeks a year for training.

To get a comprehensive view of which Reserves have which education benefits, visit military.com's Reserve Tuition Assistance page.

College first, military later

Your child can elect to attend college first.

ROTC

Students who participate in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) can be eligible for merit-based scholarships in return for a post-graduation commitment of three or four years, depending on the branch of service.

Military service academies

Your child can apply for a Congressional appointment to one of the U.S. military academies — such as West Point or Annapolis — where the federal government will pay 100% of the costs.

These competitive appointments consist of full four-year scholarships, supplemental paychecks, four-year degrees, and a guaranteed job after graduation. In return, students serve as a full-time member of the military during school and must commit to five years of service after graduation.