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President Obama has been working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to come up with some solutions to issues that have always faced military students. The newest program deals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and provides a way for students to get help mental health problems after they leave service. There are a variety of programs out there that have long been in existence. However Veterans Affairs has always been criticized for its lack of programs and treatment facilities for these issues. As students move forward with their education, it’s important for them to find programs, financial aid and support groups to ensure that they do well. They can even find support for their families to go to school.

1. Getting Financial Aid
While the GI Bill pays for most of your college expenses, it won’t cover everything especially if you weren’t in the military for that long. If you do have the Post-9/11 GI Bill, then you should already be in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which pays for your undergraduate tuition at a public institution or pays $17,000 if you go private. In addition, you can fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid to receive more financial aid and also alert your college that you want to find more scholarships that help servicemembers and veterans.

2. Scholarships for Military Dependents
Multiple programs exist for both spouses and children of military veterans and servicemembers. Each branch of the military has different financial aid programs, and there are also private scholarships and state-funded programs. Some of the best scholarships for dependents include Adrian & Corena Swanier Scholarship for Military Children, America’s Child Higher Education Assistance, Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, Chief Petty Officer Scholarship Fund, Folds of Honor Foundation, Heroes’ Legacy Scholarships and Hope for the Warriors.

3. Join Support Groups
Most military friendly colleges will also provide a lot of information on how to transition and work through problems with going back to school after the military. Vista Military is a good example of this. As new programs are unveiled like Obama’s planned “8 Keys to Success” under the new Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium. However many schools provide meetups for different branches of the military, military students support and veterans groups. You can check in with an adviser or just look online at your school’s organizations.

There are all sorts of ways to get more involved with your education and save money. If you are strictly depending on the GI Bill to pay for your tuition, you’ll find that it doesn’t cover all of your book costs or living costs particularly if you’re supporting a family. The best way to earn more financial aid for college and even provide some more for your kids is by choosing a military friendly college with a cheaper tuition cost for military students. You’ll be able to transfer some of your benefits to kids and still get a degree as well.