Alabamans are no strangers to sacrifice or punching above their weight when it comes to representation in our Armed Forces. The father of modern-day amphibious warfare, WW2 Marine Corps General “Howlin’ Mad” (Holland) Smith, hails from Hatchechubbee. His generation from Alabama gave over 5,000 lives in that war. Later Alabamans sacrificed 1,181 lives in Vietnam and 140 on September 11th and the subsequent War on Terror.
This state knows what it means to pay dearly, and it’s only right that the risk of paying the ultimate price should be rewarded with an education that underwrites a secure and prosperous future.
You’ve already learned how to function as part of a team; how to wake up on time and show up to work in a clean shirt. You’re already 10 klicks ahead of the sleepy-eyed 19-year-old freshman who was late to class because of a weekend laundry trip to Mom’s. Military life has given you the discipline to succeed in academia, and as a veteran you can combine this with funding from Uncle Sam.
Alabama takes care of its active-duty and honorably discharged veterans, and their families. Successes in service are naturally followed by successes in higher education that open up career prospects back on the civilian side of life, and higher-placed officer positions in the ranks of the Armed Forces.
Now you just need to take the final step and hit the books.
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) Military Education Benefits
If you’ve served in the Armed Forces then you’re familiar with the federal GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and the Top-Up program. The ADVA also offers additional educational benefits on top of these.
The ADVA divides Alabama into three parts: Northern, Central, and Southern. You can find an ADVA office in 61 different counties spread across these regions, and each office can connect you with the academic funding opportunities that match your unique situation.
Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP)
If you’re attending one of Alabama’s qualifying state-supported schools and a member of the Alabama National Guard you could be eligible for tuition assistance through this program to the tune of $5,554 per semester or $4,165.50 per quarter, up to a total of 120 credits.
You can apply for this state-sponsored annual benefit through the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE). One of this program’s highlights is its flexibility: it could be applied towards certificate programs at technical or community colleges, and towards degree programs at universities. Participating in this program means you need to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 undergraduate, and 3.0 graduate.
This program has limited funding that’s apportioned on a first-come first-serve basis, so the sooner you apply the better.
Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP)
If you’re attending one of Alabama’s qualifying state-supported schools and a member of the Alabama National Guard you could be eligible for tuition assistance through this program to the tune of $5,554 per semester or $4,165.50 per quarter, up to a total of 120 credits.
You can apply for this state-sponsored annual benefit through the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE). One of this program’s highlights is its flexibility: it could be applied towards certificate programs at technical or community colleges, and towards degree programs at universities. Participating in this program means you need to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 undergraduate, and 3.0 graduate.
This program has limited funding that’s apportioned on a first-come first-serve basis, so the sooner you apply the better.
Alabama GI Dependent Scholarship Program
If you’re a disabled veteran from Alabama, then your children and spouse can qualify for the state’s GI Dependent Scholarship Program. This benefit also applies to the families of service members who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice.
Benefactors participating in this 10-semester program are eligible to receive up to $1,000 per year to cover books and fees, and tuition assistance that covers up to $250 per credit. To qualify your disability must be service-related. If you’re at least 40 percent disabled, then your children or stepchildren can qualify. If you’re 100 percent disabled, then your spouse can also qualify. Right now, there around 50 military friendly colleges participating in this program across the state, both public and private.
The ADVA is particularly proud of this nationally renowned program and can help guide you through the application process.
Possible Station Assignments and Military Bases in Alabama
Even if you don’t call Alabama home, if you’re in the Air Force or Army there’s a chance your career will take you through the state. That’s especially true if you work with C-130s out of Maxwell, repair Abrams at the Anniston Army Depot, or if you’re an Army aviator training at Fort Rucker.
Air Force
- Maxwell Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery
This base hosts the Air University headquarters, the Reserve’s 42nd Air Base Wing, and the Reserve’s 908th Airlift Wing plus its 357th Airlift Squadron. The base also plans to soon host AW139 mid-sized helicopters as part of the Grey Wolf Training Unit.
Army
- Fort Rucker Army Base, Dale
If you’re flying in the Army, then there’s a good chance you’ll spend some time training at the Aviation Center of Excellence. You’ll be walking in the footsteps of former Vice President Al Gore who was assigned here in his youth, and don’t miss the Army Aviation Museum.
- Redstone Arsenal Army Post, Madison
Redstone is one of the most exciting places to be if you’re interested in the newly created Space Command, whose first choice for basing is right here. It’s a natural home for the newest branch of the Armed Forces considering that Redstone has a long history of being a testing hub for missiles, and the host base for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
- Anniston Army Depot, Bynum
Having moved away from its historical role as a chemical weapons storage facility, today Anniston is the only depot that’s qualified for maintenance on large tracked combat vehicles like the M1 Abrams, M60s and M88s. It also specializes in the repair and upgrade of infantry weapons including pistols, rifles, machine guns, and howitzers.
Military Friendly Colleges in Alabama that Accept GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon Program Benefits
Of the more-than 2,000 colleges and universities that participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, only around 500 provide full funding and place no limits on the number of eligible students who can take advantage of it. These schools ensure that every eligible veteran who enrolls can count on full coverage of all tuition costs that exceed GI Bill® limits.
You’ll be glad to know that a number of those military friendly colleges and universities are located right here in Alabama:
Amridge University
Montgomery, AL
Accreditation: SACSCOC
- College of Business and Leadership
- College of General Studies
- School of Education and Human Services
- Turner School of Theology
Athens State University
Athens, AL
Accreditation: SACSCOC
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Education
Birmingham Southern College
Birmingham, AL
Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Applied Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Art & Art History
- Media And Film Studies
- Biology
- Music
- Business
- Philosophy
- Chemistry
- Political Science
- Classics
- Psychology
- Economics
- Physics
- Education
- Religion
- English
- Sociology
- Foreign Languages
- Theatre
- History
- Urban Environmental Studies
Columbia College Redstone Arsenal
Redstone Arsenal, AL
Accreditation: HLC
- Business Administration
- Computer & Mathematical Sciences
- Education
- History
- Philosophy
- Political Science & Criminal Justice
- Language & Communication Studies
- Nursing
- Physical and Biological Sciences
- Psychology, Sociology & Human Services
- Visual Arts & Music
Columbia Southern College
Orange Beach, AL
Accreditation: DEAC
- business
- criminal justice
- emergency medical services
- fire science
- general studies
- health
- homeland security
- human resources
- IT
- military studies
- occupational safety and health/environmental management
- psychology
- public administration/emergency services management
Faulkner University
Birmingham / Huntsville / Mobile / Montgomery, AL
Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Arts and Sciences
- Biblical Studies
- Business and Executive
- Education
- Health Sciences
- Faulkner Law
Heritage Christian University
FLorence, AL
Accreditation: ABHE
- Biblical Studies
- Biblical Languages
- Ministry
- Divinity
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Undergraduate
- Arts
- Arts and Sciences
- Business
- Divinity
- Education
- Health Professions
- Law
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
Graduate
- School of Health Professions
- School of Public Health
- School of Education
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of the Arts
- School of Pharmacy
- School of Divinity
- School of Business
- School of Law
- School of Nursing
Strayer University
Birmingham / Huntsville, AL
Accreditation: MSCHE
- Associate in Arts in Marketing
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Certificate of Education in Corporate Learning
- Certificate of Education in Educational Administration
- Diploma in Acquisition Contract Management
- Graduate Certificate in Digital Entrepreneurship
- Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurial Leadership
- Graduate Certificate in Finance and Accounting for Entrepreneurs
- Graduate Certificate in Marketing and Branding for Entrepreneurs
- Jack Welch MBA
- Jack Welch Management Institute Executive Certificates
- Jack Welch Management Institute Graduate Certificates
- Joe Gibbs Performance Management Certificate
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Education
Master of Health Services Administration - Master of Human Resource Management
- Master of Public Administration
- Master of Science in Accounting
- Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance
- Master of Science in Information Systems
- Master of Science in Management
Troy University
Dothan / Montgomery / Phenix City / Troy, AL
Accreditation: SACSCOC
- College of Arts & Sciences
- College of Communications & Fine Arts
- College of Education
- College of Health & Human Services
- Sorrell College of Business
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL
Accreditation: SACSCOC
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Collat School of Business
- Honors College
- School of Dentistry
- School of Education
- School of Engineering
- School of Health Professions
- School of Medicine
- School of Nursing
- School of Optometry
- School of Public Health
- The Graduate School
University of Alabama at Huntsville
Huntsville, AL
Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Arts Humanities & Social Sciences
- Business Education
- Engineering
- Nursing
- Professional Studies
- Science
- Graduate School
- Honors
University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, AL
Accreditation: SACSCOC
- College of Arts & Sciences
- Culverhouse College of Business
- College of Communication & Information Sciences
- College of Community Health Sciences
- College of Continuing Studies
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- Graduate School
- Honors College
- College of Human Environmental Sciences
- School of Law
- Capstone College of Nursing
- School of Social Work
University of Mobile
Mobile, AL
Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Graduate and Professional Programs
- Alabama School of the Arts
- College of Arts & Sciences
- College of Health Professions
- School of Business
- Center for Christian Calling
- School of Education
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL
Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions
- College of Arts and Science
- Mitchell College of Business
- College of Education and Professional Studies
- College of Engineering
- College of Medicine
- College of Nursing
- School of Computing
- Honors College
