The U.S. Armed Forces offer several programs to provide students with money for school. Students can choose to serve in the military first and attend college after, or attend college first and serve 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.

Students can also elect to attend college first. 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.

Students who receive an appointment to one of the military academies get a full ride courtesy of the federal government, in return for serving in the military during school and for five years after graduation.