Every time you see another "join the military to earn huge dollars..." advertisment, understand there are a ton of rules and qualifications that go with these promotions. Most of these promotions are through the GI Bill but brush over the basic requirements and small print of what joining the Montgomery GI Bill really means!

GI BILL
The basic rate that the Montgomery GI bill pays is $1,000 a month for up to 36 months. This would cover eight semesters of college coursework. The amount rises up to $1,260 a month for veterans with two children, and drops to $816 a month for veterans who were enlisted less than three years. (GI Bill Rates effective Oct. 2004, Veterans Administration; Active Duty GI Bill Rules, Veterans Administration)

REQUIREMENTS: 3 YEARS, HONORABLE DISCHARGE, $1200
To qualify for GI Bill money, a soldier who enlisted after 1985 must:

1. Serve for 3 years, unless he initially enlisted for only 2 years; or, serve in Selective Reserve for 4 years after 2 years of active service.
2. Give $100 a month to the government for his first year of enlistment.
3. Be honorably discharged, NOT 'discharged under honorable conditions' or having a general discharge
4. Have a high school diploma, a GED, or twelve hours of college credit (Active Duty GI Bill Eligibility, Veterans Administration)

Only Doctors and other special service or very technically competitive positions get top incentives Doctor, Lawyer, Fighter Pilot, etc...up to $70,000 (it's like a recruitment scholarship package.)

Up to $35,000 of these bonuses are for specific scholars to be recruited!
These are all called "kickers" (like an extra bonus on a lottery) - You must not only meet the general GI Bill requirements… but also additional requirements including qualifying the top percentages of the Armed Forces Qualification Test The VA will pay extra if instructed to do so by the Department of Defense. Service branches offer money from their College Funds as incentives for 'highly qualified recruits' willing to enter specific military vocations, which vary according to troop shortages in those areas.

Be careful not to allow these kickers take away from your entitled bonuses For more information visit about.com

What???? you are not a doctor, lawyer or other high skilled person??? Here is what is available for you if you meet all other requirements	$36,000
GI BILL - full time 4 year student $1000 a month for 36 months	$36,000
That is for Fulltime schooling! What if you are only able to go to part-time school after you finish your military career: GI BILL part time student $502 per month for only 36 months (If tuition fees are less because you pick a technical school - you will get less funds!)	$18,072
Only completed two years? And were in reserve for 4 years? GI BILL is $816 per month for full time students at 4 year schools	$29,376
Can only go to school part time? And only completed 2 years military? GI BILL PART TIME/ 2 Year School $408 per month FYI - GI Bill only covers benefits up to 36 months of instruction. When a veteran isn't actually in school, during summer break for instance, he doesn't receive any money!	$14,688
The GI Bill will pay $753 a month for the first six months of an apprenticeship, and that rate goes down to $550 a month for the next six months and $350 for the remainder of the apprenticeship. (GI Bill Rate Table, Veterans Administration) The GI Bill will pay $753 a month for the first six months of an apprenticeship, and that rate goes down to $550 a month for the next six months and $350 for the remainder of the apprenticeship. (GI Bill Rate Table, Veterans Administration)
GI Bill 2 year apprenticeship program	$12,018
GI Bill 1 year apprenticeship program	$7,818
GI BILL 6 month apprenticeship program	$4,518
The Bill will cover 60 percent of the cost of flight training and 55 percent of the cost of correspondence courses. (GI Bill Rate Rules, Veterans Administration)
While one can use the GI BILL for up to 10 years after you are honorably discharged, your money does not adjust with the price of tuition increases. According to CNN, college tuition is rising about five or six percent a year, and as much as eleven percent in one case. (2004-05 College Tuition, CNNMoney.com) But the GI Bill only increases each year with the Consumer Price Index, a government measure of inflation, at about 2.5% vs the actual cost of tuition that is consistently increasing at about 8 % !! In other words, if you do not go to school quickly because you have family or other commitment - you are fucked.	PRICELE$$!
What About Military Reserves education Funding: The GI Bill will provide money for school only while a soldier is in the Reserve - not once you retire! (Reserve GI Bill rates, Veterans Administration) To be eligible for the Bill, a solider must have a six-year commitment to a Reserve force. Officers must agree to serve six years in addition to their current obligation. A soldier must also have a high school diploma, a GED, or twelve college credit hours. Finally, a soldier must have completed Initial Active Duty for Training and be drilling with a Reserve unit. (Reserve GI Bill eligibility, Veterans Administration)
College Money for Reserves
Full time students $218 a month for 36 months of school	$7,850
Part time students 109 a month for 36 months of school	$3,924
Apprenticeships for Reserves the GI Bill will pay $216 a month for the first six months of an apprenticeship. That drops to $158 for the next six months, and $100 a month after that. (Reserve GI Bill pay rates, Veterans Administration)
2 year apprenticeship	$3444
1 year apprenticeship	$2244
6 month apprenticeship	$1296

You are not getting $50,000 that easily under these rules!!!