Programs administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or other organizations that provide educational financial assistance for veterans and service personnel and their eligible dependents. Veterans and service personnel who served on active duty between January 31, 1955 and January 1, 1977 for specified periods of time are eligible for a variety of education benefits under the GI Bill including a stipend for tuition assistance at approved educational institutions. Veterans and service personnel who entered active duty after January 1, 1977 may participate in a voluntary contributory plan in which the individual's savings for a future education are administered and augmented by the government. Partial educational assistance is also available to the survivors of deceased or disabled veterans whose death or permanent and total disability was service-connected; and to the spouses and children of servicemen and women who have been listed for more than 90 days as missing in action, captured in the line of duty or forcibly detained by a foreign power. 

Programs also include Post-911 GI Bill, MYCAA Spouse Benefits, and Schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Programs that provide or assist students to apply for awards which usually involve money and/or reduced tuition. Included are both needs-based scholarships which are awarded to outstanding students who are in financial need and honorary scholarships which are awarded on the basis of merit alone and normally carry a nominal monetary award. Scholarship funds come from many sources including private endowments, alumni contributions, college or university funds, individual departments or outside organizations.

Programs that grant diplomas to veterans whose education was disrupted by service to their country and who never returned to finish high school. These individuals are not required to complete coursework, pass competency tests or meet other usual requirements.