Military-Friendly Nursing Schools

Key Takeaways

• Nursing is a strong path for veterans and transitioning service members.
• Military-friendly schools accept the GI Bill®, and many add education benefits and support services.
• The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers up to 36 months of education, and the Yellow Ribbon Program can close the gap on tuition a public in-state rate does not cover.

Whether you are active-duty or a veteran, a nursing degree moves you into an in-demand field. Military-friendly schools make your VA education benefits easier to use and offer schedules that fit service life. Registered nursing pays a median of $93,600 (May 2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics) with employment projected to grow 5% through 2034.

Military-Friendly Nursing Schools

Active-duty members and veterans can use education benefits at a wide range of nursing schools. The Department of Defense sunset the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Degree Network System in 2019, since most service members now study fully online or in hybrid formats, so the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program are now the main routes to paying for a nursing degree. Yellow Ribbon schools help cover tuition beyond what the GI Bill pays.

Ten strong options for military students:

• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. A federal health professions academy that hosts The Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing.
• American Military University. AMU's nursing programs span associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, with extensive military student resources.
• California State University, San Marcos. Offers a veteran-to-BSN pathway and awards credit for military education and service.
• Duke University. Duke's school of nursing runs military and veteran programs built for flexibility and support.
• Duquesne University. Duquesne's school of nursing offers undergraduate and graduate programs for service members and veterans.
• The George Washington University. The veteran's option BSN builds a customized roadmap around military service and experience.
• Old Dominion University. Enlisted sailors can earn a nursing degree and become officers at the Ellmer School of Nursing.
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Military students can use resources like Texas's Hazlewood Act toward their nursing degree.
• University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Offers an online master's in veteran and military healthcare alongside extensive veterans' benefits.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Offers a BSN military pathway for veterans and active-duty members.

Government Benefits for Military Students

The federal government issues education benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Montgomery GI Bill® for active-duty members and those discharged under qualifying circumstances. Many schools build programs specifically around these benefits.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill®

For service members who served after 2001. Qualifying members can receive free tuition at a public in-state school for 36 months. It also includes the Yellow Ribbon Program for additional fees and the option to transfer benefits to an eligible family member.

The Montgomery GI Bill®

Provides up to 36 months of education and training benefits. The Active Duty program is for current members with at least two years of service; the Selected Reserve program requires a six-year commitment and completion of initial active-duty training.

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

Nursing students can qualify for this scholarship, which gives veterans and dependents up to nine months of additional benefits to train in a high-demand field.

What Makes a School Military-Friendly?

Military students benefit from flexible scheduling, lower tuition, and military-focused programs. Look for:

• Tuition Discounts: GI Bill benefits cover up to 36 months, but a bachelor's can take longer. Many schools add discounts for active-duty members and veterans to close the gap.
• Credit for Service: Many schools award credit for on-the-job military training, ease credit transfer for members and their families, and sometimes waive admissions requirements for military transfers.
• Financial Aid: Some schools offer extra scholarships or grants for veterans and active-duty members. Check whether a school has veteran services to apply VA benefits to tuition.
• Oncampus Benefits: Some institutions discount housing and board, give veterans free healthcare and counseling, and help recent graduates find jobs.
• Academic Programs: Some offer tracks for veterans or active-duty members, often with added flexibility or a focus on military healthcare.
• Flexibility: Because transfers can come fast, look for self-paced courses, forgiveness for dropping a class, and alternative scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you attend nursing school while in the military? Yes. Active-duty members and reservists can use the Montgomery GI Bill to pay for it. ROTC nursing programs also let you start service as a commissioned officer, and many military-friendly programs offer flexible schedules and veteran services.

What is the best military branch for nursing? It depends on your experience and focus. Every branch has an active Nurse Corps, and BSN-holders are commissioned officers. Enlisted personnel and veterans can also use education benefits to enroll at a military-friendly school.

Will the VA pay for nursing school? Yes. Service members and veterans can use VA education benefits, including the Post-9/11 and Montgomery GI Bills, and nursing students can use the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship.

Do military academies offer nursing degrees? Not at the undergraduate level, but they partner with colleges for ROTC nursing programs like Army ROTC. The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences offers graduate nursing programs.

How long does the Post-9/11 GI Bill cover? Qualifying members can receive up to 36 months of benefits, which covers full tuition and fees at a public in-state school, plus a housing allowance and a books stipend (VA). A bachelor's can take longer than 36 months, which is where the Yellow Ribbon Program and school discounts help.

Is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) program still active? The Department of Defense sunset the SOC Degree Network System in 2019 because most service members now study online or in hybrid formats. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, and military Tuition Assistance are the current ways to fund a nursing degree.

* GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information is available at the official VA site.