Spouse and dependents of armed service members who were Alaska residents and died in the line of duty, listed by the Department of Defense as a Prisoners of War, or were Killed in Action are entitled to a waiver of all undergraduate tuition and fees through the University of Alaska system. 

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If Eligible, an apprentice may use Veterans' education benefits while registered in an apprenticeship program. If an existing apprenticeship program does not have an approved Veterans' program in place, Veterans can coordinate the establishment of a new training program by communicating with the employer and State Approving Agency manager for Alaska at (907) 334-0874.

Apprenticeship in Alaska

Alaska National Guard members may receive up to 100 precent tuition assistance at any University of Alaska system school. They may also be eligible for federal tuition assistance. All Alaska National Guard members are encouraged to contact the Alaska National Guard Education Office to find out more about their tuition assistance benefits.

Alaska National Guard Education Information

All universities and local community colleges in Alaska use the recommendations made by the American Council on Education to award academic credit toward a degree for education and training received in the military. To claim college credit for military training, request a Joint Service Transcript from your military service branch. Each service branch will provide official copies to schools at no charge.

Joint Services Transcript Website

The program assists eligible individuals with payment of their tuition and fees in instances where costs exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education. To be eligible, the student must be a Veteran receiving benefits at the 100 percent benefit rate payable or a transfer-of-entitlement-eligible dependent child or spouse of a Veteran. The VA will match the school's percentage (up to 50 percent) to reduce or eliminate out of pocket costs for the eligible participant. To receive this benefit, your school must agree to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Three universities located in Alaska participate in the program and more information is available online. 

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The Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) program is a federal VA benefit that provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents, spouses, and survivors of certain Veterans. The program offers up to 36 months of education benefits. To be eligible, you must be the dependent or spouse of a Veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability, a Veteran who died from any service-connected disability, a service member missing in action or captured in the line of duty, or a serve member forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty.

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Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) is a program that assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find and keep suitable jobs. For Veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, Vet Success offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible. You may receive VR&E services to help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job-seeking-skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans and service member in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment. VA's VR&E counseling program is a great opportunity for Veterans and service members to get personalized counseling and support to help guide their career paths, ensure the most effective use of their VA benefits, and achieve their goals.

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State of Alaska Training Programs

Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB®) benefits are available for service members and Veterans to help with education and training costs by providing direct funds to them for education. MGIB® can be used to pay for many different programs including bachelor's degrees, business, technical, or vocational courses, distant learning, including correspondence courses; apprenticeship/job training flight training, licensing, and certification exams. Eligibility expires 10 years after the service member's discharge. There are exceptions for disability, re-entering active duty or upgrading discharges.

More about GI Bill Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to Honorably discharged Veterans with the least 90 days of aggregate service on title 10 Active Duty or Title 32 Active Guard Reserve Duty after Sept. 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® will pay an eligible individual's full tuition and fees directly to the school for all public school in-state students attending classes at a greater than half-time rate. A monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents is also provided. Distance Learning enrollee's housing allowance is equal to half the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents.  An annual book and supplies stipend of $1,000 is paid proportionately based on enrollment. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education; generally, benefits are payable or 15 years following release if you separated before January 2013. After January 2013, Veterans separating from the military will not experience a termination due to time passage. This benefit may be transferred to dependents and spouse based on number years of active duty and must be accomplished before the military member leaves active duty.

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Contact the SAA

The Post 9/11 GI Bill® also offers some service members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill® benefits to dependents. An individual approved to transfer an entitlement to education assistance under this section may transfer to the individual's spouse, or one or more of the individual's children, or a combination of spouse and child. A family member must be enrolled in Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System and be eligible for the benefit at the time of transfer to receive the transferred education benefits. Also, the military member must accomplish this transfer of benefits before leaving active duty and qualify to move the benefit at the time of transfer. This transfer cannot be accomplished after retirement or leaving active duty.

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