Coding Bootcamps for Veterans: Top Bootcamps That Accept the GI Bill
Many active-duty military personnel are eager to pursue meaningful civilian work after they serve, and education is often the first step. Whether veterans choose to attend a vocational school, college, or a coding bootcamp, GI Bill benefits are there to help cover the cost. Coding bootcamps that accept the GI Bill are an appealing gateway for vets to enter the tech industry.
But what is the GI Bill, and how can it help veterans pay for a coding bootcamp? Depending on your eligibility, you can a expect partial or full tuition waiver, a monthly housing stipend, and a textbook stipend. This guide covers how to use your benefits, which in-person and online coding bootcamps accept the GI Bill, and how VET TEC benefits can also pay for bootcamp training.
Coding Bootcamps That Accept the GI Bill
From General Assembly to Galvanize, there are dozens of coding bootcamps that accept GI Bill funding for student veterans. These programs include in-person and online courses. The table below shows the GI Bill coding bootcamps where you can use these educational benefits, as well as which programs are eligible.
| Bootcamp | Available Subects | Available Schedules |
|---|---|---|
| Skill Distillery | Full Stack Development with Java Web Development with Java |
Full-time |
| Codeup | Data Science Cloud Administration Web Development |
Full-time |
| We Can Code IT | Java Full Stack C#/.NET Full Stack |
Full-time, Part-time |
| V School | Web Development UX/UI Design Cyber Security |
Self-paced |
| Turing School | Front End Engineering Backend Engineering |
Full-time |
| Code Fellows | Software Development Cyber Security |
Daytime, Nights & Weekends, Self-paced |
| PDX Code Guild | Full Stack Development Advanced JavaScript |
Daytime, Evening |
| DevLeague | Full Stack Development Cyber Security |
Full-time |
| Tech Elevator | Java Development C# Development |
Full-time, Part-time |
| Code Platoon | Full Stack Software Engineering DevOps and Cloud Engineering |
Daytime, Evening & Weekend |
| General Assembly | Software Engineering UX Design |
Full-time (New York only) |
What Is the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides active-duty service members, military veterans, and military spouses and dependents with financial resources to pursue education opportunities. It is one way that military veterans cover the cost of coding bootcamp programs. The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers full-time, part-time, online, and in-person programs, and includes the following benefits:
- Bootcamp tuition and fees
- Monthly housing allowance
- Up to $1,000 in books and supplies
The Post-9/11 GI Bill works by scaling tuition and housing allowance payments based on the amount of time spent on active duty after September 11, 2001. You can calculate your benefits on the VA website. Veterans who have served at least 30 days of active duty and were discharged for a disability automatically receive all the benefits under the bill.
To qualify for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
- Served at least 90 days after September 11, 2001
- Served 30 days continuously after September 11, 2001, and was honorably discharged with a disability
- Received a Purple Heart after September 11, 2001
- Are a dependent of a qualifying veteran
What Is the Forever GI Bill?
The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, commonly known as the Forever GI Bill, updated the legislation in the following ways:
- GI Bill benefits no longer expire after 15 years.
- The veteran’s final day of service must have been on or after January 1, 2013.
- Coding bootcamps and other forms of career and technical education are explicitly made eligible for Gi Bill benefits.
- Special pilot programs for technology courses are launched.
- Work-study benefits no longer expire.
How Much is the GI Bill Worth?
The GI Bill is worth the full cost of tuition and fees for an in-state student attending a public school or up to $26,380 per year at a private school plus a monthly housing stipend for up to 36 months. Exactly how much the GI Bill is worth varies from person to person, but GI Bill benefits can pay for an entire bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or a coding bootcamp program.
Does the GI Bill Cover Coding Bootcamp Expenses?
Yes, since the 2017 Forever GI Bill update, the GI Bill will pay for coding bootcamps. This is a new development since coding bootcamps are a new type of educational program. Even though bootcamps are new, there are many different coding bootcamps that can accept GI Bill funding.
The GI Bill has always paid for programs at community colleges or universities because a key goal of the bill was to help veterans access higher education. GI Bill benefits have also always been used for vocational programs like police academies, welding schools, and truck driving programs. Coding bootcamps are an extension of the GI Bill’s longstanding commitment to increasing veterans’ access to career training.
What Is VET TEC?
As a result of the Forever GI Bill, the Department of Veterans Affairs has launched the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program. This program is intended to help veterans learn skills for technical vocations to help them thrive in the modern economy. To apply for the VA’s VET TEC program, veterans need only one day of unexpired GI Bill benefits.
Through VET TEC, the VA covers tuition and housing costs for certain vocational programs. VET TEC doesn’t use up GI Bill benefits. Veterans who are eligible for the VET TEC program will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funding for the program has been spent. Check for up-to-date information about VET TEC funding availability on the VA website.
VET TEC vs GI Bill
Both VET TEC and GI Bill educational benefits can be used to help veterans reskill for a career in tech. The table below runs through the main similarities and differences between the two programs.
| GI Bill | VET TEC |
|---|---|
| -Can be used for tech bootcamps -Can be used for online programs -Can be used for part-time and full-time programs -Good for education programs lasting up to 36 months -Covers tuition and fees -Includes housing allowance -Recipient does not need a job to receive benefits |
-Can be used for tech bootcamps -Can be used for online programs -Can only be used for full-time programs -Good for education programs lasting up to 28 weeks -Covers tuition and fees -Includes housing allowance -Recipient must get a job to earn full benefit |
Coding Bootcamps That Accept VET TEC
Several coding bootcamps are on the list of VET TEC approved programs. You can use VET TEC benefits to pay for coding bootcamp programs as long as you have at least one day left of GI Bill benefits. Some VET TEC eligible coding bootcamps aSeveral coding bootcamps are on the list of VET TEC approved programs. You can use VET TEC benefits to pay for coding bootcamp programs as long as you have at least one day left of GI Bill benefits. Keep in mind that generally only full-time bootcamp programs are eligible for VET TEC funding. Some VET TEC-eligible coding bootcamps are:
| Bootcamp | Available Subjects |
|---|---|
| Sabio | .NET Node.js |
| Galvanize | Software Engineering |
| Skillstorm | AWS DevOps Java Pega Appian |
| Training Concepts | Cloud Engineering Cyber Security IT Project Management |
| Divergence Academy | Data Science Cyber Security Cloud Engineering Security Operations Management |
| Codeup | Data Science Cloud Administration Web Development |
| LEARN Academy | Full Stack Web Development |
| Zip Code Wilmington | Software Development & Data Engineering |
| Code Platoon | Full Stack Software Engineering DevOps and Cloud Engineering |
| Prime Digital Academy | Full Stack Engineering UX Design |
| Claim Academy | Java Full Stack Development JavaScript Full Stack Development C#/.NET Full Stack Development Cyber Security |
| SAVVY Coders | Full Stack Web Development Data Analytics & Python Cyber Security |
| Fullstack Academy | Full Stack Development Cyber Security |
| PDX Code Guild | Full Stack Development Advanced JavaScript |
| Code Fellows | Software Development Cyber Security |
What Other Funding Is Available for Veterans at Coding Bootcamps?
If you only partially qualify or do not qualify for funding under the GI Bill or VET TEC, there are other options available. Some coding bootcamps have special tuition discounts or scholarships for veterans, and private veteran support organizations also have scholarships for military spouses, military children, and veterans.
Additionally, some bootcamps have programs to ease the transition from duty to civilian life. A good example is Springboard and its Veteran Fellows program, which aims to provide guidance and support to ex-military as they build their new careers.
Scholarships for Veterans
Many bootcamps offer scholarships to veterans and military workers who are interested in acquiring skills in coding and technology. Scholarships are competitive programs that students need to apply for and demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, or a combination of the two. Scholarships offered at coding bootcamps for veterans include:
| Bootcamp | Scholarship | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Coding Dojo | Military Retraining Scholarship | $1,000 |
| Code Fellows | Diversity Scholarship Fund | Up to 70% of tuition |
| Code Platoon | Code Platoon Scholarships | Up to $15,500 |
| Flatiron School | Access Scholarship | Up to $2,000 |
| Metis | Metis Scholarship | Up to $3,000 |
Tuition Discounts for Veterans
Scholarships are financial assistance programs that you need to apply for, but a veteran’s discount for coding bootcamp is an automatic credit towards your tuition. You don’t need to do anything special to qualify for a tuition discount for veterans, simply enrolling in the program and giving proof of your veteran status is enough.
- Claim Academy: Veterans who enroll in the Full Stack program get a $500 discount on tuition.
- DigitalCrafts: Enrolled student veterans get a $1,500 tuition discount for full-time programs and a $1,000 tuition discount for part-time programs.
- Fullstack Academy: Fullstack Academy veteran students are eligible to participate in the VET TEC program, but veterans who choose not to use VET TEC and who pay the full cost of tuition upfront get a $1,000 tuition discount.
- Thinkful: Student veterans can get a tuition discount between $200 and $500, depending on the program.
- LearningFuze: Veterans who sign up for a LearningFuze program automatically receive a $500 tuition discount.
How to Use My GI Bill
If you have decided to earn a degree in software development or attend a web design bootcamp, you’re probably wondering how to use your GI Bill. It is relatively simple to use your GI bill benefits, but make sure you start the application process early. Here are four easy steps to using your GI Bill:
- Begin the college or coding bootcamp application process: Before you begin the GI Bill application, you will first need to apply and be accepted into one of the colleges or coding bootcamps that accept GI Bill benefits. Find your top choices, reach out to their admissions counselors to determine if your GI Bill benefits will work, and apply as usual.
- Begin the VA application process: Once you have been accepted into your college, bootcamp, or training provider of choice, you will need to begin the VA GI Bill application process. You can find the application on the VA education benefits homepage. It can be a bit confusing the first time, so don’t hesitate to call the GI Bill Hotline at 888-442-4551 and ask a representative how to use your GI Bill.
- Receive and submit a certificate of eligibility: After submitting your application for benefits, you will begin the waiting game. It typically takes at least two weeks to hear back about your application, though experienced GI Bill users will tell you not to expect any news for a month or so. If approved, you will receive a certificate of eligibility (CoE) in the mail, and/or by email. You will then need to submit the CoE to your school immediately.
- Request benefit certification: Once the school has received your CoE, you will need to request certification of your benefits. This is usually a form you can get from your school or bootcamp’s Office of Veteran Affairs. This allows the school and the VA to sync up and get your benefits rolling.
The History of the GI Bill
After World War II, a large number of American soldiers returned home to a booming economy. The GI Bill, passed in 1944 as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, was created to both protect the economy and provide veterans with aid to transition to the civilian workforce. It expanded veterans’ access to low-interest mortgages and granted them higher education stipends.
From 1945 to 1956, about 50 percent of veterans who served in World War II received benefits under the GI Bill. During that period, 2.2 million veterans went to college, 3.5 million went to technical or vocational schools, and millions reentered the workforce. During this period, the number of Americans with college degrees more than doubled.
The trade schools and other vocational programs covered under the original GI Bill were for in-demand professions that colleges don’t focus on, such as welding or carpentry. When the Forever GI Bill included coding bootcamps among eligible institutions, it was very much in the same spirit of helping veterans get training for rewarding civilian careers.
It’s important to recognize that in the past the GI Bill has disproportionately benefited white veterans at the expense of Black veterans. In 1947, only two out of 3,000 VA home loans were awarded to Black veterans. In recent years, there have been attempts to compensate families of Black veterans who were denied GI Bill benefits.
The Future of Coding Bootcamp GI Bill Funding
The GI Bill has enabled millions of veterans to access continuing education, which in turn has allowed them to earn higher salaries and become more financially stable. Today, the GI Bill continues to have a significant impact on the economy, and the Post-9/11 and Forever GI Bill programs have opened up access to education and housing benefits for many more veterans.
Using the GI Bill for a coding bootcamp is a short, affordable way for veterans to pursue tech careers. It’s likely that we will see coding bootcamp GI Bill funding increase in the next few years. And now that the VET TEC program has increased the popularity of bootcamp programs among veterans, the list of coding bootcamps that accept GI Bill funding will likely grow.
GI Bill Coding Bootcamp FAQ
With GI Bill benefits or the VET TEC program, veterans go to coding bootcamp for free. However, to get the full cost of a bootcamp program paid for through the VET TEC program, students need to get a job after completing the program within the required timeframe. Code Platoon, a top Chicago bootcamp, allows veterans to take its self-paced software engineering program completely free.
Is it worth doing a coding bootcamp as a veteran?
If you are looking for a quick path toward a career in technology, then a coding bootcamp is a good option for veterans. These programs aren’t as comprehensive as bachelor’s degree programs, but an online coding bootcamp can help you learn technical skills fast. A school like devCodeCamp is a great option to land a job in software engineering, web development, or data analytics fast.
Can I use VET TEC and GI Bill benefits at the same time?
You can use VET TEC and GI Bill benefits at the same time. Using either VET TEC or Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits won’t be counted against benefits received from the other program. You can also opt to use up either VET TEC or GI Bill benefits and then switch to using the other program to continue your education. Don’t forget you need to save one day of GI Bill benefits to qualify for VET TEC.
VET TEC benefits can be used more than once, with an 18-month required waiting period between programs. GI Bill benefits can be started and stopped almost whenever until the benefits are used up. Both GI Bill and VET TEC benefits can expire, so be sure to use up your benefits before that expiration date.
The post Coding Bootcamps for Veterans: Top Bootcamps That Accept the GI Bill appeared first on Career Karma.
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