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Does the GI Bill Cover Coding Bootcamps?
By
Zach Skillings
Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.
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Since it was passed in 1944, the GI Bill has provided billions of dollars of funding to U.S. veterans and their families. GI Bill benefits can be used to pay for educational opportunities, including nontraditional programs such as coding bootcamps.
But before using the GI Bill to pay for coding bootcamp, you should check to see if the VET TEC program can cover your expenses. This may allow you to preserve your GI Bill for other educational opportunities. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about both the GI Bill and the VET TEC program.
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GI Bill for coding bootcamp
Through the GI Bill, qualifying veterans can use their benefits to pay for expenses at approved coding bootcamps. Benefits cover the cost of tuition and fees, housing, and school-related materials such as books and supplies. Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website to learn if you’re eligible for GI Bill benefits.
Keep in mind that not all coding bootcamps are eligible to accept GI Bill funding. Out of the coding bootcamps that do accept GI Bill funding, some of the most popular ones include Code Platoon, Codeup, DigitalCrafts, Galvanize, General Assembly, Tech Elevator, and Turing School. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to search for other eligible bootcamps. You can also check out this guide from Course Report, which provides a detailed list of coding bootcamps that accept the GI Bill.
Remember that while you can use the GI Bill to cover the cost of coding bootcamps, it may not be your best option. The GI Bill was originally created to cover the cost of a bachelor’s degree. Using it to pay for a bootcamp will reduce your remaining funds, and is not necessarily the best way to maximize your benefits. That’s why we suggest that you check out the VET TEC program, which we’ll cover in the next section.
Related: Guide to income share agreements
What is the VET TEC program?
Before using the GI Bill, check to see if you qualify for the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program. Launched in 2019, this program is designed to train veterans in high-tech fields such as information science, computer programming, data processing, media applications, and computer software. Like the GI Bill, VET TEC covers the cost of tuition and housing.
Anyone currently eligible to use their GI benefits is qualified for the program. The best part is that any training received through the VET TEC programs will not decrease your benefits from the GI Bill in any way. That means if you choose to pursue additional education in the future, you will still have your full GI benefits. Consult the VA website to see which coding bootcamps accept VET TEC funding.
Related: Top scholarships for veterans
Other ways to pay for coding bootcamp
If you’re not eligible for GI Bill benefits or VET TEC funding, there are other ways to finance your coding education. Many bootcamps offer scholarships, including scholarships specifically for veterans, service members, and their families. Check out our list of top coding bootcamp scholarships to get started on your scholarship search.
Bootcamps also offer flexible financing options. Through income share agreements and deferred tuition plans, students can wait to pay their tuition until after they’ve graduated and landed a secure job. Some bootcamps will even waive tuition fees if you’re unable to secure a job after graduation. To learn more about funding options, check out our guide on how to pay for coding bootcamps.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Are coding bootcamps still worth it in 2023?
Coding bootcamps are definitely worth it for individuals who want to jumpstart a career in tech. Bootcamps can be completed in just a few months, and typically lead to high-paying jobs. The main drawback is that bootcamps tend to be narrow in focus, preparing students for one specific area of computer science. Meanwhile, associate and bachelor’s degree programs prepare students for a wide variety of jobs in the tech industry. But if you’re committed to coding and know exactly what area you want to focus on (front-end, back-end, full-stack, etc.), then bootcamps can get you where you want to go.
See also: Are coding bootcamps worth it?
How much do coding bootcamp graduates make?
According to a 2020 survey by Course Report, the average starting salary of bootcamp graduates is $69,079 per year. The survey also found that bootcamp graduates command higher salaries as they progress in their careers. Graduates earn an average of $80,943 per year during their second job, and $99,229 during their third job. However, keep in mind that these are average salaries. Your earnings can vary according to several factors, including the specific bootcamp you attend. That’s why it’s important to research your options thoroughly and pick a bootcamp with a high success rate.
How difficult is coding bootcamp?
Coding bootcamps are inherently rigorous programs that require students to absorb a high volume of information in a short amount of time. However, the exact difficulty of coding bootcamp depends on the student. Many bootcamps are designed to serve students with little to no coding experience, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy. Students who are complete novices may have a tougher time than students who already have some experience in the field. Difficulty also varies depending on the particular bootcamp you’re attending. Before committing, do your research and make sure you’re ready to take on the demands of the program.
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