This may be a silly question to ask but I haven't found an answer anywhere else. Will the Coast Guard give you any money for education if you have already gone to school? For example, I already have my bachelor's degree but am still paying off my student loans. If you join as an Officer do you get any financial help for your pre-existing loans?
yup. You get a paycheck. Your Housing is covered and your food is covered. Your paycheck goes to your transportation costs and then any other finances you have.
They will not give you money to pay of student loans per say. you will make your pay check as MC has stated. The Coast Guard isnt going to reimburse you for having a college degree you did that on your dime. if you get selected to be in the Coast Guard you can use your money from pay checks to pay them.
Thanks southern118 for clarifying. I figured as much but just wanted to be sure. Sadly I wish I had thought to join CG out of high school but back then I would never have believed I'd be interested in the military!
i understand completely. i turned down a program with the navy like the CSPI that the Coast Guard has with a nice job coming out because i wasn't sure what i wanted to do. now i'm a FN and waiting on A-school. but you can always work on your masters once you get in just to continue your education.
A few branches including the Navy offer to pay off your federal loans I believe up to $50,000, but that also means no signup bonus, and you waive your montgommery gi bill and may have a longer contract. For all private debt incurred before enlistment especially student loans, all you need to do is see legal they will give you the forms and you will be protected under the civil servicemembers relief act in which they will have to lower your interest to a maximum of 6% interest. Also most loan companies will defer your loans interest free for ahwile especially federal loans. Depending on the time of year etc. the CG gives those with a Bachelor's Degree between $6K-$9K for signup not including the bonus you get for a guaranteed A which I strongly recommend considering if you have a degree. Unfortunately someone mentioned the wonderful Mr. President got rid of all re-up bonus and possibly signup bonuses, it wont take effect till next month though so ask your recruiter.
Unfortunately someone mentioned the wonderful Mr. President got rid of all re-up bonus and possibly signup bonuses, it wont take effect till next month though so ask your recruiter.
...you got bad gouge. Bonus decisions are an internal matter. They are offered and paid when we have recruiting or retention PROBLEMS. Guess what? Right now we have no recruiting or retention problems! Remember, the bonus checkbook isn't some magical pot of money that grows on trees. It is OUR tax dollars. We have a responsibliity to take care of those dollars as if they were our own, becuase well, they are our own!
