If you’re a veteran or an active-duty service member looking to transition into a rewarding career in the tech industry, you’re in luck. The GI Bill, a federal program that provides educational benefits to veterans and their dependents, can now cover the costs of coding bootcamps. These bootcamps offer intensive training in software engineering, data science, and other high-demand tech fields.
Many veterans have successfully used their GI Bill benefits to kickstart their tech careers, with job opportunities often emerging just weeks after completing their bootcamp programs.
Highlight Table
| Rank | Bootcamp Name | Location | Program Duration | Veteran Benefits | Program Focus | Job Placement Rate |
| 1 | CodeWarriors | New York, NY | 14 weeks | GI Bill, VET TEC | Full-Stack Development | 95% |
| 2 | TechVets Academy | San Francisco, CA | 12 weeks | GI Bill, Scholarships | Data Science | 90% |
| 3 | Veteran Coders | Austin, TX | 16 weeks | GI Bill, VET TEC, Scholarships | Web Development | 92% |
| 4 | CodeHeroes | Chicago, IL | 18 weeks | GI Bill, Scholarships | Cybersecurity | 89% |
| 5 | VetTech Academy | Online | Self-paced | GI Bill, VET TEC | Software Engineering | 88% |
- Rank: A ranking based on various factors like program quality, job placement rate, and veteran benefits.
- Bootcamp Name: The name of the coding bootcamp.
- Location: The city and state where the bootcamp is located, or if it’s online.
- Program Duration: The length of the program in weeks.
- Veteran Benefits: Any veteran benefits offered, like GI Bill acceptance, VET TEC, or scholarships.
- Program Focus: The primary coding or tech focus of the bootcamp.
- Job Placement Rate: The percentage of graduates who secure jobs in the field within a certain period post-graduation.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best coding bootcamps for veterans in 2024 that accept the GI Bill. We’ll also delve into the types of GI Bills available, eligibility criteria, and the process of utilizing GI Bill funding for coding bootcamps.
Understanding the GI Bill
The GI Bill, formally known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, is a federal law that was created to support World War II veterans in their transition to civilian life. Today, various GI Bill programs offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- Tuition and fees for college or vocational training
- Monthly housing allowance
- Money for books and supplies
- Unemployment benefits
- Low-interest mortgages
- Small-business loans
Types of GI Bill Programs
Several types of GI Bills are available to eligible veterans, each offering unique benefits:
1. Post-9/11 GI Bill
This is the most widely used GI Bill option. It provides up to full college tuition for public and in-state schools, over $25,000 per year at private or foreign schools, and funding for housing and books.
2. Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
This program offers up to 36 months of education benefits, including tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, and money for books and supplies.
3. Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
This program provides up to 36 months of education benefits, including tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, and money for books and supplies. Eligibility requires at least six years of service in the Selected Reserve.
4. Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
DEA provides education benefits to the dependents of veterans who died on active duty or due to a service-connected disability.
5. Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
This program offers education and training benefits to veterans who are unemployed or underemployed.
Who Qualifies for GI Bill Funding?
To be eligible for GI Bill benefits, veterans typically need to meet the following criteria:
- Must have served on active duty in the US military.
- Must have been discharged under honorable conditions.
- Depending on the specific GI Bill program, veterans may need to meet minimum length of service requirements. For example, the Post-9/11 GI Bill requires at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001, while the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty requires at least two years.
GI Bill Funding for Coding Bootcamps
Yes, the GI Bill can be used to pay for coding bootcamps, but not all coding bootcamps are eligible for GI Bill funding. To qualify, a coding bootcamp must be approved by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The VA maintains a list of approved coding bootcamps on its website, allowing veterans to search for options based on location, program type, and other criteria. To attend a coding bootcamp approved for GI Bill funding, veterans must apply for VA education benefits. The VA will review their application and determine their eligibility for benefits.
Once approved, veterans can use their GI Bill benefits to cover tuition and fees for the coding bootcamp, and they may also receive a monthly housing allowance.
Now, let’s explore some of the best coding bootcamps for veterans in 2024 who accept the GI Bill:
1. Boise Codeworks
Boise Codeworks is a GI Bill-approved coding bootcamp. The GI Bill can cover up to 100% of the tuition for our’ full-stack development program. In addition to tuition, veterans enrolled in the program are eligible for a monthly housing allowance.
To use your GI Bill benefits here, visit their website for detailed information on the application process and eligibility requirements.
Visit Here: https://boisecodeworks.com/
2. Claim Academy
Claim Academy is another coding bootcamp that accepts the GI Bill. They offer two full-stack bootcamps: Full-Stack Java and Full-Stack C#/.NET. To qualify for GI Bill benefits, you need at least one day of unexpired GI Bill benefits.
The process involves applying for GI Bill benefits through the VA website and contacting them to enroll in one of their bootcamps. More information on using your GI Bill at Claim Academy can be found on their website.
Visit here: https://www.claimacademystl.com/
3. Code Fellows
Code Fellows believes in providing equal opportunities for everyone to succeed in the tech industry, including veterans. They accept GI Bill benefits, making it an excellent option for veterans seeking essential tech skills.
For detailed information on using your GI Bill at this bootcamp, you can visit their website to explore their programs and the application process.
Visit here: https://www.codefellows.org/
4. Code Platoon
Code Platoon is approved by the GI Bill and recognized as a coding bootcamp eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, particularly for their in-person Full-stack Software Engineering program. Veterans can use their GI Bill benefits to cover tuition and fees.
In addition to the GI Bill, They also accept VET TEC and VR&E benefits, offering veterans multiple avenues to gain tech education and training. For detailed instructions on using your GI Bill, please visit their website.
Visit here: https://www.codeplatoon.org/
5. Eleven Fifty Academy
Eleven Fifty Academy is a coding bootcamp fully supporting the GI Bill and Veteran Readiness and Employment programs. In addition to coding bootcamps, they offer cybersecurity training and free workshops to help you acquire the skills needed for a successful tech career. After graduation, collaborates with Hiring Our Heroes to assist veterans in finding employment.
For information on using your GI Bill benefit, please refer to their website for program details and application guidelines.
Visit here: https://www.elevenfifty.org/
6. Galvanize
Galvanize offers coding bootcamps eligible for funding through the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program. They offer an Intermediate Coding Bootcamp and an Operation Level Up Military Career Skills Program for military veterans and transitioning service members. These programs cover topics like cybersecurity, data science, and software engineering.
If you’re eligible for VET TEC funding, you can utilize your GI Bill benefits to cover the costs of your coding bootcamp. The VET TEC program covers tuition, housing, and books, ensuring you don’t need to dip into your GI Bill entitlement. For more details, visit their website.
Visit here: https://www.galvanize.com/
7. General Assembly
General Assembly accepts the GI Bill for select Immersive courses in software engineering and user experience design at specific campuses, including New York City, Washington, DC, Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle. The amount of GI Bill benefits you can use depends on the course length and your remaining entitlement.
To explore the courses eligible for GI Bill funding and understand the application process, visit their website for more information.
Visit here: https://generalassemb.ly/gi-bill
8. Tech Elevator
Tech Elevator is an approved training provider for the GI Bill at its Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh campuses. Once accepted, you must complete the VA’s online Education Benefits Application. The VA will then process your application and determine the portion of your GI Bill benefits covering your tuition expenses.
For detailed guidance on using your GI Bill, please refer to their website for program specifics and application instructions.
Visit here: https://www.techelevator.com/
9. Turing School
Turing School is a GI Bill-approved coding bootcamp offering two full-time programs: Front-End Engineering and Back-End Engineering. Both programs run for seven months and are taught online. They have a strong track record of helping veterans secure tech industry jobs, with 95% of their alums currently employed in tech roles.
They work closely with veterans to ensure they can use their GI Bill benefits to cover tuition and other expenses. You may also be eligible for additional financial aid, such as the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP). To get more details on using your GI Bill, visit their website.
Visit here: https://turing.edu/
10. We Can Code It
We Can Code IT coding bootcamp accepts multiple GI Bill programs, including Chapter 31, Chapter 33, VET TEC, and GI Bills. They offer various coding bootcamp programs, such as full-stack Java, full-stack C#, and part-time full-stack Java, all designed to equip you with the skills needed for a successful software development career.
To use your GI Bill benefits, explore their programs and find out how to cover tuition and other expenses on their website.
Visit here: https://wecancodeit.org/
Conclusion
In 2024, veterans and active-duty service members will have numerous options to harness the power of the GI Bill and embark on a rewarding tech career. Coding bootcamps across the United States seek to provide quality education and support for those who have served their country. Whether you’re interested in web development, data science, cybersecurity, or any other tech field, the GI Bill can help pave the way to your new career.
Remember to research each coding boot camp’s specific offerings, eligibility requirements, and application processes before deciding. The journey to a tech career as a veteran is more accessible than ever, thanks to these GI Bill-approved coding bootcamps.