Fulbright gives veterans selection preference. Gilman does too. There's funding available beyond the GI Bill® and VR&E — and almost nobody is telling veterans about it.
Funding: Full — travel, stipend, health insurance, tuition
Countries: 140+
Covers: Study, research, or English teaching abroad
Duration: 10–12 months
2027–2028 Deadline: October 6, 2026
Note: Can be combined with GI Bill (though stipend adjustments may apply)
Funding: Up to $25,000 (undergrad) / $30,000 (graduate)
Regions: Africa, Asia, Central/Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East
Focus: Critical-need languages and underrepresented regions
Commitment: 1-year federal government service post-award
Funding: Up to $5,000 (+ $3,000 Critical Need Language Award)
Eligibility: Pell Grant recipients studying abroad
Related: Gilman-McCain Scholarship ($5,000+) for dependents of active-duty service members
Explicitly lists veteran status as an eligible underrepresented category. Need-based financial aid available.
School of Record: Jacksonville University (SACSCOC accredited)
Location: Barcelona, Spain
VA-approved through Colorado State University. CSU participates in Yellow Ribbon: $2,500/semester matched by VA.
Contact: [email protected]
Free tech mentorship, Slack community, 100+ volunteer mentors helping veterans break into tech.
Free software engineering training. 97% placement rate. $20M+ in graduate earnings.
Fully funded wilderness expeditions designed specifically for veterans.
Veterans can potentially combine multiple funding sources — VA benefits + Fulbright + institutional scholarships. The specifics depend on the program and chapter of VA benefits. Understanding how these stack is part of the education process.
Understanding your VR&E eligibility is the first step — whether you're applying for VR&E, a Fulbright, or both.