Start with what you’ve earned: your GI Bill benefits can cover approved online degree and certificate programs. Beyond that, veterans can access free training through programs like Onward to Opportunity and LinkedIn’s free year of Premium (including LinkedIn Learning) for service members and veterans.

Veterans in SOF’s Bridge for Education program get free Udemy access, 24/7 online tutoring through NetTutor, and one-on-one guidance from a case manager who helps turn training into an actual career plan.

Many can get most or all of their education covered. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to full tuition at public in-state schools, plus a monthly housing allowance and a books stipend. The Yellow Ribbon Program can help close the gap at private or out-of-state schools, and Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31) provides additional education support for veterans with service-connected disabilities.

The Sentinels of Freedom Bridge for Education is designed to come alongside utilizing the Post-9/11 GI Bill or VR&E to fill any gaps by providing non-financial support through mentoring, networking, and a dedicated case-manager who can provide connections to resources and provide genuine care and encouragement throughout your studies. 

Yes. Many organizations offer one-time scholarships for veterans with service-connected disabilities — and they’re worth pursuing. Sentinels of Freedom takes a different, deeper approach: rather than a single check, our Bridge for Education program provides multi-year support —  a dedicated case manager, free tutoring, financial coaching, professional mentorship, and career networking — for post-9/11 veterans with a VA disability rating of 60% or higher. We stay with our Sentinels from enrollment through graduation and into their careers.

Because it’s not one change — it’s many at once. Leaving the military often means a new career, a new home, a new daily structure, and the loss of a tight-knit community, all at the same time. None of that reflects a lack of capability; it reflects how much veterans are asked to rebuild at once.

The veterans who transition most successfully rarely do it alone. Education, mentorship, and a new community make the difference — and that’s what SOF is built to provide.

Mentorship is one of the most powerful tools in a successful transition — one relationship really can change a life. American Corporate Partners (ACP) pairs veterans with corporate mentors nationwide, and many campuses connect student veterans with alumni mentors.

Every Sentinel in our Bridge for Education program may be matched with mentors who provide career guidance, professional networking, and steady encouragement from enrollment through graduation and into their career.

The loss of military community is one of the most common — and least discussed — parts of transition. For student veterans, a Student Veteran Resource Center can become a second home on campus: a place to study, connect with people who share your experience, and find mentorship and support. SOF partners with colleges to establish and strengthen these centers, and connects every Sentinel to a broader community of veterans, mentors, and supporters.

Bridge for Education is SOF’s flagship multi-year program. Each Sentinel receives individualized support for up to four years: a dedicated case manager, free tutoring, financial coaching, professional mentorship, and career networking — with support that continues after graduation. The goal is to remove barriers so veterans can focus on completing higher education and securing meaningful civilian careers. 

Applicants must be post-9/11 veterans from any branch (active, guard, or reserve) with a VA disability rating of 60% or higher and an honorable discharge (or one in process). If you are in the process of leaving the service and plan to attend school, we recommend applying within 6 months of your official discharge date. Sentinels enroll full time in post-secondary education or vocational training at a VA-approved school — with flexibility for the most severely injured — and commit to actively participating in mentoring and networking. Most of all, we look for motivation: veterans with clear personal, educational, and career goals.

Applications are accepted year-round on an on-going basis through our online portal, and will be reviewed  upon submission. Plan on one to two weeks to assemble your application; following review, you’ll have a phone interview before committee and Board review. Questions? Call 925-380-6342 or email contact@sentinelsoffreedom.org.

A Student Veteran Resource Center (SVRC) is a dedicated space on campus where student veterans find community, quiet study space, mentorship, wellness support, and career preparation — many describe it as a second home. SOF partners with colleges and universities to establish and strengthen SVRCs, including our partnership with Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, and Los Medanos College.

Graduation isn’t the end of the relationship — it’s the beginning of the payoff. SOF continues supporting Sentinels through job placement assistance, career networking, and an active alumni community. Our Sentinels have gone on to become engineers, lawyers, counselors, entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders. As we like to say: once a Sentinel, always a Sentinel.

Yes. Job assistance is built into the Bridge for Education program: Sentinels work with mentors and case managers on resumes, interview practice, and career skills, and get networking opportunities with prospective employers well before graduation. Partners like American Corporate Partners and 7 Eagle Group extend that network even further.

Yes. Financial stability is one of SOF’s five pillars, and every Sentinel receives free financial coaching — budgeting, planning, and building habits that last well beyond graduation. Sentinels also receive access to Ramsey+ financial wellness tools, including Financial Peace University and the EveryDollar budgeting app. Self-sufficiency is the goal; financial confidence is how you get there.

If you have professional experience and a few hours a month, you can change the course of a veteran’s career. SOF mentors provide career guidance, networking introductions, and steady encouragement to Sentinels working toward their degrees. No military background is required — just a willingness to show up. Contact us to become a mentor.