Two main benefits for college students joining the military: up to 20,000 RMB per year for tuition, two-year extension of student status, and a special postgraduate admission program

Cost: No out-of-pocket expense. After discharge, students must submit required documents to their school; this typically involves one or two visits.

In plain terms: Undergraduate, graduate, and incoming freshmen who enlist receive tuition coverage from the state for the duration of their studies. The maximum annual amount is 20,000 RMB for undergraduates and 25,000 RMB for graduate students. Only the actual tuition paid is reimbursed. Student status is preserved for two years. Additionally, there is a dedicated postgraduate admission program exclusively for discharged college veterans.

Benefit: In 2024, four government agencies including the Ministry of Finance announced three key benefits for eligible students: tuition reimbursement, repayment of national student loans, and tuition waivers. Repayment of loans means the state settles the outstanding balance on behalf of the student. The maximum annual limits are set at 20,000 RMB for undergraduates and 25,000 RMB for graduate students, effective from the autumn 2024 semester. The actual amount awarded equals the lower of either the actual tuition paid or the student loan balance. For instance, a student paying 5,000 RMB per year receives the full 5,000 RMB. The total coverage period matches the length of the original academic program, not the length of military service. According to the Law on Veterans’ Affairs, student status remains intact during service and for two years after discharge, allowing students to transfer to other majors if desired. Universities are also required to reserve spots for veterans through separate admission tracks. The “Special Postgraduate Program for Discharged College Veterans” guarantees dedicated slots at 532 universities nationwide, with admission criteria slightly relaxed compared to regular programs.

Evidence grade: A

Sources:财政部、教育部、中国人民银行、金融监管总局 (2024). 关于调整完善国家助学贷款有关政策的通知（财教〔2024〕188 号）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202411/content_6984812.htm；财政部等五部门 (2019). 学生资助资金管理办法（财科教〔2019〕19 号，第五条；入伍资助年限：「入伍前已完成规定的修业年限，即为学费补偿或国家助学贷款代偿的年限；退役复学后接续完成规定的剩余修业年限，即为学费减免的年限」，毕业生「学费补偿或国家助学贷款代偿的年限，分别按照国家规定的相应学制计算」）. http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2019/content_5421553.htm；全国人大常委会 (2020). 退役军人保障法（第三十四、三十五条）. http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/fgwx/flfg/16048597.html（国防部刊登）；教育部办公厅 (2025). 关于做好 2026 年退役大学生士兵专项硕士研究生招生计划招生工作的通知（教学厅〔2025〕8 号）. http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A15/moe_778/s3261/202512/t20251211_1423174.html；退役军人事务部 (2022). 退役士兵教育培训政策 23 条：「从2022年招生起，高职（专科）毕业生及在校生（含高校新生）应征入伍，退役后完成高职（专科）学业的，申请专升本，免于参加文化课考试」（依据教学厅〔2021〕8 号）. https://www.mva.gov.cn/sy/xx/bnxx/202201/t20220107_55052.html；教育部 (2026). 2027 年全国硕士研究生招生工作管理规定（教学〔2026〕2 号，第二十二、二十四、二十五条），研招网刊登. https://yz.chsi.com.cn/kyzx/jybzc/202609/20260924/2293971511.html；教育部 (2024). 2025 年全国硕士研究生招生工作管理规定（教学〔2024〕4 号，第二十二条）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202410/content_6978684.htm

Notes: Two additional pathways exist. First, veterans with an associate degree may be exempted from entrance exams for bachelor’s programs; selection is based on vocational assessments. This policy has been active since 2022. Second, all eligible applicants receive a 10-point bonus on their postgraduate entrance exam scores, though this benefit cannot be combined with admission under the special program. Those with meritorious service may be exempted from exams entirely. The list of participating universities changes yearly; in 2025, 523 institutions are included. Tuition limits have been adjusted twice: from 8,000/12,000 RMB in 2019 to 16,000/20,000 RMB in late 2023, and finally to 20,000/25,000 RMB in late 2024. Older documents from 2022 must not be used as a reference.