Veteran Education After Service: How One Army Veteran Used His GI Bill to Earn an IT Degree and Build a Business

Returning to school after military service is often framed as a reset. The reality is different. Veteran education is not about erasing the past. It is about sharpening it.

Timothy John Zaide understood that distinction when he enrolled at Westcliff University. A U.S. Army veteran who earned his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) from Westcliff University in 2025, Zaide did not step into higher education to reinvent himself. He enrolled to strengthen what service had already built.

“After leaving the Army, I knew I wanted to build something meaningful and long term, not just find another job,” Zaide said. “Education became the bridge between my military experience and my entrepreneurship.” 

That mindset defines modern veteran education. Discipline, structure and mission focus do not disappear after service. They evolve.

While completing his degree from August 2023 to December 2025, Zaide was also building RouteMyPlan, a punctuality and accountability platform inspired by frequent travel with his son to medical appointments across Northern California. 

Balancing family, business development and coursework created tension. It also created momentum.

Can I Use My GI Bill or VA Education Benefits to Make College Affordable?

Cost is one of the first questions veterans ask when considering a college. Veteran education should not create unnecessary financial strain.

Zaide had nearly exhausted his GI Bill education benefits when he decided to continue his degree. Chapter 31 VR&E, also known as Veteran Readiness and Employment, became the solution.

“It made continuing my education financially possible,” he said. “Having access to these benefits has allowed me to focus on building my skills and building my business without taking on any unnecessary financial strain.” 

Navigating VA education benefits can require persistence. Communication delays and administrative hurdles are common. 

Structured guidance through dedicated military student support services can make the process manageable.

Westcliff University’s Military Admissions team provides that guidance, helping military students understand GI Bill education benefits, VR&E eligibility and enrollment timelines. The university’s recognition as a Military Friendly® Silver institution reflects measurable outcomes in retention, graduation and veteran support.

Veteran education works best when benefits and institutional support align.

How Do I Balance School, Work and Family as a Veteran?

Time is often the real barrier in veteran education. Service members transitioning to civilian life may be working full time, raising families or launching businesses.

Zaide was doing all three.

“One of the biggest concerns I was having was whether I could balance academics with entrepreneurship and family responsibilities,” he said. 

Flexibility mattered.

“Westcliff offered the most flexibility, strong support for military affiliated students and practical, career-focused curriculum,” he said. “I needed a program that allowed me to apply what I was learning in real time.” 

The College of Technology & Engineering at Westcliff structures its programs with working professionals in mind. Coursework in the BSIT emphasizes applied learning, including cloud computing, data analysis and information security. That design allowed Zaide to integrate academic work into his company’s development.

Veteran education becomes sustainable when it fits into life instead of forcing life to pause.

Will an Information Technology Degree Help My Career After the Military?

Veterans considering an information technology degree often want proof of return on investment. The degree must translate into skills, leadership or measurable opportunity.

Zaide applied coursework directly to RouteMyPlan’s infrastructure.

“Cloud security, for one, is a vital point of our strategy,” he said, noting that understanding technical standards shaped hiring decisions and long-term system design. 

Handling sensitive data requires careful security protocols. Classroom knowledge informed how his platform protects user information and evaluates technical partners.

He also began integrating artificial intelligence capabilities into the platform. 

Veteran education in technology can extend beyond a bachelor’s degree. Programs such as the Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) prepare graduates for advanced roles in cybersecurity leadership, data analytics and enterprise IT architecture. Veterans with strong technical foundations often leverage these graduate credentials to move into management or specialized technical positions.

The value of veteran education is meashttps://www.westcliff.edu/academics/college-of-technology-engineering/master-of-science-information-technology-msit/ured not only by a diploma, but by applied skill.

What is the First Step in Veteran Education?

Research can become a stall point. Many veterans gather information about GI Bill education benefits and VA education benefits but hesitate to initiate contact.

“The initial first step is the funny part, because it’s the hardest part,” Zaide said. 

Information does not replace action.

“If you have a GI Bill, utilize it. Don’t ever be afraid to take that first step and just inquire,” he said. 

Momentum often begins with a single conversation.

“Just ask. No question is a dumb question, I promise you.” 

Zaide completed his BSIT degree in December 2025 and continues to grow RouteMyPlan while awaiting his diploma. 

His experience illustrates a broader principle: veteran education is not about starting from scratch. It is about advancing a mission already in progress.

Veterans considering returning to school after military service do not need certainty about every step. They need clarity on the next one.

Speaking with a military advisor can clarify eligibility, review VA education benefits and identify programs aligned with long-term goals. Veteran education rewards initiative. The first move is simple.

Ask.