Taxpayers must pay taxes on this income, but they are not subject to any penalties for early withdrawal. A number of programs are available to veterans and active or reserved duty service members, including tuition reimbursement, survivors' benefits, and vocational rehabilitation programs. If you or a family member belongs to one of the 38,000 local unions in the U.S., there may be tuition benefit programs, grants, or scholarships available for higher education programs. Check with your local union office or contact the AFL-CIO for more information about how these organizations can help make college possible for you. If you think you might qualify for such a program, check with your local community college to see what they offer.
Some states offer special programs specifically for adults.