Sounds familiar to a guy I knew in the military.
Medically discharged, couldn't work and they'd send him to school, free ride.
No 'lump' cash though. More of an 'insurance' bit to me....but I digress...
Under age 40 - even at the MINIMUM age of 40, you'd still have 20 years (and some change) to get vested in a company with your new employment.
And unless you KNEW someone in the stocks/market game that could help you out investment wise, you're NOT going to make $40K/yr on interest.
So, unless you took the money and 'started' a business where your only role was 'owner' and you collected 'dividends'
, then I say get some pens and pencils and a nice new backpack and go to school.....