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You are here: Home / Archives for Military Inclusive Colleges

Veteran Friendly Colleges Guide

by MilitaryBenefits

If you are on the hunt for a college and are on active duty, a veteran, qualifying spouse/dependent of a veteran, reservist, or part of the National Guard, you have got to read our guide to veteran-friendly colleges! You’ll also want to do a bit of research on your own so you can find a college that provides services that cater to your individual needs.

Guide to Veteran & Military Friendly CollegesMost schools honor government-funded educational benefits like the GI Bill but finding a veteran friendly college that takes care of you, will go a long way in making your college experience one you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

We have created this guide to help you find a college that will help you use your military experience to get you the most college credit or get you the services you are entitled to. From the GI Bill to service-related programs to help spouses and qualifying dependents, we’ll give you the inside scoop on how to make the most of your military experience.

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How Do I Know If A School Is Veteran Friendly?

You can start your search by checking out our list of military friendly colleges. If the school you are looking for is not on the list, you can find out what support they provide by visiting their website, review social media sites, or find feedback from former students. One of the best ways to find out if a college is veteran friendly is by talking to their admissions office. Here are just a few things that make a school military-friendly?

They should have:

  • signed the VA Principles of Excellence
  • a chapter of the Student Veterans of America
  • a full-time veteran’s counselor
  • campus clubs or associations for veterans
  • accept Credit for Military Experience and CLEP Exams

We’ll go into some of these programs in detail later in the guide. Let’s start with ways you can use your veteran’s benefits to pay for your college education.


Financing Your College Education

There are many pathways to paying for your college education. Veterans have the GI Bill, active-duty members have Tuition Assistance, and spouses and qualifying dependents have a variety of programs that will help pay for a college degree or certification program. You can also get financial aid through your school, you may qualify for unsubsidized loans and Pell grants, or you may be eligible to apply for scholarships, some of which are specific to military members.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

This is the first step to finding out your financial aid entitlements. The FAFSA gathers information about your income and family size, which is then reviewed by the government to determine how much financial aid you can get. The FAFSA is also used to see if you qualify for state aid, college scholarships, and local scholarships given by small businesses and organizations.

Military Discounts

This is where a military-friendly college shines. Many schools are committed to providing an affordable option to veterans by offering discounts on tuition or vouchers for free housing, books, supplies, or fees. Discounts vary by college and based on the degree program or your military status (active-duty, veteran, reservist, spouse, or dependent). Make sure to check the military section of their website. Those discounts should be front and center on their page. If you are unsure of what discounts they offer, just ask.

Military Training Credit

The amount of college transfer credit you may get for military training and experience varies widely by school. If the school is an ACE (American Council on Education) participant, you will have the best chance of getting the most college credits for your military training. Some will award for military training courses but not for military occupational specialties. This is just one of the factors you need to consider when picking a school.

Transfer Credits

If you don’t transfer in college credits from another school, you are paying for a class twice. You’ll just need to verify that your credits will transfer. Typically, you must have taken the course from a regionally accredited school and earned the equivalent to a “C” or 2.0 in the course for it to transfer.

State Veterans Education Benefits

You can also get additional educational benefits from the state you live in. Many states provide additional veterans education benefits. Check your State Veterans Affairs Office for more information.


What Programs are out there to help me Pay for College?

Depending on your current status, there are many programs available to help you finance your college education. Let’s look at what programs are available based on your current situation

Veterans

GI Bill

The original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944 by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt and named after American Legion National Commander Harry W. Colmery, a champion for veteran’s benefits. Over the years, the GI Bill has gone through a lot of changes, but at its core, it provides educational benefits to qualified members and their spouses by helping with:

  • Tuition and fees
  • Money for housing (if you’re in school more than half time)
  • Money for books and supplies

Forever GI Bill – You qualify for the Forever GI Bill if you were last discharged or released from active duty on or after January 1, 2013. If you were discharged before that date, you qualify for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill or the Montgomery Era GI Bill.

Post-9/11 GI Bill – You qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill if:

  • you served at least 90 days on active duty after September 11, 2001, and were discharged before January 1, 2013.
  • you received a Purple Heart after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged.
  • you served for at least 30 continuous days on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability.
  • you are a dependent child who had benefits transferred to you.

If you were last discharged or released from active duty on or after January 1, 2013—you qualify for the Forever GI Bill.

Montgomery-Era GI Bill – The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is available if you met certain criteria.

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for out-of-state tuition, private school, or graduate school tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover. You have to meet certain criteria to be eligible, and your school has to participate in the program.

Purple Heart Recipients

If you were awarded a Purple Heart and honorably discharged on or after September 11, 2001, you may be entitled to Post-9/11GI Bill benefits at the 100-percent benefit level for up to 36 months, no matter how long you served.

Spouses and Qualifying Dependents

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)

If you’re a military spouse, the MyCAA program provides up to $4,000 (over 2 years) of financial assistance if you are pursuing a license, certification or an associate’s degree in a portable career field or occupation.

Fry Scholarship

If you’re the child or surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Fry Scholarship. You’ll get 36 months of benefits, including money tuition, housing, books, and supplies.

Active Duty Members

Each service offers active duty members the chance to earn college credits or a degree while serving. The programs partner with non-military educational institutions and often are offered online. Here are the most widely used programs administered by the military branch themselves:

eArmyU

eArmyU provides soldiers access to over 100 degree plans at regionally-accredited colleges and universities. Through this program, soldiers have the chance to earn a certificate or an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree from a home school while taking classes from multiple colleges.

College of the American Soldier

The College of the American Soldier provides two separate education programs for active-duty Army soldiers, reservists, and National Guard members. The college works with more than two dozen higher education institutions to provide individualized academic tracks for enlisted soldiers and NCOs.

NCO Program: The NCO program is based on civilian degrees that incorporate components crucial to military career advancement. All credits earned are fully transferable.

Enlisted Education Program: This program is perfect for entry-level service members who have little or no college background. It allows them to complete an associate degree during their first enlistment. All credits are fully transferable among the more than two dozen participating schools.

Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)

The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) is dedicated to the higher education needs of Air Force enlisted members. The CCAF is a federally-chartered degree-granting institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. They help airmen achieve their academic goals by using on-the-job training and traditional educational programs as part of a flexible degree program that grants airmen an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science (AAS).

Military Tuition Assistance

This benefit is provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The amount of this benefit can be equal to the difference between the total cost of a college course and the amount of Tuition Assistance that is paid by the military for the course. There are significant differences between Tuition Assistance, Tuition Assistance TOP- UP, and how Tuition Assistance interacts with VA benefits.

  • Tuition Assistance is educational payments made by your branch of the Armed Service while you are on active duty.
  • Tuition Assistance TOP-UP is educational payments made by the VA, which reimburse you for course charges not paid by your branch of the Armed Service.

Note: Tuition Assistance can’t be used with any VA benefits other than the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty and the Post 9/11 GI Bill.


Veteran Friendly Programs

Here are some programs that you’ll find at veteran-friendly schools:

Veterans Counselors

If you qualify for veteran’s benefits, you will need to have someone in your corner to make sure that you get all of the services you are due. A school that has a veteran’s counselor or office that deals only with military members, veterans, or spouses, can cut through the red tape and bureaucracy. Do your research and find schools that offer staff who are specially trained in military and VA benefits.

VA Principles of Excellence Program

VA Principles of Excellence are guidelines for schools and institutions receiving federal military and veterans educational funding. Participating schools agree to principles and guidelines that provide service members, veterans, spouses, and dependents like you with the information, support, and protection you deserve.

American Council on Education (ACE)

American Council on Education (ACE) ensures that active-duty and veterans like you earn academic credit for the knowledge and training you received during your service. Institutions that participate in ACE are experienced at translating your military learning experiences into college credit. They collaborate with the DoD to review military training and experiences to recommend appropriate college credit. ACE will also provide recommendations for formal courses and occupations based on your military training and experience. Getting college credit for your military experience can help save your hundreds or even thousands of dollars in tuition.

Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES)

The DoD is committed to you to achieve your educational goals. Through DANTES, you can get college and career training credits through testing. These tests measure and provide credit for the knowledge you acquire through military experience and training. Tests are administered on military bases or at national testing facilities. DANTES provides upfront funding of CLEP test fees for eligible military members taking any exam for the first time. You may be charged a fee if you want to retake the test.

DANTES programs consist of two types of tests that award credit:

DSST Exams

DSST exams are college subject tests that you can take to earn college credit for knowledge you acquired outside of a traditional classroom. There are 38 subject exams from which to select in disciplines such as Business, Humanities, Mathematics, Physical Science, and more.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Exams

A CLEP exam measures your understanding of the coursework typically taken by first or second-year students. If you pass the CLEP exam, you can earn anywhere from 3 to 12 college credits, depending on how high you scored. The 33 CLEP tests fall into five areas: history and social sciences, composition and literature, science and math, and business and world languages.


Related Articles
Veteran Friendly Membership Lists for Colleges Forever GI Bill
College Credit for Military Service & Experience Online Veteran Friendly Colleges
VA Education Benefits For Dependents Military Spouse Education Benefits
Yellow Ribbon Program FAFSA Veteran Education Benefits

About The AuthorJim spent 22 years on active duty, climbing the ranks from Airman Basic to a decorated Air Force Major. Stationed all over the world, he held many high-level posts, including Chief of Foreign Military Sales at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Jim earned his Ph.D. through the Montgomery Era GI Bill and spent 13 years teaching African Studies in Pennsylvania. Jim is also an award-winning travel writer.


College Credit for Military Service & Experience

by MilitaryBenefits

Active-Duty and Veterans can receive college credit for military service and save time and money at the same time. Many colleges and universities provide military transfer credit for military experience via participation through ACE (American Council on Education).

College Credit for Military Service and ExperienceACE collaborates with the Department of Defense (DoD) to extensively review military training and experiences in order to recommend appropriate course credit to member schools. ACE then works extensively with these member institutions to educate them on translating prior military learning experiences into college credit.

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Receiving college credit for military service is a great benefit but the amount of credit received can often fall below expectations. There are many factors that can contribute to this but here are the most common:

  • The desired area of study or program is different than their MOC (Military Occupation Code).
  • Military experience or training is determined to be duplicate and applied to the same transfer credit recommendation.
  • Most ACE credits typically only apply to lower level, free elective coursework such as associates degree level classes.
  • Typically very few credits apply toward core requirement, upper level course work.
  • The institution’s transfer credit policies are not transparent.
  • Ultimately colleges determine the military college credits they will accept and how they will be applied to a specific degree.
  • Colleges don’t always follow the ACE recommendations or they may interpret them differently from one school to the next.

How to maximize military service for college transfer credits

  • Review your military transcript and ACE recommendations for courses and occupations.
  • Seek a degree that is aligned closely with your MOC.
  • Determine the school’s policy on accepting military college credits. Admissions counselors or college websites typically can provide this information.
  • Seek out schools that have good veterans programs or determine how military friendly your choices are.
  • Speak to several schools. Colleges interpret military training credits differently and can apply credits differently for the same degree program and military experience. The decisions may be very different!
  • Appeal any adverse decisions on military transfer credits. Successful appeals do happen.
  • Don’t enroll before the school determines your military transfer credits.

Service members or Veterans should request a military transcript as a first step.

Military Education and Experience Systems (includes Guard & Reserves by branch):

  • Air Force – The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
  • Army – AARTS System
  • Coast Guard – The Coast Guard Institute (CGI)
  • Marines – SMART System
  • Navy – SMART System

Veterans can access these systems unless they are not eligible. If the Veteran is not eligible they should complete the DD-295 and provide their DD-214 Discharge Document in order to receive college credit for military service.


Related Articles
Military Friendly Membership Lists for Colleges Military Friendly Colleges Guide
College Credit for Military Service & Experience Online Military Friendly Colleges

Online Colleges

by MilitaryBenefits

A list of top online veteran friendly colleges for active-duty, veterans, military spouses and dependents. Online degree programs provide flexibility with lifestyle and location which can be very important to active-duty, reserves or veterans they look to make a career transition. Military spouses can benefit while juggling family and re-assignments to new locations.

This list is comprised of online schools that meet our criteria.

Note: These online schools are not endorsed by any U.S. government entity including the U.S. Armed Forces or Department of Veteran Affairs.  This list is in alphabetical order and not intended to be a ranking.

Top Online Military Friendly Colleges

 

American Sentinel University
Ashworth College
Azusa Pacific Online University
Baker College Online
California InterContinental University
Capella University
Central Michigan University
Colorado State University – Global Campus
Columbia Southern University
Devry University
Everest University Online
Everglades University
Florida Tech University Online
Fortis Online
Grand Canyon University
Grantham University
Herzing University Online
Jones International University
Kaplan University Online
Keiser University
Liberty University
Miller-Motte College Online
Northcentral University
Penn Foster College
Post University
Rasmussen College
Saint Leo University Online
University of Phoenix
Walden University
Western Governors University

Online Military Friendly Colleges Methodology

The Online Military Friendly Colleges list is based on schools meeting at least 3 of the criteria requirements below and offering 100% online degrees. This list is not a ranking, only a list of online colleges that meet the criteria requirements. If there is a school that you feel should be included on this list please contact us and we will add them to the list should they meet at least 3 of the requirements below.

For more information about this criteria see our Military Friendly Colleges Guide.

Criteria (minimum of 3)

  • Provides tuition discounts for veterans, military active-duty, military spouse and/or dependents
  • Provides scholarships for veterans, military active-duty, military spouse and/or dependents
  • Waive the application fee and/or books for veterans, military active-duty, military spouse and/or dependents
  • Change of Order friendly policy for active-duty or reserve military
  • College Level Examinations Program (CLEP) acceptance
  • Accepts Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)
  • School has veterans and active duty specialized counselors
  • Website contains military and/or veterans specific information
  • Accepts ACE credit for military training and experience
  • Provides military branch specific support
  • Participates in these Programs:
        • DANTES external
        • Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) Program
        • Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
        • Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
        • Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
        • Service members Opportunity Colleges Consortium member (SOC)
        • The Post-9/11 GI Bill
        • VA Approved – Participant of Principles of Excellence Program
        • Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
        • Veterans Retraining Assistance Program
        • Yellow Ribbon Schools Program

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