Service members and veterans have many education benefit options provided by the government, but that isn’t always enough to pay for all college or university costs. Listed below are some of the online colleges and universities that offer additional support to current or prior service members through reduced tuition rates, free books, scholarships, and other resources.
Many institutions also offer financial aid for dependents. It is always important to read the fine print and receive confirmation from the online school for all scholarships and discounts. Finally, most if not all will offer loan options as well. Loans and scholarships are not the same thing. Make sure you understand the terms of what you are signing up for.
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American Sentinel University – Discounted fees and scholarship funds are available for active duty, veterans, reserve, guard, and dependents (both spouses and children). This institution also accepts all VA education benefit programs including MyCAA and has a comprehensive credit transfer policy with credit for prior education, learning experiences, military service, and CLEP, DSST and ACE testing. Note: tuition and fee waivers and discounts are subject to change and transferable credit is on an individual basis.
Azusa Pacific Online University – Participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and offers military and veteran students help in covering tuition expenses. This includes tuition discounts for active duty servicemembers and dependents of active duty or reservists. This institution also has comprehensive support services including professional and peer advising, a Veteran Club and even a Veteran Lounge for on-campus attending students.
California Miramar University – This school is recognized by all VA benefit programs including the Yellow Ribbon Program and MyCAA. They have cultivated relationships with California bases and offer support to military and dependent students during deployments and other military related life changes. They have an online form where current or prospective students can easily connect with their Military Outreach staff.
Capella University – For service members, veterans, dependents, and some federal employees, Capella offers a 15% tuition reduction on undergraduate programs, 10% tuition reduction on graduate programs, and transfer credit for military training and experience. They have formal partnerships with some DoD programs including GoArmyEd. Capella University also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Central Michigan University – Military tuition reduction, in some cases up to 40% for active duty, guard, reserve, retirees, spouses, and DoD civilian employees. CMU actually has campuses on almost 20 military instillations in addition to being online. They have hybrid courses for deployed service members and specialized experience with both enlisted and officers
Colombia Southern University – All service members receive an application fee waiver. Spouses or dependents of active duty military or Veterans will receive the waiver and a ten percent tuition discount. Colombia Southern University also includes transfer credit for military training. Included in their military landing page are links to their tutoring center and disability office. These resources can be great free tools to help you use the education benefits you have earned while healing from service-connected injuries or adapting to living with a disability.
Colorado State University Global – There is no application fee for military students and their dependents, and tuition reductions are given to service members and Veterans in conjunction with using your VA education benefits. Specific tuition reductions include the College of Business (10%) or College of Engineering (15%) online degree program. Colorado State University Global launched two new programs that can help you advance your career while serving or utilize your military training for the next chapter of your life. According to their website the following Masters level programs are now offered, “ Masters in Nursing – Shape healthcare at a higher, more strategic level, and further tailor your career with a curriculum track in Leadership and Administration in Nursing or Military and Veteran Healthcare. Masters in Emergency Responder and Military Psychology – Support military service members, first responders, and law enforcement by providing mental health and wellness services to meet their unique needs.”
Everglades University – This college is a military-friendly school with dedicated portals for each of the branches. Everglades University accepts military training credit, accepts CLEP, is a member of MYCAA, and the Yellow Ribbon Program. Their dedicated military page also has links directly to VA and DoD benefits pages and includes alerts for benefit updates. Their staff provide assistance with VA benefits and Tuition Assistance (TA) as well.
Florida Institute of Technology Online – Florida Tech has a long history with NASA and the DoD. Currently, they offer several programs specifically tailored to help you advance your military career or utilize your skillset in the civilian sector. These include Aviation Management, Criminal Justice, Supply Chain Management, IT, and Business Administration. To offset any costs military TA or VA benefits may not cover, Florida Tech has a 10% discount on tuition costs for active-duty service members, Reservists, Guardsmen, Veterans, spouses, and dependents of disabled or deceased Veterans.
Grantham University – Grantham University offers a “Heroes Program” for military, Veterans and first responders. Dependents of both populations qualify for program benefits. In addition to a reduced tuition rate, they offer complimentary textbooks and software, and no technology fees. The school accepts military transfer credits and offers additional scholarship programs. Enter the dedicated portals off of the Heroes Program landing page to learn more about population-specific resources.
Keiser University – In addition to accepting DoD and VA education benefits, the school offers scholarship opportunities for qualified service members, Veterans, and military dependents and considers transfer credit for military training. The school highlights its tutoring services and has a special policy for students receiving VA benefits. If your payments are delayed, the school will continue to give you access to enrollment resources and do not attach any fees.
Liberty University – Military service members, Veterans, and dependents are eligible for tuition reductions, book vouchers, fee waivers, and the Heroes Fund Scholarship. Their military and Veteran landing page has a detailed admissions guide as well as a list of important dates to remember.
Post University – Post University is VA approved, accepts College Level Examination Program (CLEP), gives credit for DSST exams, accepts ACE for military training credit, offers scholarships and tuition reductions for active-duty military, Veterans, and military dependents. It is also a Yellow Ribbon Program member. Their Post Eagle program offers a list of specific military and Veteran resources including career counseling, family support and even apparel. The school’s staff have extensive experience working with deployed service members and highlight specific degree programs such as Emergency Management and Homeland Security where you can use your military credentials and training.
Regent University – The University’s Military Resource Center has dedicated staff to help you with the admissions process and during your time as a student. In addition to offering military and Veteran specific scholarships, they have a resource page listing additional public scholarships you can apply for. Regent offers a 15% tuition award to dependents of active military, reservists, guard, and those in public service positions.
Robert Morris University – This VA approved university accepts CLEP, is a part of DANTES, accepts ACE for military training credit, offers tuition and scholarships for military students, Veterans, and military dependents. If you are a member of the Air Force, they participate in the General Education Mobile Program (GEM) which helps Airmen attain their Associates Degree. The school is also a member of the Yellow Ribbon Program and MyCAA. Robert Morris University offers an ROTC program and specialized Veteran and military advisors. If you are an in-person student, they have a military and Veteran center where you can study, meet fellow Veterans, and even get free snacks.
Remington College Online – This college accepts military and VA education benefits including MyCAA. They highlight the Army’s TA program and also provide links to VA resources including the Crisis Line. The school has experience with the VA’s Rehabilitation program and offers career counselors.
Saint Leo University – This university has a long-standing military heritage, enrollment counselors who will help navigate military specific items, offers scholarship and special tuition rates for active duty military and veterans, in-state tuition to active duty military, member of the MyCAA and Yellow Ribbon Programs, participates in ROTC. For active duty students, including Coast Guard, they are part of DoD run programs including: U.S. Coast Guard Degree Programs for Maritime Law Enforcement Personnel, Community College of the Air Force, Defense Acquisition University (DAU), Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership (NCPDLP), and Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE).
Tiffin University – Tiffin offers tuition discounts for active duty, veterans, and their dependents. The school participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, and ROTC. Specific degree programs like Cybersecurity can help you advance your military career or utilize your experience in the civilian sector.
Trident University – Trident University offers discounted tuition and accepts military transfer credits on an individual basis. Their rates are considerably higher than other online universities and are as follows: 40% for associates and bachelors, 43% for masters level, and 14-19% for doctoral programs. Discounted rates may be used in conjunction with VA education benefits. Service members may also be able to earn up to 28 semester credits (7 courses) per fiscal year toward a bachelor or masters degree at no cost. Finally, University staff will help with filling out the VA education benefit forms.
University of Phoenix – A longtime leader in online education, the University offers many resources for veterans, military, and dependents. The school has researched 300 degree programs that utilize military-related experience. In addition to transfer credits, they also have a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) that takes in consideration real life experience toward degree credit. Special military tuition rates for active duty and dependents are offered, and the school is very familiar with working with all VA education programs.
University of Louisville – Discounted tuition rates for active duty military and reserve component service members.
Note: The U.S. Government, DoD, and Veterans Affairs or military does NOT expressly endorse or approve a school as Veteran friendly.
ACE 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.
In the early 90s, for the first four years of my military career, I was a military personnel finance and administrative assistant. My supervisor at the time stressed that I should attend a reputable college to enhance my military job training skills. I decided to take up business administration at Brookdale Community College located in a small suburban town of New Jersey.
While I was working as an analyst, I enrolled in a local community college program to further my studies in Military-Homeland Security Operations. Some of the courses I took under my previous business administration program were transferrable military credits and I earned an associate degree in the summer of 2009.