Military service provides individuals with valuable skills and experiences that can be directly applicable to higher education pursuits. Here's how you can potentially translate your military background into college credits and some additional tips for military members considering furthering their education.

Applying Military Experience as College Credits

Many colleges and universities recognize the significance of military training and experience and offer programs that allow veterans to convert their knowledge into academic credits. The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates military training and experiences for college credit recommendations, which can then be transferred to participating institutions. By providing documentation of your military training, such as transcripts or Joint Services Transcripts (JST), you can request a review of your experience for potential credit equivalencies. This process can help you fulfill certain course requirements, thereby reducing the number of classes you need to take and potentially accelerating your path to a degree.

Other Advice for Military Members Considering Higher Education

1. Research Military-Friendly Institutions: Look for colleges and universities that actively support military-affiliated students. Many institutions offer dedicated resources, such as veteran services offices, academic advising tailored to veterans' needs, and flexible scheduling options to accommodate deployments or other military obligations.
2. Consider Online Universities: Online universities are particularly well-suited for military members due to their flexibility and accessibility. These institutions often have experience working with military students and offer programs specifically designed to meet their unique needs.
3. Leverage Military Tuition Assistance: Take advantage of available tuition assistance programs, such as the GI Bill, Tuition Assistance (TA), or scholarships specifically for veterans. These financial resources can help offset the cost of higher education and make pursuing a degree more manageable.
4. Seek Support Networks: Transitioning from military service to academia can be challenging, but having a strong support system in place can make the process smoother. Connect with fellow veterans on campus or online forums to share experiences, seek advice, and build a sense of community.
5. Utilize Transfer Credits: In addition to converting military experience into college credits, consider transferring credits from any previous college courses or exams you may have completed. This can further shorten the time it takes to earn your degree and reduce overall costs.

Military members have valuable skills and experiences that can greatly benefit them in pursuing higher education. By exploring opportunities to translate military training into college credits, researching military-friendly institutions, leveraging financial assistance programs, building support networks, and utilizing transfer credits, veterans can successfully navigate the transition from the military to academia and achieve their educational goals.

Learn more from a school near you, like the University of Maryland Global Campus.