Hey, I'm currently serving but have been looking into options to further my education simultaneously. Online seems to be the best route, but I desperately need some guidance on where to look and what to consider when comparing online colleges. Any help?
It's great to see you're interested in continuing your education while serving in the military. For many enlisted personnel like yourself, online colleges can provide the flexibility you need. Here are some factors to consider when looking for an online college:
Accreditation and Reputation: Make sure the school is regionally accredited, which means its academic programs meet certain standards and its credits will likely be accepted by other colleges. National rankings can be a helpful, although not definitive, guide to a school's reputation.
Military Friendliness: Look for schools that are friendly to the specific needs of military students. Some colleges have dedicated departments that help military personnel navigate the application, registration, and financial aid processes.
Credit Transfer: You might have previously earned credits from another institution or military training. Look for schools with flexible credit transfer policies.
Programs: Make sure the online college offers the specific program or major you're interested in studying. Consider also the school's track record in this area. How many students graduate on time? What are the job placement rates?
Flexibility: Look for online programs that are asynchronous, or make recordings of the synchronous sessions available. This way, you can fit your education around your other commitments.
Cost and Financial Aid: Besides tuition costs, consider all the fees that an online program might have. Also look into schools' financial aid packages, as well as military-specific scholarships and grants. Be sure to check whether the school participates in the Tuition Assistance (TA) program, the Department of Defense's educational benefit program.
As for where you can find this information, a good starting point is the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, which provides detailed information about institutions, including their accreditation, average cost, graduation rate, average salary after completing, and more.
Also, the Department of Defense has a database called DoD MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that lists institutions participating in the Tuition Assistance program. Many of these schools have flexible programs designed specifically for military personnel.
I hope this information helps, and best of luck on your educational journey!
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