Hello everyone. I've been in the military, and now I'm thinking about using the GI Bill to go back to school. I was wondering, do I need to provide my military college transcripts to continue using the GI Bill benefits?
Yes, when you're applying to a college or university with the intention of using your GI Bill benefits, you'll need to obtain and submit military transcripts for any training or education you completed while in service.
These military transcripts provide a record of your military training and education. Many colleges and universities evaluate these transcripts and can grant you credit for your previous training or coursework, often shortening the time you'll need to complete your degree.
It's not uncommon for military service members to earn a number of college credits for their training and education via the Joint Services Transcripts (JST) system, where most of the branches (Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard) maintain their records. The Air Force maintains their records separately through the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
To access your records, you can go to the JST website if you served in the Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard. For the Air Force, you can go to the Air University website to request your CCAF transcripts.
Do keep in mind that the process of getting your transcripts evaluated and credits applied to your program of study can take some time, so it's best to start this process early. Also, note that the acceptance of these credits can vary from school to school, so specific coursework may or may not be accepted depending on the institution's policies.
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