What are College Programs for Active Military Members Like?

I'm considering signing up, but I'd love to also continue my education. Are there specific college programs catered to active military personnel? If so, what kind of support do they provide to the enlisted students?

Absolutely, many colleges and universities offer programs specifically catered to active military personnel and veterans. Let's break down some common offerings you can expect:

1. Flexible Learning Options: Many institutions understand that as an active-duty military servicemember, you might not be able to attend classes on campus or stick to a traditional academic schedule. So they offer flexible learning options, including online classes, accelerated degree programs, and courses held at satellite campuses on military installations.

2. Transfer Credits for Military Training: Some colleges may offer you course credits for the training and experiences you've had in the military. Schools vary in how they evaluate this experience, but they generally use guidelines established by the American Council on Education (ACE) to evaluate military transcripts and determine equivalent college credits.

3. Tutoring and Academic support: Many institutions provide academic support catered to military-connected students, including tutoring, writing centers, and academic advisors who understand the unique challenges that military students face.

4. Military Friendly Policies: Some colleges have policies in place that give military students more flexibility. For example, some institutions have lenient leave of absence policies for deployments.

5. Financial Support: In addition to federal aid programs like the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance, some colleges also participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which can help cover any tuition and fees not covered by the GI Bill. Schools might also offer their own scholarships for military students.

6. Support Services: Many colleges have offices of Veteran's Affairs or similar organizations to support military students, providing services like counseling, career services, and community-building events.

A couple of examples of such programs are the Penn State World Campus Military Program and Arizona State University's Pat Tillman Veterans Center.

Remember, it's important to ask questions to ensure the college you are considering is a good fit for your needs and goals. Get in touch with the college's veteran services or military liaison officer to get a better idea of the support they provide to military students.