Transferring Military Training to College Credits for Free - How to Proceed?

Hey, I've received some solid training during my military days and I heard rumors about it potentially counting as college credits - and to top it off, for free. Can someone confirm if this is true? How exactly do I approach this process?

Yes, it is absolutely true that certain types of military training can be translated into college credits. In fact, it's a common practice for active duty and veteran military members to receive academic credits for the job training they completed while in the military.

In order to convert your military training into college credits, you first need to request your Joint Services Transcript (JST). The JST is an academically accepted document approved by the American Council on Education (ACE) to validate your military occupational experience. The JST will include the college credit recommendations determined by ACE, which is widely recognized by colleges and universities.

Once you have your JST, you should then check the transfer policy at the college or university you plan to attend. Most institutions (especially those with military-friendly policies) will accept some or all of your training as college credit, but it does depend on the specific policies of the institution. You would then submit your JST as part of your admissions application for the college or university to evaluate.

In some cases, based on where you plan to attend, it might be helpful to set up an appointment with an academic counselor or admissions representative. They can provide guidance about their school's particular policies and procedures for evaluating and awarding credits for military training.

The entire process is typically free of charge, excluding possible transcript evaluating fees charged by some institutions. However, many colleges and universities waive this fee for active duty and veteran students. So, you're looking at a potentially substantial savings in tuition!

Remember, not all training will translate directly as college credit, so don't be discouraged if you don't receive as many credits as you'd like. Ultimately, the goal is to help you transition smoothly from the military to college and use the skills you've gained to advance your academic career effectively.