Do Military Members Get Priority in College Class Registration?

Hey everyone, just a quick question. If I decide to join the military before heading to college, would that give me some sort of priority when registering for college classes? What are the benefits in this aspect, if any?

While not all universities provide class registration priority for veterans or active military members, many do as part of their initiatives and programs to support military-affiliated students. Such priority registration allows veterans and active military members to sign up for classes before general registration opens, giving them the first choice of class times and sections. This benefit can be especially helpful for veterans and active duty service members to balance their academic schedules with their personal, work, or military commitments.

For example, the University of California system, as well as several state university systems, provide priority registration for veterans. Another institution, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, extends this benefit to active duty military members, veterans, reservists, and members of the National Guard.

However, these policies can differ across universities, so it is best to look up specific schools' policies or reach out to the university's Veterans Services or equivalent office. Additionally, if you're planning on using benefits from the GI Bill, having priority registration can likewise help in ensuring you're able to enroll in and attend the necessary classes to satisfy program requirements in a timely manner.

Be aware that to receive these benefits, you may need to apply for them through the school's veterans’ services department or through the registrar's office. Schools often require that military students maintain a certain GPA or meet other criteria to maintain this class registration priority. Be sure to review these requirements as well.