Transferring military credit to a college?

Hey everyone, I've recently been considering the military after high school for a few years. I heard they offer training and education courses which can be credited when you later pursue higher education. Can anyone confirm this? How exactly does such a military credit transfer to college credits work?

Absolutely, the military indeed offers education and training opportunities which could be translated into college credits. One main way this occurs is through the Joint Services Transcript (JST) program, which standardizes and amalgamates military training, education, and job experience with descriptions and college credit recommendations to assist colleges and universities in matching corresponding credit to degree requirements.

Each branch of the military (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard) participates in the JST program. When you take courses or receive training in the military, you'll get a JST which documents all your learning experiences along with suggestions on equivalent college credits. This document is essentially your academic record in the military.

To transfer these military credits to a college, you would request to have your JST sent to the college or university you're interested in. The advising or registrar's office at the school would then review your JST. Each institution has its own policies regarding how they accept and apply these credits, usually under the guidance of the American Council on Education (ACE). ACE offers credit recommendations for formal courses or occupations based on their evaluations.

Keep in mind that the transfer of military credits varies greatly based on the school's policies, the relevancy of the courses to your intended major, and the level of the training completed. It's always a good idea to connect with a school's admissions office or a student veterans organization to understand how military credits could potentially be applied in your case, before enrolling.

Lastly, also consider the financial benefits of military service towards education, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which can help cover tuition, housing, and books.

In summary, while the process might vary from one institution to another, the fact that your military training and education might count as college credit helps to provide a pathway from military service to higher education.