Transferring military credit to college

Does anyone know how to transfer military credit into college credits? Is there a common process, or does this vary from college to college?

While the process of transferring military credit into college credits can vary slightly from university to university, there are some basic steps you can expect:

1. Request your Military Transcripts: You can request your military transcripts through the Joint Services Transcript (JST) which documents your military occupational experience and training history, and translates these to college credits. For Air force members, Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcripts can be used.

2. Submit Transcripts to your College: Once you have your transcripts, you can send them to the admissions or registrar's office at your chosen college or university. Check with your school for instructions on how and where to send the transcripts.

3. Evaluation of Transcripts: The school will evaluate the transcripts to see how many of your military credits/ training can be used towards your desired degree. The American Council on Education (ACE) provides colleges with recommended equivalences for military coursework that many schools follow but not all schools award college credit for military service. Also, based on your intended degree, some credits might not apply or fit into the degree requirements.

4. Get Counseling from College Advisor: A school representative or academic advisor should be able to provide you details on what credit you received and how it applies towards your program. You might want to meet with your advisor to discuss this further and ensure you take the most efficient path to earn your desired degree.

It's also good to note that if your school is part of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) consortium, there may be in place a more uniform and generous policy regarding the transfer of military credits. It's good to ask an admissions officer or academic counselor about this.

Just remember that while schools are recognizing military training and experience for college credit more and more, policies on credit transfer can vary greatly, so check with the schools you're interested in to see how this process works for them. Good luck!