What should I know about military to college credit using NCCRS?

Hey everybody, first post here. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice or experience on using the NCCRS to transfer military experience into college credits. I'm really intrigued by this and would be thankful for any insights!

It's fantastic that you're considering utilizing your military experience in your college journey. The National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS, formerly known as National PONSI) works alongside the military and evaluates various training programs, including those in the military, for potential college credit equivalencies.

The positive aspect of NCCRS is that it's recognized by a wide swath of institutions across the country, so you're able to transfer credits towards your degree at many different schools. It's important to remember, though, that acceptance of these credits is still at the discretion of the individual institution. Some colleges will be more generous in the number of credits they accept, particularly schools with strong programs for veterans and military members.

Be sure to communicate directly with your prospective schools' admissions or registrar offices about the transferability of your NCCRS-evaluated credits. They should be able to provide you with a clear answer about what will and won't qualify and guide you through the process. One tip is to gather documentation about your training, including course descriptions, duration, and any assessments you took, as this information may be helpful in the credit evaluation process.

Lastly, don't forget to explore other avenues to earn college credits from your military experience as well, such as the DANTES program and the CLEP (College Level Examination Program). Both provide ways for you to leverage the skills and knowledge you've gained from your military training and translate them into college credits that can reduce the time and cost of getting your degree.