Hello, I heard from a friend that it is possible to use your military service time to get college credits? Is that correct? If yes, does it totally depend on the school or does the military have a say as well? Any advice would be appreciated!
Yes, it is indeed possible to earn college credits based on your military service. This system is largely facilitated by the Joint Services Transcript (JST), a document that translates military training, experience, and coursework into civilian language and academic credit. Most U.S. universities and colleges will accept at least some of this credit, although the specifics vary considerably from institution to institution.
For instance, some schools may limit the amount of military credit they will accept, or only apply it to certain requirements or electives. Therefore, when considering different colleges, it would be worthwhile to reach out to the admissions offices to inquire about their policies on military service credits.
On the military's side, they do not necessarily determine how much credit you will receive—that is up to each individual school. However, they do provide a system for translating your military experiences into possible college credit, which colleges can then interpret and apply as they see fit.
Remember, each school and program will have its own processes and policies, so it is advisable to contact them directly to understand how your military experience might be assessed. Also, keep in mind that the process of transferring military experience into college credit tends to be more successful at public institutions and less so at more selective private ones. Your best bet is to focus on institutions that have a proven track record of supporting veteran students.
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