Transferring Military Credits to College

Evening, friends! Planning ahead here. I will be joining the military this fall and heard that I could gain some credits from my training experience. Is it possible to transfer these credits to a college degree program? And if so, how might I do that? Any advice would be very appreciated.

Many colleges do indeed accept military training as college credit, although the specifics can vary from institution to institution. Here's some advice to help you through the process when the time comes:

1. Get an Official Transcript: Obtain an official transcript of your military coursework. Depending on your branch of service, different agencies will provide this. For example, the Army uses the Joint Services Transcript (JST), the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) provides transcripts for Air Force personnel, and so on. These transcripts contain a list of your military coursework, occupations, and examinations, translated into academic terms.

2. Find a Military-friendly Institution: Some schools might be more familiar with the process of converting military training to college credit and therefore may be more likely to accept your credits. Make sure to research and find out if the colleges or universities you're interested in have a history of accepting military credits.

3. Submit Your Transcript: Once you've selected a school, you'll need to submit your military transcript for evaluation during the application process, just like you would a regular academic transcript.4. Understand Transfer Equivalencies: Keep in mind that while an institution may accept military credits, the exact course equivalencies will vary. For instance, an introductory military leadership course might transfer as an elective credit at one university but could be equivalent to a management course at another.

5. Consult with an Advisor: A school advisor can help you understand how your credits will be transferred and applied to your chosen degree program. They can also help you map out the rest of your course load so you know what classes you still need to take.

6. Utilize Military Education Benefits: Don't forget to make the most of your military education benefits, such as the Tuition Assistance Program or the GI Bill, to fund your studies.

Remember, every college has its own policies regarding transfer credits, so it's essential to contact specific college admissions offices directly to understand their process. And lastly, consider taking advantage of resources like the American Council on Education's Military Guide, which connects military coursework with equivalent college credits. Best of luck!