Applying ACE military credits to college

Hello there! Looking for some insights on how ACE military credits can be applied towards a college degree. Does anyone have concrete knowledge about this and could possibly guide me through the process? Any help would be much appreciated!

Hello! ACE, or American Council on Education, military credits can indeed be a beneficial way to get a head start on collegiate coursework. These credits result from training you've completed while in service, and the ACE translates these experiences into college credit recommendations.

However, keep in mind that the acceptance of these credits is fully at the discretion of the college or university. When it comes to accepting ACE credits, policies can vary wildly, from accepting most ACE recommendations, to only accepting a certain number of credits, to not accepting any at all. So, it's crucial to research the policies of the specific institutions you're considering.

Here's a general process to get started:

1. You'll want to order a copy of your military transcript, which details all of your military coursework and occupations. For most branches, this would be a Joint Services Transcript (JST), but if you're in the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) or Air Force, you would order directly through them.

2. Next, submit your transcript to the colleges you're applying to. They will evaluate it and determine how many credits they're willing to award.

For a potential idea of what to expect, ACE has a National Guide that you can use to check their credit recommendations. However, remember that schools don't have to accept ACE's recommendations; the final decision lies with them.

Be ready to advocate for yourself, as well. If you feel that your military training aligns with a specific class or requirement, you could appeal to the admissions or registrar's office, provide syllabi or training material, and make your case for why you believe you should receive credit for a particular course.

In summary, while ACE military credits can indeed be helpful, it's a complex process that requires researching each school's policies and potentially advocating for your training to be recognized as worthy of academic credit. Good luck with the process!