What Makes a School Military Friendly?

Active duty military personnel and veterans often have a unique set of circumstances to contend with when they make the decision to go back to school - everything from financial aid to class scheduling and delivery can look a little different for students who are actively serving or using military benefits.  So, what makes a school military friendly?  Check out a few things to consider if you are an active duty service member or a veteran.

On-Campus Military Resources

The first thing you should look for when considering an institution is: do they have staff dedicated specifically to serving service members and veterans?

Ideally, you should have access to a military-specific enrollment expert, who can help you coordinate the ins and outs of financial aid and veteran benefits, as well as make sure your transfer credits and class schedule align to fit your busy life.

The institution’s veteran services coordinator can help you walk through the necessary documentation and procedures for all the GI Bill variations, as well as vocational rehabilitation, yellow ribbon program, and survivors and dependents assistance.

Veteran Benefits and Discounts

If you’ve served in the military, you are probably already aware of the educational benefits afforded to you by the federal government.  In addition to your standard benefits, there are also many institutions that offer a flat discount for veterans.  This percentage is usually taken from the total tuition amount and is awarded in addition to any federal benefits available to you.  

Check with both your local veteran resources office and the institution you’re interested in attending to determine what financial aid options are available to you as a veteran.

Online/Evening Offerings

Earning your degree online is more accessible now than it has ever been.  Technology has made getting your degree accessible, even for the most hectic schedules.

Online programs are an incredibly popular option because you can often complete the work at your own pace, and you can choose to do the work wherever it’s most convenient for you.  Contrary to many assumptions, if you enroll in a quality online program, you will also receive highly personalized instruction that is directly applicable to your professional goals.

As you research online programs, search for one that has efficient time to completion.  It’s also beneficial to be enrolled in a program with multiple starts, or programs that may offer additional evening classes in locations near you.  This way, if you need extra face to face help with topics that may be more challenging, you have the option to get the necessary faculty face time.

Ease of Transfer

If you’ve already taken courses elsewhere, it’s important to find an institution that is transfer-friendly, meaning, they have the infrastructure in place to accept credits from a wider range of community colleges or specialized programs such as MOS and Military Schooling.  The more credits you are able to transfer into a given program, the more quickly, efficiently, and affordably you can earn your degree.

As you search for the right place to continue your education, make sure there are faculty and staff members at the institution who understand the unique needs of military students.  If you’re ready to speak to one of our military enrollment coordinators, take the next step today.