College After Military: 6 Tips For Choosing Your School

College after military service can be an important stepping stone for veterans to re-enter the civilian world and expand on their professional training. While going to college after the military may seem daunting, it doesn’t need to be.

Many veterans are eligible for government funding to cover up to three years of higher education. Why not take advantage of this benefit? Whether you are wondering what to do after the military or eager to begin the next stage of your life, our guide will help you choose the best school for you as a veteran. 

• Can You Go To College While In The Military?
• Can You Transfer Credits From Training You’ve Done While In The Military?
• Tips For Going To College After The Military

Explore the benefits that Unity Environmental University offers to military-connected students.

Can You Go To College While In The Military?

Many people may think they have to finish their military duty before going to college, but that’s not true! You can earn a degree while on active duty, in the National Guard, or the Reserves. Not only can you attend school, but the U.S. Armed Services offers Tuition Assistance (TA) to active military service members who fulfill certain requirements. 

Often, traditional colleges will not work with the unique schedules and demands of military life. Active military members have a few other choices. Some military bases have branch campuses on them. These are run by private colleges or universities and offer classes to active military members and their families. Active military can also take online classes with institutions like Unity Environmental University. Because online classes are asynchronous, students can complete schoolwork at times when it’s most convenient for them.

Unity Environmental University Has Flexible Distance Education For Military Members

With Distance Education, college students can take classes from anywhere in the country. Unity Environmental University’s unique course schedule is perfect for active military members. Each class is only five weeks long, and all students only take one class at a time. This allows students with busy schedules, such as those in the military, to focus on one subject at a time. We also have multiple start dates per year for maximum flexibility.

Can You Get College Credit For Military Training and Work?

Some colleges and universities are willing to provide military students and veterans with a certain amount of academic credits based on relevant training and work experience from their time in the military.

The American Council of Education (ACE) created a free guide and platform for recommending college credit based on military experience. The first step for students is requesting a Joint Services Transcript (JST) online. Students can upload their JST on the ACE Military Guide platform. ACE will use the JST to make recommendations for college credits to the institution the student will be attending classes at.

Active military, military spouses, and veterans are eligible for Unity’s discounted tuition rates.

Tips For Going To College After The Military

Students who are or were in the military bring valuable perspectives to the classroom. However, some colleges are more military-friendly than others. Looking at how many veterans are currently enrolled in the school is one indicator of how welcoming the school community may be to veterans.

Since most veterans are older than the average first-time college student, it may be beneficial to look for schools that have large numbers of non-traditional students as well. You will also want to look on the school’s website for specific benefits and support geared toward veterans. Below are six more tips to help you choose the right college after military service.

Define Your Career Goals

College is a stepping stone to a good-paying career, so before applying to college, it’s important to clearly define your career path and objectives. What field or industry do you want to work in? What jobs or specific roles are you interested in? Research the earning potential and education requirements for those jobs. 

You may also find that certain areas of the country have more opportunities in certain industries. Going to college in an area where your industry is concentrated can help you start making professional connections while in school to get a job in your area after graduation or if you want to work while completing your degree program. Green jobs are more in demand than ever. Find the top cities for green jobs across the US on Unity’s blog.

Find Out The Type Of Degree You Need For Your Desired Career

Defining your long-term career goals first is key because it will guide what type of degree you need to pursue. Some careers require a bachelor’s degree, while others only require an associate degree or certificate. Learn the differences between an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree to help determine which is right for you. If your ultimate goal is to earn a master’s degree for a specific career, you will need a bachelor’s degree first. Learn what types of careers require a master’s vs bachelor’s degree.

Unity uses a collaborative institutional design process to ensure accessible and efficient education for all our students.

Research Military Tuition Rates And Other Financial Aid Opportunities

Some colleges offer special tuition rates or financial aid for active military and veterans. This means that the cost of each credit is reduced. With the rising costs of higher education, reduced tuition is a huge benefit. Depending on the school, the following types of aid may be available specifically for active military and/or veterans:

• Tuition Assistance (TA)
• Reduced cost per credit
• Yellow Ribbon Program

Military members and veterans can also make their college education more affordable by applying for financial aid through the FAFSA and exploring internal and external scholarship opportunities.

Check Accreditation And Program Reputation

Unfortunately, some schools that do not provide high-quality education may try to target military members since they receive TA for college. Make sure to verify that all schools you apply to are accredited institutions. This is the easiest way to avoid scams.

When choosing colleges to apply to, research the reputations of the specific programs you are interested in. Talking to current and former students from the program is the best way to get honest perspectives on the quality and value of the school. Ask the school’s admissions office if they have student ambassadors that you can speak with. If they are also veterans, even better!

Going to college after the military can help you become more well-rounded, empathic, and environmentally conscious.

Explore The University’s Learning Experience Design And Student Communities

Some programs set up their course progression, assuming students will be taking classes full-time. Active military members do not have time to attend college full-time and veterans likely have families and other responsibilities as well that make full-time college difficult.

Look for schools that take part-time and non-traditional students into account when they are designing learning experiences. Also, look for schools that have specific services for veterans. This could be a veteran support group on campus or free counseling to help with the transition to civilian life.

Consider In-Person, Hybrid, Or Distance Education Options

Traditional college was always in-person, but now students have more options. Distance learning programs offer the most flexibility, while hybrid programs let students do a bit of both. Students may worry that they will not receive the same high-quality, hands-on learning opportunities through distance learning programs versus in-person classes. However, the use of innovative technologies and experiential learning ensure that online students still receive real-world learning opportunities. Unity Environmental University offers in-person, distance learning, and hybrid programs for the modern student. 

Unity Environmental University Has A Variety Of Financial Aid Options For Military And Veteran Prospective Students

Can you go to college in the military? Of course! Succeeding at going to college while actively in the military will depend on choosing the right school with enough flexibility for your busy schedule. Unity Environmental University offers online courses with multiple start dates each year. We also provide reduced tuition rates for active military and veterans.

College after military service is an excellent opportunity to start a new career. Explore all of Unity’s military benefits for Distance Education students.