Unlocking Educational Opportunities: A Guide to Nontraditional Education in the Military Services
For service members, education is a pathway to personal and professional growth, both during and after their military careers. While traditional classroom settings may pose challenges due to deployments and other service requirements, nontraditional education options offer flexibility and accessibility. This article explores the various opportunities available to service members, helping them leverage their military experience and pursue their educational goals.
Maximizing Military Training for College Credit
Many service members are eligible for college course credit at academic institutions based on knowledge already gained during military service. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) plays a crucial role in providing service members with educational opportunities outside the traditional classroom. These services are available at nearly all education centers on base, with most being free to active-duty and reserve personnel, as well as adult family members.
The Joint Services Transcript (JST)
Through DANTES' Military Training Evaluation Program (MTEP), a service member's learning from military training, education, and occupational experiences is evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) and documented on the Joint Services Transcript (JST). Think of the Joint Services Transcript (JST) like standard college transcripts, it lists all courses and occupations completed by you as a professional military learner. The JST is a collaborative transcript program that allows service members and Veterans to have one officially recognized military transcript. The JST is not an academic transcript; it officially documents college recommended credit generated from military training. The JST will provide transcripts documenting military training for all Soldiers and qualified Veterans. Armed Services, ACE is the sole source of information for courses and occupations evaluated for the military. Your JST is an official academic record that contains college credit recommendations based on your military experience, academic exam scores (e.g.
Transferring Military Credits
As you begin exploring degree and certificate options, it is important that you research and identify an academic institution that meets your individual needs. Academic institutions establish their own transfer credit policies and procedures. Each college or university evaluates the college credit recommendations on your JST to determine the amount of transfer credit you will receive. The credit may be applied to meet degree requirements in the area of the degree major, general education, or electives. Each academic institution establishes its own credit transfer, acceptance policies and procedures.
The Advantages of Non-Traditional Education
Traditional education requires reporting to class, and sitting in a classroom on the teacher's schedule. However, "Non-Traditional" education is completely flexible, it fits your schedule, life style, and goals. The benefits of distance education are already well-established. Its convenience and flexibility are immensely appealing to individuals who are seeking a part-time option that is well suited to a busy life of full-time work, family obligations and other pressures. It is also important to consider that for post-traditional students, such as current servicemembers and veterans, a return to a college environment can be overwhelming. Enrolling in a distance education program can also help to alleviate the challenges active duty servicemembers face related to geographic mobility, deployments, and other disruptions that interfere with their academic pursuits. Key aspects are flexibility and connections.
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Distance Learning Opportunities
DANTES has agreements with about 150 institutions to support service member enrollment in distance learning programs. Programs of study available online cover the entire spectrum of disciplines, ranging from certification in an information technology field, to health sciences, to business program degrees.
DANTES Support Programs
DANTES provides support programs, information, and resources that help your education service offices help you research, select, and pursue educational goals. This program can give you college credit for training completed while in the service. The program actually recommends the college credits based on the contents of the training. Awarding of the credits is up to individual schools. DANTES also offers aptitude testing to help you determine which education program or occupation would be the best for you. The self assessment programs are a career enhancement tool for military members undergoing transition to civilian life. The program, specifically designed for the military, is a comprehensive online resource to help you plan for the future. See our DANTES Aptitude & Skills Assessment page for more details.
General Educational Development (GED)
The GED test leads to a high school equivalency certificate.
Service-Specific Educational Opportunities
Each branch of the military offers unique educational programs and resources to support its members' academic pursuits.
Army
The Army Credentialing and Continuing Education Services for Soldiers (ACCESS), under the Vice Provost for Learning Systems, Army University, is formerly referred to as the Army Continuing Education Division (ACED). ACCESS promotes lifelong learning and sharpens the competitive edge of the Army now and for the Future Force. The program helps us to achieve the Army's goal of retaining quality Soldiers, enhancing their career professional progression, increasing the combat readiness of the Army, and eventually assisting Soldiers in their transition from the Army into successful civilian careers. ACCESS receives program guidance and resources from Army G-1 and is responsible for developing programs, establishing policy, standards, procedures, reporting requirements, and is the proponent for Centralized Tuition Assistance Management.
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Counseling Services
Academic and vocational counseling services are central to all ACCESS programs/services. Counselors assist Soldiers in establishing professional and educational goals and developing education plans.
Functional Academic Skills Training (FAST)
This on-duty program provides Soldiers job-related instruction to improve basic educational competencies necessary for job proficiency, advanced schooling, and career progression.
High School Completion
This off-duty program provides opportunities for Soldiers to earn a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
Postsecondary Programs
A wide range of postsecondary programs is offered on Army installations from the associate through graduate degree level, including technical courses for licensure or certification. Over the past years, the growth of postsecondary distance learning (DL) has been exponential.
Tuition Assistance (TA)
Financial assistance authorized by Congress (Title 10, USC 2007) for voluntary off-duty education programs that support the educational objectives of the Army and the Soldier's personal self-development goals. The DoD standardized TA policy authorizes all or a portion of tuition costs or up to $250 per semester hour, whichever is less, with a maximum yearly total of $4,500.
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Testing
Academic, vocational interest testing, and Army Personnel Testing (APT) services are available. Academic testing includes Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES) sponsored examination programs.
Leader Skill Enhancement Courses
Courses to assist noncommissioned officers (NCOs) meet their leadership responsibilities as trainers, supervisors, and communicators are available based on command-identified needs. Courses are conducted to assist in unit readiness, cross training, stress management and preparation for Noncommissioned Officer Education System (NCOPDS) attendance.
Soldier Training Courses (MOS Improvement Training)
These courses enhance unit readiness by providing individual training oriented to specific mission, organization, or equipment requirements. Soldier Training Courses augment normal on-the-job training programs.
Language Training
For the non-linguist, this training provides host-nation orientation and basic language skills.
Multi-use Learning Facilities (MLF)/Army Learning Centers (ALC)
are technology-based facilities providing necessary training, education, and support materials for Soldiers to develop/sustain job-related and leadership skills. Programs are designed to meet unit and individual needs.
Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System
This popular service for active-duty Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers generates an official transcript reflecting military education and training, job experience, and educational testing achievements, with college credits recommended for each by the American Council on Education.
Army College Fund
The ACF is an enlistment incentive to help recruit soldiers into critical or short-staffed military skill fields. It works in tandem with the Montgomery GI Bill; soldiers cannot use the ACF without being eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill. Amounts vary based on length of enlistment.
Army Correspondence Courses
Available through the Army Institute for Professional Development, these are open to soldiers seeking to learn basic and professional skills at their own pace.
Federal Tuition Assistance ARNG Program
The Federal Tuition Assistance ARNG Program provides financial assistance to part-time Guard soldiers in support of professional and personal self-development. It is not a guaranteed benefit; it is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. ⦠100 percent of tuition and fees, with tuition caps of $250 per semester hour and $167 per quarter hour.
Testing programs
The Army offers free college-level equivalency exams, though a registration fee may be required when not testing at a military testing facility. Before taking a credit exam, check with your college or university to make sure it will accept the credit.
Reserve Officer Training Corps simultaneous membership program
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, Guard
National Guard Student Loan Repayment Program
For those who already have student loans, the Guard will help repay loans up to $20,000. For each qualifying year of service, the Guard will pay a minimum of 15 percent of the loan amount or $500 and a maximum of $3,000 per year. Nonprior-service individuals must enlist for six years, become qualified in their occupational specialty and enlist into a unit vacancy up to 125 percent of the assigned unitâs wartime strength.
Army Reserve benefits
Army Reserve benefits are similar to the National Guard programs listed above except for state education benefits. Commissioning and ROTC programs detailed above also apply here.
Army Reserve College Loan Repayment Program
The Army Reserve helps soldiers pay approved Perkins, Stafford or other federally guaranteed student loans.
Air Force
Air Force Voluntary Education Branch
Airman Commissioning Program
A variety of commissioning programs are available.
Community College of the Air Force
The college, open to enlisted active-duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members, has full regional accreditation and is the only two-year institution exclusively serving enlisted personnel.
Academic Testing Program
Base education offices provide to airmen free tests such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
Academic Counseling Program
Base education offices have professionals to help airmen choose schools and degree programs to meet their educational goals.
DANTES spouse testing program
Air National Guard members are eligible for all DANTES credit-by-examination programs, Community College of the Air Force associate degree programs, federal and state tuition assistance, the Student Loan Repayment Program and the Montgomery GI Bill.
Navy and Marine Corps
Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership
This partnership provides associate and bachelorâs degree programs for each rating and makes maximum use of military professional training and experience to fulfill degree requirements. Courses are offered in a variety of formats, such as CD, paper and Internet.
Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript
Marine and Navy reservists can get credit for their active and reserve schools and experience through the Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript.
The Reserve Allied Medical Personnel program
This program is available to actively drilling enlisted hospital corpsmen and dental technicians who attend civilian training at a local college for certain critical Navy skills, such as physical therapy, respiratory therapy and biomedical repair. Tuition, fees, books and required clothing and equipment are paid for.
Specialized Training Assistance Program for Health Professionals
This is open to commissioned critical health care professionals and registered nurses in certain critical skills in the Navy Reserve. Payments are monthly. For each year of financial assistance, participants incur a two-year drilling obligation in the Navy Reserve after finishing the training program.
Montgomery GI Bill Kicker
The Montgomery GI Bill Kicker is available to Marine Reserve members who agree to a six-year enlistment in a high-priority unit or critical career field. Qualified reservists get this benefit once they have passed their mandatory drill stop date. The Marine Corps Reserve Kicker adds up to an additional $350 per month in GI Bill payments.
Coast Guard
Coast Guard Institute
Military training and experience are converted to college credit recommended by the American Council on Education. Official transcripts are available on request.
Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance
Service members have access to a variety of financial aid programs to help fund their education.
Tuition Assistance (TA)
The DoD standardized TA policy authorizes all or a portion of tuition costs or up to $250 per semester hour, whichever is less, with a maximum yearly total of $4,500.
GI Bill Benefits
Several GI Bill programs are available, each with its own eligibility requirements and benefits.
Montgomery GI Bill â Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
In some cases, the Selected Reserve GI Bill can be used before or after Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (see below), but never at the same time. Reservists who became eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill â Selected Reserve on or after Oct. The only exception is for mobilized members of the National Guard and Reserve, who can use the MGIB-SR after they separate from service for the same number of months they were activated plus four more months. Reservists may receive up to 36 months of payments. The Montgomery GI Bill Kicker Program, managed by each service, is available to qualifying reservists who enlist in high-priority units or critical skill fields. Mobilized Guard and reserve members who serve continuously on active duty for at least 24 months may pay the $1,200 enrollment fee and qualify for the more generous Montgomery GI Bill â Active Duty.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Reservists who have accumulated significant active-duty time since Sept. 11, 2001, may see the Post-9/11 GI Bill as the clear choice over either version of the Montgomery GI Bill. However, some types of education and training are covered by one program but not the other. Check with VA or your local installation education counselor to discuss your education goals. To be eligible for this new program, which is far more generous than even the active-duty Montgomery GI Bill, National Guard and reserve members must have at least 30 days of continuous active-duty service after Sept. Eligible service members typically receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the new bill.
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees are set to fully cover the cost of a four-year public college or university education for in-state students.
Monthly living stipends
Monthly living stipends are available for students attending classes at traditional schools and at a reduced rate for distance learners, with payments prorated based on their course load.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Post-9/11 GI Bill also features a &ldquoYellow Ribbon&rdquo program under which out-of-state students and those attending private and graduate schools may receive extra tuition above the cap. Members are eligible for these benefits for 15 years from their last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
The program makes certain reservists activated for at least 90 days after Sept. 11, 2001, eligible for education benefits or increased benefits. Eligible reservists may receive up to 36 months of full-time REAP benefits. However, participants may not use more than 48 months of entitlement under any combination of VA education programs.
Retroactive payments
REAP payments are retroactive and cover all qualifying mobilization periods since Sept. 11, 2001.
Accelerated payments
REAP offers advance payments of earned benefits to pay for technical schools and courses. Payments are available for high-cost or high-tech training leading directly to employment. VA maintains a list of eligible programs.
Buy-up option
This allows REAP participants to get up to an additional $150 per month in GI Bill benefits. Under this option, members contribute extra money, up to $600 total, to earn extra benefits on top of their basic benefits. The maximum $600 buy-up contribution is worth $5,400 in extra college money if the service member has 36 months of REAP eligibility.
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