You didn’t just serve—you trained, led, specialized, and solved real-world problems. That experience? It’s worth college credit. Don’t start from scratch when you've already done half the homework.

📘 Step 1: Use the GI Bill—The Real MVP

• Covers tuition and fees at public schools and up to $27,120.05 at private ones (as of 2024).

• Includes a monthly housing allowance and a book stipend.

• Use it for college degrees, apprenticeships, flight school, and even coding bootcamps.

🔗 Post-9/11 GI Bill Info & Application

🎖️ Step 2: Convert Military Training into College Credit

Your time in service = credit hours, if you play it right.

• Use your Joint Services Transcript (JST) to document your military training, education, and job experience.

  • Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard: Request JST

  • Air Force: Use the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript system.

• Schools use the ACE (American Council on Education) guidelines to determine what counts.

🏫 Schools That Give You Credit for Military Experience

Here are a few that not only talk the talk—they credit the credit:

• University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) – Super military-friendly and known for accepting JSTs.

• Thomas Edison State University – Allows max credit transfer; ideal for finishing fast.

• Excelsior University – Accepts a large amount of military credit, flexible online options.

• Arizona State University – Works with JSTs and offers custom military transfer credit evaluations.

• Liberty University – Gives up to 75% credit toward degrees for military experience.

Pro Tip: Always ask admissions or the veterans affairs office to do a preliminary credit evaluation before enrolling.

🧠 Other Smart Education Hacks for Veterans

• CLEP Tests: Take tests instead of classes and get credit. Many are free for active-duty and veterans. 🔗 CLEP for Military

• DANTES Program: Another way to test out of classes. https://www.dantes.mil/

• Yellow Ribbon Program: Covers costs that exceed the GI Bill cap at private schools. 🔗 Find Yellow Ribbon Schools