Most United States service members enlist into their chosen branch with a high school education or an equivalent degree. According to Statista, this was the case for more than seven out of every ten active American military personnel in 2019. Military-friendly colleges are a convenient way for veterans and other service members to continue their education and ultimately transition into civilian life.
Using the GI Bill®️ and other military resources can make your education plan a lot smoother. A college degree is a precious thing. If the armed forces are still in your goals going forward, it is worth bearing in mind that the benefits of getting a college degree also extend to a career in the military.
Data via Statista
1. How good is the school’s VA program?
The GI Bill®️ of 1944 has been the backbone of the U.S. military-civilian transition for almost one hundred years. Not only is it a powerful feature of military life that recruiters talk about at great length, but it is also a promise by the government to enlisted men and women that their future education will be the concern of the United States of America.
The GI Bill®️ is often a critical piece of financing for honorably discharged service members to get their degree and transition into civilian life, but it is also notoriously complex. Since its creation, it has gone through more than five permutations.
The GI Bill®️ is comprised of the Post 9/11 GI Bill®️, the MGIB-AD bill, MGIB-SR, and the REAP Program.
One crucial indicator of military-friendly colleges is a robust college VA organization. This help may be necessary to assure that you will be able to navigate the murky legal waters of the GI Bill®️ and receive your full benefits.
Before you even enroll in college, it could be a good idea to speak with your local Veterans Association office. It can direct you toward the right colleges that support military students like yourself.
Colleges that host a strong VA program can be identified by providing many benefits to ex-military students and helping students to find these benefits. These include financing for tuition help, housing, and even assistance sustaining any dependents.
2. Is it a Yellow Ribbon school?
It is important to select a Yellow Ribbon school if you are a military member applying for financial support
The Yellow Ribbon Program is the provision of the Post 9/11 GI Bill®️ that allows service members to attend a private school for little to no out-of-pocket fees. Usually, private schools are more expensive than public schools, but schools enrolled in this program waive a part of military students’ tuition.
This program opens the doors to new opportunities and otherwise out-of-reach options. At the very least, it makes a high-quality private education a lot easier for service members. The VA stipulates the value of this program for inactive service members on its website:
“The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for a higher out-of-state, private school, or graduate school tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill®️ doesn’t cover. Find out if you’re eligible and if your school takes part in this program.”
As one of Florida’s military-friendly academic institutions, Everglades University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. To find details about your eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program, you may search for the school of your choice using the VA’s website.
Do you qualify?
Not all service members qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. The first prerequisite is that you must also be eligible to receive the maximum benefit rate under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®️.
We recommend that you review the VA’s criteria to see if you qualify for the program.
Schools usually have a cap for how many students they may finance through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Everglades University currently counts 400 students per year.
The Yellow Ribbon Program is exclusively available to honorably discharged veterans. Active duty service members and their spouses are not eligible.
3. Academic credit for military experience
Experience in the armed forces teaches service members valuable skills such as aviation maintenance or construction management. Veterans can receive college credit for their transferable skills via the American Council on Education (ACE).
Everything you learned throughout your service would count toward your education goals in an ideal world, but this is difficult to implement for universities and colleges. However, some schools do a better job fitting your experience into your academic plan than others.
Everglades University currently accepts both CLEP and DSST certifications for credit. Find out how you can apply your special knowledge in civilian life.
4. How to take the next steps towards your degree
Take the next steps towards getting your degree!
These are a few of the benefits for college graduates who enlist or reenlist in the armed forces:
- Accelerated officer positions
- College loan repayment program
- Navy graduate education voucher program
- Funded legal education program
You deserve an education that recognizes you for your service. Everglades University is a military-friendly award-winning institution that can make your success simpler than you think.
We offer all degree programs in person and online to suit various schedules and needs. Whether you’re interested in pursuing business management or would like to study aviation sciences, Everglades offers a variety of high-quality programs with skilled professors and faculty.
Please visit our military admissions page to learn more about how Everglades University helps service members and veterans attain an outstanding education in their chosen field. Make your dreams a reality, whether you are a service member or a civilian.
GI Bill®️ is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).