Benefits of Choosing a Military-Friendly College
Pursuing a college degree is something every military branch supports for active-duty servicemembers and veterans. In both cases, students should search for military-friendly colleges with programs and services designed to meet their needs.
It’s not always easy to do. Some schools call themselves “military-friendly,” but not all meet the high standards military students should expect.
A good place to start is finding schools that offer military-friendly college online degree programs. The built-in flexibility of such programs benefits military students who often need the ability to take a course from wherever they are in the world.
But that’s just one aspect of a military-friendly college. The key for students is to sift through the choices and find schools that make meeting their needs a priority.
What To Look for in a Military-Friendly College
To find military-friendly colleges and universities, look for those that show they understand the unique needs of active-duty personnel and veterans. Schools show that by what they offer, which should include the following areas.
Offering Online Options For Flexibility
Online programs offer flexibility in when and how you go to school. This proves helpful to active duty students who may get deployed to any part of the world. Veterans also benefit. Some prefer to have to online option rather than having to go on campus with other freshmen who are much younger.
A Generous Credit Transfer Policy
Military friendly colleges should offer a generous credit transfer policy. This includes the consideration of skills learned in military training and technical schools. Servicemembers should get value from the skills and knowledge they already have learned.
Help With Financial Aid
The federal government offers many financial aid options. It’s a complex system that military-friendly schools help students negotiate. This includes the Post 9-11 GI Bill®, the Montgomery GI Bill® for both active duty and selective reserve, and the Tuition Assistance Top-Up program. Military-friendly schools will have counselors who understand the details of financial aid to help guide new students through the process. Some schools also offer a military discount.
A Variety of Career Paths
Military service prepares students for many careers. The best schools offer online degree programs in a wide variety of fields. This gives military students more options on how to leverage their military experience in the civilian workforce.
How Touro University Worldwide Supports Military Students
Touro University World meets and goes beyond and above standards. The school has a long history of a diverse student body, and that includes active-duty military personnel and veterans.
TUW participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program through the Department of Veterans Administration (VA), which means students can get the maximum benefits from their financial aid.
The university offers dozens of military-friendly online degree programs at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate levels. They also offer a Military Achievement Scholarship as part of the school’s many military education benefits.
A generous credit transfer policy gives military students credit for what already know. TUW considers credits from military training and experience, examinations, community college, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, and foreign earned academic credit transfer. They also will consider credits earned in bachelor, master, and doctorate programs at other schools.
TUW Offers Military Student Discounts
TUW also offers military discount rates. Any student from one of the following categories may qualify for these rates.
- Active duty and their immediate family
- National Guard, Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, and their immediate family
- Reservists and their immediate family
- Retirees and their immediate family
- Veterans (discharged under honorable conditions—must provide DD Form 214) and their immediate family
- Department of Defense employees (contractors exempt) and their immediate family
All U.S. Military Branches are included under Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, and Veterans. (U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Coast Guard). Tuition discounts are significant. TUW offers a 37.5% discount on bachelor degree programs, a 40% discount on master’s degree programs, and 20% on doctorate programs.
