Online Colleges for Military Service Members and Veterans

Getting Your Degree While in College

Did you know that one of the most popular reasons people join the military is to earn their degree? You can earn a degree and prepare for a civilian career while on active duty. Online courses make it easy to earn a degree from anywhere in the world.

You can access excellent university education, paid for all or in part by the military through Tuition Assistance. Joining the military can also be a way to get high-level training for professional careers like pilots, doctors, and nurses. You may even be paid to learn! The GI Bill makes it easier for students to get a degree even after leaving the military. In fact, 75% of veteran students in 2018 were enrolled as full-time students.

FAQ: Joining the Military While Attending College

Can you attend college while in the military?

Online colleges for military personnel offer resources designed to support service members. Many schools accommodate degree-seekers deployed overseas and those who must pause their education for a reason related to their service.

Should I finish college before joining the military?

New enlistees with a college degree may qualify for officer training programs. However, service members cannot use GI Bill benefits for past education expenses.

Is college free if you are in the military?

GI Bill assistance may only cover some tuition and fees, especially for students at private institutions. Students should speak with a financial aid advisor at their prospective school before enrolling.

Do all colleges accept the GI Bill?

The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a list of colleges and universities that accept the GI Bill. Some colleges for military personnel offer additional financial aid through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

How many classes can you take while on active duty?

The number of classes you can take while on active duty will depend on your personal life and military obligations, but many students can take up to three classes per semester. You may have to pause classes while on Army Temporary Duty, deployments, or significant inspections.

Will the military pay for college after you graduate?

The GI Bill makes military service members eligible for in-state tuition and fees. You could be eligible if you joined the military after September 10, 2001, and have had at least 90 days of service. You must also meet the VA's other basic requirements.

Can you study while in the military?

Yes! You can study while in the military. Active duty military members can attend classes online, on base, or at a branch campus while deployed. Whether the courses you need are available on base will depend on your degree and deployment.

Military or College: Making the Best Decision for You

Take These Steps to Decide: Military or College?

When deciding between enlisting in the military or attending college, you'll want to weigh the pros and cons of college and military life. The decision will look different for each person, but it usually involves finances, career plans, and family.

How to Navigate College

Many active-duty service members and veterans face challenges in earning a degree. For example, some experience an education gap between high school and college. These learners may need assistance honing research, math, and writing skills, which are essential to college success. Fortunately, military-friendly schools often provide academic resources such as tutors and advisors with military backgrounds. Online learners can often access these services as well.

Prospective students can explore resources designed to help them excel in school. The Warrior-Scholar Project offers 1- to 2-week academic boot camps emphasizing STEM fields, business, and the humanities. Professors from top universities such as Princeton and Yale lead in-person and virtual sessions simulating the college experience. Shorter programs train women business leaders and help future degree-seekers hone their study skills.

For veterans, earning a degree may involve overcoming psychological trauma. Organizations such as Real Warriors encourage veterans in need to start therapy. Real Warriors' services include an emergency hotline and directions to the closest military treatment facility. The organization also offers articles detailing mental health issues that veterans commonly experience, such as anger, grief, and sleep deprivation.

Colleges often provide on-campus resources for service members and veterans. College counselors assist students with PTSD, marital problems, and interpersonal conflicts. Some of the best online colleges for military service members offer counseling and therapy at no additional charge. Learners can contact their prospective school's student services department for more information.

Even if learners do not need psychological counseling or related services, they may feel out of place or isolated on a college campus due to their unique life experiences. Degree-seekers can join Student Veterans of America (SVA) as they begin transitioning back to civilian life. SVA maintains chapters on more than 1,500 campuses throughout the United States and awards exclusive scholarships.

College Within the Different Military Branches

Army

In the Army's tuition assistance program, you can get up to $250 per semester hour, for up to 16 semester hours per year. The tuition assistance program can give you up to $4,000 annually to pay for college or professional training.

The Army's Green to Gold program helps active duty soldiers cover the cost of finishing a four-year bachelor's degree or two-year associate degree. Soldiers can also be eligible for up to 100% of tuition covers for graduate degrees.

The Army Medical Department offers a $20,000 sign-on bonus, a $2,400-plus monthly allowance, and tuition. Professionals who meet the requirement to join the Judge Advocate General's Corps can get up to $65,000 in tuition reimbursement.

Air Force

The Air Force offers up to $250 per semester hour or $166 per quarter hour, paying 100% of tuition up to $4,500 annually. You can take off-duty courses with any accredited school that has signed the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding in pursuit of approved degree programs.

You'll need to meet the education requirements, including a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate students or a 3.0 GPA for graduate students.

The Air Force also offers opportunities for graduate medical education. And, of course, enlisting in the Air Force is a common path to gaining the expertise to become a professional civilian pilot.

Marines

Education benefits for active duty Marines include 100% of tuition at accredited institutions, covering up to $225 per college credit or $4,500 per year. Marines need to maintain an average grade of a "C."

As a Marine, you'll be eligible for the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). Through DANTES, you can earn college credit through correspondence, examination, or independent study.

Marines who want to pursue a master's degree can get partial funding. You can also receive regular pay and allowances while attending graduate school full-time.

National Guard

Similar to other branches of the military, the Army National Guard offers 100% tuition for up to $250 per semester hour, up to $4,000 per year. You'll also have a lifetime limit of 139 undergraduate semester hours and 39 graduate semester hours.

To be eligible, your university or college must be accredited and participate in GoArmyEd. You'll only get tuition assistance for courses that meet the requirements in your documented degree plan. There's also a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate courses and 3.0 for graduate courses to quality.

The Air National Guard also offers 100% tuition assistance — up to $4,000 per year or $250 per semester hour.

Enrollment Options for Active-Duty and Reserve Members

Not all colleges for military service members require learners to attend courses on campus. Many schools offer online and hybrid programs, generous transfer credit policies, and credit for military experience. These programs may save learners money on tuition and reduce the time needed to graduate.

Military personnel can continue their education while deployed and living on base. Satellite campuses and DANTES deliver self-paced courses and career-preparation assistance.

Satellite Campuses

Many of the best online colleges for military students maintain one or more satellite campuses. These campuses allow students to receive an on-campus experience without relocating. Students at satellite campuses may also receive lower tuition rates and more student-teacher interaction than learners on main campuses.

However, attending a satellite campus may come with drawbacks. The small campus size may limit the number of academic facilities, extracurricular activities, and available courses. Students should visit their prospective campus to determine whether it meets their educational needs.

Online Programs

Independent and distance learning can help active-duty service members earn a degree from their current location. DANTES's Kuder Journey software connects students with highly trained advisors and coaches. Kuder Journey's other benefits include a digital portfolio for work samples, career transition resources, and one-on-one job-hunting assistance.

Although online colleges for military personnel feature multiple advantages, some learners may struggle with managing time and using online learning software. Fortunately, Kuder Journey and many online schools provide IT and academic support services. Some schools also require distance students to complete an online learning orientation.

Paying for College as Active Military

Active-duty service members can pursue many options to help finance a college degree. Tuition assistance programs, the GI Bill, and private scholarship opportunities can make college an affordable investment. Eligibility criteria vary, but the list below features some financial aid programs for service members. Learners should consult their prospective school's financial aid office for more information.

Tuition Assistance

Each of the military's five branches provides tuition assistance to service members in good standing. As of 2021, the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy award a maximum of $4,500 annually. Coast Guard members receive up to $3,750.

Service members who qualify for either the Montgomery GI Bill® or the Post-9/11 GI Bill® can also apply for Tuition Assistance Top-Up (TATU). This federal program helps learners close the gap between a course's cost and a branch's tuition assistance payments. TATU expires after 36 months and may reduce recipients' future GI Bill benefits.

GI Bill

Congress passed the GI Bill in 1944 to help returning Second World War veterans earn a college degree and buy a home. The bill underwent many changes in the following decades. Under the current law, service members qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill by completing at least 90 days of active service. Other benefits include a housing stipend.The Montgomery GI Bill provides active-duty service members greater financial assistance than the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Service members are eligible for Montgomery GI Bill benefits after two years of service, and the government makes payments directly to the student. However, benefits expire after 10 years, while Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits do not.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

In addition to federal tuition assistance and GI Bill benefits, active-duty service members can pursue funding from organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Many organizations sponsor scholarships for enlisted personnel and veterans.Degree-seekers planning to enlist after graduation may qualify for Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships. These awards pay up to full tuition for qualifying ROTC members.

Learners attending one of the best online colleges for military degree-seekers can also apply for private scholarships and grants. Many organizations offer merit-based and need-based aid for military students. Application deadlines and requirements vary by award.

Expert Interview: Lizz Galea, U.S. Air Force A1C

What do you enjoy most about pursuing your degree?

I love being knowledgeable about the things I am most passionate about. Health has always played a huge role in my life, and I'm constantly learning new ways to incorporate better healthy habits into my everyday routine.

What is the most challenging part about attending college while serving in the military?

The most challenging parts would have to be the unstructured nature of college and really prioritizing time for school. The military is extremely structured, as many people already know. As a service member, I know what my duties and responsibilities are. If I am given orders to accomplish a task, there is a deadline, and if it's not completed in time, it may impact the mission.

On the other hand, in college, the success is all up to the student. The professors will provide the material and help if asked, but if I decide not to do the work, it's only my future that I am affecting. This leads to prioritizing time. For example, I work 0730-1630 Monday through Friday. Under special circumstances, I may have to work earlier, later, or even on the weekends. However, this does not include time for daily errands, the gym, or any extra volunteer work that the Air Force may require.

To avoid overwhelming myself, I have to create a schedule. My work schedule, any special duties, gym time, and designated time for studying all go in my planner.

What are some tips for student success while trying to balance serving with getting an education?

Make a schedule for yourself. If you don't have a planner or a calendar, get one. They are so inexpensive, and they will help you keep your head on straight. Second to that, another important tip would be to have a clear understanding of why you're doing what you're doing. I find it helpful to write down what motivates me and what pushes me to do better. Make a list of short-term and long-term goals, and try to chip away at them every day.

What is your recommendation for funding a degree while actively serving?

Fortunately, every active-duty service member is entitled to tuition assistance. Depending on how expensive the college or university is, it is possible that the military will pay for up to two classes per semester. Going to school is not only a benefit in the military, but is also looked at as a privilege. Service members need to meet specific requirements to take classes. To name a few examples, we have to complete our upgrade training, know that the mission comes first, and maintain a certain GPA. I couldn't agree more with the requirements. The military really gives everyone a fair and equal way to further their education.

How is funding different for active military versus reserve members?

There is no difference. There are some specific scholarships for each, but no difference in costs.

Top Schools for Active Military and Veterans

The top schools for active military personnel and veterans offer flexible coursework and online options so you can learn from anywhere in the world. In some cases, you can get a significant percentage of credits needed to graduate from military experience.

The list below is in alphabetical order. Any college on the list could be a great choice for you!

Additional Resources

Organizations like individual military branches, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs provide many tools and services to support military students.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.