The 1944 Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 changed the education landscape. Known as the GI Bill, it provided veterans with better access to a college education.
Today, you’ll find many education-related programs for military personnel and veterans. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, VEAP, TA, and VR&E programs are notable examples.
Online colleges accept military and veteran students who avail of these education benefits. In their effort to attract more students, these colleges use catchy words and logos. The term “military-friendly” is a common advertising phrase used – or abused, for that matter.
For this reason, you must be cautious when considering these online colleges. Let’s start with a brief description of military-friendly accredited online schools.
- Offer tailored student support services for military and veteran students
- Provide dedicated veteran resource centers and similar facilities
- Offer online programs that feature flexible schedules and convenient access
- Enable military and veteran students to avail of their education benefits
Indeed, online colleges for military and veteran students bring many benefits. You’ll love the affordable cost, flexible schedules, and quality education you’ll receive.
Here, we’ll discuss the 10 best schools for veterans and military students. When you’re done reading, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.
Related:
- Accredited Online Colleges Offering a Free Laptop or Discounted Laptop
- The Best Online Schools for Military and Ex-Military Students
- Scholarships for Military and Ex-Military Students
- The Ex-Military Student’s Guide to College
What Makes a School Military-Friendly?
Here’s a more detailed explanation of what makes a school military-friendly.
Definition and Criteria
Again, we can define online accredited military-friendly schools by explaining their key characteristics.
- Tuition aid programs. These colleges usually offer military-specific financial aid programs in line with federal laws. Again, these include the GI Bill, Post-9/11 GI Bill, and Yellow Ribbon Program. Explore your eligibility for the VEAP, TA, and VR&E programs, too.
- Flexible scheduling. These colleges offer asynchronous classes, 24/7 access, and self-paced study. As a result, students can achieve a good work-life balance.
- Military credit transfer policies. The best schools allow military and veteran students to transfer their military credits. These can be from their military training, such as courses and experiences.
- Online programs available. Of course, these schools offer accredited online programs in diverse disciplines. These online programs remove cost and geographical barriers.
Support Services
The dedicated support services for military students must include:
- Veteran support centers that provide academic support, social events, and career guidance.
- Military advisors who understand the unique challenges and needs faced by military students.
- Counseling services that enable students to enjoy health and wellness while in school.
- Peer mentoring programs that enable military and veteran students to connect with peers.
Accreditation Importance
Choose only from accredited online colleges because accreditation means:
- Quality education
- Eligibility for military education benefits
- Transferability of credits
- Recognition by the industry and employers
Keep these aspects in mind so you’re not deceived by catchy phrases and attractive logos. You must also take your time in researching these aspects.
Top Military-Friendly Accredited Online Schools
University of Maryland Global Campus
Part of the public University System of Maryland, UMGC has military-friendly policies. Applicants can apply for credit transfers of their military training and experience.
As a student, you’ll have access to its extensive military student support services. These include academic advising and career counseling. Indeed, UMGC is among the best military-friendly online colleges for these reasons.
Liberty University
Liberty is among the online universities for active-duty military members because it:
- Offers military discounts
- Has generous transfer credit policies
- Provides robust student support services
- Offers a wide range of military-focused degrees
Note that Liberty is a private Christian university.
Arizona State University Online
Among the largest online universities, ASU Online offers diverse 100% online programs. Military and veteran students praise its:
- Robust veteran support services
- Flexible class schedules
- Convenient access to course materials
- Tuition discounts and other financial aid options available
ASU Online has more than 6,000 military and veteran students.
Western Governors University
WGU is well-known for its competency-based learning model. You must show your mastery of specific knowledge and skills for every course. This is done through competency assignments, projects, and exams. You’ll also get excellent mentor support.
Note that WGU has a separate tuition structure for military students. WGU is also a Yellow Ribbon school.
University of Arizona Global Campus
UAGC is among the top online schools for veterans because it:
- Offers college credits for military training and experience
- Has a streamlined application process for veterans
- Provides military education benefits through the Yellow Program and MyCAA
UAGC is also known for its extensive range of military student support services. There are personal advisors, academic advisors, and financial services advisors.
Southern New Hampshire University
SNHU’s extensive range of dedicated military student support services include:
- No application fees and entrance exams required
- A maximum of 90 transfer credits allowed for military experience and training
- Up to 30% tuition credits for eligible students
- Many military scholarships available
From day one, you’ll get a dedicated support team for personalized support services.
Purdue University Global
Created for working professionals, Purdue University Global attracts military and veteran students, too. Among its notable features are:
- Offers tuition discounts (i.e., from 14% to 55%, depending on program and status)
- Has a generous transfer credit policy (i.e., up to 54% of credits for an associate’s degree)
Online programs provide flexible schedules and convenient access for students.
Colorado State University Global
CSU Global has online programs where students can achieve a good work-life balance. Other military-specific benefits include:
- Application fee waivers
- Tuition discounts and other financial aid
- Transfer credits for military training and experience
There’s even a dedicated internal task force for military-specific concerns.
American Military University
AMU lives up to its name by offering programs designed for both active-duty service members and veterans. Students enjoy tuition discounts and coverage under the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Columbia Southern University
CSU’s affordable tuition rates mean greater access to education for military and veteran students. We love that it has a military-specific admissions process, too.
Benefits of Military-Friendly Online Schools
Here are the benefits of military-friendly schools that you can look forward to.
Flexibility for Active-Duty Members
If you’re an active-duty military member, you’ll appreciate the flexibility in the form of:
- Asynchronous courses with 24/7 access to course materials
- Deployment-friendly policies (e.g., take breaks and resume studies without penalty, request for deadline extensions and deferred enrollment)
- Customizable degree plans
Financial Support
Tuition discounts for military students aren’t the only financial support you’ll get. You must explore your eligibility for benefits under the:
- GI Bill or Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Yellow Ribbon Program
- Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program
- Veteran Readiness and Employment
Seek financial aid counseling and financial management resources, too.
Career Advancement Opportunities
The best online colleges offer academic programs that align with military careers. You can apply your military training and experience when choosing an academic program. The diverse disciplines range from cybersecurity to healthcare, logistics, and engineering.
You must take full advantage of the career services offered, too. This way, your degree choice will align with your interests and goals. Be sure to take advantage of internships, co-op education, and fellowships.
Personalized Support
The best GI Bill online schools recognize the unique challenges among military and veteran students. As such, you’ll receive personalized support that boosts your success. These include veteran mentoring, academic advising, and career counseling.
Choosing the Right Military-Friendly School
Here are our tips on how to choose a military-friendly school that fits your needs and goals.
Assessing Accreditation
The best online schools for veterans and military students have either:
- Active regional accreditation from one of the six regional accreditation agencies (e.g., HLC, SACSCOC, or NECHE)
- Current national accreditation (e.g., DEAC or ACICS)
Check if your preferred academic programs also have programmatic accreditation. Examples include CCNE (nursing), AACSB (business), and ABET (engineering).
Military Transfer Credits
You must understand the military credit transfer policies and procedures. The more transfer credits you can get in, the lower your costs. Ask about the PLA policies and articulation agreements, too.
Degree Programs Offered
Browse the academic programs available. Then, determine which of these academic programs align with your interests and goals. Check for specialized programs for military students, too, such as in cybersecurity.
Student Reviews and Rankings
Feedback from fellow military or veteran students is a valuable tool in your choice. Read online reviews and rankings. Ask your fellow students for their experiences and insights.
Access to Military Resources
You should prioritize colleges with robust, dedicated student support services. Veteran support centers and veteran-run organizations are great indicators.
Conclusion
You must choose only from military-friendly accredited online schools for your education. This way, you can maximize your education benefits while receiving quality education.
So, choose from our list of the best top online colleges for veterans and military members. You’ll find one that best fits your needs and goals.
For more information about accredited online schools for military students, visit our Accredited Online Colleges now.