If you are among those individuals who are ready to serve in the country’s armed forces for their country, sacrificing your life so as to protect and serve the nation, you definitely deserve gratitude and appreciation.
So as to become a military service member, you need to pursue either education or training.
Nowadays, it can be done even while serving in the armed forces, thanks to several military-friendly online schools and programs.
Liberty University
Liberty University is a private, Christian educational institution in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Liberty University offers both residential and online programs.
The school boasts one of the most flexible online programs which is ideal for active military members.
Actually, they take pride in access to world-class learning resources for all their students, being that the university provides Information Systems, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Social Work, and Criminal Justice among other specializations.
It is worth mentioning that Liberty University has an Office of Military Affairs that involves online students in their military concerns.
What students consider outstanding is the fact that this university provides above-average support services for military members and their families.
Liberty University has one-stop-shop online resources for veterans and armed forces such as the Military Deployment, Military Affairs, Veterans Benefits, Military Degree Plans, Military Transfer Credit, Military Programs, and Military Outreach and Community.
Official WebsiteDrexel University
Drexel University was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Actually, Drexel University is a private research university known as the nation’s most engaged university.
This is due to the fact that it has a variety of community partnerships combined into different service and academic aspects and for over 20 years, it boasts quality distance learning opportunities offered to students all over the world.
Drexel University features various online degree programs for both students who have just graduated from high schools and working professionals.
You can enroll in certificate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in Arts, Business/Management, Criminal Justice, Education, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Technology, and Psychology to mention a few.
Furthermore, the university provides discounted military tuition rates for its online programs and a concrete support system for their active military applicants.
What this school provides are personalized support, transferrable GI Bill to spouses and dependents, and a one-stop-shop for educational benefits for the veterans and military.
Additionally, the university offers an Office of Veteran Students Services.
These services are designed to ensure that military dependents and veterans have the easy accessibility of campus learning resources and services.
Official WebsitePenn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus was established in 1998 and it made online degree programs available to students who cannot come and attend classes at its physical campuses.
Today, Pennsylvania State University offers 197 online degree programs through the PennState World Campus.
This school is considered as a military-friendly educational institution and it is well known due to the fact that it is ranked for Best Online Programs for Veterans.
The university’s online degree programs have several areas of study such as Business, Education, Law and Public Policy, Engineering, Homeland Security, and Liberal Arts and Communication among others.
What is considered outstanding is the fact that Penn State World Campus has an extensive support services system for the military and veteran students.
Once enrolled, you will meet a team of experts that will help direct service members, military families, and veterans in admissions, benefits program, impacts of deployment, and other military support offered by the university.
You can take advantage of the university’s Undergraduate Military Grant-in-Aid if you are a member of the Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Armed Forces as well as their spouses.
Penn State boasts a variety of financial assistance options through the Financial Aid for Military and Veteran Students.
Official WebsiteRegent University
Regent University and its staff are devoted to providing excellent education through a biblical perspective while at the same time training Christian leaders to change the world.
Regent University is located in Virginia Beach and it provides a one-stop online reference through the Military Resource Center for all the information needed for military personnel, veterans and their spouses who are interested in an online education there.
This school is considered a top military-friendly university, being that it provides several online degree programs in different areas of study.
Some of them are education, nursing, business & leadership, law/government/history, general studies/interdisciplinary, arts & communication/English, divinity/theology, STEM, and psychology & counseling.
Regent University offers various military and veteran educational benefits through the VA Education Benefits, Military Admissions & Aid, Dependent & Spouse Benefits, and Military Programs and Partnerships.
If you become a student there, the university staff will inform you about the special credits that are transferrable in agreements for certain members such as the Military Partner Schools for Advanced Standing, and Air University.
Official WebsiteBellevue University
Bellevue University has invested many years in its campus and community to make it ideal for students who are pursuing a caring, high-quality educational environment.
The school staff is there to support you and help you with a plan on how to reach your goal.
Bellevue University’s main campus is located in Nebraska.
However, Bellevue University is offering over 75 online degree programs for working adults who cannot attend on-campus classes.
This private, non-profit university that is among the nation’s top military-friendly educational institutions.
In case you want to take advantage of distance learning opportunities and complete degrees, you can enroll in any of the undergraduate and graduate programs at Bellevue University such as arts and humanities, business, management and leadership, human capital, public service, safety, security and intelligence, and education and training among many others.
Bellevue University also provides the best quality education for military members, veterans, and their spouses/dependents and it is considered very attractive due to the fact that they give a discounted tuition rate of $250 per credit hour from 29 bachelor’s degree programs.
Additionally, Bellevue University offers many services to military and veteran students.
Those include housing assistance, career counseling, private study area and lounge, mentoring and tutoring, and conference rooms through the Military Veterans Service Center.
Furthermore, the university allows students to choose from different types of VA Education Benefits.
Official WebsiteGrantham University
“Grantham University, which is located in Lenexa, Kansas, takes pride in featuring over 50 accredited online degree programs and providing an outstanding education for 65 years.
Since its establishment, the school staff is dedicated to quality education for students and they are even more powered by four major colleges namely College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Nursing and Allied Health, and Mark Skousen School of Business.
All these colleges are there to provide distance education with convenience, flexibility, and affordability to people who want to pursue higher education degrees but cannot attend regular classes.
Grantham University is also well known as an important educational institution that provides great support to individuals who have active service in the U.S. Military.
The university is also famous as it has received recognition from Military Times Best and GI Jobs.
But that is not all, as it was awarded as a Top Military Friendly School by Military Advanced Education and Transition for ten years consecutively.
Upon enrollments, Grantham’s Financial Aid Team is there to support and help veterans maximize their VA Benefits, explore Tuition Assistance Benefits, and grant spouses and dependents with financial aid options through the Military Programs of the school.
It is worth mentioning that the school has a Veteran Support Team that provides services such as career planning, mentorship, veteran benefits, ADA accommodations, support for the Student Veterans of America, classroom program assistance, and financial management support.
Official WebsitePark University
Park University has been offering student-centered, quality higher education since its foundation in 1875.
Park University belongs to some of the top-quality educational institutions around the world with 40 campus locations in 21 states.
The school boasts 17,000 students that are enrolled in more than 500 courses.
All of them are designed to provide flexibility and convenience to distance learners.
You can choose to enroll in military programs that are offered in three significant areas of study – management, liberal arts & sciences, and education & health professions.
The University is a military-friendly school and it maximizes military experience and training from the Joint Service Transcript.
Upon enrollment in Park University’s programs, one of the benefits you can take advantage of if you are currently serving students is that tuition is priced at $250 per credit hour.
Also, veteran’s program benefits are priced at $346 per credit hour, and program benefits for military families are at $250 per credit hour.
Additionally, Park University’s Department for Military and Veteran Student Services has a Global Warrior Center.
This center has the aim to offer information and relevant resources for military service members and transitioning veterans.
There you will be informed about possible educational benefits and VA benefits.
Also, its staff will work with students under deployment processes, and aid in any veteran-related inquiries such as healthcare, employment opportunities, transition assistance, financial aid, counseling services, and helps veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
You can also make use of relaxation stations, laptops, reference libraries, and other amenities that are available to veterans, family members, dependents and spouses, and service members.
Official WebsiteSaint Leo University
Saint Leo University has an outstanding and successful history of providing education to its enrollees which started over four decades ago.
Actually, when it was opened, Saint Leo had courses for the first time to 176 students at Avon Park and 13 students at MacDill Air Force Base.
Nowadays, it has developed into a huge educational institution with more than 6,000 men and women of the armed forces, veterans, and their family members who are enrolled in Saint Leo University degree programs.
Saint Leo University is a private university that has a commitment to serving the active-duty military, veterans, and military families.
They can enroll in any of the programs offered which are affordable, accessible, and of high quality.
The university offers 72 online degree programs related to criminal justice, arts & sciences, psychology, social work, social science, education, business, and information technology to mention a few.
Furthermore, Saint Leo University offers tuition assistance for voluntary, out-of-duty educational degrees that provides support to the service members.
They have a variety of Military and Veteran Benefits, and Military Education Resources and all of them are used to assist student-veterans and service members and their families.
To make the educational journey easier for those deployed/relocated on duty, they have several Education Centers that allow them to finish their degree at their convenient locations.
Official WebsiteNorwich University
Norwich University has a rich educational history being that it has been educating and serving military students for nearly 200 years.
It was established in Northfield, Vermont, and nowadays, it is proud to offer several online programs that are designed for those who look for distance education experience.
The school is ready to meet the unique needs and goals of active/on-duty military members, veterans, and their family members, as well.
The university initiated a new paradigm for providing quality education to service members.
It is a combination of field training and experiential methodologies with liberal arts studies and it has become one of the first military schools to integrate civilian students on the campus.
At Norwich University, the eligible active military members, reserves, and personnel can take advantage of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Tuition Assistance program aids.
The TA amount which is around $250 per credit hour can be combined with the GI Bill funds to help offset the balance.
Additionally, the university offers several financing aid opportunities including tuition assistance, federal loans, and veteran benefits – the Yellow Ribbon Program, and the Montgomery GI Bill.
Official WebsiteBall State University
Ball State University Veterans Affairs it created so as to provide resources to veterans, reservists, guardsmen, and family members to help them achieve higher educational goals.
Ball State University is just one among many Military-Friendly institutions in the country and it takes pride in being ranked in the top 20 for “Best Online Programs for Veterans” according to the U.S. News & World Report.
Students are allowed to choose from a variety of online degree programs that are suitable for students who have busy schedules or who are working and studying at the same time.
Their programs include business administration, general studies, logistics and supply chain management, criminal justice and criminology, coaching education, and special education among many others.
Ball State University’s Veterans Affairs Staff works with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the State of Indiana.
They all have the same aim, and that is to provide support and assistance to active military members, veterans, and their families.
This partnership has resulted in the processing of military education benefits such as Post 9/11 GI Bill, Indiana Child of Disabled Veteran, Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP), Federal Tuition Assistance/National Guard Supplemental Grant, and Chapter 31 VA Vocational Rehabilitation.
Official WebsiteWebster University
Webster University has been offering education at its military campus since 1974.
The school staff boasts various educational programs that are offered to the military for more than 40 years with the main purpose to make their educational dreams come true.
This is an American private, non-profit university that world-class distance learning opportunities to students all around the world.
You can enroll in the university’s 50 online certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs.
It is worth mentioning that the online curriculum is delivered in the same standard and rigorous format as the courses taught on-campus.
Webster University boasts great support of its military students, veterans and their family members in achieving their educational goals.
Actually, they are offered discounted tuition fees, participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program which consists of military advisors that are trained to assist with military and VA benefits.
Furthermore, military, financial assistance, and member participation in the TA Top-Up Program are just some of the ways Webster University supports military and veteran students.
Official WebsiteUniversity of Maryland University College
University of Maryland University College is famous for its award-winning academic programs and services for active-duty military service members, veterans, and military spouses and families.
Since its foundation, they have been educating active-duty troops, reservists, members of the National Guard, veterans, and military family members since World War II.
University of Maryland University College has a broad range of online degrees and certifications.
Some of the academic programs you can choose from are business and management, IT and computer systems, public safety, data analytics, liberal arts & communication, and cybersecurity among others.
University of Maryland University College allows military and veteran students to earn their degree and the university’s staff of veterans assist undergraduate and graduate students through several Tuition Assistance for Military Personnel, Education Benefits, and Financial Aid.
Last but not least, the University of Maryland University College offers financial assistance and scholarship programs for active military members, and veterans.
Official WebsiteCalifornia University of Pennsylvania
The California University of Pennsylvania is an educational institution that provides both on-campus and online degree programs.
They are in line with a modern way of living and studying and you can choose to enroll in one of more than 75 online certificates, associate, bachelor’s, masters or doctoral programs available at the California University of Pennsylvania.
If you are eager to enhance your professional career pathways, you can choose from several programs from different academic categories including business/economics, visual and performing arts, education, law and justice, human services, communications, engineering/technology, and liberal arts among others.
Additionally, students can select to take their degrees in hybrid or flex format.
The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs available at this university provides complete support for active-duty members, service members, veterans, and eligible dependents.
Their job is to help students make use of their military education benefits.
Education Benefits Support, The Vet Center, and Veterans Club are one of the primary resources offered by California University of Pennsylvania.
The university understands the unique demands of each service member and veteran, so it is providing its students with military-friendly education and support system including financial aid and scholarships.
Official WebsiteWestern Governors University
Western Governors University has initiated competency-based education and it is still the only institution that offers competency-based degrees at scale.
Western Governors University is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it is considered as one of the pioneering schools of distance learning and innovative solutions to education.
This is an online school and all its online degrees are designed to allow working professionals the opportunity to earn undergraduate/graduate degrees without affecting their busy lifestyles and work and family obligations.
It is worth mentioning that the university has more than 50 online degree programs that are available in WGU’s four colleges – College of Business Online, College of Information Technology Online, College of Health Professions Online, and Teachers College Online.
Students can take advantage of Military Tuition Assistance and education benefits are there to cover the full cost of fees, books, and tuition.
They have a dedicated Enrollment Counselor whose job is to assist students in all the processes and paperwork involved in the admission to WGU’s Military Support.
There are also some part-time options to those service members using the Tuition Assistance.
Official WebsitePost University
Post University staff understands the demands and responsibilities that come with military service, so they are a military-friendly institution that supports those who have devoted their lives to protecting the country.
They have been providing educational benefits to military personnel since 1976 and nowadays they offer flexible online undergraduate and graduate programs that are similar to those available on campus in Waterbury, Connecticut.
Post University programs are created to be affordable and convenient for students and all of them are delivered from Post University’s tight-knit communities through award-winning schools – The Malcolm Baldridge School of Business, School of Arts & Sciences, and John P. Burke School of Public Service Education.
Degrees that are very popular among applicants are Psychology, Biology, Business Administration, Finance, Management, Human Resource Management, and Marketing.
Military benefits offered to veterans and their eligible family members enrolled in online degree programs of Post University are the Yellow Ribbon Program, G.I. Bill and Post University Certification Process, and The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program.
Military Tuition Assistance programs are also offered to active duty personnel and prospective students can talk to a specialized and expert military admissions staff who is there to assist students in their educational journey with Post University.
Last but not least, the university has partnerships with Special Military Programs to provide advanced educational opportunities to armed forces and veterans such as Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative, US Army Recruiting and Retention College, Community College of the Air Force’s General Education Mobile, and US Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School.
Official WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
Q. What kind of educational support services do military personnel and their families get?
Educational support services that military personnel and their families get might vary from one university or college to another, but we consider it worth mentioning that all schools provide the best military support system for veterans or military men.
They hire counselors or administrative staff with military experiences.
Also, there is a designated veteran’s group that works with students to support them in their college application and finding the necessary information related to a higher education opportunity.
We want to mention several external sources provided by the U.S. government to help service members pursue their education such as the Voluntary Education Program, Marine Corps Voluntary Education Program, and the Navy College Program.
A one-stop-shop for service member resources is provided by the U.S. Department of Defense through Military OneSource.
Q. What kind of educational benefits do military personnel and their families get?
If you are interested in educational benefits that military personnel and their families get, here you can find out that military members receive unique benefits and programs in their chosen school.
At each school, there is a designated advisor with a military background that specializes in the needs of the members of the armed forces whose job is to provide information related to the benefits of military members that the school provides, types of financial aid, the transfer of credits prior to the military education or training credentials, and military discounts for members of their families who are interested in pursuing a college education.
The school will assist in the military member’s GI benefits that will aid in the eligibility of the Montgomery GI Bill or the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
Furthermore, there are schools that provide workshops for veterans to help them with a distance learning format being that some of them suffer from injuries/physical disabilities or post-traumatic stress disorder.
The main task of advisors is to match a person’s military skills with a degree that will help him/her transition into a civilian career.
The majority of schools offer individual orientations and counseling services.
These are designed for military members with the aim to give them the best learning experience.
Additionally, most schools also provide scholarships, grants, and discount programs to military spouses depending on the status and terms of their military credentials and the GI bill if a military spouse is eligible for financial aid.
We assure you that any of the above-mentioned schools will help you and instruct you on several opportunities for your military spouses and children.
Q. Can you explain what the GI Bill is and what its benefits are?
The GI Bill is also known as the Montgomery GI Bill or MGIB and it was created by the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The main aim of it was to provide financial assistance to veterans of World War II.
Military members are required to pay at least $100 per month from the first year of their military service to be able to qualify for the benefits and later on the GI Bill helps them pay for certificate training, a college degree, flight training, vocational courses, or other distance learning programs.
It is valid for 36 months, meaning that you can take up to four years of college education and what is even better, the GI Benefit is available 10 to 15 years after an honorable discharge from service.
In case you are interested in this, you would be glad to know that there are two ways to apply for the GI Military Benefits.
Either through your chosen school, or you may apply on your own.
If you are attending a military-friendly educational institution, you will meet a team of advisors, counselors, and veteran groups who are there to assist you in your application or comply with the paperwork.
Applying on your own requires that you visit the VA regional office and accomplish the VA’s application form, or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 for direct phone applications.
Four to eight weeks are necessary to determine or receive your eligibility once you have logged your application and during this period, additional documents may be asked from you.
Once your application is approved, you need to consult the school’s advisor that specializes in the military benefits to maximize your financial assistance to meet all your academic needs.
Final Thoughts
As you could see, military personnel and their families can choose any type of degree depending on their interest and passion if they have already attained a high school diploma.
Now, it is up to you to choose the educational institution where you plan to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree.