In response to these high numbers, the federal government has launched several programs and initiatives aimed at veterans and active-duty military personnel who wish to attend college and earn an accredited degree. The National Conference of State Legislatures notes that more than 900,000 veterans and military servicemembers received education benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs between 2000 and 2012; the largest increase was recorded between 2009 and 2010, after the Post 9/11 GI Bill took effect; one provision of this bill ― known as the Yellow Ribbon program ― is designed to reduce out-of-pocket tuition costs for individuals who have enlisted since 9/11. Additionally, a joint program known as Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) eases the credit transferral and degree completion processes for active-duty and military reservist students. Other academic perks include ‘prior-learning’ credits awarded for those who have completed official military trainings, dedicated student organizations for veterans and active-duty servicemembers and financial aid opportunities reserved for students with an armed forces background.
Online degree programs offer an ideal academic pathway for many of today’s military students. The asynchronous (or self-paced) curriculum of most online courses is conducive for active-duty personnel and reservists who must balance their schoolwork with service-related commitments. This flexible format is also helpful for Armed Forces veterans who are seeking a college education in order to transition from the military into civilian life. And like their brick-and-mortar counterparts, online colleges and universities provide services and resources aimed at military and veteran students. These include personal counseling, academic advisement and career planning ― all delivered within a convenient virtual setting.
This ranking of the best online colleges for veterans takes all of these programs and services into account. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive academic resource for military veterans, active servicemembers, reservists and military dependents across the country. Before we get to the official list, let’s discuss the detailed methodology we used to select these colleges and universities.
Accredited Online Degree Programs
1 Fort Hays State University
Established in 1902 at the site of a former military outpost, this Kansas institution today offers an extensive selection of online education programs. These options include more than 50 fully accredited degree and certificate pathways. In addition, undeclared students may opt for the online Bachelor of General Studies track, which allows them to follow a customized curriculum that aligns with their career goals and interests.
Fort Hays earns the top spot on our military-friendly schools ranking for several reasons. The university's financial aid options for active-duty students include the Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), Fry Scholarship and Kansas Military Service Scholarship, as well as the MyCAA for military spouses. The university also participates in the '8 Keys to Veteran Success' program designed to assist and support military students as they complete their degree requirements and begin to explore career options. The university has been widely recognized for its military-oriented programs. Military Advanced Education has named Fort Hays among the most military-friendly colleges and universities since 2008, while U.S. News & World Report placed the university on lists for the best bachelor's and best grad education programs for veterans.
2 Colorado State University-Global Campus
CSU-Global is the distance education division of Colorado State University. A total of 24 online bachelor's and master's degree programs are available through CSU-Global, the majority of which are concentrated in accounting, management, human resources and other business-oriented studies. The university also offers multiple online certification and licensure pathways for aspiring K-12 teachers.
Attending CSU-Global is highly affordable for students with a military background; the university provides a 10% tuition discount for active-duty servicemembers, veterans and military dependents. The school's tuition guarantee also ensures that the annual cost of attending courses will not increase as long as a student is enrolled. Additionally, CSU will defer tuition payments while the student's GI Bill and other tuition benefits are being processed. First-time students can receive financial advisement from CSU's tuition planning services division. Military students attending CSU-Global may qualify for college credit through prior-learning assessments (PLAs) from trainings and work-related experience; students may transfer up to 30 PLA credits. Competency- based exams are also available for students who wish to earn credit in specialization areas without taking courses.
3 University of North Dakota
Located in the town of Grand Forks, the UND offers a total of 60 online degree and certificate programs. These opportunities include an extensive selection of STEM pathways, such as degrees in engineering, medical laboratory science, aviation, forensic psychology and space studies. Multiple tracks for aspiring teachers and nurses are available online, as well.
The UND reduces college costs for military students by offering in-state tuition (regardless of current state of residence) to active-duty servicemembers, veterans, military dependents, members of the North Dakota National Guard and official ROTC cadets attending the university. Under the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program, each eligible student to a 'Military Education Officer'; this officer will meet with the student to discuss degree options, course requirements and career opportunities. Military students who are currently deployed overseas may contact the UND office of veteran and nontraditional students; a staff member will register for courses on the student's behalf. A full tuition refund will be issued for all courses that are incomplete due to student deployment.
4 The University of Alabama
More than 60 online degree and certificate pathways are available through Bama by Distance, the distance learning wing of the University of Alabama. These opportunities include: 24 programs in teacher education; 15 in 'human environmental sciences' fields; five in communication and information sciences; and additional options in arts and sciences, business administration, engineering and social work.
The University of Alabama maintains a partnership program with GoArmyEd that is designed for first-time students with a military background; each student will be paired with an Army Education Counselor to help with college application and admissions, course registration, tuition payments and other key steps for academic success. Additional programs offered through the university's Office of Veteran and Military Affairs include: VetSuccess, a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) program that connects licensed vocational counselors with military students and dependents; the VITAL initiative aimed at improving health services for student veterans; and the Textbooks for Troops program that enables military students to check out textbooks for free.
5 University of Maryland-University College
Nearly 50 online degree and certificate programs are available at the University of Maryland-University College (UMUC), as well as 69 undergraduate minors and master's degree specializations. The majority of UMUC's online programs are delivered in a fully online format; a few pathways -- such as the practical nursing bachelor's degree track -- are delivered primarily online with onsite clinical or practicum course requirements.
UMUC offers a reduced tuition rate to veterans, active-duty servicemembers, National Guard personnel and military dependents earning undergraduate and graduate degrees. Additionally, the university's Tuition Assistance program may cover up to 100% of education-related costs for current and retired active-duty and reservist students. Military students can receive undergraduate and graduate credit for training programs such as College of the American Soldier, Defense Threat Reduction University, Marine Corps Career College and Joint Forces Staff College. Qualifying students will be considered for training-based credit when they submit their military transcripts. Degree and certificate programs for military students at UMUC are based on recommendations from the Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces.
6 Northern Arizona University 58.98 7 Troy University 58.52 8 Utah State University 56.70 9 Western Kentucky University 56.36 10 Davenport University 56.36 11 Columbia College 52.27 12 East Tennessee State University 50.11 13 Westfield State University 49.20 14 New England College 46.70 15 Franklin University 46.70 16 University of Toledo 46.59 17 Central Texas College 45.91 18 Lamar University 45.68 19 Cardinal Stritch University 45.68 20 National Louis University 43.75 21 University of the Incarnate Word 43.07 22 Cameron University
Next, let’s take a closer look at some of the standard military and veterans benefits available for today’s college students.
The Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944 was first enacted to provide educational and professional opportunities for returning WWII veterans. This act is better known today as the G.I. Bill. The following G.I. Bill provisions are commonly found at accredited colleges and universities across the country:
MONTGOMERY G.I. BILL:
Launched in 1984, Chapter 30 of the bill is known as the Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB). Under MGIB, active-duty military personnel may forfeit $100 per month for one calendar year; this monthly allotment will entitle them to a monthly educational stipend after they have completed at least two years of active duty. Furthermore, active-duty servicemembers may elect to forfeit an additional $600 per month as part of the ‘Buy-Up Program’; these candidates will receive repayment at a rate of up to eight dollars to one, resulting in a maximum payout of $5,400 in additional benefits. These benefits will expire after 10 years if they are not cashed out. The MGIB also features a provision for reservists known as Chapter 1606; eligible candidates will receive up to 36 months of education benefits.
POST-9/11 G.I. BILL:
This section of the G.I. Bill is designed for veterans who have entered active-duty since Sept. 10, 2001. Eligible candidates include personnel with a total of 90 active-duty service days since 9/11, as well as those who have been honorably discharged or received a service-connected disability after 30 days of active-duty service. The Post-9/11 provisions include two benefits programs that reduce out-of-pocket costs for military students. Schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon program will ‘match’ G.I. Bill tuition payments by contributing 50% of the overall benefits; currently, the maximum G.I. Bill payout for Yellow Ribbon recipients is $21,084.89 per year. The Transfer of Entitlement program also enables military students and spouses to donate all or some of their unused benefits to children who are attending college. Additionally, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill includes the Machine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship; this award is reserved for spouses and children of military personnel who have died in the line of duty since Sept. 10, 2001. Finally, eligible recipients will be given a yearly textbook stipend of $1,000.
CHAPTER 31:
This comprehensive section of the G.I. Bill ― known as Vocational Rehabilitation, or Voc Rehab for short ― is dedicated to creating educational and educational opportunities for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
CHAPTER 32:
Known as the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (or VEAP), this section of the G.I. Bill is geared toward veterans who entered active-duty service between 1977 and 1985. During that time, military personnel could elect to forfeit part of their pay and allocate the money toward educational programs. The military currently matches these contributions at a rate of 2 to 1.
CHAPTER 35:
Known as the Dependents Education Assistance Program (or DEA), this section of the G.I. Bill provides tuition assistance and other benefits to the spouses and children of military veterans who have been killed in the line of duty or permanently disabled as a result of military service. Eligible candidates will receive up to 45 months of education benefits.
CHAPTER 1607:
Reservists who have completed at least 90 active-duty service days are eligible for education benefits under the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP). Currently, eligible recipients will receive up to 80% of the educational benefits given to active-duty personnel as they are reservists.
In addition to federal benefits awarded through the G.I. Bill, many colleges and universities offer extra provisions for active-duty servicemembers, veterans and military dependents. These perks may include:
Tuition discounts for eligible military personnel and dependents.
Benefits programs for servicemembers and veterans who may not qualify for Yellow Ribbon and other G.I. Bill benefits.
Prior-learning assessment (PLA) credits awarded for military trainings and experiences.
Institutional scholarships and grants reserved for students with a military background.
ACADEMIC OUTCOMES FOR MILITARY STUDENTS
Academic support services are crucial for active-duty servicemembers and military veterans pursuing a college education. “[V]eterans follow very different paths to graduation compared with their traditional peers,” note the authors of Million Record Project, a research initiative launched by Student Veterans of America. “Despite these and other challenges common to nontraditional students, student veterans are persisting towards their educational goals and succeeding.”
The Million Record Project polled active-duty personnel, reservists and military veterans.
The project’s report noted that 51.7% of all students surveyed eventually earned a postsecondary certificate or degree program. However, nearly 80% of those polled who completed a college program also received G.I. Bill benefits. The survey also found that military students typically take longer to complete degree programs than traditional students; the median military student earned an associate degree after four years and a bachelor’s degree after five years. However, the report notes that ‘military-related factors’ often impact degree completion times. The majority of military students in the U.S. complete their education with a certificate or associate degree program; roughly one-third of those interviewed for the survey had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Thanks to prior-learning assessment (PLA) programs, military students can earn college credit from training programs and field experiences. Academic majors that tend to award the highest amount of PLA credit include business administration, information technology, engineering, nursing and health professions. Military students should carefully research PLA opportunities at different colleges and universities in order to determine which schools are the best match for their particular skill-set.
According to the 2015 Veteran Economic Opportunity Report, one out of two Post-9/11 veterans will experience a period of unemployment during their transition to civilian life. G.I. Bill benefits have played a major role for these individuals; post-9/11 veterans represent roughly 58% of the currently G.I. Bill benefits recipients, and another 8% have donated their unused benefits to a qualifying child who is attending college. Additionally, female students who receive G.I. Bill benefits recorded a 10% higher completion rate than the average for all benefits recipients. In 2013, the median annual income for veterans in the U.S. was $40,302 ― more than $10,000 higher than the median annual earnings for non-veterans.
Additional Support Services
Active-duty servicemembers, veterans or military dependents are encouraged to visit the following sites for more information about tuition assistance, career planning and other academic services for military students.
VETJOBS:
This extensive employment listing site is dedicated to active-service personnel, reservists, National Guard members, veterans and military dependents. Site visitors can browse job openings, post resumes and find career fairs in their area.
G.I. BILL COMPARISON TOOL:
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, this interactive tool allows students to input their G.I. Bill benefits and compare the estimated cost of attending different schools. The tool includes a section for online students.
VFW STUDENT VETERAN SUPPORT:
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) hosts a web page dedicated to military students. The site includes scholarship opportunities, tips for choosing the right school and information about the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship awarded to top-performing veteran students.
Source: http://docphy.com/hobbies-activities/politics-social-issues/military/americas-top-military-friendly-colleges.html
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