As more and more military personnel seek higher education while on active duty or after completing their service, many online colleges have begun offering programs specifically tailored to the unique needs and challenges faced by those in the military community. Whether you’re looking to earn a degree to advance your career within the military, or to transition into a civilian career, there are numerous online college options available that offer flexible schedules, generous financial aid packages, and military-friendly policies.
One online college that consistently ranks high among military-friendly institutions is Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). SNHU offers more than 200 degree programs, including more than 50 that can be completed entirely online. The university is recognized as a Yellow Ribbon School, which means they offer tuition-free education to qualifying post-9/11 veterans. SNHU also offers a dedicated military support team to help military and veteran students navigate the admissions and financial aid process, and offers flexible course schedules to accommodate deployments and other military obligations.
Top Online Colleges for Military
There are many online colleges that cater specifically to military students and their unique needs.
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Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online College for Military
When selecting an online college for military, it is important to consider factors such as accreditation, flexibility, and available resources for military students.
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Top Online Colleges for Military: A Comparison
Here are some of the top online colleges for military and how they compare in terms of tuition, programs offered, and support for military students.
Top Online Colleges for Military
For military members looking to further their education, there are a multitude of online colleges available. These colleges offer flexibility, affordability, and a wide range of programs to fit military lifestyles. Here are some of the top online colleges for military:
1. University of Maryland Global Campus
The University of Maryland Global Campus is a public, online university that offers over 90 programs to fit a variety of military lifestyles. They are dedicated to serving military members and their families and have been recognized multiple times as a military-friendly school. The University of Maryland Global Campus also has a variety of support services to help military students, including tuition assistance, veteran benefits, and academic advising.
2. Liberty University
Liberty University is a private, Christian university that offers online programs specifically designed for military members. They offer over 250 programs to choose from and have a variety of resources available to military students, including scholarships, career services, and counseling services. Liberty University is also a Yellow Ribbon Program participant, meaning they offer discounted tuition rates for military students.
3. American Public University System
The American Public University System is a fully online university that offers over 200 programs specifically designed for military students. They have been recognized as a top school for military students by Military Times and offer a variety of resources to help military students, including tuition assistance, veteran benefits, and career services. The American Public University System also offers a Military Family Grant to help military spouses and dependents with their education.
4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private, non-profit university that offers online programs designed for military members. They specialize in aviation and aerospace education and offer over 100 programs to fit a variety of military lifestyles. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is also a Yellow Ribbon Program participant, meaning they offer discounted tuition rates for military students. They also offer a variety of resources to help military students, including tuition assistance, veteran benefits, and career services.
5. University of Arizona Global Campus
The University of Arizona Global Campus is a public, online university that offers over 80 programs to fit a variety of military lifestyles. They offer a variety of resources to help military students, including tuition assistance, veteran benefits, and academic advising. The University of Arizona Global Campus is also a Yellow Ribbon Program participant, meaning they offer discounted tuition rates for military students. They have been recognized multiple times as a military-friendly school and are dedicated to serving military members and their families.
Conclusion
For military members looking to further their education, there are numerous online colleges available. These colleges offer flexibility, affordability, and a wide range of programs to fit military lifestyles. Some of the top online colleges for military include the University of Maryland Global Campus, Liberty University, American Public University System, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the University of Arizona Global Campus. These colleges are dedicated to serving military members and their families and offer a variety of resources to help military students with their education and career goals.
FAQ
1. What are the top online colleges for military personnel?
There are several top-ranked online colleges for military personnel, including Liberty University, University of Maryland Global Campus, Arizona State University, and Columbia Southern University. These universities are geared towards meeting the demands of serving military personnel who lead busy lives and have unique educational requirements. They offer a wide range of degree programs in different fields of study, as well as a flexible learning environment to facilitate easy access to education for military personnel no matter where they are posted.
2. Do any of these online colleges offer scholarships or financial aid for military personnel?
Yes, most of the top online colleges offer financial aid and scholarship programs for military personnel. Some even offer significant discounts to veterans and active-duty military personnel. For instance, Liberty University offers several scholarship programs to military personnel, including the Military Tuition Assistance Program, Military Service Scholarship, and Tuition Assistance Top Up. These programs are designed to help military personnel achieve their academic goals without breaking the bank.
3. What are the admission requirements for military personnel seeking enrollment in online colleges?
Admission requirements for military personnel vary from one online college to another. However, all the top online colleges require a high school diploma or equivalent as a minimum admission requirement. They may also require specific standardized test scores, such as the SAT or ACT. Additionally, some colleges may require transcripts from previous colleges or universities attended, as well as letters of recommendation.
4. What kind of programs do the top online colleges offer for military personnel?
The top online colleges offer a wide variety of programs for military personnel, including undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various fields such as business, healthcare, education, engineering, and more. They also offer certificate programs, as well as non-degree programs for those seeking to improve their skill sets or earn continuing education units. The programs are designed to be flexible enough to accommodate the busy schedules of military personnel while providing them with quality education to advance their careers.
5. Can military personnel transfer credits earned from previous colleges or universities to these online colleges?
Yes, most online colleges accept transfer credits from previous colleges and universities attended by military personnel. Each college has its own policies and procedures on accepting transfer credits, which can be found on their websites or by contacting their admission offices. Military personnel should ensure that the courses they are transferring are transferable and that they meet the requirements of their desired programs.
6. Are there any perks that come with enrolling in an online college as a military personnel?
Yes, there are several perks that military personnel enjoy when they enroll in online colleges. These include access to military-specific resources and support services, such as counseling, tutoring, and career services. They also get to connect with a community of fellow military personnel and veterans, which can be beneficial in terms of networking and getting support as they pursue their academic and career goals.
7. What is the duration of the programs offered by the top online colleges for military personnel?
The duration of programs offered by the top online colleges varies depending on the level of degree and the field of study. Generally, undergraduate programs take 4 years to complete, while graduate programs take 2 years or more. However, the duration of programs may be shorter or longer depending on the individual circumstances of the student, such as transfer credits and enrollment status.
8. Will attending online colleges impact the military personnel’s GI Bill benefits?
No, attending online colleges will not impact a military personnel’s GI Bill benefits. Online colleges that accept GI Bill benefits are required to meet the same quality standards as traditional colleges and universities. As such, military personnel are entitled to the same GI Bill benefits when they enroll in online colleges as they would in traditional colleges.
9. Is it possible to take a break from online college if military personnel is deployed?
Yes, military personnel can take a break from online college if deployed. Top online colleges understand that military personnel may have unpredictable schedules due to deployments or relocations, and they have policies in place to accommodate such situations. Students may request an academic leave of absence or extend the duration of a program if necessary to complete their courses.
10. Can military personnel pursue online degrees while actively serving in the military?
Yes, military personnel can pursue online degrees while actively serving in the military. In fact, online colleges are a popular option for deployed military personnel because they can study wherever they are stationed, without having to worry about commuting to a traditional campus. The top online colleges are designed to cater to the unique needs of military personnel, including offering support resources and flexible course schedules to accommodate their busy lifestyles.