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Preparing for Higher Education

Overview

Preparing for higher education includes considering and planning for a number of factors — selecting a course of study and understanding how that degree will affect your career options, preparing for college admission exams, choosing a school, knowing how much your educational options will cost and what financial aid is available to you, and more.

Use these tools and resources to help achieve your postsecondary education goals.

Smart tools for comparing schools and programs

Deciding which college to attend is much easier when you have the right information. Compare schools and programs with these smart tools:

  • College Navigator provides information on more than 7,000 postsecondary education institutions.
  • TA DECIDE is designed for participants of the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program and helps you compare schools and programs.
  • GI Bill® Comparison Tool helps you compare benefits and estimate costs by school.

College admission exam preparation

Get ready for some studying even before college begins. Most colleges and universities require admission exams with your application. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, or DANTES, can help you prepare for enrollment and cover the cost of some of these academic tests. DANTES also offers college prep resources that can help you prepare for these admission exams, sharpen your study skills, and identify your interests and aptitudes to help you choose an area of study or career path.

How to convert military experience into college credit

The skills you’ve mastered during your military service can count just as much as quizzes in a classroom. The Joint Services Transcript converts your military experience into civilian college credit, providing documented evidence to colleges and universities of professional military education, training and occupation experiences. The Joint Services Transcript is a collaborative transcript program that replaces previous transcript programs, making it easier for colleges to read and recommend credits.

Grants, loans and other financial assistance

As a service member, you have several options that can help fund your schooling. Your service-specific Voluntary Education Program, listed below in the voluntary education contacts section, can help you identify grants and other kinds of assistance — like federal loans, tax credits and deductions, and military tuition assistance.

Voluntary education contacts

If you’re planning to pursue higher education, your service-specific Voluntary Education Program counselor can help you decide which programs are the best fit for your goals. Find service-specific program information and contact information for education professionals who can help provide information about financing and additional education support.

Army Human Resources Command
Army Continuing Education Division
1600 Spearhead Division Ave.
Department 410
Fort Knox, KY 40122-5400
Phone: 888-276-9472
DSN phone: 983-9500
Email | Website

Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
Marine and Family Programs Division
3280 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5103
Phone: 703-784-9550
DSN phone: 278-9550
Email | Website

Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center
Attn: Navy College Virtual Education Center
472 Polaris Street, Suite 214
Virginia Beach, VA 23461-2015
Phone: 757-492-4684
DSN phone: 492-4684
Toll-free phone: 877-838-1659
Email | Website

Headquarters Air Force Airman Learning Division
Jones Building
1500 N. Perimeter Road, Suite 4750
Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20762
Phone: 240-612-4016
DSN phone: 612-4016
Email | Website

Coast Guard Institute
5900 SW 64th St., Room 225
Oklahoma City, OK 73169-6990
Phone: 405-954-1028
Email | Website

6490 Saufley Field Road
Pensacola, FL 32509-5243
Phone: 850-452-1901
Email | Website

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