Can You Be in College While in the Military? Yes, Here's How

If you're serving in one of the U.S. military branches, you might wonder if you have to wait until you're discharged to earn a college degree. No, you don't. Plenty of great military-friendly colleges let active-duty service members pursue their college education while enlisted.

The key is finding a school that offers the degree program you want. You'll also need a program that lets you attend classes while meeting your military duties. Fortunately, many schools offer distance and on-base courses that fit the bill. Below, we'll look at how you can attend college and meet your military obligations simultaneously. We'll also explore the pros and cons of attending school during your military career.

Can I Attend College While in the Military?

Yes, you can attend college while serving in the military. This goes for all U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) branches:

• Army
• Air Force
• Navy
• National Guard
• Marine Corps
• Coast Guard
• Space Force

Military members can take courses at military-friendly online colleges, military bases, and local colleges. Service members can often earn their degrees with reduced or free college tuition. Pursuing higher education opens doors to amazing civilian and military careers. Next, we'll explore how military students can complete their coursework during active duty.

How Does Being Active Duty and Going to School Work?

Going to school as an active-duty military member can be very similar to attending college while working a job. You might have to work during the day and then attend classes at night or on the weekends. Or you could take flexible courses that let you learn anytime.

You could on occasion need a duty-related absence from school. In this case, you'll talk with your instructors to ensure your service-related duties don't impact your ability to excel in your classes. You might receive assignment extensions or arrange to take exams after you return.

Good communication is one way to make attending college during active duty easier. Next, we'll review more tips for American military students enrolled in college programs.

Tips for Going to College While Serving in the Military

Taking college courses while enlisted as a military service member can help jumpstart a successful career. This is true whether you plan to stay with the military or start a civilian life. Here are some great tips for attending college while in the military.

1. Find a Military-Friendly College

Your first step is to find a college that offers your program of choice. You'll want a school that makes special accommodations for military personnel. The good news is there are military-friendly colleges online, on-base, and locally.

Online Classes

Miitary-friendly online degree programs let you study from anywhere without visiting a college campus. Students can choose from online degrees ranging from associate to doctorate. Online courses might be synchronous (set times) or asynchronous (no set times). Most are flexible for busy students.

On-Base or Local Colleges

Many military bases make college courses available on the base. This makes learning convenient for enlisted service members. Taking on-base courses means you don't need to commute to a local college. Class sizes are smaller and courses are more flexible.

If you want access to more degree options than you can find on-base, you might think about enrolling at a local college. However, remember local colleges require a daily commute to campus. Also, your class sizes might be larger and classes could be less flexible.

Distance Learning Programs

Distance learning lets students learn away from a college campus. The online program is a form of distance learning that allows students to take courses and submit work via online learning platforms. You might also encounter distance learning programs like the following:

• teleconferencing/video conferencing
• videotaped courses
• email-based learning

Searching for a distance learning program that matches your schedule and learning style is important. You also want to ensure the program aligns with your academic goals.

2. Utilize Military Education Benefits

Programs are available to help military students and their families save money on college tuition and other costs. Here are some to consider.

Tuition Assistance

The Military Tuition Assistance program offers financial aid to service members taking courses from approved degree or certificate programs. Students who qualify for the TA program receive $250 per semester hour in financial help with an annual ceiling of $4,500. Approved courses must be taken at schools recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Gi Bill Benefits

GI Bill benefits help military students cover the cost of college and other expenses. While GI Bill benefits are typically reserved for veterans and their families, active-duty service members could qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD). This benefit helps service members who have served at least two years on active duty pay for education and training programs. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an option for service members who served on active duty no fewer than 90 days on or after September 11, 2001.

Military College Funds

Some schools set aside college funds for active-duty military members, veterans, and reserve members. Students might receive a tuition discount greater than the tuition assistance program. Other college funds include federal grants (Pell Grants and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants) and student loans.

Military Scholarship Funds

The federal government and other groups offer scholarships for young learners and military family members. Here are some to consider:

• Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships
• Army Scholarship Foundation
• Hope for the Warriors scholarships
• Fisher House Foundation Scholarship Program

Military Branch Educational Workshops

Military branches offer educational programs to help service members achieve personal and professional goals, save money on tuition, and more. For instance, the Marine Corps Voluntary Education Program offers counseling, workshops, tuition funding sources, and training for college credit and pre-admission.

3. Learn Time Management Skills

Managing your time is important when earning a college education while enlisted. Some skills to learn include:

• goal setting
• prioritization
• organization
• time blocking
• stress management

Time management relies on your ability to avoid procrastinating and set boundaries. You can take frequent breaks to avoid burnout.

4. Transfer Credits During Deployment or Relocation

Sometimes, deployment or relocation takes you to a different part of the country — or world — making it hard to study at your current school. Many institutions understand this dilemma and make accommodations for their students. Contacting your school for assistance can help you transfer your credits to the next school or even transfer in new credits you earned while away.

Challenges of Attending College During Active Duty

Attending school while in the military can be tough for new students. Here are some challenges you might encounter:

• acclimating to a university learning environment
• juggling personal and family responsibilities, military duties, and school
• dealing with the stress and mental health challenges of the military while learning
• deploying or relocating while enrolled

While there are potential downsides to attending college during active duty, you can also enjoy plenty of benefits. Next, we'll look at the perks of earning your degree in the military.

Benefits of Earning Your Degree During Military Service

Military recruits typically have a high school diploma while a few have some college. For example, the U.S. Army Recruiting Command reports that in the fiscal year 2022, 94.2% of regular Army recruits had a high school diploma and 11.8% had at least one semester of college before joining. A bachelor's degree could help service members start a successful civilian career or become commissioned officers while still enlisted. Other benefits include:

• learning to apply military experience to life after service
• enjoying an improved quality of life with increased pay
• developing skills that help with the transition back to civilian life