Online Colleges for National Guard & Reservists 2026

Balancing National Guard or Reserve service with civilian work and family responsibilities can make earning a college degree feel complicated. Between drill weekends, annual training, and the possibility of activation, many service members need an education option that fits around an unpredictable schedule. Online colleges have become a practical path forward, offering flexible coursework while still providing access to federal and state military education benefits.

The best online colleges for National Guard members and Reservists understand those realities and build support around them. Below, you’ll find online colleges that consistently support Guard and Reserve students, along with guidance on how to choose a program that works with your service—not against it.

Understanding Education Benefits for National Guard and Reservists

Education benefits for National Guard members and Reservists can look different than those available to active-duty service members. Depending on your service history, you may qualify for federal programs like the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve or, in some cases, the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Many Guard members also have access to state-specific tuition assistance programs that can significantly reduce or even eliminate tuition costs at eligible schools.

Because these benefits often come from multiple sources, choosing a college that understands how to coordinate federal aid, state Guard funding, and institutional support is especially important. Schools with experience serving Guard and Reserve students can help you maximize benefits while staying flexible during training or activation.

Why Online Colleges Work Well for Guard and Reserve Students

Online colleges are often a natural fit for National Guard members and Reservists because they are built around flexibility rather than fixed schedules. When service obligations change, the right online program can help mention you stay enrolled and on track by providing:

• Flexibility during drills, training, and deployments: Asynchronous courses allow you to complete assignments around drill weekends, annual training, or temporary activations without needing to log in at set times.
• Coursework that fits irregular schedules: Most online programs offer weekly deadlines instead of daily attendance, giving you more control over when and how you complete your work.
• Transfer-friendly and military-aware policies: Colleges that regularly serve Guard and Reserve students are more likely to award credit for military training, accept transfer credits, and offer academic pauses or deadline adjustments during deployment.

Together, these features make it easier to earn a degree without putting your service—or your education—on hold.

Best Online Colleges for National Guard and Reservists 2026

Many colleges and universities provide support and systems to help National Guard members and Reservists succeed. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the best online colleges for those in the National Guard and Reserves.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is a large public research institution based in Tempe, Arizona. The university is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and its online programs are built to mirror the academic standards of its on-campus offerings.

For National Guard members and Reservists, ASU stands out for its depth of military-specific support. The Pat Tillman Veterans Center provides advising, benefit coordination, and academic guidance tailored to students balancing service obligations with civilian careers. Asynchronous coursework and clearly structured terms allow Guard members to continue progressing during drill weekends, annual training, or temporary activations.

2. Bellevue University

Bellevue University is a private, nonprofit institution located in Bellevue, Nebraska, and it holds regional accreditation from the HLC. The university was founded with a focus on adult learners, which makes its online programs especially practical for working professionals and military-affiliated students.

National Guard members and Reservists often choose Bellevue for its transparent approach to transfer credit and military training evaluation. The university works closely with Guard education offices and offers flexible online coursework designed to accommodate irregular schedules, making it easier to stay enrolled during training periods or mobilization.

3. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University (CSU) Global was created specifically to serve adult learners through fully online programs, making it a strong option for National Guard members and Reservists. Courses are designed with working professionals in mind, using consistent weekly deadlines and clear pacing that can flex around drill weekends, annual training, or unexpected service obligations.

The university operates as a public, online-only institution based in Denver and is regionally accredited by the HLC. Guard and Reserve students benefit from advisors who are familiar with coordinating federal aid, state Guard education benefits, and prior learning credit, helping reduce both cost and time to completion.

4. Liberty University Online

Liberty University Online serves one of the largest populations of military-affiliated students in the country and offers a wide range of online degree programs that appeal to National Guard members and Reservists seeking flexibility. Courses are primarily asynchronous, and the university has long experience supporting students through drills, annual training, and periods of activation.

Liberty is a private, faith-based Christian institution, and its religious mission shapes aspects of its curriculum, policies, and overall campus culture. For Guard and Reserve students who are comfortable with this environment, Liberty provides dedicated military advising, benefit coordination, and degree pathways that can align well with both state and federal education benefits. Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 

5. Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University has deep ties to the military community and serves a large number of National Guard members and Reservists through its online programs. Based in Norfolk, Virginia—a region with a strong military presence—the university understands the realities of balancing service, work, and education.

ODU is regionally accredited by the SACSCOC, and its online programs are designed to match the academic rigor of its on-campus degrees. Guard and Reserve students benefit from centralized military support services, credit for military training, and policies that account for activation, relocation, and changing service schedules.

6. Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus allows National Guard members and Reservists to earn a degree from a well-established public research university without relocating or attending campus-based classes. Its online programs are built with working adults in mind, using structured coursework that supports steady progress even during demanding service periods.

As the online arm of Pennsylvania State University, Penn State World Campus is based in University Park, Pennsylvania, and is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Military-affiliated students have access to dedicated admissions counselors and benefit certification support, as well as transfer-friendly policies that help reduce time to completion.

7. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit institution based in Manchester, New Hampshire, and it holds regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university has built a national reputation for serving adult and military-affiliated learners through flexible online degree programs.

For National Guard members and Reservists, SNHU’s frequent start dates and asynchronous coursework make it easier to stay enrolled during drill weekends, annual training, or periods of increased service responsibility. Dedicated military advisors help coordinate federal aid, state Guard benefits, and transfer credits, reducing friction throughout the enrollment and degree-completion process.

8. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) was created specifically to serve adult learners, making it an especially strong fit for National Guard members and Reservists looking to complete a degree efficiently. The university is widely recognized for its generous transfer-credit policies and willingness to apply military training and prior learning toward degree requirements.

Based in Trenton, New Jersey, TESU is a public institution accredited by the MSCHE. Its flexible enrollment structure allows Guard and Reserve students to adjust course loads or pause enrollment during activation without losing progress, which can be critical for students balancing unpredictable service schedules.

9. University of Central Florida 

University of Central Florida (UCF) offers National Guard members and Reservists access to a wide range of online degree programs backed by a large public research university. Its online courses are designed to support working adults, with flexible scheduling that helps students manage coursework alongside drills, annual training, and civilian employment.

The university is based in Orlando, Florida, and is regionally accredited by the SACSCOC. UCF has a dedicated military and veteran services office that works closely with Guard members using state-specific education programs, helping students coordinate multiple funding sources while staying on track academically.

10. University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) was founded to serve military learners and continues to be one of the most Guard- and Reserve-focused public universities in the country. Its online programs are built around the realities of military life, including frequent relocations and changing service schedules.

Based in Adelphi, Maryland, UMGC is regionally accredited by the MSCHE. National Guard members and Reservists benefit from flat-rate tuition for servicemembers, extensive credit for military training, and advising teams deeply familiar with coordinating federal aid and state Guard education benefits.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

To narrow the list, we focused on online colleges that consistently support the unique needs of National Guard members and Reservists. Each school was evaluated not just on academic quality, but on how well its programs, policies, and support services align with the realities of balancing service, civilian work, and education. We also considered:

• Accreditation: We prioritized regionally accredited institutions to ensure degrees hold long-term value, transfer smoothly, and are widely recognized by employers and graduate schools.
• Online availability: Schools needed to offer fully online programs with asynchronous coursework that allows Guard and Reserve students to manage classes around drills, training, and activations.
• Career alignment: We considered how well each school’s programs align with civilian career paths that Guard and Reserve members commonly pursue during and after service.
• Student outcomes: Completion rates, student support structures, and post-graduation success were reviewed to identify schools that help military-affiliated students stay enrolled and finish their degrees.

What to Look for in an Online College as a Guard Member or Reservist

Choosing the right online college as a National Guard member or Reservist means looking beyond program names to understand how well a school supports your service, schedule, and long-term goals. Consider things like:

• Accreditation and long-term degree value: Choose a regionally accredited school to ensure your degree is recognized by employers, graduate programs, and federal agencies long after your service ends.
• Transfer credit and military training evaluation: Look for colleges that accept Joint Services Transcript credits and prior learning assessments to reduce both time and cost to graduation.
• Program pacing and term structure: Flexible terms, asynchronous coursework, and frequent start dates make it easier to stay enrolled during drills, annual training, or temporary activation.
• Support services for veterans and active-duty students: Dedicated military or veteran services offices can help coordinate benefits, enrollment changes, and academic support when service obligations arise.
• Career alignment and post-graduation planning: Strong programs connect coursework to civilian careers and provide advising or career resources that support long-term employment alongside or after military service.
  

How to Apply Military Education Benefits to an Online Degree

Applying military education benefits to an online degree typically starts at VA.gov, where you can submit an application for GI Bill benefits and confirm your eligibility. Once approved, you’ll receive a Certificate of Eligibility, which outlines what benefits you can use and for how long.

From there, it’s important to connect with your school’s VA certifying official or military services office. This team helps align your benefits with enrollment periods, verifies your course load, and ensures payments are processed correctly. Coordinating benefits early—especially around term start dates—can help avoid delays and give you a clearer picture of how much eligibility you have remaining as you progress through your degree.

FAQs About Online Colleges for National Guard and Reservists

Trying to find an online college that will work with your schedule and accepts your benefits as a member of the National Guard or Reserves can feel challenging. We’ve answered some frequently asked questions about online colleges for National Guard and Reserve members below to help.

Do Online Colleges Accept National Guard Education Benefits?

Many online colleges accept National Guard education benefits, including GI Bill programs and state-specific Guard tuition assistance. Schools with established military or veteran services offices are typically best equipped to certify benefits, coordinate paperwork, and ensure your enrollment meets eligibility requirements, which helps prevent delays or funding issues.

Can I Use Both State Guard Benefits and the GI Bill?

In many cases, National Guard members can use state education benefits alongside GI Bill funding, depending on state rules and individual eligibility. Combining benefits can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs, but coordination matters, so working closely with your school’s VA certifying official is key to using benefits efficiently and staying compliant.

Will Online Programs Work Around Drills and Deployments?

Many online programs are designed to accommodate the schedules of Guard members and Reservists. Asynchronous coursework, flexible deadlines, and military-aware policies allow students to manage classes around drill weekends, annual training, and even short-term activations without needing to withdraw from their program.

Are Online Degrees Respected by Employers If I’m in the Guard?

Online degrees from regionally accredited colleges are widely respected by employers, including those familiar with military and public service careers. What matters most is the institution’s accreditation and the relevance of your degree, not whether courses were completed online or on campus.

What Happens to My Benefits If I’m Activated Mid-Term?

If you’re activated during a term, many schools have policies that allow for course extensions, temporary pauses, or withdrawals without academic penalty. Communicating quickly with both your chain of command and your school’s military services office can help protect your benefits and keep your degree progress on track.

Explore Online Colleges for Military-Affiliated Students

Find the perfect online college without disrupting your National Guard or Reservist duties by exploring the military-friendly schools featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and military support.