10 VA-Approved Online Colleges

The GI Bill helps veterans and their families cover a portion or all costs associated with school or job training. Schools accepting GI Bill benefits authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are also known as VA-approved schools.

If you're interested in attending an online college, you might wonder if you can use GI Bill benefits to earn a degree. The answer is yes. Below, we'll highlight VA-approved online colleges nationwide. We'll also explain how VA education benefits work at online schools.

Top Online Colleges Approved by the VA

Are you looking for the best military-friendly schools and programs that accept GI Bill benefits? Explore the list of schools below to find out where you can earn a college degree with financial assistance from the VA.

1. University of Florida

Military-affiliated students can choose from dozens of online doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degrees at the University of Florida. The Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program, Post 9-11 GI Bill, and Florida Residency Classification help learners save on these degrees.

Support services are available through the Office of Student Veteran Services and Collegiate Veterans Success Center. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Florida No. 1 for best online programs for veterans.

2. University of Arizona Global Campus

The University of Arizona Global Campus offers financial assistance for all military-associated students. Options include the Liberty Grant, Patriot Grant, GI Bill benefits, and Yellow Ribbon Program.

Eligible military spouses can qualify for up to $4,000 in workforce development funds via the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship Program. UAGC offers dozens of online degrees for civilians and military service members.

3. Arizona State University

Arizona State University enrolls over 15,000 active military members, veterans, and family members in its on-campus and online programs. Online learners can receive tuition discounts via the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Hundreds of degrees are available for ASU students interested in online learning. Areas of study include business, engineering, technology, and education.

4. Liberty University

Liberty University helps active-duty Armed Forces, National Guard, veteran students, spouses, and current Department of Defense (DOD) employees secure military benefits. Per-credit military tuition is $250 (undergraduate), $275 (graduate), and $300 (doctoral).

Students can also save by earning college credit for military experience. Liberty offers hundreds of online doctoral, master's, bachelor's, and associate degrees.

5. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida offers several VA educational assistance programs. Military benefits include the out-of-state tuition waiver, GI Bill, and Yellow Ribbon Program.

UCF offers over 100 online programs exploring healthcare, leadership, engineering, and more. U.S. News & World Report ranked the university among its top five best online bachelor's programs for veterans.

6. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama offers over 200 online and hybrid programs. Military-affiliated students enrolling at the university can save with the TA program or the UA Online Military Tuition Grant.

UA covers out-of-state tuition for students with Yellow Ribbon status on their Certificate of Eligibility. The school's efforts have helped it gain recognition as a gold-level Tier 1 Research Institution Military Friendly School.

7. Florida State University

Florida State University offers online degrees in art education, computer science, nursing, and beyond. Military veterans and active service members can use VA benefits or TA funds to pay for these and other programs.

The university's Yellow Ribbon Program covers out-of-state tuition for veterans learning online. Flexible online programs and military offerings helped FSU gain a ''best for vets'' rating from U.S. News & World Report.

8. St. Bonaventure University

U.S. News & World Report has recognized St. Bonaventure University as a military-friendly college and a top school for veterans. Its graduate programs offer flexible online courses for busy service members and veterans.

SBU is a Yellow Ribbon Program school that helps veterans or their children attend free of charge. The university also participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) programs.

9. Spring Hill College

Spring Hill College offers online degrees for students interested in theology, nursing, pastoral studies, and beyond. Military-affiliated undergraduate and graduate students pay $250 per credit hour.

The college also reduces school costs with the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Forever GI Bill. The Yellow Ribbon Program can pay for tuition not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

10. Webster University

Military-affiliated students attending Webster University can pursue online degrees or take in-person classes at the school's military base locations. Top programs for military students include the MBA and master's degrees in counseling and cybersecurity operations.

Webster offers credits for military training, reduced military tuition rates, and military scholarships. The university also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Our Selection Criteria

Our team selected the schools in the rank list above using a detailed vetting process. Each institution has met the following criteria for delivering high-quality education:

• Accredited: The colleges and universities have received accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission, Higher Learning Commission, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, guaranteeing recognized academic standards.
• Reputable: We verified that the schools in this list are respected, considering factors such as acceptance rates, student outcomes, and graduation rates.
• Affordable: These institutions increase degree affordability by accepting GI Bill benefits, the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program, and other financial aid for veterans, active military personnel, and their families.

How VA Education Benefits Work for Online Colleges

VA education benefits help active-duty service members, veterans, and family members save on tuition at qualifying online schools. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, tuition assistance, and the Yellow Ribbon Program are just a few available benefits.

However, not all online schools are GI Bill-approved. The VA offers the WEAMS Institution Search tool to determine which schools are GI Bill-approved and the GI Bill Comparison Tool to discover military education benefits available at each institution.

How To Choose a GI Bill-Approved School

After finding GI Bill-approved schools using the VA search tools, you can visit institutional websites to confirm that they offer the programs you desire and provide the military support you need. Some well-known institutions accepting GI Bill benefits include:

• California State University
• Texas A&M University System
• Pennsylvania State University
• New York University
• University of Michigan

FAQs About Education Benefits and Tuition Assistance for Online Students

Did you know that over 840,000 students were beneficiaries of veteran education programs in fiscal year 2021? According to the Veterans Benefits Administration, $10.6 billion was distributed. Learn even more about VA education benefits by exploring the FAQs below.

What Is the Most Military-Friendly Online College?

Numerous online colleges offer great options for military students. However, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Florida as the nation's best college for online programs for veterans. The school offers numerous ways to reduce costs and provides several support centers to help military-affiliated learners excel.

Do All Colleges Accept Military Tuition Assistance?

No, not all colleges accept the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program; however, according to Military OneSource, students can access this benefit at over 2,600 schools. The DOD offers TA Decide to help students locate schools that accept TA benefits.

Can You Use the GI Bill for a Master's?

Students can use the GI Bill for undergraduate and graduate study at community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and graduate schools. Master's degree seekers receive funds based on a student's rate of pursuit. For instance, if a school reports that a student takes nine credit hours full-time, the GI Bill will cover the full-time rate for nine credit hours.

Explore Online Degree Programs Today

Begin your journey toward the exciting career of your dreams by exploring degree programs offered by schools on Learn.org. Contact one of these colleges today to learn how they can help you reach your career goals.