5 Steps to Prepare for Higher Education

Step 3: Take your college admission exams

Get ready for some studying even before college begins. Most colleges and universities require admission exams with your application, such as the SAT Reasoning Test, the SAT Subject Tests, the American College Testing, or ACT, Readiness Assessment, Graduate Record Examinations or GRE, Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT, and the General Education Development Test.

The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, or DANTES, can help you prepare for registration and cover the cost of some academic tests. DANTES also offers college prep resources that can help you prepare for these admission exams, sharpen study skills and identify your interests and aptitudes in choosing an area of study or career path. Visit the DANTES website to learn more or to contact an education counselor.

Step 4: Convert your military experience to college credit

The tests you endured in combat 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.

Step 5: Understand your financing options

As a service member, you have several options that can help fund your schooling — so that you can concentrate on studying rather than paying the bills. Contact your installation’s education center for assistance with your college financial plan. Defense Department education counselors can help you identify grants and other kinds of assistance for which you are eligible. Here is a sampling of programs and loans available:

• Military Tuition Assistance Program — Tuition assistance is provided by each service branch, offering up to $4,500 of assistance per fiscal year.
• Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty, Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve and Tuition Assistance Top-Up program — These programs are funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide education funding options for service members.
• Tax credits and deductions — Explore options, such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.
• Federal grants and loans — Options include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loans, Stafford Loans and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunities Grant.

More resources

Take the next step toward your education. Find education resources, consult voluntary education websites, read up on preparing for higher education and reach out to get the assistance you need. Your service’s Voluntary Education Program and your installation’s military education center are also available to help you achieve your education goals.