Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) was formed in 1972 to provide educational opportunities for service members who had difficulty completing college courses due to their military commitments. Funded by the Department of Defense (DoD), SOC-affiliated colleges fit service members' schedules around their military commitments and provide distance learning options. Active service members should seek enrollment at one of the 1,900 universities affiliated with SOC.
State schools and public universities offer special education benefits to service members as outlined by the state's legislature. Reduced tuition rates, waiving of application fees, deferred payment options and tuition reimbursement are some of the benefits available to active and honorably discharged service members. Service members looking to enroll in a graduate program should consult the university to determine their eligibility for state benefits.
Military friendly schools offer college credit for military service, allowing service members to save time and money when pursuing a degree. The American Council on Education (ACE) was formed in 1942 to recognize the educational value of military training and devise a way to transfer that experience into college credits. Entering a graduate program in a field that shares common skills and experience with your military position may entitle you to receive class credit.
Branches of the Armed Services invite colleges and universities on-base to teach accelerated classes to service members. Enrolling in a graduate program with a university that offers on-base courses allows service members to start their education while still actively enlisted and finish their education on-campus once their service commitment has been fulfilled. By attending the same institution throughout the degree process, service members do not have to worry about transferring credits between schools.
The Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) provides information to service members on how to collect benefits and available educational opportunities. Your on-base VBA can provide information on which schools in your area provide military friendly benefits and what on-base programs are available for enrollment. VBA counselors can help service members understand their graduate school options and help with class enrollment.