Comment

Comment by cmcurran on February 4, 2013 at 5:49pm

There is some confusion about the GIBill and active duty. There are strict rules on using the GI Bill that must be understood. There is some funding for students who wish to take courses during active duty that does not count against GI Bill funding. It is a small stipend but many State universities now offer special pricing and reduced fees for GI's and veterans so please shop around ask to speak to whoever is in charge of veterans when you speak to admissions. You will be able to find a program that is right for you.

Comment by cmcurran on February 4, 2013 at 5:47pm

It is not difficult. The Navy has contracts with a number of schools that allow students to not follow the traditional course schedule. University of Maryland and Southern New Hampshire University each have such a program. There are offices on bases devoted to assisting students locate programs that meet deployment schedules. It won't be a quick degree completion but at least he won't lose time during deployments

Comment by Sailor Mom Again on January 9, 2013 at 4:12pm

My son is currently on a destroyer and underway or on deployment a lot.  How difficult is it for sailors in this type of situation to take or complete an online course?

Comment by cmcurran on December 5, 2012 at 9:26am

Hi Donna,

The main issue with credit transfer is whether or not the institution generating the credits is accredited.  Now the confusing part is that there are a lot of different accreditation agencies out there.  Some are general and some are specific to a particular area such as accreditation agencies for business schools, engineering schools, nursing schools, etc.  If the school is accredited then credit transfer is often much easier.  Ask what accreditation the program has.  There is a very minimum accreditation that all schools have you need something beyond that generally.

Another thing to check especially if your son is taking community college or junior college courses is what schools does this school have transfer agreements with?  In some states there are rules that all courses taken in a degree program in community college transfer to the state university. 

By law the school must disclose if the credits do not transfer, but you always should ask.  Some of the training programs have credits that do not transfer and you have to be very careful about those.

What is not well understood is that many state universities offer online degree programs and have programs specific for military personnel.  You get the benefit of in-state tuition rates plus often extremely reduced fees for military.  Don't just assume you have to use a fully online school. 

I know a lot of information, let me know if I have answered your question. 

Comment by Donna on December 4, 2012 at 9:10pm

What a great thing your doing.  My son joined the Navy this  March, he just completed a college course.  After reading your comment about credits not transferring I'm wondering what he should find out /  or be looking into.

Any advice is greatly appreciated as I know he wants to continue taking more courses.

 

Comment by cmcurran on December 4, 2012 at 12:01pm

My son asked me to think about how I could help others understand the confusing world of higher education.  He has had a number of friends who have enrolled in programs only to find out that the credits don't transfer or that the program is not what it says it is.  Given the numbers of programs out there it is really confusing but hopefully I can offer some guidance.

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