Applying to college is an exciting time whether one is going right out of high school or after a time in the military. If a student is transitioning to college after, or while in the military, he or she may be eligible to transfer some of that experience into college as credits. For information about some of the best schools for transferring military credits, look at the chart and facts below.
Best Colleges for Military Credit Transfer
Since some schools do not transfer military credits, it is important to research potential colleges. Several schools on the 2022 U.S. News and World Report list of Best Colleges for Veterans accept military credits, including #1 ranked Yale University and #12 ranked University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. The following table provides specific information for some of the best schools that accept military credit transfers.
| School | Location | Undergraduate Tuition (2021-2022)* | Some Required Transcripts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | $56,169 | Any Official Transcripts |
| University of Maryland - University College | Adelphi, MD | $7,7,04 In-state, $12,336 Out-of-state | Joint Services Transcript |
| Thomas Edison State University | Trenton, NJ | $7,182 In-state, $9,342 Out-of-state | Joint Services Transcript |
| University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | $9,028 In-state, $36,891 Out-of-state | ACE Transcript |
*Source: NCES
Military Credit Transfer Process
The process for transferring credits from the military can differ from college to college. Some schools offer military training equivalencies, while others evaluate military experience as a whole. At UNC Chapel Hill, credit is given for specific military training courses, while at Stanford, credit is given if military experience deemed relevant is discovered in a student's record. At both these and other military-friendly schools, the credit transfer process includes submission of military transcripts:
- UNC Chapel Hill: transcript from ACE, AARTS, or SMARTS
- Thomas Edison: Joint Services Transcript or transcript from the Community College of the Air Force
- Stanford: any official transcripts
- UMUC: Joint Services Transcript; transcripts from individual military schools
The credit transfer process can involve submitting more than just transcripts. Students should also be prepared to submit documents like separation papers or a certificate of eligibility regarding veterans' benefits. At UMUC, potential students can submit non-commissioned officer evaluation reports to show jobs they held. At Stanford, students must submit other documentation to receive veterans' educational benefits, like the GI Bill Enrollment Form.
Eligibility for Military Credit Transfer
Eligibility for military credit transfer may be slightly different at various colleges, but many qualifications are similar. For the most part, eligibility requirements include being either active duty or honorably discharged, such as at UNC Chapel Hill, and eligible for veterans' benefits, such as at Stanford. At colleges like UMUC, experience gleaned from military positions as non-commissioned officers may be eligible for specialty credit.
