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Figuring out when and where to go to college can be challenging enough on its own. The experience can be even more complicated for former and active-duty service members looking for the best online schools for military veterans. Transitioning��from military to civilian life requires a multitude of decisions, from where to live to how to translate military skills into the workforce. And all of this happens against a backdrop of a full-time job of serving their country.��This guide helps service members compare the best online colleges for military learners while planning a transition to civilian life.

While difficult, the process of finding the best online colleges for military veterans is not impossible. As service members begin to consider life after the military, the first step is figuring out what options are available.

A college education isn’t the answer for everyone. But it��can��help service members who are looking to enhance their careers within the military or find new careers as civilians. And, besides filling in skill gaps, college offers some occasionally surprising advantages. For example, the way service members��communicate in the military is not the way everyone communicates in the civilian workforce.

School can serve as a buffer between military training and civilian life while simultaneously preparing service members for a new career path. Starting early gives service members more time to evaluate the best online colleges for military options and align enrollment with benefits and timelines.

In many ways, education is a two-way street, yet service members face a unique set of challenges. Their age, life experience and skills can put them in direct contrast with traditional college students. And veterans often have families and full-time jobs when they go to school, which adds still more differentiating factors.��Many of the best online colleges for military learners offer flexible start dates and course formats that support unpredictable schedules.

Interestingly, online college can help level the playing field among students.

For service members who elect to go to school after leaving the military, it is essential to have a transition plan.��A structured plan helps service members narrow the best online colleges for military goals based on program outcomes, transfer credit, and support services.

Ideally, they should begin considering a post-military career path about a year before they’re discharged. This career might build on the skills they’ve learned in the military. Service members, however, need to understand how those skills can translate to civilian language and jobs.

For example, even the word "job" is not common parlance in the military. Instead, a job is a "military occupation specialty" or "MOS".��

Sometimes this process reveals a need to acquire additional skills. Whether or not these can be supplemented by certification training, trade training or a��four-year degree��is yet another question to be addressed.

Tuition assistance may be available when starting that process while still in the military. The��®, for example, provides funding to servicemembers for school or job training. In addition to other criteria, eligible military members must have served on active duty after September 10, 2001.

There are many more resources available to veterans as well. In fact it can sometimes be overwhelming to figure out which online colleges offer the most advantages. In those cases, veterans can reach out for help navigating a way forward. Dedicated service organizations like Veterans of Foreign Wars or a state department of Veterans’ Services are good options.

GI Bill®��is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at��