Veterans and Service Members

Over your military career, you may have seen fellow service members utilizing their benefits to get a college education. They probably made some of the same considerations you are making now: Can I fit classes into my life? How long am I going to be in college? How do I get the benefits I earned?

Below are some great steps to take to get the ball rolling on getting a college degree:

Talk to an Advisor

You’ve made the decision to go to college. Now what? Talk to someone who can help you navigate the application and enrollment process and enlist friends and family to support and encourage you on this journey!

Talk to a Reconnect Navigator:

Tennessee Reconnect has qualified staff to answer your questions about going to college, assist you in the decision making process, with the FAFSA form, and provide navigational support for your educational pathway. Contact your local Tennessee Reconnect Navigator to learn more about the services they offer.

Talk to an Adult Student Contact or Veteran Advisor at your college:

Every college and university has an office or individual ready to help you navigate your way to and through college. Check out your school’s College Portrait page to find out how to contact them. They can also connect you to campus resources and support systems.

Enlist your support system:

Deciding to go to college, selecting a major, finding the right school and figuring out how to pay are all necessary steps to becoming a college student. It is a life-changing experience from the very beginning and it will be easier if you have people who support you. To be successful, you need to identify your support system, both on and off campus. Family, friends and co-workers can provide encouragement and understanding. There are also support systems on campus—classmates, instructors and adult learner offices.

Choose Your Path

Identify Your Career Goals:

Do you want to increase your earning power? Prepare for a different career? Learn something new? By visiting this site, you have already taken the first step to your future. Use some of the following free resources to find careers that are in demand and interesting to you:

Military skills translator: See which civilian jobs correlate to your military occupation specialty/AFSC or military job title. Search for openings based on your military skill set.
CollegeforTN.org: Evaluate your interests and skills and compare careers side by side
MyNextMove.org: Explore what you want to do for a living
O*Net: Browse occupations that are expected to grow rapidly in the next several years nationwide, will have large numbers of job openings, or are new and emerging occupations
EduTrendsTN.com: Compare the earnings of Tennessee graduates across colleges or academic majors

Choose a Program

First, match your career goals to the available degree or certificate programs that can get you there.
What can I do with this major
Next, search for schools that offer that degree program here. There are programs convenient for you that meet your interests and career goals.
Search for Programs
Then, see if the program is offered in a way that meets your needs. Many programs in Tennessee offer flexible options, online courses, and accelerated programs for working adults. Most of the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, community colleges and universities also offer classes in the evenings. Call your college to find out more.

Choose a School

Visit our school portrait section to learn more about the different types of schools in Tennessee, who to contact, available flexible options, and if there’s a campus near you. Every college has a contact for adult students listed in the school portrait.

Select a college that is military friendly: Look for the VETS designation on College Portrait page. Tennessee VETS Campuses have taken steps to ensure that servicemen and women are supported. Also look for institutions with “military friendly” designations from http://militaryfriendly.com/.
Select a college because it offers the program you want: If you haven’t already, use this search tool to find out what colleges offer what programs.
Search for Programs
Select a college because it is in a convenient location: Start by looking at institutions close to your home or work and learn about what each type of college can offer you.
Consider online options: If you have a hectic schedule that makes going to class at the campus difficult, then check out online options. All public institutions have some online or hybrid learning options. For more information about online options, visit the Tennessee Online Programs page.

Visit our Tennessee Colleges and Universities page for a full listing of Tennessee colleges and universities.

TNReconnect Colleges and Universities

Learn About TCATS

Create a Plan to Pay for College

Find ways to save:

Help from your employer: Many employers in Tennessee offer tuition and education benefits for their employees.
Save time and money with TimewiseTN: You may already be eligible to receive academic credit.
TN-SOP: The TN-SOP tool can help you find out if your military experience will translate to academic credit.

Investigate financial aid opportunities:

Veterans and Active Duty Military Benefits: Some service members may qualify for full tuition coverage via the GI Bill. Learn more.
From the federal government: Pell Grants and other aid are available. Learn more.
From the state: Financial aid is available through Tennessee programs.
From your college: Ask about scholarships and grants.
From lenders: Direct Loans are available with subsidized and unsubsidized options.

Apply for financial aid!

Fill out your FAFSA® here. This application is FREE!

Apply For College

Generally, you apply to college online. Each institution has an admissions application to complete and submit online. If your institution requires an application fee, that can be paid online using a credit card. If you do not have a credit card, the site will advise you how to pay the fee.

Finish!

The journey does not end once you have enrolled. In fact, it is just starting!

Develop your academic plan

Meet with your academic advisor.
Familiarize yourself with Tennessee Transfer Pathways.

Take advantage of academic support

Use tutoring services and writing centers.

Keep on top of deadlines

Register early.
Fill out the FAFSA every year.

Celebrate your successes

Track progress and celebrate milestones.

Create a Student Passport

Navigating your path to college doesn’t have to be complicated. When you create a Student Passport, you’ll be able to access information and support that is personalized. An advisor from your college of choice or from your community can contact you, answer your questions, and help you with your next steps. And it will give you access to Transfer Check, a tool that can help you know how close to your degree you may already be.

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