51�Թ�

College admissions can feel exciting, intimidating, or even overwhelming. For military members, college applications often coincide with leaving active duty, a transition that brings its own blend of satisfaction and tension. Working with an independent educational consultant can help you navigate this process by introducing you to colleges that meet your academic goals and budget, as well as the specific criteria that will make a college right for you.

Service members and veterans might not see themselves reflected in college marketing and application guides, but they often make highly successful college students. All students should prioritize college fit over rankings or name recognition, and this is especially true for veterans, who tend to be older and have needs and resources that aren’t common for high school students.

Think about what matters most to you in a college. Location, academic programs, and cost are important filters, but dig deeper to consider what a good fit looks like for you. Your military experience—including service branch and job specialty; age; marital status; family responsibilities; and disability—may also influence your decision.

A high school student may prioritize the college experience and increasing independence. An older veteran might have lived around the world and care more about access to industry internships or employment opportunities for their spouse.

Independent educational consultants are deeply familiar with colleges and how specific features like size, location, and academic programs can affect the student experience. They can introduce you to great programs at schools you’ve never heard of, help you convey your life experience within a college application, or explain how transfer options create alternative paths to attain educational goals.

Veterans’ educational benefits such as the (PGIB or Ch. 33) can help you pay for college. The benefit is a PGIB supplement that helps bridge the gap between the GI Bill and the full cost of tuition. You might also be eligible for educational benefits from your state, like grants or tuition waivers for military veterans.

To help you manage all aspects of this next step, gather a team of experts. and college veterans’ support offices are go-to sources on military education benefits. Base education offices can help you understand which military training could count toward college credits. Veterans service organizations like can help you translate your military service for use in college applications. On campus, look for veterans’ groups like , as well as professional and social student organizations.

Including an independent educational consultant (IEC) in your college admissions team adds deep insights about colleges and the college application process. In addition to specialists in undergraduate, transfer, and graduate school admissions, 51�Թ� has an affinity group for military-connected IECs who understand the military experience and how it affects college admissions. If you’d like to know more about hiring an IEC, use the 51�Թ� member directory to find an consultant who can help you reach your college goals.

By Lisa Rielage, MSEd, 51�Թ� (VA), Admissions Decrypted, US Navy Veteran