Soldiers Can Get Their Degree Online While Serving!

A few hours a day can put you on your way to a military degree. Thanks to online colleges those hours can be logged from anywhere, even on duty. The flexibility of online learning means deployed military members don't have to transfer credits from school to school or put college on hold. They can study on duty during downtime.

In 2007 the US Military reported service members took over 710,000 college courses. One report finds 65% of soldiers who are also students are enrolled in online courses. The military actually encourages soldiers to consider learning in this manner as a constructive way to fill their downtime. If you're overseas and the options are the gym or hanging out with your unit, a online class may sound like a nice way to escape. With financial aid readily available to active military members and veterans, it makes sense.

The Montgomery GI Bill has helped more than two million soldiers attend college since it was passed in 1944. The revamped version, approved last year, pays 100% tuition for 36 months. Service members must have 90 or more days on active duty since September 11, 2001. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill also grants a $1,000 monthly stipend for living expenses and books.

Some universities offer special online tuition rates for soldiers. For example, at the University of Notre Dame soldiers get a 15% discount. That adds up to a good way to make your financial aid last a little longer.

An online degree appeals to many soldiers because you can take your classes from anywhere at anytime. A soldier may start a degree while stationed in one area and finish it in another. When they arrive stateside, all those credits transfer. While some online classes have live lectures, soldiers can also download a tapes version at their convenience. With this there is no need to be in the same time zone as your school.

Taking college courses can help a soldier's career whether they want to increase their rank or pursue a civilian career. A college degree increases a soldier's chances for promotion within the military. When they leave service, gaining a college degree would have prepared a service member for a career in the working world. Since online courses have flexible schedules soldiers can study year round. Many online programs enroll students every five to eight weeks. If a student is really ambitious they can complete a degree in less than four years. Military training can be applied as college credit, putting soldiers ahead of the pack.

Military Advanced Education ranks the top 100 soldier friendly colleges and universities. Many online schools made the list. Some of the top ranked schools are located close to military bases or offer courses on base. Others provide special scholarships and financial aid to the troops and their spouses. Some of these schools have locations overseas and military divisions. These departments are outfitted with faculty and advisers with military backgrounds.

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