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Higher Learning in Uniform: Education Pathways for Service Members
This month’s podcast, “Higher Learning in Uniform: College While Serving”, features an insightful and practical conversation with Martha and Joseph, experienced education advocates and longtime supporters of military families, who bring both professional expertise and lived experience to the topic of continuing education while in service.
In the podcast, we break down:
Education pathways available to service members, including online degree programs and certifications
How military benefits can support academic advancement
The importance of planning ahead before and during active duty
How parents can encourage educational growth without adding pressure
Practical ways to align military service with long-term career goals
Martha and Joseph offer thoughtful guidance, clarity, and encouragement for families navigating the intersection of service and higher education. Their conversation provides both strategic insight and reassurance, helping parents feel more confident as they support their child’s academic journey while in uniform.
Listen Here
Event Summary
In case you missed our event on February 24 involving this topic, here's some links that were posted in the chat, along with responses to a few questions that were not addressed during the session.
OCS Connect Resources - Tuesday, February 24, 2026
February Podcast & Event
Event Topic: College While Serving: Helping Your Child Plan Ahead
Event Date: February 24, 2026 6:30pm (EST)
Here is the link to FDU’s military & veteran programs to start the conversation with your young person!
Warrior Scholar Project
College Prep for Military - Vets Preparing for College
Service To School can help with college applications for service members & veterans for free! Warrior Scholar Project
College Prep for Military - Vets Preparing for College
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
Benefit 36 month benefit..
EDUCATION PLANNING Resources from OCS Connect:
https://www.ourcommunitysalutes.org/ocs-connect/education-planning
ACT Now Weekly Run Down Registration Form
Act Now Education has a lot of information for education and certificates, including scholarships, etc.
Saturdays at 1PM via Zoom: ACT Now Weekly Run Down Registration Form
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
U.S. Veterans Magazine has recognized several institutions as top 2025 "Best of the Best" and veteran-friendly schools, focusing on schools with strong military-connected student support: Colleges and Universities
Note from a member in the chat:
Be sure that you or your dependents plan to complete the degree or certificate program, because they will be liable for repayment.
Education Centers on Military Installations — MilitaryOne Source
https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/search?program-service=13/view-by=ALL
Questions
Thank you for the reference links. However, is it possible for someone to email the participants a key reference list with links?
VA Education And Training Benefits | Veterans Affairs
Is there information on the Commander Cert? Link for brief steps to follow..
Chris, here are some links for NJ which might be a place to start:
https://www.njit.edu/veterans/nj-national-guard-tuition-waiver
https://education.njarmyguard.com/njngtp
Question: Can my high schooler CLEP test with just being my dependent? Or the child has to also be in the military to qualify for CLEP? I believe it's the latter but just checking
Here’s the short, clear answer for your situation:
Your high-schooler (your dependent) can physically take a CLEP exam — anyone can register to take one and earn college credit if a college accepts it. However:
DANTES / Military-funded CLEP benefits
• The federal DANTES funding (which pays the CLEP exam fee and sometimes the test center fee) is only available to:
• Active duty, Reserve, and National Guard service members
• Eligible military spouses (certain categories)
• Some civilian military employees
– Not to dependents (including children) as a DANTES-payer category.
So that means:
• Your dependent would not get the exam paid by DANTES just because you are in the military.
• They would have to pay the CLEP exam fee out-of-pocket (or use another voucher program like ModernStates).