Education

College Credit for Military Education and Experience

To accomplish this, ACE publishes biennially a "Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services". This guide gives evaluations, learning outcomes, course descriptions and recommendations for the type and amount of credit that may be awarded.

• Volume 1 - Army [ISBN: 1-57356-102-9]
• Volume 2 - Navy [ISBN: 1-57356-103-7]
• Volume 3 - Air Force, Coast Guard, Department of Defense, Marine Corps [ISBN: 1-57356-104-5]

The ACE Guide is the standard reference tool used by the majority of U.S. colleges and universities to award credit for military learning. The Guide is available for use at installation/post Army Education Centers or can be purchased from its publisher. The Military Evaluations Program also offers an advisory service for civilian institution officials, military education advisors, and other users who are unable to identify courses completed by service personnel and veterans. Each edition of the Guide provides appropriate request forms to be completed by applicants. College and University officials are urged to reproduce these forms and use them when searching for credit recommendations.

• Formal resident courses offered by the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army Reserve and National Guard, and selected Air Force courses.
• Courses that are at least 45 academic contact hours in legth since 1981; at least 60 academic contact hours from 1973 to 1980; and at least 90 academic contact hours prior to 1973.
• Correspondence courses with proctored end-of-course examinations offered by the Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps.

• Army enlisted and warrant officer military occupation specialties (MOSs)
• Navy rates, ratings, warrant officer, limited duty officer specialties, and selected NECs
• Coast Guard enlisted ratings, warrant officer specialties, and officer aviator designations
• Selected Marine Corps MOSs

Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB)

Eligibility You may use the education benefits under the MGIB program if you qualify under one of the following categories:

• You must have first entered active duty after June 30, 1985, and had your military pay reduced by $1200. This amount is non-refundable.
• If you are now on active duty, you may begin using these benefits after completing two years of service.
• You may also be eligible if you enlisted for 2 years of active duty with an obligation to serve 4 years in the Selected Reserve (the 2 by 4 program). You must have entered the Selected Reserve within 1 year of your release from active duty.
• If you are separated from active duty, you must have an honorable discharge, and you must have completed your initial period of obligated active duty. Under certain circumstances, an early discharge or release from active duty may permit you to be eligible for MGIB benefits. This early release could reduce the amount of your entitlement.
• Members of the National Guard who first entered active duty on or after November 28, 1989, under Title 32 U.S.C. (Active Guard Reserve or AGR), and who never served on active duty before entering AGR service, may use this active duty to establish MGIB eligibility. These members also are required to have their military pay reduced by $1200, which is non-refundable.
• You must obtain a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate before your first period of active duty ends. Completing 12 credit hours toward a college degree meets this requirement.

• If you had remaining entitlement under the Vietnam Era GI Bill on December 31, 1989, and served on active duty sometime between October 19, 1984, and June 30, 1985, and continued to serve through July, 1988 (or June 30, 1987, if combined with Selected Reserve service), you may be entitled to MGIB benefits.
• In addition to the basic MGIB benefit rate, you will receive 1/2 of the Vietnam Era GI Bill rate, including the allowance paid for veterans with dependents. If you qualify for this category, your military pay will not be reduced.
• You must have obtained a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate before December 31, 1989. Completing 12 credit hours toward a college degree meets this requirement.

• Effective February 3, 1991, the law was amended to allow members who originally declined to participate or who were not eligible to participate, to elect MGIB benefits before separation if they are involuntarily separated from service. On October 23, 1992, the law was further expanded to allow the same opportunity to those voluntarily separated under the Special Separation Benefit (SSB) and Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) programs.
• If you were eligible for the Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP), you must elect to receive benefits under MGIB and apply for a refund of your contributions to VEAP.
• You must obtain a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate before you apply for benefits. Completing 12 credit hours toward a college degree meets this requirement.

You must have an "honorable" discharge from active duty to participate in the MGIB program. Discharges designated "under honorable conditions" and "general" do not establish your eligibility for the MGIB program.

• Convenience of the Government;
• Disability;
• Hardship;
• Medical Conditions Existing Before Entry into Service;
• Force Reductions; or
• Medical Condition Which Prevents Satisfactory Performance of Duty.

You should make sure that your selected program is approved for VA training. If you are not clear on this point, the VA will inform you and the school or company about the requirements.

If you are on active duty, you must have your enrollment approved by your base Education Services Officer, and you must have your service verified by your Commanding Officer. If you are eligible under Category II and claim dependents, be sure to send original or copies of dependency documentation.