Continuing Education During Deployment
Source: Military Family & Community Policy
Keeping up with coursework while on active duty can be a challenge, but when service members are deployed or mobilized, it can feel nearly impossible.
However, with help from the Voluntary Education Program, military personnel can still pursue their degrees while away from home.
Online and distance learning have come a long way in recent years. Students can now connect to a classroom thousands of miles away right from their computer. This is of particular benefit to deployed service members who do not have access to a traditional classroom setting.
Several universities offer distance learning programs in the form of web-based courses, lectures on CDs or DVDs, and material on hand-held PDA devices. With these tools, it is easy to get an education through non-traditional means – a perfect match for today's mobile military personnel. There are also several brick-and-mortar schools in the contingency areas (Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia) that provide voluntary education programs for service members. The Defense Activities for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) website provides additional information and distance learning catalogs.
Each of the military Services provides a Tuition Assistance (TA) portal management system that is available 24-7, regardless of the service member's location. Service members can enroll in courses and request Tuition Assistance (TA) from a consortium of over 2,000 postsecondary institutions. Service education counselors are also available to provide service members with advice, guidance, and assistance regarding available distance learning opportunities. Counselors can help current and perspective students with the registration process, and can help them navigate through education options for enrollment and tuition.
For Service-specific information related to distance learning options, please the Service websites:
Each branch of Service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application processes, and restrictions. The Tuition Assistance (TA) Program can help make it possible for service members to continue their education even during a deployment when family finances may be limited.
Learn more about how to pursue educational opportunities by visiting the Voluntary Education portal.
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