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Community College for Military Veterans

Convenient and Inexpensive Option for Student Veterans: Community College

There are numerous options available for obtaining a degree. One of those is attending school at a community college. These colleges, also known as junior colleges, are a smart choice for many people.

There are many things to consider when choosing where to go to school.  Here are some reasons a community college or junior college can be the right choice for you.

The Cost of Community College

The cost of community college is a lot more affordable than four-year options. If you plan to transfer to a four-year school after receiving your associate’s degree, you will save a significant amount of money compared to attending a four-year school directly.

Smaller Campus

As a whole, community colleges will have smaller campuses than four-year schools. This makes getting around a lot easier and a lot less overwhelming. This can be beneficial for both an 18-year-old high school graduate and a 30-something individual returning to school after a twenty-year break.

In addition to a smaller campus, you will also find smaller classes. While the average for a bigger school can be 150-300 students in a class, you would find an average of 25-30 students in a community college class. This also makes getting to know your professor and form a relationship with them.

Military Installation Connection

Often, you can attend community college at your military installation. Both family members and service members can attend classes, making it easier to return to school.

Depending on your installation, you should be able to take some if not all of your classes there instead of having to go to the school’s campus. For some, this is a difference of 5-10 minutes vs 30 minutes or more to get to class. You can even start your schooling this way, taking general education classes that you will need for transferring later.

You would need to check out the education center on your post or base to get started.

MYCAA

MYCAA is a fantastic program for military spouses. If you qualify, you can get up to $4,000 for school. Attending a community college is one of the best ways to utilize this benefit. You can use MYCAA for a two-year program or certificate or put it towards your first two years of school while you work on getting your associate’s degree.

Going to an accredited community college would be a better choice over going to a for-profit college. You would be sure to get a good education doing so and know that you would be able to transfer to another school or earn a degree that could help you find a job.

Online Options

Community colleges offer online programs for those who prefer not to attend physical classes or who are unable to do so. There are several options available when choosing to attend school online. Depending on the program you choose, you might be able to receive your degree by only taking online classes.

This can be particularly helpful if you need to PCS during your school years or if you are deployed in the midst of pursuing your education. While four year schools also offer online classes, community college classes can be more flexible for the non-traditional student.

You Don’t Want to Go to a 4-Year

If you or your child only wants to earn a two-year degree, attending a community college is the best option. While you can transfer to a four-year school after a couple of years, you don’t have to; you can enter your chosen career with an associate’s degree.

There are also certificate programs you can do at community colleges. Anything from photography to accounting. There are specific careers out there that need a certificate, and you find many different programs at your local community college.

You Are Not Sure What You Want To Do

Some students are unsure of their career goals at first. Going to a community college can allow a student to take some of the general education classes they will need no matter what their major will end up being. During these classes, students can determine what they want to do and then choose the best university to transfer to. This means that a student won’t waste money at a school that might not be the best choice for them down the road, when they figure out what they want to major in.

As you can see, attending a community college, even just for your first two years, can be a smart choice. There are numerous benefits to doing so for you or your children who are preparing to attend college. Take the time to research your community college options in your area to see if one would be a good fit.

 

 

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