CAN I WORK ON MY DEGREE WHILE I'M STILL IN THE MILITARY?

Updated November 29, 2022 · 1 Min Read

A college education is a very valuable thing to possess. This education can provide you with freedom, employment opportunities, and financial stability. If you are currently enrolled in the military, you might be wondering if you can earn a degree while in the military, while you are still serving, or if you should wait until ...

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A college education is a very valuable thing to possess. This education can provide you with freedom, employment opportunities, and financial stability. If you are currently enrolled in the military, you might be wondering if you can earn a degree while in the military, while you are still serving, or if you should wait until you are no longer enlisted. There are benefits to both options. Really what it will come down to is whether or not you feel you can focus on the work that will be required for your degree program. If you have the opportunity and the drive to get a head start on your education, you may decide to take this route. Let's take a closer look at the process in order for you to make the best possible decision for your life and your education.

Tuition Assistance

When you are enrolled in the military, you can receive tuition assistance as a way to help pay for your education. This assistance allows you to take full advantage of the GI Bill. Essentially, the more college credits that you can achieve prior to using your GI Bill, the more benefits you will be able to utilize. Whether you decide to take a couple of classes while you are enlisted or you are going to diligently work to accomplish your program quickly, you want to be able to accomplish your degree in the most affordable method possible. Many people in the military have been able to pay for almost one hundred percent of their undergraduate degree.

See our ranking of the 30 Best Military-Friendly Colleges.

Methods Of Study

There are so many different ways these days that you can study and complete your class materials. Complete college classes can be done online. You have the internet to help you with your studies, tablets, smartphones, mobile testing sites and much more. These methods are making it easier than ever for people serving in the military to achieve their degree while still serving, and still completing their duties each day.

Getting Ahead

Depending on what branch of the military you are currently serving in, your degree and coursework may actually help you climb the ranks faster. While you might be studying and working on your degree in order to get ahead in the military, you will also achieve a great deal of freedom later on when you are no longer serving. GI benefits also allow you to exit the service and use a housing allowance while you are finishing up your degree.

Managing Your Time

Really what it comes down to is being able to properly manage your time so that you can juggle your work, personal life and find time to complete your studies. If you are determined and like to stay busy and work hard, this is completely achievable. Working on your degree while serving in the military is absolutely an option. Only you can decide how to manage your time. You may want to work part-time and focus on your schooling full time. You may also want to focus more on working and squeeze in your classes part-time when you can.

If you feel like you can juggle earning a degree while in the military, then this is a great option. This will save you money in the long run and you will be able to hit the ground running when you are no longer enlisted and you will need to find a job to support yourself. Take your time to decide what field of study you want to focus on and maximize your time while you are serving.

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