How Can I Earn College Credits for Military Experience? How Can I Earn College Credits for Military Experience?
At a military-friendly school, your experience in the service can help you earn a college degree.
Placeholder for the "Live Chat" block
A University That Understands Military Students
No matter which military branch you’re in, earning your degree can help you set a clear course for your future. Whether you’re looking to advance your rank or embark on a civilian career path, we offer more than 80 online degree programs to support your growth.
Being in the military means having an ever-changing schedule. You need a school with the flexibility to accommodate your unpredictable life. With more than 6,000 military students, Walden understands your unique needs—and we share your commitment to service.
Military Tuition Reduction
Walden is honored to give back to our military personnel through this special tuition reduction.
New students who are service members, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, or employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs are recognized in many programs with our Believe and Achieve Scholarship, which helps students reach their goals, plus an exclusive additional 10% savings. For other programs, these students are recognized with a 15% tuition discount for the life of their program.1
This tuition reduction is also available if you are a spouse of a service member, veteran, or employee of the VA. It cannot be retroactively applied.
Dedicated Military Support
VA Certifying Officials
Our VA Certifying Officials are available to assist you with information about veterans benefits, funding options, and government programs.
Military Leniency
The Request for Leniency process accommodates you when you’re unable to participate in your program for a period of time due to your military commitments.
Leave of Absence
If a deployment, military operation, or national emergency arises and you need to take a break from your program, we’ve got you covered.
Student Veterans Group
Walden’s chapter of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) is committed to fostering positive social change in the military community.
Transfer of Credit
Military experience and training is evaluated for transfer credit based on American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines and recommendations.
Community Involvement
To honor our nation’s military, Walden helps organize activities and events in many communities across the United States.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Walden is proud to be a full participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides tuition scholarships for eligible veterans.
24/7 Tech Support
As a military member, your schedule is different—and unpredictable. That’s why we’re available to assist you around the clock.
Active Duty and Veterans Tuition Benefits
- New students who are service members, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, or employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs are recognized in many programs with our Believe and Achieve Scholarship, which helps students reach their goals, plus an exclusive additional 10% savings. For other programs, these students are recognized with a 15% tuition discount for the life of their program.1
- The Montgomery GI Bill* (MGIB)® reimburses tuition costs through an educational assistance allowance.
- The Post-9/11 GI Bill® applies direct funds to cover a portion of costs for tuition, fees, and books.
- Tuition Assistance gives a portion of funds to cover costs of tuition and fees. This program is sponsored by the specific branch of the military you serve.
- The Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program provides the remaining funds for tuition costs that are not covered under the Tuition Assistance program.
- The VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program offers benefits to veterans with service-connected disabilities.
- The Yellow Ribbon Program covers up to 100% of tuition cost that exceeds the Post 9/11 maximum tuition allowance2
*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
The MS ABA, GC ABA and MSN/MBA dual degree are not approved for veteran’s benefits. Walden has applied for approval but makes no guarantees that these programs will obtain approval that would allow students to use veteran’s benefits.
Military Student Checklists
New Student Checklist
(Applicant has not attended college before.) *
- Apply for admission to Walden University
- Verify your programs is approved for VA Benefits by looking it up in the Department of Veterans Affairs WEAMS Institution Search.
- If applicable, apply for the following Veterans' Education Benefits
- GI Bills
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
- If using Tuition Assistance, please visit our Tuition Assistance information.
- Apply for the military tuition discount with Enrollment Specialist, or send proof of military service to [email protected].
- Request your Joint Services Transcript or ACE transcript.
- Apply for Federal Financial Aid, if appropriate.
- If using Tuition Assistance, submit authorization form to [email protected].
- If steps 1-7 have been complete, complete the Request for Certification form.
Transfer Student (This is the student’s first term at Walden University AND he or she has attended another school.)
-
Apply for admission
-
Apply for the military tuition discount with your Enrollment Specialist or send proof of military service to [email protected].
-
Order academic transcripts from all other colleges/universities
-
Submit your Joint Services Transcript or ACE transcript.
-
-
Apply for Federal Financial Aid, if appropriate.
-
If using Tuition Assistance, submit authorization form to [email protected].
-
If using VA benefits, complete Request for Certification form.
-
Register for classes
-
Request tuition assistance (if applicable)
-
Provide documents to Billing office(if applicable) or Tuition Assistance Authorization form to [email protected]
* Notify Military Services team of any changes to benefits
* Verify Walden University attendance to WAVE at the end of each month (Chapters 30, 1606, 1607 only)
While I was deployed to Iraq, I conducted research and determined Walden University would be a great fit, allowing me to achieve the credibility I need to meet my goals for the future.
Noah Chad Shannon
Homeland Security and How Military-Friendly Schools Can Help Homeland Security and How Military-Friendly Schools Can Help
Understand how the DoD and DHS interact, and which online degree programs can help you advance your career.
Military Success in a Civilian’s Online Classroom Military Success in a Civilian’s Online Classroom
Earning a degree from an online university is a challenging—albeit respectable—endeavor, especially for those living a life of military service.
Military FAQ
Am I eligible for any military or veterans scholarships?
Please visit this site for a comprehensive list of scholarships and grants for servicemembers and veterans.
As a military spouse, do I qualify for a military tuition reduction?
Yes. As long as you have not yet accepted any additional grant or scholarship options from Walden, you would qualify for the military tuition reduction applicable to your program.
Please contact your Enrollment Specialist for additional details as they are kept up to date on all tuition reductions, grants, and scholarships.
If you find you would like to use your benefit, you can submit a copy of your spouse’s DD214, LES, or Certificate of Eligibility and a copy of your marriage license to your Enrollment Specialist or directly to: [email protected]. Please include your student ID along with request for the tuition reduction.
Need more information? Contact [email protected].
Can my military spouse transfer education benefits to me?
Yes, your military spouse may be able to transfer military education benefits to you.
Visit the VA’s website to learn more about transferability of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Need more information? Contact [email protected].
How do I apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program?
If we have your current GI Bill eligibility information on file (Certificate of Eligibility), you do not need to apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program at Walden University. For the 2020–2021 academic year , we have entered into an agreement with the VA to fully participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This agreement is reevaluated each academic year.
If you are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at 100%, have remaining entitlement, and are not on an active-duty status (or a spouse using transferred benefits of an active-duty member), we will extend additional funding to cover your tuition and fees once you exceed your annual maximum/cap of $21,084.89.
How do I apply for veterans benefits?
If you know which VA benefit you would like to use, you can begin the application process on the VA’s website.
If you do not know which benefits you are eligible for, contact the VA directly at 1-888-GIBILL-1.
If you are eligible for more than one benefit but are unsure which is best to use, do not apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill without making that determination first. Once you apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you make an irrevocable election and can no longer use the MGIB or other benefits.
How do I know if I am eligible for military benefits or veterans benefits?
If you or an immediate family member has served in the military, you are likely eligible for state, federal, or veterans education benefits. Review the following guides to help you determine which benefits you might be eligible for:
How do I request to receive the VA scholarship National Nursing Education Initiative (NNEI) VA Scholarship?
Please obtain the VA Scholarship National Nursing Education Initiative (NNEI) form from your respective VA office. Once you have received and completed the form, you will send the form to one of two places as described below.
Send to:
- Enrollment Specialist if you have not yet started classes.
- Student Success Advisor if you have already started classes.
How do I request tuition assistance from the US Army?
Active duty Army personnel must submit a Request for Tuition Assistance through the GoArmyEd web portal.
Please be aware that you must always submit your Request for Tuition Assistance at least two weeks prior to your course start date to allow enough processing time for the University and your Education Center. Likewise, tuition and fees must be posted in your student account before you submit your TA request.
To apply for tuition assistance, the student must:
- Set up an account through GoArmyEd and establish a degree plan with your Education Officer and
- submit the TA request for the upcoming term through the GoArmyEd Portal.
Note: You must be registered for an upcoming term to submit a TA request.
The Walden Office of Military Services will either approve or reject the TA request according to Army guidelines.
Upon the approval from the school, the request then goes to the Army Education Officer for approval.
Once the request is approved by both the school and the Education Officer, you need to go back into the GoArmyEd Portal to save the TA Authorization Form and send the document to [email protected] and CC [email protected].
How do I take advantage of my military tuition reduction?
Send a copy of your DD214 or verification of employment to: [email protected].
How do I transfer my Post-9/11 benefits to my spouse or child/children?
Please visit the VA’s website to learn more about transferability of the Post-9/11 GI Bill
How do the VA and Walden University determine enrollment status (full time vs. part time)?
| PROGRAM | FULL TIME | THREE QUARTER TIME | HALF TIME | LESS THAN HALF TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 6+ credits per 6-week part of term | 5 credits per 6-week part of term | N/A | N/A |
| Master's | 6+ credits | 5 credits | 3-4 credits | 1-2 credits |
| Doctoral Course-Based | 6+ credits | 5 credits | 3-4 credits | 1-2 credits |
The VA requires that we certify enrollments with the start and end dates of the course you are enrolled in.
How does Top-Up work?
To be eligible for Top-Up you must be approved for federal tuition assistance and be eligible for GI Bill® benefits. For the tuition assistance portion, please submit your Tuition Assistance Authorization Form to: [email protected] for invoicing.
If you have not yet applied for your GI Bill, you should complete an application and indicate that you plan to use Top-Up.
Please let the Office of Military Services know you would like to be certified by completing a Request for Certification form.
How much funding will I get for my Post-9/11 GI Bill?
The Department of Veterans Affairs website has a great tool that you can use to determine how much funding you will receive from your Post-9/11 GI Bill based on eligibility criteria. Visit the GI Bill® Comparison Tool web page to learn more.
How much will I get paid for my VA Benefits?
Please see the VA’s payment rates here.
I am deploying or going on a training mission; how do I request a military leave of absence (MLOA)?
If you are unable to complete your course or need to take a break from your program due to an upcoming deployment or other military mission, you can request a military leave of absence. Learn more.
To whom do I send my Tuition Assistance voucher?
Send your approved Tuition Assistance (TA) voucher to [email protected]. If you are using Army TA, you will need to request your TA through the GoArmyEd portal.
If you are using TA-Top Up, please be sure to complete the necessary applications with the VA, complete the Request for Certification Form on the Office of Military Services website, and copy (cc) [email protected] when sending your TA form to [email protected]
What do I need to do to receive my military education benefits every term?
The VA Certifying Officials at Walden monitor your registration and enrollment status. They will automatically certify your enrollment with the VA after you register for the term. You do not need to notify the military services office when adding or dropping classes. Once your enrollment has been reported you will receive a confirmation email.
If this is your first time requesting certification, please a Submit Request for Certification form.
What happens to my Tuition Assistance (TA) funding if I receive a failing grade?
If you fail a course, you will be required by your service branch to repay any funding that was covered by TA.
What happens to my VA benefits if I drop or withdraw from a course?
Any changes in enrollment may impact your enrollment status.
As with registrations, our team will be notified of any change in enrollment status and will report accordingly. Please note, if payment has already been received by the school or student, you may receive a debt notice from the VA.
As the VA will determine the payments, if you have questions on if you will incur a debt, please contact the VA’s Student Inquiry Line: 1-888-442-4551 (option 1, option 0).
Need more information? Contact [email protected].
What is the annual maximum allowance or cap for the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
The maximum tuition and fee reimbursement rate for August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2020 is $24,476.79.
When will I get my tuition payment for my VA benefits?
For the Post-9/11 GI Bill, tuition and fee payments are released by the VA no sooner than 14 days from each class start date. At that time, our billing department requests two weeks to process the payments to student accounts.
For CH 30 MGIB, CH 1606 MGIB-SR, or CH 1607 REAP, your funding will be sent to you after you verify your enrollment status at the end of the month via the VA’s WAVE website or by calling the automated system 1-877-823-2378.
If you are using the Post-9/11 GI Bill (CH 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program (CH 31), the VA will send your tuition and fees directly to the institution to be applied to your account.
For the CH 35 DEA Program, the funds are sent directly to you at the end of each month of attending class; however, you do not need to log into the WAVE system.
Need more information? Contact [email protected].
When will Walden process my VA Certification?
Your VA Certification is processed after you complete your VA paperwork and submit a Request for Certification form to the Walden Office of Military Services. Your certification is processed within 30 days of receiving the Request for Certification form.
The VA does not generally let the school know that you have applied to use your benefits. Once you have been accepted as a student, be sure to complete your VA paperwork. After your VA paperwork has been submitted, complete a Request for Certification form. Please note: If you are using Ch. 35, you will need to e-mail or call our office with the Vet File Number of your sponsor.
Need more information? Contact [email protected].
Where can I obtain information regarding military tuition assistance?
If you are using Army Federal Tuition Assistance
(including Army Reserve and Army National Guard), you will need to request your TA through the GoArmyEd portal.
Learn more about Navy Tuition Assistance.
Apply for Air Force Tuition Assistance here. Please sign in and use the links on the left to find the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC). This will take you to your education record. On the right is a menu entitled Self Service Options, which you can use to then apply for TA.
Where do I send my Certificate of Eligibility?
Please forward your COE to the VA Certifying Officials at: [email protected]
Who is eligible for the military tuition reduction?
Service members, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, or employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs and their spouses are eligible for Walden’s military tuition reduction.
If you are a new student or incoming student, contact your Enrollment Specialist with any questions. If you are already a student, contact the Office of Military Services at [email protected] to determine which tuition reduction percentage you are eligible for.