Counseling -
Soldiers are required to consult a guidance counselor before participating in any ACES program for the first time. Professionally trained counselors are vital to the efficiency and effectiveness of the pursuit of educational goals. Counselors assist students by: helping establish a civilian education goal and degree plan; promoting completion of degree agreements/contracts (SOCAD 2 and 4); providing advice on course selections; preparing TA forms; explaining funding alternatives; exploring viable and economical alternatives to class enrollment such as credit-by-examination programs; assisting with the enrollment process in non-traditional courses; referrals for testing and interpreting results of tests administered; and counseling all Soldiers transitioning from active duty concerning their Veterans Administration (VA) education benefits.
Education Services for Newcomers In-Processing briefings -
Briefings are conducted Monday through Friday at Fort Stewart at 1330 hours (report to front desk for room location). This includes an overview on administrative services, educational advising, Multi-use Learning Facility, testing services, financial assistance, and college programs. Soldiers are encouraged to establish educational goals, and ways to earn promotion points are discussed.
Enrollment/Withdrawing Procedures -
Enrollment in courses and programs can start at home or with your Army Education Center. Participation is entirely voluntary. Active duty military must receive educational advising for guidance, registration, and other services prior to the course start date. Tuition Assistance requires approval from unit commanders by way of an annual Statement of Understanding. Course enrollments and withdrawals must be completed through the GoArmyEd (https://www.goarmyed.com) portal.
Family Member Participation -
Family Members are encouraged to visit and use the advising, testing, colleges, and other services at the Education Center.
 Army American Registry Transcript System (AARTS) - (http://aarts.army.mil)
Provides enlisted Soldiers/veterans with transcripts documenting their military-related experience.
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges SOC (http://www.soc.aascu.org) is a consortium of national higher education associations and more than 1,900 institutional members that function in cooperation with DoD and the military Services, including the National Guard and Coast Guard, to help meet the voluntary higher education needs of Servicemembers.
SOCAD - (http://www.soc.aascu.org/socad)
The Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Army. Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Army Degree-2 (SOCAD-2) is the associate degree system for the Army that is coordinated by SOC. It consists of about 75 accredited colleges that offer associate degree programs on, or accessible to Army installations worldwide. There are about 22 curriculum networks, a selection of which is available at each major Army installation. Within each of the curriculum areas, SOCAD colleges guarantee to accept each other’s credits in transfer. An official evaluation of all prior learning is issued by the “home” college as a SOCAD-2 Student Agreement. This serves as the student’s academic plan and contract for degree. SOCAD-4 is the bachelor’s degree system for the Army that is coordinated by SOC. It consists of about 65 colleges and universities supporting a system of about 26 curriculum networks.
Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES) - (http://www.dantes.doded.mil/Dantes_web/DANTESHOME.asp)
DANTES mission is to support the off-duty, voluntary education programs of the Department of Defense and to conduct special projects and development activities in support of education-related functions of the Department. DANTES has agreements with over 30 nationally recognized certification associations. Certification examinations document a person’s level of competency and achievement in a particular area. Military personnel may already have the experience and knowledge required to gain certification in their occupational specialty.
Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Commissioning Program - (http://www.goarmy.com/content/goarmy/amedd/army-health-care-corps.html)
AMEDD allows enlisted Soldiers to obtain a scholarship to attend college in a full-time student status while still receiving full pay and benefits in their current grade. The Army Health Care Team is one of the largest comprehensive systems of health care in the country. It's made up of six corps, each with a specific function: Dental Corps, Medical Corps, Medical Service Corps, Nurse Corps, and Veterinary Corps. From Allergist to Veterinarian, browse a complete list of all the specialties within the Army Health Care Team.
Interservice Physician Assistant Program - (http://www.usarec.army.mil/armypa/)
Open to active duty enlisted and officers with a minimum of three years time in service. Must have at least 60 semester hours of transferable credit from a college or university approved by an accrediting body recognized by The Council on Post-secondary Accreditation and The Department of Education.
VA Education Benefits - (http://www.gibill.va.gov/)
Post 9/11 GI Bill - The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Chapter 30 - available to individuals who entered active duty after 30 June 1985. Service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits under this program after completing the full period of their service obligation.
VEAP - Servicemembers were eligible to enroll in the Veterans' Education Assistance Program (VEAP), Chapter 32, if they entered active duty after 31 December 1976 and before 1 July 1985. The maximum participant contribution is $2,700 ($2,400 for a two–year commitment).
GoArmyEd - (https://www.goarmyed.com)
The Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a Soldier's professional and personal self-development goals. All Soldiers (officers, warrant officers, enlisted) on active duty, and Army National Guard and Army Reserve on active duty, pursuant to U.S. Code Title 10 or Title 32, are authorized to participate in the TA program. TA is limited to tuition cost up to 100% or $250.00 per semester hour (whichever is less) to obtain a certificate or degrees. The maximum allowable TA is $4500 per fiscal year.
TA Repayment -
TA repayment/recoupment is required for failure to complete a course due to any of the following reasons: :
- Non-attendance
- Academic failure
- Retirement
- Resignation
- Events within one’s control
- Failure to reenlist after signing a statement of intent
- Disciplinary action taken by the commander
Loan Repayment Program - (https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/education/LRP.html)
The Loan Repayment Program is an enlistment incentive that must be included in the initial enlistment agreement. The Soldier must have entered active duty from December 1, 1980 – September 20, 1981 (test period), or after September 30, 1982. Individuals enrolled in LRP earn 33 1/3 percent or $1,500, whichever is greater, toward the remaining original unpaid principal on all qualifying loans for each successfully completed year of enlisted active duty up to $65,000.
Green to Gold - (http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/enlisted-soldiers.html)
The Army Green to Gold program is designed to offer Enlisted Soldiers in the Army the opportunity to earn commissions as Army Officers. This program offers enlisted Soldiers two unique ways to earn a baccalaureate degree: Green to Gold Scholarship Option — For Soldiers who are considering leaving Active Duty to attend college or Green to Gold Active Duty Option — For Soldiers who want to remain on Active Duty and attend college. |
Education Links
ACES Homepage
Counseling
Colleges
Education Testing
Military Testing
Functional Academic Skills Training (FAST)/GED Prep/ESL
Army Learning Center
Student Financial Aid
Tuition Assistance
Army Wide Programs
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