There are a lot of things to remember when you are preparing to transition from Military service to college or university studies. You should try and make a list for yourself, to make sure that you are hitting all the steps necessary. You should start about a year before separation to make sure that everything is set up and ready to go. Its good to remember that time-lines do vary from school to school, so you should be prepared to be a little flexible.
Transcripts- Request any copies of your military record that you will need, especially military education transcripts. Some of these courses will directly count for possible college credit, so it’s a great idea to keep a copy of all your documents handy. You should also request and have on hand a copy of your HS Transcripts, and any other coursework or paperwork that you will need. Organization- One of the easiest steps is to have a binder or folder, sometimes one of those tri fold folders work well. It needs to be large enough to accommodate everything you need, as well as have different sections for each kind of document. You should make sure that you have a copy of your DD 214 discharge document available also.
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Apply To Schools- About a year before you get out of active duty you should look into the schools that you want to start applying for. Don’t wait too long; schools fill up depending when you apply, so apply early in the period you wish to enroll in. Make a contact first by phone, and then in person if possible with the Veteran’s coordinator at the school in which you apply to.
Deadlines- Figure out the deadlines for registration and application, and make sure you operate with those in mind. Six Months From Separation- Finalize where you want to attend, and make sure that you are admitted. Obtain and complete a Veterans Form 22-1990, which is the application you will need to fill out for your Montgomery GI Bill benefits. If you decide to complete this form online, then make sure you print out a hard copy for your folder of documents. If you complete the form by hand then either mail it the regional VA center, or take it in person to the VA center or your Schools Veteran’s Office.
After you have done all the proper VA paperwork, then make sure you schedule an appointment with the schools academic advisor to get registered. If you have taken all these steps, then the transition from Soldier to Student should be an easy one for you.
