General Education Connection Questions Why is EC right for me?
Ans: It is the most comprehensive online education service available, and because EC leverages military experts you will feel right at home as a servicemember when you use our site.

How much does it cost?
Ans: Absolutely nothing. The entire service is free.

I am a member of my state’s National Guard Bureau, will you help me find the right school as well as guide me concerning benefits?
Ans: Of course. Education Connection serves the entire military family, from the active duty force, to the reserves, vets, Guard members and all spouses and other dependents.

How do you know so much about the military community?
Ans: EC taps into subject matter experts from the military…people who have served just like you, and people who have counseled many troops about education during their time in the service. In addition, EC’s CEO and founder, Richard Capezzali, is a Marine who naturally understands and values your sacrifice.

Do you select the school for me?
Ans: No, but we will help you zero in on the best online schools based upon your unique experiences and career goals. Our Transition Center has some great tools to help you get started, such as our Military-Friendly College Checklist. We guide you along, but you make all the decisions!

Military-Friendly School Questions How do I know if a school is truly military-friendly?
Ans: Start by downloading our Military-Friendly College Checklist. We’ve done the homework on what makes a school military-friendly, and this checklist will help you decide.

What’s the difference between regional and national accreditation?
Ans: To be accredited means the school has been evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met. If standards are met, accredited status is granted by the agency. A nationally-accredited school is one whose accreditation was determined by an accrediting body approved by the Department of Education. Schools that are regionally- accredited are accredited by one of six geographically-organized accrediting bodies within the United States.

Can I get college credit for my military training and experience?
Ans: It depends on the specific training and experience as well as the particular school you are interested in. In many cases, colleges will grant credit for some military training and experience. We can help you with resources to determine what credits you may be able to obtain.

How do I know if a school will accept my T/A or V/A benefits?
Ans: EC will assist you in determining this since it is an essential part of the Military-Friendly College Checklist. The good news is most schools will accept your benefits.

Transition Questions I’m thinking of leaving the military soon, do you have any tools I can use to determine the type of career I’m suited for?
Ans: Of course. Please visit our Transition Center where you will find some great tools for helping you capture your experience and training, as well as guide you to ideal next career choices. Be sure to visit the Center often as we are constantly adding new tools and resources there for your use.

I need to build a good resume, but how do I go about translating my military jobs into civilian career terms?
Ans: One good way is to obtain a copy of your training report from the Department of Defense’s official Verification of Military Experience & Training (VMET) website. Our Transition Center has the link.

I attended my installation TAP course, but I want some more resources for helping me with my transition. Can you recommend any?
Ans: Yes. At our Transition Center we have some excellent TAP-related resources, to include the official DoD TAP center where you can download many of the same guides you likely read during your TAP course.

Financing Education Questions As an active duty member, I want to make good use of my Tuition Assistance benefits, but I’m not even sure what they are. Can you guide me?
Ans: We sure can. Please visit our Finance Center where you will find links to some great T/A resources. Since each service approaches T/A differently, you will find information specific to each Branch of the Armed Forces.

I’m in the reserves, what kind of T/A entitlements do I have?
Ans: Please visit our Finance Center where you will find links to some great T/A resources designed just for members of the reserves. Since each service approaches reserve T/A differently, you will find information specific to each Branch of the Armed Forces.

I hear the Guard Bureau has federal and state benefits, where do I go for more information?
Ans: Please visit our Finance Center where you will find links to some great resources to help you understand what federal and state-specific benefits may be available for members of the National Guard.

I’m a veteran, but I’m not sure if I fall under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill or the old Montgomery GI Bill…can you help?
Ans: Yes. Our Finance Center has information to explain the differences between the two GI Bills, eligibility requirements, and benefits available.

Under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill do I get a monthly stipend if I take online college classes?
Ans: No, unfortunately this particular benefit is not available to students in distance education programs.

I’m eligible for the new GI Bill, but my school’s tuition is higher than the in-state rate. Are there any special benefits for more expensive school students?
Ans: Yes. It’s called the Yellow Ribbon Program and it was designed for people in your situation. Visit our Finance Center for more information about the YRP and how it works.

I have all the education I need! I want to give my children my new Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, but I’m not sure how this works. Can you help?
Ans: We sure can. Transferability rules can be tricky, but we’ve got some information to help you determine if you are eligible or what you need to do to become eligible.

What kinds of scholarships are available to me?
Ans: There are many valuable scholarships available to members of the military community. Please stop by our Finance Center to learn more about which ones you may be eligible for.

Spouses & Dependents Questions My wife is on active duty, and I understand I may be entitled to some kind of military T/A. Is that true?
Ans: Possibly. The services all have some form of spouse T/A, but in most cases it is reserved for spouses who accompany their sponsors on overseas assignments. The Army has limited spouse T/A for stateside members. Please visit our Finance Center to learn more about the rules and eligibility for these programs.

Are there any special scholarships just for spouses and other dependents?
Ans: Yes there are, and at our Finance Center we provide links to several of them.

We’re moving…again! Can you help me find some good job search resources?
Ans: Not to worry. Our Transition Center has some great resources to help you work through the complex maze of everything involved with a move…schools, transportation, housing, and job hunting, to name a few. Keep coming back to the Center because we are always adding new tools and resources there to make your transition even smoother.