If you or your student is interested in learning more about a future in the military, the information on this page is for you!
Students who are serious serious about joining the military will want to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Scores in four critical areas – Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Mathematics Knowledge – count towards the Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) score. The AFQT score is one of the criteria for enlisting in the U.S. military. Southwest offers the ASVAB for our current students in February each year. Any interested student is invited to register for this test, and there is no military commitment to do so. Please contact your Northwest school counselor to register for the ASVAB at Northwest (typically administered in October and/or February), or visit the official ASVAB website for more information on this opportunity.
Military members also have options for getting help to further their civilian education. The most comprehensive program is the GI Bill, which is available for many military members and veterans.
GI Bill and Other Veterans Education Programs
If you were or are in the military, you may be eligible for veterans education benefits. If you’re a spouse or dependent, you may be eligible too.
- Learn about the GI Bill and other education programs.
- Get career counseling.
- Compare schools with the GI Bill Comparison Tool.
- Apply for the GI Bill and other education benefits.
Forever GI Bill
The Forever GI Bill of 2017 makes big changes to many veterans education benefits. Most changes expand or improve upon existing benefits. Highlights include:
- Restoring education benefits to people who lost them because their school closed
- Eliminating the 15-year time limit for those who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013
Many other changes are in effect or coming. See a detailed list of Forever GI Bill changes.
Military Tuition Assistance
If you’re in the military now, your unit may pay for your tuition if you attend college in your off-duty time.
- Learn about the Military Tuition Assistance Program.
- Use the TA Decide tool to compare schools and help you make the best use of your tuition assistance dollars.
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)
- Frequent military transfers can be a roadblock to getting your degree. But Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) can help. These civilian colleges and universities:
- Simplify credit transfersReduce the number of credits you must earn at their school to get a degreeGive classes on or near military installations in the U.S., overseas, and on military shipsOffer distance learning programsOffer degrees that match your military jobAre open to service members and their families
Learn more about each branch of the armed forces by visiting the official US Department of Defense website.
