The military community, including veterans, active military members and their families are very important at the University of Georgia, an institution that receives numerous military-friendly awards every year. At the UGA Office of Online Learning, our military students are taken very seriously, since online learning can often be a better option for many members of the military, veterans and their spouses. There are a few things that members of the military community should know about online learning, to understand how it can be very valuable to them. 

1. Online learning travels with you.

Members of the military and their families have to deal with unexpected changes, like moving to a new post. These situations make it very difficult to maintain constant enrollment in a traditional, physical degree program. With online learning, military students don’t have to worry about whether moving will interfere with their studies. Online students can access their online courses on their laptops, tablets, or a local library. 

2. Military students and their spouses have access to an abundant amount of scholarships. 

There are many scholarships and grants available for members of the military, veterans and their spouses. Organizations like the Army Emergency Relief, ThanksUSA and the Pat Tillman Foundation provide enough scholarship opportunities that military students can bring down out-of-pocket college tuition to an affordable amount or even go to school for free. Students can find lists of these scholarships and grant programs at base educational centers or by searching online sites like Military.com, StudentAid.gov or Militaryonesource.com

3. A good education does more than help service members move up the ranks. 

Because of the scholarship opportunities mentioned above, military students don’t have to use their hard-earned tuition assistance or GI Bill on any program that will just put a check in the box. There are many universities that offer online programs with good academic ranking, ties to a physical institution and accreditation. These factors will help advance the career goal of any veteran or military spouse. The University of Georgia’s online programs features the same award-winning faculty members and quality of education that earned it the U.S. News & World Report’s 21st ranking on the list of 2016 Best Public Universities.