Information for Military Personnel

Champlain College’s Division of Continuing Professional Studies delivers quality education that’s convenient and flexible. Because our programs are offered online, you can decide the best time and place that fit your schedule. We'll help you prepare for real opportunities in the job market or for advancement within your military career while you earn your degree.

To get started today, contact an admission counselor at cps@champlain.edu or call (877) 772-2265.

Transfer Credit

In addition to Veterans’ Benefits and Tuition Assistance, you may also be eligible to receive credit for military training and prior learning experiences that have been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE).

Tuition Assistance

Active duty service members can receive up to $4,500 per year through the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program.

Veterans’ Benefits

As an active duty service member or select reservist, you may be eligible to receive up to 36 months of education benefits through the Montgomery G.I. Bill.

U.S. Armed Forces: transfer credit

As a service member, you may be eligible to receive Champlain College credit for prior college-level learning, military training and experience, applicable course work and/or national testing program examinations. This can greatly accelerate the time toward completing your undergraduate degree. Please follow the directions below for requesting official transcripts from your specific branch of service. Champlain will then evaluate your transcript for any transferable credit.

Air Force

The U.S. Air Force uses the Community College of Air Force (CCAF) transcript for documenting ACE-certified military training and experience, course work and CLEP or DSST exams worthy of academic credit. Champlain College uses the CCAF transcript to determine whether specific training or previous course work qualifies for credit toward a Champlain degree program.

For information on how to request your official transcript, visit the CCAF Web site. Designate that your official CCAF transcript be mailed to Champlain College.

Army/National Guard

The U.S. Army uses the Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript Service (AARTS) for documenting ACE-certified military training for academic credit purposes. Champlain College uses the AARTS form to determine whether military training and experience, course work and CLEP or DSST exams qualifies for credit toward a Champlain degree program.

Visit the AARTS Web site or call toll-free (866) 297-4427. Enter your Social Security Number, birth date and Basic Active Service Date (BASD) or Pay Entry Basic Date (PEBD) and click "continue." (Note: BASD is for active duty soldiers and PEBD is primarily used by guards and reservists. When in doubt, use your BASD.) And request that transcripts be sent to Champlain College.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard uses the U.S. Coast Guard Transcript for documenting all training and experience worthy of academic credit. Champlain College uses the transcript to determine whether specific ACE-certified training or previous course work qualifies for credit toward a Champlain degree program.

Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Institute Web site. Click on "official transcripts" for instructions about how to submit a written request for your transcripts. A copy of your DD-214 (discharge papers) and copies of course completion letters or certificates must also be attached to your request. And designate that the official Coast Guard transcript be mailed to Champlain College.

Marine Corps/Navy

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps use the Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART) for documenting ACE-certified military training and experience, course work, and CLEP or DSST exams worthy of academic credit. Champlain College uses the SMART to determine whether specific training on your military transcript qualifies for credit toward a Champlain degree program.

Visit the SMART Web site for more information on how to request your transcripts or call toll-free (877) 253-7122. Designate that your official SMART transcript be mailed to Champlain College.

U.S. Armed Forces: financial aid

Champlain College is approved for veterans by the State Board of Education. In addition to state or federal aid, you may be eligible to receive a variety of tuition assistance and veterans’ education benefits. Eligible veterans should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to registration.

Champlain College is a Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) affiliate. Military personnel wishing to be reimbursed via DANTES must submit DANTES form 1562/31 with their registration.

Tuition assistance

For each course that carries post-secondary academic credit from an accredited college or university, the responsible Service will pay 100% of the cost of tuition up to a maximum of $250 per semester hour credit; the aggregate amount of TA payable in support of any one service member participating in off-duty, voluntary education during one fiscal year is $4,500. A majority of our students supplement their TA with federal financial aid.

More information on your specific branch of service:

Army
Navy
Air Force
Marines
Coast Guard

More information on the National Guard and Reservist:

Department of Defense Voluntary Education Programs
Army National Guard (ARNG)
Army Reserve (USAR)
Naval Reserve (USNR)
Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR)
Air National Guard (ANG)
Air Force Reserve (USAFR)

For personal assistance, please email Diane Byrnes at byrnes@champlain.edu, Champlain's Registration Services Specialist, or call (802) 865-6419.

U.S. Armed Forces: veteran administration benefits

Champlain College is an approved institution for veterans’ educational benefits. To determine if you are eligible to receive benefits, visit the G.I. Bill Web site or call 1-888-GI-BILL-1.

VA benefit programs include:

Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty
Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve
Montgomery GI Bill Kicker
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Survivors’ and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services

For personal assistance, please email Michelle Veladota at veladotam@champlain.edu, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, or call the Veterans Administration toll-free number at (888) 442-4551.

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for financial aid at Champlain College. Unless otherwise noted, no additional applications are required to be considered for federal or institutional scholarship or grant programs. The Financial Aid process is exactly the same for online students as for students who physically attend the campus. The students must meet the eligibility requirements and maintain satisfactory academic progress (information can be found in The Rudder PDF) to be eligible for financial aid.

You may complete your FAFSA online or you may request a paper version from the Champlain College Financial Aid Office at techfin@champlain.edu.