Operation College
Find information that helps military service members and veterans choose the right college and make the most of their education benefits.
Preparing for College
Planning for college can be a little overwhelming—especially when you're an active duty service member or veteran. This page will help you find answers to common questions about your college search and get you on your way to earning a degree.
VA Education Benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides GI Bill and other education benefits to veterans, service members, and their qualified family members. These benefits can help you pay for college, find the right school or training program, and receive career counseling. Find out if you are eligible for education or training benefits.
BigFuture College Planning Resources
Whether you’re starting your search to find the right college or are looking for ways to cover the costs of a college education, BigFuture offers helpful resources for military service members and veterans.
Finding the Right College
There are thousands of colleges and universities in the United States. How do you decide where to go? The first step is figuring out what's important to you. Do you want to stay close to home? Do you want to live in a big city or a small town? What do you think you might major in? For help finding schools that fit your preferences, use the College Search tool on BigFuture.
Paying for College
If you're a veteran looking for financial assistance, BigFuture has information on education benefits you may qualify for through the Post-9/11 GI Bill as well as a list of over 100 college scholarships for veterans.
CLEP Military Benefits
To make your education benefits go further, consider taking a CLEP exam. It costs a fraction of what you’d pay for a traditional college course, and you can earn up to 3 credits (per exam) at participating schools.
Free CLEP Exam Prep
Brush up on your skills with free online CLEP courses through Modern States' Freshman Year for Free program. The courses are taught by highly qualified college professors and are designed to help you prepare for CLEP exams. You don't have to take a course to take an exam, but it could help you get ready for test day. Visit CLEP to find other free and affordable study resources, including official sample questions and the CLEP Official Study Guide.
Earn Credit Faster with CLEP
CLEP exams cover college-level content similar to what you'd find in an entry level college course. Over 2,900 colleges and universities grant credit for qualifying CLEP exam scores—allowing you to place out of introductory courses, saving you time and money towards your degree. You may even be eligible for additional savings through the DANTES program which covers the cost of CLEP exams for military service members.
Free Online Practice for the SAT
Taking the SAT can be an important step on the road to college. To succeed on the SAT, use Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy®. It's the only SAT study plan connected to the College Board. It's free, accessible anywhere there's an internet connection, and provides personalized study plans based on previous test scores or online quizzes.
Overview
Browse different topics related to the college planning process for military service members, their families, and veterans.