Health & Fitness
Attending School After Getting out of the Military
Transitioning out of the military and starting school can be a difficult process if you are not well prepared and have a solid plan of attack before class registration begins.
I’ve reached my End of Active Service (EAS), transitioned out of the military, and now I want attend school and get my degree ... but where do I start? What do I do in order to receive my post-9/11 GI Bill?
These were some of the many questions I asked myself when I left the Marine Corps in July 2009. When I arrived at , there was no guidance for me on what I was supposed to do or where I was supposed to go in order to receive my benefits. I was very lucky to meet another marine veteran in my class; he showed me what I had to do. Over the last three years, everything has completely changed. I have seen so much information and so many programs become available to veterans. The toughest part of school is always getting started and taking that first step, therefore here is some advice to help you plan your first day experience.
If you’ve chosen to attend MiraCosta’s Oceanside campus, your first step from home is applying to the college online. After the application is processed, you will receive an email with your student ID; you should then prepare to do the online orientation and take the Math and English assessment test at college.
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The next step is to go to the Veteran Affairs office inside Admissions and Records. The student veterans working the window will provide you with the necessary paperwork to fill out and direct you to the Veteran’s Information Center. Inside, you will meet a peer advisor that will answer any question regarding the paperwork and your next step — making a counseling appointment to get an educational plan.
In order to receive your benefits, every veteran must follow that “Ed Plan” — the list of classes required for your major. Only those classes listed will be certified. Any other classes and subjects you choose to explore will be at your own expense. After you complete this process, all there is to do is wait until registration day.
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By being a veteran utilizing GI Bill benefits, you will be able to enjoy priority registration and pick your classes before most of the student body. After picking your class schedule, you can finish the day by heading over to the cafeteria and savor a victory meal while enjoying the pleasant ocean view and avoiding the herds of students lining up to sign up for classes.
Adam Frye is a Marine Veteran and current student at MiraCosta College.
