Frequently Asked Questions

CLEP

• Where can I order my CLEP, DSST, Excelsior, or GED transcripts for tests I've taken?
• Can members of the selected reserve who are eligible for the MGBI-AD (CH 30) and are called up on a federal mobilization (Title 10) make the $600 additional contribution?
• Can I get the full MGIB-AD rate if I serve only two years in the active component?

ESC

• How does this program work?
• What are the advantages of going through ESC and not directly to a college?
• How long will it take to get my assessment and degree plans done?
• How do you decide which degree program is right for you?
• Who is eligible for this program?
• What Military Documentation do you need from me?
• When can I talk to a counselor?
• What do I do once I receive my packet in the mail?
• Can I fax or mail in my application and documentation to you?
• What if I am interested in a Master's Degree Program or a PhD Program?
• Can I have an official transcript sent directly to my school, or my promotion board?
• What happens once I decide to enroll with a partnership college or university?
• How do I find out more about the services of the Education Support Center?
• How could the degree plans from the ESC's partnership colleges benefit me?
• What do I have to do to earn a degree?
• Are distance degree programs for everybody?
• How well recognized are the degrees from the ARNG ESC partnership colleges?
• I am close to finishing a degree. Do the partnership colleges only confer degrees once a year or more often?
• If I get out of the ARNG, can I continue to receive counseling assistance and benefits from the ARNG ESC?

Category: CLEP

• Q: Where can I order my CLEP, DSST, Excelsior, or GED transcripts for tests I've taken?

Go to www.dantes.doded.mil, click on "Examination Programs" and then "Transcript Request". Top of Page

Category: MGIB

• Q: Can members of the selected reserve who are eligible for the MGBI-AD (CH 30) and are called up on a federal mobilization (Title 10) make the $600 additional contribution?

Yes. Anyone who is eligible for the MGIB-AD who is serving on a period of active duty (including Title 10 federal mobilizations) for at least 90 days or more can make the additional contribution. The contribution must be made before the soldier comes off of mobilization through their local servicing finance office by completing a new DD Form 2366.

• Q: Can I get the full MGIB-AD rate if I serve only two years in the active component?

Yes. To qualify you must join a reserve component in an active drilling status within 1 year of separating from the active component. Your obligation in the reserve component must be for at least 4 years. Top of Page

Category: ESC

• Q: How does this program work?

We do an assessment of your military experience and your college experience and prepare three degree plans from three different schools to show you how that credit fits into a degree, and how close we can get you to finishing your degree, and meeting your educational goals. We can access the AARTS transcript electronically, and any other military documentation you provide us will be assessed.

• Q: What are the advantages of going through ESC and not directly to a college?

The advantage of going through the ESC is that our services are free of charge, and you can receive a significant discount with our partnership schools. In addition, our degree planners are familiar with your military experience and can answer any questions you may have. Top of Page

• Q: How long will it take to get my assessment and degree plans done?

Once all required information is received, it will be 30 days.

• Q: How do you decide which degree program is right for you?

Your degree planner will discuss the options with you and help you decide which one is right for you. Typically, when it is possible, you will receive one degree plan that is the "most direct route to degree completion." This is also known as the "fastest track". Your second degree plan will be in your MOS/job field, and your third degree plan will be from a local college, when one is available in your area. In some cases, online programs are the only option due to location restrictions, so your degree planner will customize your degree plans for your individual needs.

• Q: Who is eligible for this program?

Army National Guard soldiers, AGR (Active Guard and Reserve) and M-Day Soldiers and their spouses, and Civilian Employees of the Army National Guard are eligible for this program. Regular Army, Spouses of Civilian Employees of the Army National Guard, and Retirees of the Army National Guard are not eligible for our services at this time. We are contracted by the Army National Guard. Top of Page

• Q: What Military Documentation do you need from me?

The Military Documentation required is really determined on a case by case basis. The back of the application has a checklist you can follow. Typically, a 2-1, a DD-214 and any 1059's or course completion certificates for courses that are not contained in your AARTS transcript, which we can access electronically.

• Q: When can I talk to a counselor?

The name of your Degree Planning Counselor will be on your packet with you degree plans. Please feel free to call them toll free with any questions or to update your file.

• Q: What do I do once I receive my packet in the mail?

Review your military assessment and your degree plans. If you see a degree plan that interests you and you want to enroll, contact your degree planner. Top of Page

• Q: Can I fax or mail in my application and documentation to you?

A:

• Q: What if I am interested in a Master's Degree Program or a PhD Program?

We have several graduate level degree plans in our system. Transcripts from undergraduate work are not required, unless they show prerequisite courses required for a specific master's/PhD program. We would need transcripts of any graduate courses you have already completed.

• Q: Can I have an official transcript sent directly to my school, or my promotion board?

The only schools that recognize our transcript are schools we have an agreement with, our Partnership Schools. We will send an official transcript to those schools. The credit is only awarded once the student enrolls in a program with the school. Regarding sending a transcript for a promotion board, regulations require the soldier to send a transcript from a "regionally accredited college or university". Since we are not a college or university, the student would need to send transcripts from actual schools attended.

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• Q: What happens once I decide to enroll with a partnership college or university?

Once you decide to enroll in a degree program, an official transcript is sent from the ESC to the college. You can update your file at any time, to reflect new courses or testing, or military training you have completed, but once you enroll with a college, you will receive counseling services from that school. We would really like to hear back from you about your experience and anything we can do to improve the process. We are here to help you achieve your educational goals.

• Q: How do I find out more about the services of the Education Support Center?

Go to www.virtualarmory.com , click on "education", and then after you hold your cursor over the word "education", another menu will appear that says "About ESC." You can also access our online application there, and view our degree programs available and the colleges/universities that we have partnerships with. Top of Page

• Q: How could the degree plans from the ESC's partnership colleges benefit me?

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They may be your most direct path to degree completion and offer the greatest flexibility because they maximize the application of your military credit, allow generous use of college level testing, and accept credit in transfer from regionally accredited colleges.

• Q: What do I have to do to earn a degree?

We spell it out for you in our assessment. You have several options: Follow your local colleges guidance to earn their degree; or Take the required courses through your local college and transfer them in to the degree program that we offer; or Enroll in college courses through distance learning; or Challenge college level examinations to help meet requirements. Top of Page

• Q: Are distance degree programs for everybody?

No. Although many enjoy the convenience of being able to "attend" class whenever they can fit it in their schedule, others need the discipline of having a professor in a classroom to be accountable to and a set schedule to adhere to, as well. For many, it may not be an option. Those who work irregular hours, travel frequently, have huge family or community commitments, or encounter other barriers to the local college classroom find distance educational opportunities a blessing.

• Q: How well recognized are the degrees from the ARNG ESC partnership colleges?

A: The ESC only partners with colleges that are regionally accredited. This means they have endorsement from the Department of Education, as well as the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation, and are listed in the American Council on Education's reference book entitled Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education. If your job is looking for an accredited degree, these truly meet the requirement. These also meet the requirements for ARNG Officer's Candidate School. Top of Page

• Q: I am close to finishing a degree. Do the partnership colleges only confer degrees once a year or more often?

A: Several of our partners confer degrees throughout the year, enabling you to receive your degree soon after you complete it. Commencement - cap and gown ceremonies - only take place once a year and you would be invited to attend, even if your degree was awarded many months before that date.

• Q: If I get out of the ARNG, can I continue to receive counseling assistance and benefits from the ARNG ESC?

A: Sorry. We are only able to assist those who currently serve in the ARNG and their spouses. The discounts offered by our partnership colleges also cease when you depart the service. We receive monthly your electronic personnel record from Washington DC - we know if you are still in service or have departed. Top of Page