Military-Friendly Resources
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College prides itself in providing military personnel and their families with the information and services that they need in order to succeed in their education goals. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) participates in the following programs:
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)
SMWC is proud to be a part of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC), a consortium of national higher education associations working closely with the Department of Defense and all military branches to meet the educational needs of service personnel. The SOC was created in 1972 to provide educational opportunities to servicemembers who, because they frequently moved from place to place, had trouble completing college degrees. SOC functions in cooperation with 15 higher education associations, the Department of Defense, and Active and Reserve Components of the Military Services to expand and improve voluntary post-secondary education opportunities for servicemembers worldwide. SOC is funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) through a contract with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). The contract is managed for DoD by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES).
Concurrent Admissions Program for Army Enlistees (ConAP)
SMWC is also a member of the ConAP program, allowing Army personnel to declare Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College as their college of choice upon entry into service. This has many advantages including the opportunity to start the enrollment process sooner. ConAP is a partnership between over 1,950 participating colleges, the Army Recruiting Command, and Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC). ConAP goals are to increase enlistment of college-capable active duty and reserve soldiers; increase the number of Army soldiers, veterans, and reservists enrolled in college; and increase the use of the GI Bill education benefits.
Yellow Ribbon Program
If you qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program and have 36 months of active duty, you may be able to attend SMWC for free! The college recently announced that it would be participating in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program on the undergraduate and graduate levels. SMWC's participation in this program is made possible by the passage of the new post-9/11 GI Bill. Eligible veterans will receive the cost of tuition and fees, up to the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition, at a public institution of higher learning. Because a private education is more costly than a public one, the Veterans Administration has added a new provision to the GI Bill called the Yellow Ribbon Program. Under this provision, SMWC has entered into an agreement with the Veterans Administration to scholarship up to 50% of the cost of tuition and fees that exceed the standard education benefit. The VA will then match the amount of the scholarship -- completely covering the cost of tuition and fees for the veteran.
Military Spouse Scholarships
SMWC has also extended its support to the spouse of military personnel and veterans. The College's Military/Veteran Spouse Grant, which is a $3,000 grant awarded to the spouse of military service members who have served on active duty or are currently serving in the reserves. The $3,000 grant is applied yearly towards the cost of tuition for all qualifying students who enroll for a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester. The grant is renewable for 6 years while the student maintains at least half-time status with satisfactory academic progress and enrolls in at least 2 semesters each academic year.
Assessment of Prior Learning (APL)
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College recognizes that many adults possess college-level knowledge, competencies and skills acquired through experience, on-the-job training, independent study, or course work completed at non-accredited institutions. The faculty of the college may award academic credit to students for such relevant and significant learning activities that resulted in college-level learning. Academic credit awarded on this basis is known as Assessment of Prior Learning (APL, pronounced "apple") Credit and may be used to meet part of the requirements for a degree (up to 30 semester hours toward the BA/BS degree).
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
For more than 25 years, the nationally recognized College Level Examination Program (CLEP) has helped millions of students document their college-level learning through exams covering introductory college courses. Over 200,000 CLEP exams are taken each year. About 1200 colleges and universities are testing centers, including 100 in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. Even more institutions grant credit for passing scores but don't administer the tests. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has a test center, but our students may take CLEP exams wherever it is most convenient for them. SMWC follows the recommendations of the American Council on Education regarding passing scores and credits awarded. You may pursue credit for prior learning through either CLEP or APL. CLEP is less expensive and over 30 subject exams are available. To gain college credit for prior learning in other areas, you must prepare an APL application, which will be evaluated by SMWC faculty. SMWC accepts military training as academic credit through the CLEP exam. Tests cost $87 each (includes a $72 exam fee and a $15 administrative fee). Test costs and fees are non-refundable. The $72 exam fee is waived for military personnel. Military personnel only pay the $15 administrative fee. For an application form and list of test sites in your area, contact the Learning Resource Center or visit the College Board CLEP website. Be sure to designate Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (#1704) as the "score recipient" on the application form. Otherwise another test center may require an additional fee to send your test score to us.
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College follows the SOC's Military Student Bill of Rights.
Military Scholarships Available Through Outside Sources
Army Emergency Relief Scholarship Program
Army Emergency Relief has several education grants available to dependents and spouses of active duty and retired Army soldiers. To find out more about eligibility requirements, deadlines, and how to apply, visit AERHQ Educational Assistance.
Folds of Honor Scholarship
The Folds of Honor Foundation offers college scholarships for spouses and children of service members disabled in action or killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan. Applications may be submitted in advance for children who will not need the scholarship for several years. Scholarship amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis. Visit the Folds of Honor Scholarships website to apply.
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is offering scholarships to children of active-duty United States Marines and children of former/deceased Marines. For eligibility, scholarship deadlines, and applications, visit their website.
MOAA Scholarship
The Military Officers Association of America has multiple scholarship opportunities. Visit their website for details and deadlines.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Programs
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has several programs for children who have parents in the Marine Corps or Navy. The programs provide both scholarships and interest-free loans. Visit: their website for details and eligibility.
NHA Scholarship Fund
The Naval Helicopter Association offers nine annual scholarships to students with any military affiliation. Four national undergraduate, one national graduate, and five regional undergraduate scholarships are issued each year with awards up to $3,000 each. The annual application deadline is November 15. For more details, application information, and deadlines, please visit their website.
Scholarships for Military Children
The Defense Commissary Agency and Fisher House Foundation, Inc. have created the Scholarships for Military Children program. This program awards a $1,500 scholarship at every commissary location where qualified applications are received. The scholarship provides for payment of tuition, books, lab fees, and other related expenses. Dependent, unmarried children under age 23 of active duty personnel, reserve/guard and retired military members, or survivors of deceased members, are eligible to apply. Visit their website for more details.
Seabee Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Seabee Memorial Scholarship Foundation offers scholarships to children and grandchildren of officers or enlisted members who have or are currently serving with the Naval Construction Force (Seabees), or Naval Civil Engineer Corps. The scholarships are awarded on financial need, character, good citizenship, leadership, and scholastic record. Please see their website for application information.
ThanksUSA
ThanksUSA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing post-secondary educational opportunities through need-based competitive scholarships to children and spouses of active-duty U.S. military personnel. For further information, please see their website.
Find more resources on the Military Education Benefits page of the SMWC website.