Are you a veteran? Have you served or are you currently serving in one of the U.S. armed forces? You may still qualify for the DirectComplete program even if you are receiving GI Bill or Veterans Affairs’ education benefits. Check out this link to see our program eligibility requirements https://reachhigherok.org/directcomplete/directcomplete-requirements/. Each participating college and university has a DirectComplete navigator who can help you apply for other financial assistance, connect you to supportive services in your community and provide you with one-on-one service until you finish your degree. 

Benefits of DirectComplete may include up to $1,000 scholarships per semester, FAFSA help, a dedicated DirectComplete navigator to assist you, and access to supportive services. We understand that the GI Bill and Vocational, Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) do not cover all the costs and fees that are incurred when you are going back to school.  In most cases, you cannot use your VA benefits to pay old debt to another school, but you can use a DirectComplete scholarship, if it is available, when you enroll in the DirectComplete program. Reach Higher: DirectComplete can also help you apply credit for your past schooling and your military training through Prior Learning Assessment [PLA] at our participating institutions. Fill out a student interest form now at https://okhighered.org/directcomplete/Account/Login.aspx

It pays to complete your degree, whether you are a career service member or not. A degree helps improve your job opportunities and eases the transition to a civilian lifestyle. Even though your military training develops your leadership skills and provides you with a trade, a college degree shows potential employers that you have a specific depth of knowledge in that field and helps communicate your experience and training to a civilian employer.  Workers with a four-year degree earn more than those with just a high school diploma. According to the Economic Policy Institute’s State of Working American Data Library (2019), in 2018, workers with a bachelor’s degree earned $33.36 an hour on average, compared to those with a high school degree who earned $18.45 an hour on average.

Finishing your degree also helps ease your transition from active duty to civilian life. Attending classes, joining study groups and getting involved in a student veteran association on your college campus can help you meet new people, develop a support network of peers, and get involved in your community. Most of our participating campuses have some type of student veteran association that offers additional supportive services, such as tutoring or mentoring. The Veteran’s Services office on campus will process your claim for GI Bill or VA educational benefits each semester. Each Reach Higher: DirectComplete campus offer services for veterans intended to make the transition from military life to college life a smoother.

Our participating institutions have degree programs that are military-friendly, whether you are active duty or a veteran.

They have a dedicated DirectComplete navigator who can help you determine what your next step is in getting enrolled for classes and coach you while you are enrolled. Veterans student organizations can help you connect to your peers and with your institution. Reach Higher: DirectComplete degree programs are connected to the workforce; therefore they can help you achieve your civilian career goals. 

Go to https://reachhigherok.org/directcomplete/directcomplete-campuses/ to see all of our participating campuses and contact information for the DirectComplete navigator on your preferred campus. Speak to the navigator at your preferred campus to find out what you need to do to get started. Don’t waste your benefits or your time. You can go back to school now!