Credit for Military Service

Big Bend Community College (BBCC) awards credit for prior military training and experience to enrolled students who are veterans. Academic credit awarded for prior military training is granted only for training that is applicable to a student's certificate or degree requirements. Credit is normally awarded as recommended by the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services. Veteran students using education benefits must have a prior credit evaluation.

• The Veteran’s Administration requires all veteran student transfer credit to be evaluated within two quarters of program start. Veteran students are encouraged to submit all documents for evaluation prior to their first quarter of enrollment at BBCC to avoid the possibility of course duplication and repayment to the VA.
• An official transcript of prior military training and experience must be submitted to the Admissions/Registration Office for academic credit evaluation.
  • Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy: Active Duty, Reserve and Veterans may find information on ordering an official Joint Services Transcript (JST) at the following website: https://jst.doded.mil/smart/
  • Air Force Active Duty and Veterans may find information on ordering a CCAF transcript at this website: http://www.au.af.mil/au/barnes/ccaf/transcripts.asp
• The official military transcript will be evaluated for academic credit as recommended by the ACE Guide.
• Academic credit recommendations that meet the student’s certificate or degree requirements will be posted to the BBCC official transcript.
• Program faculty may be consulted prior to awarding credit in professional/technical programs. Military transfer credit for some programs must meet outside agency criteria prior to acceptance by BBCC.
• Any military training or experience that is substantially equivalent to any course or program offered will be accepted as applicable toward the veteran’s program of study.
• Students will be notified when credits are awarded and posted to their BBCC transcript.
• If a student disagrees with the decision of the Credentials Evaluator with regard to the specific credit awarded, they may appeal to the Registrar; all appeals must note how the decision varies from ACE guidelines.
• If a veteran student changes their program of study, they must request that a new evaluation is processed.

The table below includes examples of credits accepted. These are only examples. All military training and experience on an official transcript will be considered for possible application to a degree or certificate.

Examples of ACE credit commonly awarded. Additional course equivalencies may be determined upon
evaluation of individual transcripts