If you are currently serving in the military and want to continue your education, there are many avenues that you can take to achieve your goal. Getting more education can help you advance your career in both your military and civilian life. These four ideas may help you get back to school easier so that you can improve your education and seek additional career opportunities.

Find Scholarships

Scholarships are much better than student loans because you don’t have to repay the money that you receive or worry about interest fees. There are many scholarships that are intended specifically for military personnel and have easy qualification criteria. It’s also possible to find scholarships for veterans, their spouses and their dependent children. Scholarships.com lists many scholarship opportunities that are known to pay some or all of the tuition costs.

Consider Online Education

Many of the top online schools feature classes that allow students to learn on their own schedules. This may be a particularly good option if you work a lot of hours or have family responsibilities that require a lot of your time. The University of Maryland University College is one example of an accredited school that offers a variety of online programs that let you study for a degree or certificate. The curriculum at many of these online schools can also help you develop better communication and organizational skills while enhancing your ability to think critically.

Use Military Experience as College Credits

Some schools may let you apply your military experience toward college credits, which can help you graduate faster. If you don’t want to have to take any courses that are unnecessary, it’s advisable that you submit transcripts from military service or prior education to the school that you want to attend and wait for the staff to evaluate them before enrolling in any classes. You might also be able to take placement tests that allow you to show the knowledge that you gained from your military service to determine if you satisfy the education requirements.

Find Programs That are Suitable for Military Careers

Enrolling in programs that will teach you skills that can be used in specific military service areas can further be to your advantage. Computer skills are in high demand in the military, and receiving in-depth computer training can help you land a great position in the armed forces. If you’re interested in providing medical care to wounded military personnel, receiving training in nursing or to become a doctor will give you the tools that are needed to do the job.

Members of the armed forces have many rewarding career paths that they can follow if they have the right amount of education. Making the decision to pursue further schooling is one of the best ways to secure your future in the military and beyond.