James Madison University takes pride in fostering an environment that meets the unique needs of active-duty military personnel and veterans. We provide support, mentorship, and services designed to help you achieve your degree; whether you plan to advance your military career or position yourself for success as you transition to civilian life. We also offer a range of services for spouses and dependents of military personnel and veterans.

Your experiences and skills you gained during your military service combined with a degree from our Adult Degree Program, can enhance your career and make you an attractive candidate in today’s competitive job market.

At JMU, you can turn your prior experiences and training into college credit, so you can graduate sooner. This is just one of the many benefits James Madison University offers.

How to Get Started at James Madison University

1. Connect with an Enrollment Advisor.
   

   Our enrollment advisors are equipped with the skills and knowledge to help guide you through the admission process and provide any additional information on resources that might be available to you. 

2. Start Your Application.
   

   Once you've connected with one of our enrollment advisors, you can complete your application online. To begin: create an account, select the Adult Degree Program, and start completing your application. Once you have created an account, you can return at any time to continue working on your application. After you complete the online application, you'll pay a $70 non-refundable application fee to submit your application. 

3. Order Transcripts.
   

   Order your military transcripts for free. Depending on your browser, you may be directed to a website security page. This is because it asks for your SSN but we promise that it is a secure site (.mil site). Click on “continue to this website” and then it will ask you to create a username and password.

   Then you can order “official” transcripts and we are preloaded in their system – they will send it to us electronically.

4. Orientation

   JMU provides customized student orientation programs, mentoring/onboarding programs, and information sessions for military and veterans. We even help with class registration for active-duty students when necessary.

Additional Resources

New Tuition Assistance for National Guard

Governor Ralph Northam announced plans to invest an additional $1 million a year to support tuition assistance for Virginia National Guard. 

Credit for Experience and Prior Learning

JMU provides a mechanism for evaluating and awarding credit for prior experience from military service through the CLEP, DSST exam, individualized portfolio evaluation, and more.

Veteran Scholars Task Force

JMU has established the Veteran Scholars Task Force, made up of over 30 faculty, staff, and students, each of whom provides insight into the unique needs of student veterans.

For more information about our benefits for active-duty, veterans, spouses, and dependents can be found on our JMU Veterans homepage.

Awards and Affiliations

Yellow Ribbon

JMU is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program can help eligible students pay for higher out-of-state, private school, or graduate school tuition that the Post-9/11 doesn’t cover. Contact veteran@jmu.edu to see if you are eligible.

Military Friendly School

The Military Friendly® Schools survey is the longest-running most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students.