Current Servicemember Benefits
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Western International University (WIU) has been designated by G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. This honor ranks WIU among the top 15% of all colleges, universities, and trade schools nationwide in terms of providing the best service and opportunities to embrace U.S. Military Servicemembers, Veterans, and their Dependents as students. |
Military Tuition Assistance
WIU supports Active Duty Military students in using their Tuition Assistance benefits. Army Servicemembers can access complete information and services regarding their education and Tuition Assistance benefits online through the GoArmyEd Web site. Servicemembers from all other branches of the Armed Forces can obtain the appropriate education and Tuition Assistance benefit forms from their Education Office. Of course, your Enrollment and Finance Counselors stand ready to guide you in the process of using your Tuition Assistance benefits.
Military Tuition Assistance forms must be received by the WIU Finance Office five days prior to the first class meeting of the course. Any portion of tuition or fees that is not covered by Tuition Assistance must be paid by the student prior to the first class meeting.
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) and the Degree Network System
WIU participates in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium and the SOC Degree Network System (DNS). Our participation in these programs means that Servicemembers and their families have greater opportunities to earn transfer credit for coursework completed within these networks of colleges.
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC), established in 1972, is a consortium of national higher education associations and more than 1,700 institutional members. SOC Consortium institutional members subscribe to principles and criteria to ensure that quality academic programs are available to Military students, their Dependents, Civilian employees of the Department of Defense (DoD) and Coast Guard, and Veterans. A list of current SOC Consortium member institutions can be found on the SOC Web site.
The SOC Degree Network System (DNS) consists of a subset of SOC Consortium member institutions selected by the Military Services to deliver specific associate and bachelor degree programs to Servicemembers and their families. Institutional members of the SOC DNS agree to special requirements and obligations that provide Military students, their spouses, and their college-age children with opportunities to complete college degrees without suffering loss of academic credit due to changes of Duty Station. SOC operates the 2- and 4-year Degree Network System for the Army (SOCAD), Navy (SOCNAV), Marine Corps (SOCMAR), and Coast Guard (SOCCOAST). Refer to the SOC Degree Network System-2 and -4 Handbooks to view associate and bachelor degree programs, location offerings, and college information. An electronic version of the Handbook is posted on the SOC Web site; just click on the links to access the home pages for SOCAD, SOCNAV, SOCMAR, SOCCOAST, and SOCGUARD.
WIU Requirements for SOC Students
As a participant in SOC, you must choose a "home college" with which to plan your degree goals and sign an SOC Student Agreement. This agreement is the official degree plan and binding contract with the institution. Only Active Duty Servicemembers and their Dependents are eligible for SOC. SOC students have 8 years from the first date of enrollment to complete their degree programs. Students may continue to enjoy their SOC articulation benefits within this 8-year timeline, even if separated from the Military.
Since rules for SOC program participation are complex, please contact your Enrollment Counselor for more information and guidance in determining your eligibility.
More Information
Please visit the following links for additional information for our Military, Veteran, and Dependent students.
