136 Hawaii Military Guide • Summer-Fall 2026 ADULT EDUCATION of 36 months, but receive higher monthly payments. Call (800) 827-1000 or visit the VA’s official website. • National Testing Program—Students can be reimbursed on mandatory fees charged for national admission tests and tests for college credit. This also covers national tests that evaluate prior learning and knowledge, and provides an opportunity for credit at an institution of higher learning. View the VA’s official website for details on test fee reimbursements and how to apply. • Private Military Spouse Scholarships— Varying from school to school, scholarship opportunities range from assistance for foreign first-born spouses and minorities to those involved with community service projects. • Military-Friendly College Discounts— Many institutions offer discounts that vary with degree seeking level and program. Check for “Military Discounts” tabs and links on college and university websites. Unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits may be transferable to a spouse or dependents, depending on eligibility and service requirements. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The GI Bill has evolved to meet the modern educational landscape, including support for distance learning, hybrid programs, and apprenticeships. Veterans can now use benefits for non-traditional programs such as coding boot camps, flight schools, and on-the-job training, offering flexibility for career transitions and high-demand fields. In addition to federal programs, many states supplement the GI Bill with local tuition waivers, grants, or veterans’ scholarships. Some institutions even offer credit for military experience, allowing Veterans to complete degrees faster and at lower cost. Always check with your school’s Veteran Resource Office for regional benefits and transfer credit options. Finally, ongoing legislation continues to strengthen Veteran education benefits by ensuring portability, transparency, and accountability among schools. Veterans are encouraged to review annual updates on VA.gov to ensure they maximize available benefits, stay informed of deadlines, and plan their academic or vocational pathways with confidence. Honolulu Community College offers a wide range of career and technical programs as well as a strong liberal arts curriculum with academic pathways to baccalaureate degree programs. It also operates world-class, offcampus facilities for their aeronautics, automotive and heavy equipment programs. THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I– WEST O‘AHU The University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu is an attractive option for active military and veterans looking for a quality education just minutes from most bases on O‘ahu, including Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, the Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, and Schofield Barracks. UH West O‘ahu is an accredited school that is part of the 10-campus University of Hawai‘i system, and offers an array of degrees and certificates including programs in Cybersecurity, Psychology, Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, and Creative Media. Come join the more than 10 percent of UH West O‘ahu students who are either active duty military, veterans, retired military, or military family members. The school is on Study.com’s list of military friendly campuses, as well as being one of CollegeFactual.com’s top colleges for veterans. The campus is new and features free parking. The school moved to its new Kapolei location in 2012 and is the fastestgrowing public four-year school in the nation. Student Veteran Services provides assistance to eligible active duty military, veterans,
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