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The first in his family to join the military, QCC student Kyle Nash has something to be proud of, and something to be happy about! A 2017 graduate of Auburn High School, he joined the Navy Reserves. After running drills in Boot Camp and and taking classes in Apprentice Technical School, he was able to turn that experience into time and money savings for his college education.

His Navy instructors taught him more than drills and technical training. They also told him that he could earn college credit for life experience and the classes he was taking for his Navy training. Sounds too good to be true? Not this time! Kyle was able to get credit for 5 classes, saving him an entire semester of time and money toward his associate degree.

“I looked at other state schools that related to what I was doing, but they didn’t have what I was into and what I had knowledge in. I had already been thinking about attending QCC. It was affordable and since I was paying out of pocket (reservists are not eligible for the G.I. Bill for three years) and QCC had the program I wanted, it was the right choice for me,” he said, adding that he checked out what other schools cost to attend and realized that QCC was a much more affordable way to go.

“I did radar and computer system training in Illinois, and some of what I did was pertinent to what I’m going to school for here,” he continued. “This is a lot of money that I now don’t have to spend.”

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) provides opportunities for students enrolled in QCC’s degree or certificate programs, to earn academic credit for prior learning. There are several ways students can obtain CPL that includes competency exams, challenge exams, credentialing and portfolio assessment.

Kyle is currently enrolled in three classes, working part-time and participating in monthly drills for the Navy Reserves.

“I’m going to college just for me and my plan is to be active duty after I get my associate degree.This way I will have an associate to help me in my career when I get out of the military,” he said.

“At QCC, CPL provides opportunities to earn credit for learning acquired through life experiences such as military training programs. If you were in the United States Army, United States Marine Corps., Department of the Navy or the United States Coast Guard, you can request official transcripts through the American Council of Education then contact the Career Services and CPL office. If you attended the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), you should request CCAF transcript sent to the Registrar’s Office,” said QCC Career Development Counselor Joseph Whitney, adding that there are no costs associated with all military CPL credit.

“I encourage any veteran, active or in the reserves, who doesn’t have college experience, to use this opportunity. Use your training and your military career to go to college,” Mr. Nash added.

Could you earn credit for prior learning or life experience?