Military Students

Earn credit for your service at a regionally accredited school.

An Accredited Military Friendly® University

If you’re looking for an education at a school that prioritizes YOU, know this: Cumberlands is an accredited Military Friendly® university, and we charge no application fee for veterans, reserves, or active-duty military. You can enroll in a 100% online associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program at one of the fastest-growing colleges in Kentucky.  

Military Friendly Logo 2024
What's included in your tuition? Everything.

What's included in your tuition? Everything.

At Cumberlands we empower you to learn on your own terms, at your own pace, with zero fine print, exceptions, or funny business. One focus: You. One price for everything, all included, even books. Why? Because that's Cumberlands' One Price Promise.

Explore Our Programs

Application Process

University of the Cumberlands values our Armed Forces and strives to provide a quality education and support to our active-duty service members, reserves, veterans, and families. Our online programs are flexible and allow you to study anywhere and anytime. No matter if this is your first time enrolling in college coursework or if you already have previous college experience, we are here to help you every step of the way.  

At Cumberlands, you may also have past military work or college work applied directly to your degree. You can elevate your credit by getting a personalized transcript evaluation based on your joint-services transcript and/or college transcript. Our university is a transfer-friendly university and will review your military experience (joint service transcript/ccaf), training, prior on-the-job learning, DANTES, POST, ACE-evaluate credits, and training based on exam.  

4-Step Process

Request Official Transcripts be emailed to admissions [at] ucumberlands.edu (admissions[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu) or mailed to: 

Graduate & Online Admissions 
649 S. 10th Street Suite C 
Williamsburg KY 40769 

OR 

Undergraduate Admissions (On-Campus Students) 
6178 College Station Drive 
Williamsburg KY 40769 

Joint service transcripts can be requested by visiting:  
https://jst.doded.mil/official.html 

To discuss how to use your tuition benefits and begin the process of applying them at UC, email militarybenefits [at] ucumberlands.edu (militarybenefits[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu) or Submit Veteran Benefits Request Form: 

Veteran Benefits Request Form

You will be able to discuss your degree completion plan once the Registrar evaluates your transcripts. This is a plan to help ensure you get on the right track with your classes so that you can complete your degree efficiently.

We accept all VA benefits at Cumberlands.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty

Current active-duty members and veterans with at least 2 years of active duty.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Veterans with disabilities and approved IDES rating of at least 20% from VA.

Post 9/11 GI Bill®

Active duty and veterans who served after September 10, 2001.

Dependents Educational Assistance

Dependents and/or spouses of service members may be eligible for this benefit.

Montgomery GI Bill® Selective Reserve (MGIB-SR)

Reservists in Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard. Eligible during or after 6-year service obligation.

Tuition Assistance varies by branch of service, but service members may be eligible for funding assistance for educational expenses each year. The funds are typically paid directly to the institution to cover tuition expenses.  

If the cost of tuition exceeds the cap for TA, service members may be eligible to use VA education benefits for out-of-pocket costs. 

Undergraduate: TA benefits will cover 100% of tuition for online undergraduate programs. (Original price is $220 an hour, TA benefit is $250 an hour.)

Graduate: TA benefits will cover a significant portion of tuition for online graduate programs. (Reduced Military Rate is $275 – 355 per hour depending on your program of study, TA benefit is $250 an hour.) 

Disclaimer:  Master's programs in Physician Assistant Studies, Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner, Addiction Counseling, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as well as all doctoral programs are not applicable for reduced military tuition rates. 

University of the Cumberlands offers reduced military rates for current and former service members who are enrolled in an eligible graduate program. Reduced military rates vary from $275 – 315 per credit hour depending on your program of study. You can find the Active Military/Veteran reduced tuition rate for your intended program here: https://www.ucumberlands.edu/admission-aid/financial-aid-tuition/tuition.

To ensure you receive the reduced military rate, the following documentation can be provided to the Department of Military Benefits (militarybenefits [at] ucumberlands.edu (militarybenefits[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu)):

Current service members: Provide a Proof of Service letter or redacted copy of your Leave and Earning Statement as part of your application process. 

Former service members: Provide a copy of your DD-214 as part of your application process. 

We are committed in assisting UC’s Military and Veteran Students and Alumni along with the career services platforms and resources on to help further or guide your career beyond your service. Our goal is to help you prepare and transition to your civilian career. Learn what to expect when you enter the job market and how to reflect your military and educational skills on your résumé, and then search for positions.

Career Services

If you have a service-connected disability that makes it difficult for you to work, the VA offers counseling, training, education, job placement, and other services to help you launch a new career. Find out if you are eligible and apply online at www.eBenefits.VA.gov.

The new law:

Modernizes the current claims and appeals process
Includes three review options for disagreements with decisions
Requires improved notification of VA decisions
Provides earlier claim resolution
Ensures you receive the earliest effective date possible

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

University of the Cumberlands offers several resources on-campus and online for current students, including:

  • Access to The Learning Commons, providing various services and events like peer study groups, one-on-one tutoring, workshops covering specific topics and skills, and a toolbox of resources that can help students succeed both in the classroom and the whole University experience. 
  • Counseling Services - our counseling center offers free counseling services for all of our students. We offer group and individual sessions to provide support for many mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, substance use, relationship struggles, military and veteran support, and many more. The counseling center is a safe space to outreach and work with a mental health counselor free from judgment to help you get through whatever you are struggling with. Our counselors are experienced and are committed to helping you get through every step of your healing process. 
  • Access to a dedicated Student Success Coordinator and robust Academic Advising services to ensure that you transition to college effectively and are provided the resources and information to be successful. Information about our Student Success services can be found here: https://www.ucumberlands.edu/academics/academic-advising-assistance. 
  • Technology Services – you’ll have access to technology services to ensure you are supported throughout your time at UC. Cumberlands partners with Microsoft to provide a number of resources to our students, including free access to the Office 365 suite. 
An aerial view of the Rollins quadrangle.

One Price Promise

At Cumberlands, you can learn on your own terms, at your own pace, with zero fine print, exceptions, or funny business. One focus: You. One price for everything, all included, even books. Everything you need to succeed is right here at UC.

Policy on the Return of Military Tuition Assistance

At University of the Cumberlands, Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. If a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. In compliance with Department of Defense policy, University of the Cumberlands will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. 

Withdrawal and Refund by Week and Session

Subtext: For additional questions, please contact: registrar [at] ucumberlands.edu (registrar[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu) or studentfinancial [at] ucumberlands.edu (studentfinancial[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu)

Before or During Week 1

100% Return 

During Week 2

 75% Return 

During Weeks 3-4

50% Return
During Week 540% Return (60% of Course is Completed) 
During Weeks 6-80% Return 

Before or During Weeks 1-2

100% Return 

During Weeks 3-4

 75% Return 

During Weeks 5-8

50% Return
During Weeks 9-1040% Return (60% of Course is Completed) 
During Weeks 11-160% Return 
Young man in Camo crouched outside.

ROTC

You could be what the U.S. Army needs. Cumberlands cadets will receive an ROTC scholarship and free books each semester through our book loan program.
Young woman in military uniform sitting and reading a book.

National Guard

ROTC cadets at Cumberlands who join the National Guard receive additional scholarships through the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) after one year. Interested? Contact a National Guard representative.
Military cadet speaking with fellow students

Financial Aid

Life in the military has its own challenges. At UC, affording an education isn't one of them.