AUGUST 10, 2016, PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) – The Department of Defense Voluntary Education Program will host its second Virtual Education Fair on Aug. 11 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, and Navy Voluntary Education (VOLED) staff will be on hand to support Sailors.
Registration is required to participate, but takes only a few minutes to provide a unique username, location, email, major interest, education level and how participants heard about the fair. Advance and day-of registration for the virtual education fair is available through https://dodeducationfair.com/signup.html.
“All of the services have unique rules, requirements and policies regarding Tuition Assistance, education plans and credit transfer options,” said Dr. Deborah Harris-Sims, manager of special projects for Navy VOLED. “During the online fair, Navy VOLED counselors will be able to explain and clarify any misconceptions that Sailors may have about education benefits and get answers that are accurate for their particular service branch.”
According to Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), unique to this year’s event will be the introduction of the new Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificate opportunities, designed to help service members acquire the necessary skills and education credentials for high-demand career and technical fields while on active-duty.
The fair is designed to offer an informative, pressure-free experience, where Sailors can learn about:
– Institutions partnering with the Defense Department to deliver quality education
– Financial aid options to help defray the cost of members’ education
– Degree and certificate program offerings
– Cost of tuition and fees
– Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits
During and after the fair, several prerecorded DANTES video information sessions will be available, including “Top High-Growth Career Fields and Degrees;” “Resources for Choosing a School;” and “Bridging Education and Credentialing.” Information from schools participating in the fair will be accessible online after the event as well.
For additional information about the DoD Voluntary Education Virtual Education Fair, visit http://www.dodeducationfair.com/.
Sailors may contact the VOLED Virtual Education Center (VEC) from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST Monday-Friday at 1-(877) 838-1659, or by email at VEC@navy.mil.