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Honoring Military-Connected Learners
One of the most powerful ways we honor military service is through education. Since the creation of the GI Bill following World War II, education benefits have helped generations of service members transition to civilian life, learn new skills, and open doors of opportunity. In fact, research shows that education benefits are one of the primary reasons people enlist.
Today, a range of programs exists – from tuition assistance to DANTES, which allows active-duty service members to take CLEP exams at no cost. But while the military pays for CLEP exams, it doesn’t provide the preparation needed to pass. That’s where Modern States comes in.
Modern States offers free courses that cover the content tested on CLEP exams, equipping servicemembers with the preparation they need to maximize their CLEP benefit. We also offer free CLEP exam vouchers – so that veterans and military spouses, and their families can earn college credit with the help of our program and at zero cost.
The combination of courses and exams supports a wide range of experiences – from Logan, who went from wondering whether college was right for him, to studying at Harvard Law, to Trent and Jesse, who knew they wanted to earn a degree but weren’t sure where to start, to Jena, who just needed a little nudge to take her final course and earn her degree.
Through Modern States and CLEP, I was able to finish my bachelor’s before I finished my four-year enlistment, which was beneficial to me and I’m grateful for. I didn’t have to tap my GI Bill at all for my undergrad.
– Trent Sikute
For learners like Trent Sikute, the opportunity made a lasting difference. After completing 13 CLEP exams and earning his college degree with help from Modern States, Sikute went on to become U.S. Air Force Airman of the Year at his base. He shared his story because he wanted to inspire others to explore the educational possibilities available through Modern States and the U.S. military.
Logan Lathrop once thought college was out of reach because of the cost. While deployed in Kuwait, he discovered Modern States and CLEP, and realized he could earn college credit for free. Through our program, he completed 21 credits and went on to earn his undergraduate degree after serving our country. Today, he is a student at Harvard Law School, showing what’s possible when higher education is made accessible to all.
A retired Air Force member, Jesse Bent knew he wanted to earn his associate degree before his military education benefits expired, but admittedly waited a little too long to get started. “Modern States gave me the ability to study for the CLEP exams and get the credits I needed before my window of opportunity closed,” he said. Bent carried that momentum forward to earn a master’s degree in cybersecurity technology, and he credits Modern States for making his educational achievements possible.
For Jena Bernardo, taking just one Modern States course made all the difference. The Air Force veteran needed only to complete College Composition to earn her associate’s degree, though she struggled to find the motivation and confidence to take it in a traditional college classroom. She then found Modern States and CLEP, finished her degree, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity.
Modern States is proud to provide a bridge between military service and academic success. It’s our way of serving those who serve.
Want to start a Modern States journey? Click one of the green “Sign Up” buttons on modernstates.org.
If you’re a veteran or active duty member of the military who has benefited from our program and would like to share your story, email us at info@modernstates.org.
