Joint Base Charleston  Education

The focal point for all adult education programs on JB Charleston (AB) is the Base Education and Training Center (843) 963-4575. The Education and Training Center offers a wide range of educational services and programs to help people fulfill their educational goals. Education counselors are available to help both service and family members with their educational goals and explain procedures on use of benefits and starting programs. Many sources of financial aid, including the Pell Grant, are available for service and family members.

DANTES Exams, CLEP Exams, & Exam proctoring may be scheduled by contacting (843) 952-7131

There are currently four universities that offer programs on base and have offices co-located with the Education and Training Center. For more information contact the Base Education and Training Center or the Colleges/Universities listed on the chart below.

Tuition Assistance

There are various state and federal financial assistance programs, grants and scholarship opportunities available for family members of Active Duty/Veterans, information available at the Military & Family Readiness office (843) 963-8883.   Click here to complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid online. 

SC Lottery Tuition Assistance Program

• Must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• Not based on need
• Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident that meets the definition of an eligible non-citizen under State residency statutes
• Must be a South Carolina resident. NOTE: MILITARY MEMBERS and their dependents are eligible for in state tuition. A copy of the military member's orders assigning him/her to the Charleston area must be provided to the admissions office with the admissions application.
• Must be enrolled in an eligible program of study
• Must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours
• Must be making satisfactory academic progress
• Must not be in default on a student loan
• Must not owe a refund/repayment on a state or federal grant
• Must not be a recipient of the HOPE, LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarships
• Lottery Tuition Assistance amount is subject to change each semester.

Universities Local to JB Charleston

• Charleston Southern University 843-863-8063
• The Citadel 843-225-3294
• College of Charleston 843-805-5507
• Excelsior College 843-338-1128
• Limestone College 843-745-1100
• Medical University of South Carolina
• South Carolina State University 803-536-7000
• St. Leo University 843- 554-2111
• Strayer University 843-746-5400
• Trident Technical College 843-574-6277
• Virginia College 843- 614-4300
• Webster University 843-767-2278

Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC)

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) was created in 1972 to provide educational opportunities to servicemembers who, because they frequently moved from place to place, had trouble completing college degrees. SOC functions in cooperation with 15 higher education associations, the Department of Defense, and Active and Reserve Components of the Military Services to expand and improve voluntary postsecondary education opportunities for servicemembers worldwide. SOC coordinates associate and bachelor's degree programs in a variety of curriculum areas for the Army (SOCAD), Navy (SOCNAV), Marine Corps (SOCMAR), Coast Guard (SOCCOAST) and Army National Guard (SOCGuard). SOC Colleges and universities on or near Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard installations worldwide offer these degree programs. Within each curriculum or degree network, member colleges guarantee to accept each other's credits in transfer.

Information on the SOC program for each branch of service is listed below:

Army (SOC)

Coast Guard (SOCCOAST)

Guard (SOCGUARD)

Marine Corps (SOCMAR)

Navy College Programs