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I am an active-duty military person. Why do I have to have a SOCAD and how do I get one?
SOCAD: SOCAD is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Army. It consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor's degree programs on or accessible to Army installations worldwide. These colleges have joined together to form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others. This guarantees that Army students and their adult family members can continue toward completion of their degrees even though the Army may transfer them several times. There are also degrees available by distance learning that require no classroom residency. To learn more about the SOCAD program, go to the web site of: http://www.soc.aascu.org/socad/.
In essence, the SOCAD agreement is a program of study between the Soldier or adult family member student and the college or university in a two or four-year program. It describes the courses required for the degree and how previously earned credits apply toward that program. A SOCAD is required by the Army for all Soldiers using Tuition Assistance (TA) to ensure that the soldiers are taking appropriate courses toward a specific educational goal. A SOCAD is required to be on file with the college or university and in Washington, D. C. once the Soldier has earned nine (9) credit hours with an institution. The Soldier will be given a copy of the SOCAD and may have to present it at various times. APSU suggests that every Soldier apply for a SOCAD during his/her first semester/term at the University. This will allow the Soldier time to get transcripts and AARTS sent to APSU, for an evaluation, and for appropriate substitutions to be made. Once the Soldier has earned six (6) hours at APSU, he/she will not be allowed by the Army to sign up for TA until a SOCAD is on file.
A Soldier/adult family member may have only one standing SOCAD. If a Soldier has a SOCAD with another institution and requests one from APSU, the former SOCAD agreement is no longer valid. A SOCAD must be requested by the Soldier/adult family member because of this. A SOCAD agreement is good with APSU for six (6) years. It is suggested that Soldiers and adult family members update their SOCAD at least every five years and especially before a retirement, ETS, or PCS.
To request a SOCAD for active-duty military
and family members:
GoArmyEd
GoArmyEd Help Desk: 1-800-817-9990