Service Members and Families

Military man in uniform on laptop inside a resource center.

AACC is dedicated to helping service members and their families reach their education goals. Let us guide you along your pathway to academic and career success.

Steps to Get Started

This checklist is a step-by-step guide to the admissions and enrollment process at AACC. We want to help you begin your studies without delay or complications.

1. Apply for admission to AACC.

To apply, complete an application online on our Apply and Register page.

2. Activate your MyAACC account.

You need your seven-digit AACC ID number, assigned user name and unique security code, which can be found in an email sent to you when you initially applied to AACC. For information visit our Password Management page.

3. Submit all official transcripts.

Send all official, sealed high school, college, military and credit exam transcripts to AACC’s Records Office, 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012 or to records@sharphover.com.

4. Attend orientation.

Online orientation can be accessed at any time from a desktop computer or mobile device with internet access by visiting our Orientation page. You will also receive an invitation to participate in our next Military/Veteran Newcomer’s Briefing live session, an optional event that will provide you with more specific information about college services for military and veteran students and their families.

5. Initiate the process to access your military or veteran educational benefits.

Speak to your military supervisor and/or education coordinator/officer to determine your service branch’s policies, procedures and initial setup requirements.

Your service branch may require the submission of a degree plan. You can request a customized degree plan by submitting the Student Agreement/Degree Plan Request Form to ftmeade@sharphover.com.

Learn more about using military education benefits.

6. Schedule an individual advising appointment.

There are options for your academic advising experience, and you can choose one or both of these options!

You can schedule an appointment with a field of interest academic advisor that is associated with your chosen major.

You can also schedule an appointment with a military/veteran academic advisor through the Military/Veteran Resource Center that specializes in working with military/veteran students and veteran educational benefit set up, certification and maximization.

During your advising appointment, you can discuss the following:

Determine your English and mathematics course placement.
Select a field of interest and program of study (major).
Register for courses and build a schedule.
Explore additional financial aid options, including scholarships and grants.
Set academic goals and discuss success strategies.
Receive referrals for other services to support and enhance your learning experience.

7. Connect with the Military/Veteran Resource Center.

Meet our team of military/veteran peer counselors and academic advisors who will stay by your side throughout your time at AACC.

The MVRC features a lounge called 'The Bunker', a comfortable space where military/veteran students can listen to music, watch TV or movies and just wind down after a busy day. Fresh coffee, ice-cold water and snacks are available, so you can stop by between classes to reenergize and socialize.

If you have any questions or encounter any challenges while completing these steps, call the Ft. Meade Education Center at 410-777-2249 or email us at ftmeade@sharphover.com.

Financial Aid Options

Military Tuition Assistance

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. TA funds are a source of financial aid for active-duty military. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions. Check with your respective service/branch education office, education specialist or military counselor for eligibility and enrollment requirements to ensure you make an informed decision. Withdrawing from a course may affect your tuition assistance and have financial ramifications. Therefore, always consult with your respective service/branch education office prior to making changes to your enrollment.

Military branch education webpages:

Maryland National Guard Partial Tuition Waivers

Students who are members of the Maryland National Guard are eligible for a waiver of 50% of their tuition for credit courses at Anne Arundel Community College. To qualify for this waiver, members of the Maryland National Guard must submit their certification form signed by their unit commander to the cashier's office each term. The remaining tuition and fees must be paid on or before the due date. Direct questions to the cashier's office at cashiersoffice@sharphover.com.

MyCAA

The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses. Learn more on the MyCAA website.

My Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (MySECO)

The Department of Defense established the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program to provide education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide. The program offers comprehensive resources and tools related to career exploration, education, training and licensing, employment readiness, and career connections. Learn more on the SECO website.

FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for Pell Grant, student loan and Federal Work-Study eligibility. AACC’s Federal School Code is 002058.

AACC Scholarships

Apply for AACC institutional scholarships by visiting our Financial Aid and Scholarships webpage.

Maryland State Scholarships, Grants and Loan Assistance

The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) at the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) provides a number of state grants, scholarships and loan assistance repayment programs for eligible Maryland residents. Learn more about MHEC's financial aid programs.

College Policies

Credit for Military Experience

Did you know you could earn college credit for your military experience?

Learn more about getting college credit for your experience.

Participation in Branch-specific Military Education

AACC partners with the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) in its General Education Mobile (GEM) program.

Learn more about the AACC partnership with CCAF/GEM.

Residency/Tuition Policy for Active Duty Military Personnel

Students at Anne Arundel Community College are charged tuition according to their residence. Active-duty military personnel, regardless of where they reside or are stationed, pay tuition at the in-county rate. Verification must be presented to the cashier’s office and state authorization restrictions may apply.

Download the Residency Petition.

Learn more about our residency policies for tuition purposes for military personnel and their spouses/dependents.

Military Deployment Policy

Have you been called to military service while enrolled at AACC?

Learn more about our military deployment policy.

Health and Wellness Resources

You can perform your best, inside and outside the classroom, when you feel healthy and secure. Your overall health and well-being are vital components to academic and professional success. We have compiled a list of resources that offer a variety of assistance to service members, veterans and their families.

See our health and wellness resources

Success at AACC

Once you're at AACC, we want you to succeed! Here are a few tips to help you achieve your academic and personal goals.

Prepare for Your Courses

Apply for a distance learning library card. The Truxal Library staff will email you a library card number once your application is processed. This number will grant you access to online databases and other library services. Sign up using the Library Card Application.
Purchase textbooks and other course materials online at the AACC Bookstore's website.
Stay informed about campus alerts and closings via AACC’s text messaging system, Omnilert. Sign up on the Campus Alerts page.
Familiarize yourself with the campus. Make sure you know in advance where your classes will meet as well as your parking options. Check out campus locations and maps.
Review collegewide and academic policies.
Review the academic calendar for holiday and college break schedules.
Learn about available technology on campus.

Build Your Support Team

To learn more about each of these services, visit the Resources for Students page.

Receive essential academic advising by contacting the Military/Veteran Resource Center or academic advising.
Benefit from enhanced advising, goal setting, scholarship opportunities and more by joining the Student Achievement and Success Program (SASP).
Seek a tutor for assistance with writing, mathematics and other subjects.
Request an academic accommodation if you have a documented disability by contacting Disabilities Support Services (DSS).
Speak with a librarian or reference technician for assistance with research projects. Your student ID card is also your library card.

Get Involved

Visit the Military/Veteran Resource Center to connect with other military/veteran students.
Connect with AACC’s chapter of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) and other student organizations via The Nest.
Visit our AACC Military and Veterans Facebook page and our online community in Canvas through your MyAACC portal.
Check out a variety of campus activities on our calendar.
Consider becoming a Riverhawk athlete.

Maintain Your Health

Check out your dining options on campus.
Receive health, wellness and recovery services through the Health & Wellness Center.
Learn more about outdoor recreation on campus.
Visit The Bunker, a quiet and comfortable space within the Military/Veteran Resource Center, for students to find relief from the rigor of academics and other stressors.
Seek personal assistance through Counseling Services in Student Services Room 200, or meet with a VA counselor in the Military/Veteran Resource Center.