Degree Programs for Service Members, Veterans & Their Families

we create leaders.

Nichols College is a degree-granting institution committed to supporting service members, veterans, and their families throughout their academic career. Leadership studies are woven into the fabric of your degree. Our faculty have deep experience in the industry they teach, so you’ll develop the knowledge you need and learn how to apply it. All this combined with a strong focus on professional development and a close-knit community means you’ll be mission-ready for any career your choose.

Why Nichols:

As a school of choice in business and leadership education, we’re uniquely able to help military members and their families transfer their skills into the professional world.

  • Flexible day and evening degree programs with a strong focus on leadership, professional development, and applied skills
  • Faculty with deep industry experience, whose passion and dedication create a one-on-one experience
  • Comfortable learning environment with our close-knit community and engaged academic advisors
  • Network of alumni and relationships with well-known businesses give you the opportunity to both master major concepts and get real experience
  • Here for you every step of the way—today and after you graduate, with career services for life from our Office of Career Services

Service Members Assistance:

  • Approved for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®
  • Participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program
  • Approved for Armed Forces Tuition Assistance Funding (TA)
  • Signed the DOD Memorandum of Understanding for Tuition Assistance (MOU)
  • Compliant with Section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Choice Act)

Approved for Veterans Benefits:

  • CH 30: Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (MGIB)
  • CH 31: Vocational Rehabilitation
  • CH 32: Veterans’ Education Assistance Program (VEAP)
  • CH 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®
  • Yellow Ribbon Program
  • CH 35: Dependent’s Educational Assistance (DEA)
  • CH 38: Tutorial
  • CH 1606: Montgomery GI Bill® -Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
  • CH 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

Special Programs:

  • Reserves Officers Training Corps (R.O.T.C. Program)
    Please note: Worcester Polytechnic Institute is the Worcester county area training facility
  • Undergraduate Online Education Program

Important Facts

  • Approved for Armed Forces Tuition Assistance Funding (TA)
  • Signed the DOD Memorandum of Understanding for Tuition Assistance (MOU)
  • Compliant with Section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Choice Act)
More Service Member Information

Admissions Process:

  • No admissions application fee
  • ACT & SAT scores are waived for military students, veterans, and their families if you have been out of high school for two years.

Contact Information:

Contact us to discuss your options, goals, and general questions. Email us at vms@nichols.edu.

Transfer Students:

 Those applying for transfer from another college will follow the same application procedure as outlined for first-time college students with the exception of a high school transcript and test scores. Transfer students must furnish official transcripts of all previous college or university work attempted, whether or not transfer credit will be sought. Upon admission to Nichols College, copies of the transfer student’s transcript will be sent to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation. The Registrar will send the student notification of credits accepted for transfer. Transfer students who have received at least 24 college credits as a matriculated student at an accredited college or university taking non-remedial courses are not required to provide a high school transcript. Courses for transfer credit will be evaluated according to the following guidelines:


1. Courses taken at regionally accredited higher education institutions where a grade of C or higher was earned will be accepted for transfer credit, provided the course or courses are similar to a course or courses offered at Nichols College and are applicable to a Nichols College degree program.
2. The maximum number of credit-hours allowed for transfer from regionally accredited higher education institutions is 90 credit hours
3. Only six credit-hours are permitted for transfer credit toward junior/senior concentration requirements.
4. Only three credit-hours are permitted for transfer credit toward minor requirements.
5. All students (including transfer students) must take at least 30 credit-hours – immediately preceding graduation – at Nichols College and complete all degree requirements. 30 of the final 36 credit-hours must be taken at Nichols College.
6. Nichols College evaluates non-traditional credit on the basis of recommendations made by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and must be American Council on Education (ACE) approved.
7. Students enrolled at Nichols College must receive approval from the Registrar before registering for course(s) for credit to be taken at another institution for transfer to Nichols College. 8. Mathematics and Accounting courses must be taken within the ten years prior to enrollment to qualify for transfer credit.
9. Computer courses must be taken within the five years prior to enrollment.
10. A maximum of 30 credit-hours may be transferred into any Nichols College program from DANTES, CLEP, AP and/or IB.
11. Refer to “Commencement Honors” under “General Regulations” to review the guidelines on how to be eligible for commencement honors.
12. The capstone courses LEAD 400 and LA 400 are ineligible for transfer credit and must be taken at Nichols College.