At BHSU, we will accept up to 32 credit hours of non-traditional course work and training. These can come from different sources such as DANTES and ACE Credits. We will be happy to work with you to access your current transcript and what can be used to match the requirements of the program you are interested in pursuing.

ACE Credits

The first step in claiming the credits you have earned is to request a transcript from your military service. Each service will provide unofficial personal copies and send BHSU an official copy of your transcript at no charge. Each service branch has their own system for recording military education and experience credits:

Army

• The Army employs the Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS). AARTS automatically captures your academic credits from military training, and Standardized tests and provides a transcript in civilian language. The AARTS system is available for enlisted soldiers only. Visit the AARTS website to learn more.
• Army Officers must use the form DD 295 (Application for the Evaluation of Learning Experiences During Military Service) to report their military training and experience.
  Visit Military.com for links to commonly used forms

Navy and Marine Corp

• The Navy and Marine Corps utilize the Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART) system. This system provides a description of your military schooling and work history, and standardized test scores. You do not have to be active duty to utilize the SMART system.
• Visit the SMART website to learn more, and to complete the Official SMART Transcript Request Form.

Air Force

• The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) automatically captures your training, experience and standardized test scores. This transcript is available for all current and former active duty, guard, and reserve Air Force members. Transcript information may be viewed at the CCAF website.

Coast Guard

• The Coast Guard Institute (CGI) requires each service member to submit documentation of all training (except correspondence course records), along with an enrollment form, to receive a transcript. Visit the Coast Guard Voluntary Education webpage to learn more about the specific requirements.

Veterans

• Under most circumstances, Veterans are eligible to use their former service branches’ transcript program. However if you are not eligible for AARTS, SMART, CCAF, or CGI systems, you will need to fill out form DD-295 and provide your DD-214 Discharge Document to receive credit for your experience.
• Visit Military.com for links to commonly used >forms

Benefits

Black Hills State University is committed to helping veterans and their dependents make the best of their VA educational benefits. Contact BHSU VA Certifying Official, Greg Krajewski at 605-642-6415 with questions.

No matter what benefits you may be eligible for, please consider completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov.

To check your benefits call 1-888-442-4551 (24 hours a day) or go to www.ebenefits.va.gov

GI Bill Information
www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Check your benefits
1-888-442-4551

Chapter 33: The Post 9/11 GI Bill

• Apply for Benefits
  • Visit the GI Bill website for information and application (VONAPP) procedures
  • Provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the BHSU VA Certifying Official (received 6 - 8 weeks after applying)

Chapter 30: GI Bill - Active Duty

• Apply for Benefits
  • Visit the GI Bill website for information and application procedures
  • DD 214 (provide to Registrar's Office as well)
  • Kicker paperwork (if applicable)
  • Provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the VA Certifying Official (received 6 - 8 weeks after applying)

Chapter 1606: GI Bill - National Guard

• Apply for Benefits
• Visit the GI Bill website for information and application procedures
• NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility - DD Form 2384-1)
• Kicker paperwork (if applicable)
• DD 214 (provide to Registrar's Office as well)
• Provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the VA Certifying Official (received 6 - 8 weeks after applying)

Chapter 35: Survivors & Dependents Education Assistance

• Visit the GI Bill website for information and application procedures

Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation

Apply for Benefits

Meet with Voc Rehab counselor to complete paperwork:
VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
2050 West Main St. Suite 8
Rapid City, SD 57702
Phone: 605-341-8165

Notify BHSU VA Certifying Official when registered for classes

Air National Guard Federal Tuition Assistance

Apply for Benefits

Contact your unit

Army National Guard Tuition Assistance

Apply for Benfits

• Visit http://www.GoArmyEd.com/
• Refer questions to the South Dakota National Guard Education Office
• Phone: 605-737-6713

For questions about benefits, please use the following resources:

• GI Bill Website- www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
  The GI Bill website should be the first stop for student questions. It contains information, online application for benefits, change program/school forms, etc. 
• VA Education Call Center- 888-442-4551
  This is where students can verify benefits, follow up on payments, and ask general questions. 
• eBenefits- www.ebenefits.va.gov
  Here students can check their benefits status as well as the amount of benefit remaining. 

The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program provides an opportunity for students to receive college credit for learning acquired outside the traditional college classroom. BHSU administers the DSST exams year-round in the Office for Academic Success

The following is a list of DSST tests along with the minimum scores acceptable for granting college credit within the South Dakota Public University System.

	Required Score	45 Credit Hours	BHSU Prefix & Number	Course Title
Prin. Financial Accounting	49	3	ACCT 210	Principles of Accounting I
Anthropology, General	47	3	ANTH 210	Cultural Anthropology
Art of the Western World	48			Decision pending
Finance, Principles of	46	3	BADM 310	Business Finance
Business Law II	52	3	BADM 351	Business Law
Organizational Behavior	48			Decision pending
Principles of Supervision	46	3	BADM	Electives
Business, Introduction to	46	3	BADM	Electives
Personal Finance	46	3	BADM	Electives
Criminal Justice	49	3	CJUS 201	Introduction to Criminal Justice
Intro. Law Enforcement	45	3	CJUS	Electives
Money and Banking	48	3	ECON 330	Money and Banking
Education, Foundations of	46	1-2	EDFN 338	Foundations/American Education
Writing, Technical	46	3	ENGL 379	Technical Communication
Geography, Human/Cultural	48	3	GEOG 101	Intro to Geography
Geology, Physical	46	3	GEOL 201	Physical Geology
Western Europe 1945	48	3	HIST	Electives
Intro Modern Middle East	44	3	HIST 313	History of the Middle East
Civil War & Reconstruction	47	3	HIST 455	American Civil War & Reconstruction
A History/Vietnam War	49	3	HIST 459	Vietnam War, 1945-1975
Human Resource Mgmt.	46	3	BADM 417	Human Resource Management
Intro World Religions	49	3	REL 250	World Religion
Environment & Humanity: Race to Save Planet	46	3	SCI	Electives
Fund. of College Algebra	47	3	MATH 102	College Algebra
Statistics, Principles of	48	3	MATH 281	Introduction to Statistics
Computing, Introduction to	47	3	MIS 105	Introduction to Computers
Management Info. Systems	46	3	MIS 325	Management Information Systems
Public Speaking, Principles of	47	3	SPCM 101	Fundamentals of Speech
Ethics in America	46	3	PHIL 220	Introduction to Ethics
Prin. Physical Science I,	47	3	PHSI	Electives
Astronomy	48	2-3	PHYS 185	Introduction to Astronomy
PSYC Lifespan Developmental	46	3	PSYC 221	Lifespan Develop. Psychology
Fundamentals Counseling	45	3	PSYC	Electives
Here’s to Your Health	48		WEL 100	Wellness for Life