2. Program Mission The College Credit for Heroes (CC4H) program seeks to maximize college credits awarded to veterans and service members for their military experience and training by developing streamlined degree paths, licensing and workforce certifications to expedite transition into the Texas workforce. CC4H was initiated in 2011 and has expanded through three phases to include regions across the state.

3. Program Concept In the last 4 years, TWC has piloted the CC4H program by focusing on 3 areas for maximizing the amount of credits awarded. 1.Online Web Portal—www.CollegeCreditforHeroes.org 2.Network of CC4H Partner Schools 3.Acceleration Curricula

4. College Credit for Heroes Website www.collegecreditforheroes.org, a web-based database for veterans and service members to get additional college credit hours with a transcript that can be used at colleges throughout the state. As of July 9, 2014 the site has received over 89,000 visits and over 10,000 requests for evaluations. After 4 years of operation, an average of 25 credit hours are awarded per veteran.

5. Statewide Expansion To date over 37 Texas Colleges and Universities have signed on to the project

6. Since 2011, streamlined curricula in: Nursing, other health careers Information Technology Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Oil Field Technology In total, 76 curricula accelerated for Veterans In total, acceleration curricula can award up to 59% of total credits

7. Alamo College System (San Antonio) Accelerated Associates in Nursing Degree, can cut time in half for well- qualified veterans

8. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Lubbock) Well-qualified corpsman and medics can earn a BSN in less than a year. Students can take course work online and clinical work at partner hospitals throughout the state.

9. Angelo State University (San Angelo) Developed and implemented accelerated pathways towards a master’s degree. The university grants graduates of the Air Force Intelligence Officers course 12- semester credit hours of the 36 required to obtain their Masters in Intelligence, Security Studies, and Analysis.

10. Austin Community College (Austin) Streamlined the college’s evaluation process to award college credits to veterans and service members with equivalent military training in advanced technologies and energy industries. The programs evaluated include robotics, automation and controls, nanoelectronics technology manufacturing, and renewable energy.

11. Lonestar College System Developed and implemented a fast track technician certification program in the oil and gas industry.

12. Tarrant County College (Fort Worth) Developed and implemented an accelerated associate’s degree of Applied Science in Fire Technology and an accelerated certification in both basic and advanced firefighting.

13. Texas State Technical College (Harlingen) Developed and implemented an accelerated certification and degree program in Wind Engineering Technology

14. Results/Findings Through two phases and 4 years of College Credit for Heroes: 11 schools developed 76 acceleration curricula for veterans Accelerates path by up to 59% for well-qualified veterans On average, awards 24 credit hours, or 1 year (2 semesters) worth of credit $7,008/year in tuition savings and benefit costs averted In FY 2013—94,000 Texas veterans used GI Bill If used as a model for awarding credit to Texas veterans: $658 million annually in benefit costs averted.

15. Additional Measures Phase III of the project began March 2015 Phase IV will begin Fall 2015 Funding increased Expanding to include new colleges and universities Senate Bill 806—makes CC4H permanent and requires report to legislature and governor annually

16. Contact Info Apu Naik Project Manager College Credit for Heroes Strategic Workforce Initiatives Texas Workforce Commission 101 E. 15 th Street Austin, Texas 78778 (512) 936-3103 Apurva.Naik@twc.state.tx.us CollegeCreditHeroes@twc.state.tx.us www.CollegeCreditForHeroes.org