When students report they are in the process of a permanent change of station (PCS), what policies and practices do institutions have in place to support them? This article provides ideas on supporting your active duty service members and their dependents during this significant life event.

Approximately 400,000 service members experience duty station changes every year. The process of relocating to a new military installation is known as a PCS. A PCS is a significant life event that impacts active duty service members and their dependents, including spouses. PCS changes require extensive planning, time, financial resources, and travel.

The PCS process impacts the decision to enroll at a higher education institution. For example, spouses of active duty service members report that PCS was a factor to consider. The 2024 Survey of Active Duty Spouses found that almost a quarter of respondents completed a PCS within the prior year. The typical duty station assignment lasts two to four years, but many degrees and programs require two or more years of coursework. For example, the median number of months to complete a bachelor's degree is 52 months.

The PCS process may impact retention of current students. Time, financial responsibilities, travel, and childcare may influence the decision to continue with a program or degree during a PCS. First, time is needed for packing and relocating. Second, families incur out-of-pocket expenses as they travel and settle into their new residence - active duty spouses have reported "unreimbursable moving costs." Third, extensive travel and time zone changes result from relocation. Fourth, families must establish new childcare services. For example, 44% of spouses reported using childcare for at least one child 13 years or younger.

Ideas for Supportive Policies

Proof of PCS

Service members and families are often without internet or access to a computer during a PCS. Furthermore, they have extended periods without a mailing address as they travel to a new duty station. Thus, higher education institutions should avoid extensive paperwork processes. Instead, an institution can simply require proof of PCS - a service member's orders - to a designated administrative office.

Academic PCS Policies

Military-affiliated learners seek flexibility in their education journeys. Higher education institutions should create an academic policy that provides students with flexible enrollment options during a PCS. Example options may include: (i) leave of absence for the duration of a PCS, with no effect on time completion requirements, (ii) withdraw from a course at any point, and (iii) transfer to a corresponding online section of a course at any point in the term. These are some options institutions may consider when creating a PCS-specific academic policy.

Tuition PCS Policies

PCS is a challenging time financially due to the costs associated with travel and settling into a new residence. Spouses reported that PCS changes also create financial challenges due to "loss of income" and "finding employment." The 2024 Survey of Active Duty Spouses found that civilian military spouses typically have high unemployment within one year of a PCS. Higher education institutions can support service members and dependents by offering tuition discounts for any courses taken during a PCS period.

Additionally, higher education institutions can consider specific practices to support military-affiliated students as they prepare for and experience a PCS.

Provide Students with Tools To Plan Ahead

The PCS process requires extensive planning, sometimes requiring many months of preparation. Institutions should email students their program/degree completion plan at the start of every course term, listing any outstanding requirements for graduation. Institutions can release academic calendars more than a year in advance, with term start and end dates available for planning PCS moves.

Increase Online Course Selections

Institutions should offer online coursework year-round. Summer is a popular season for PCS relocations, and there may be increased demand for online options during the summer terms. Higher education institutions can also ensure that online options are available for each department/program. For example, asynchronous online courses are flexible and offer benefits to all adult learners. Online education departments can communicate online course offerings to students, such as through a monthly newsletter.

Administrative Practices

Administrators may consider formal or informal focus group sessions with current military-affiliated students to understand their educational needs. Institutions may also consider establishing a military affairs office, employing veterans who have first-hand knowledge of the PCS process.

Final Considerations

A PCS is a significant life event. Active duty personnel and their dependents face many challenges during this time. Higher education institutions can have PCS-specific academic policies that provide service members and dependents with flexible education options during this life event to reduce stop-outs and maintain graduation rates. Higher education institutions can also engage in supportive practices to assist students as they plan for a PCS and experience the process.

Article Topics

Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success Women Veterans

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