The Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Program will host its second pilot DoD Virtual Education Fair August 11, 2016, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, in an effort to help make higher education more accessible to service members, veterans and family members.

Registration is required to participate and is open at www.dodeducationfair.com.

Registration is open throughout the event providing participants, anywhere in the world, easy access to benefits and information necessary to reach their individual education goals. To ensure connectivity, participants are encouraged to use their mobile devices, if unable to access the event via government computers.

"The online platform offers a no-pressure atmosphere for participants to discuss education programs, services and affordable options with more than 40 academic institutions and government organizations," says Dawn Bilodeau, chief, DoD Voluntary Education. In addition, members will receive a variety of information on what to expect during the college application process and beyond.

Unique to this event will be the introduction of the new Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificate opportunities, designed to help service members acquire the necessary skills and education credentials for high-demand career and technical fields while on active-duty. The first pilot event demonstrated that institutions and government entities could collaboratively deliver a virtual event commensurate with the Presidential Executive Order for Principles of Excellence, designed to empower students by ensuring they have the information needed to make informed educational choices, while holding institutions of higher learning to the highest standards.

Representatives from participating schools and government organizations will be available via live chat during the fair, offering informative, pressure-free discussions where members can learn about the following topics:

* Institutions partnering with the DoD to deliver quality education at all levels
* Financial aid options to help defray the cost of a post-secondary education
* Degree and certificate program opportunities
* Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits
* Credentialing opportunities

Find out about other DoD Voluntary Education Program academic resources by going to the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) websites www.dantes.doded.mil and http://dantespulse.dodlive.mil.