Hundreds of Sailors and other Department of Defense members attended the annual San Diego education fair in search of information about higher education opportunities from 80 different vendors July 19.

More than 500 Sailors, DoD personnel, and family members showed up to the education fair for information and guidance on higher education opportunities that can be afforded to them. Vendors from around the country came together under one roof to ensure attendees had a chance to speak with education professionals and get any information they may need for current and future educational decisions.

According to Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Giza Carchano the fair was a great place to go for getting answers to her questions.

"I learned about how some credits transfer and how some do not," said Carchano. "It helps you to be more informed before making an actual decision on choosing a college."

Allowing such a congregation not only benefited the attendees, but also helped colleges and universities reach out to a select audience which might otherwise be looked over. Natalie Austin, a representative from Excelsior College in New York, said the event was a great place to meet new students.

"These types of events are beneficial to active-duty and dependents because the schools that show up at these larger events are schools that come from all over the country; they don't normally advertise on a weekly basis at the bases here in San Diego," said Austin. "You'll have schools that are both technical and vocational, community colleges and universities, etc."

Navy College San Diego ensures DoD personnel and dependents have access to educators through events such as the education fair. Raymond Sayre, director of education, Naval Base San Diego, said there are benefits to such events.

"It's the only event where we can bring academic institutions throughout the continental United States that can display what they offer to students," said Sayre. "We do one major fair a year and multiple small fairs as well."

The Navy College provides Sailors with opportunities to earn college degrees through a variety of options. The program's mission is to provide continual academic support to Sailors while they pursue a technical or college degree, regardless of their location or duty station.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more information about Navy College, visit http://www.navycollege.navy.mil/.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, visit http://www.navy.mil/.