Guidance Needed: Military Friendly Colleges

Hey all, as I'm seriously considering a career in the armed forces post-high school, I'm trying to research the top ranked military friendly colleges. I'd appreciate any insights on what makes a college 'military friendly' and some examples of such institutions!

"Military friendly" refers to colleges and universities that go above and beyond to accommodate veterans, active-duty military members, and dependents of military personnel. These colleges often provide resources like veteran success centers, military scholarships, tuition discounts for military personnel, and military-friendly housing options.

Some factors to consider when determining which colleges could be deemed "military friendly" include:

1. Veteran and military support: Colleges that offer services specific to the needs of military-connected students, like tutoring, counseling, and career services, can be deemed military friendly.

2. Flexible learning options: As military life can be unpredictable, colleges that offer online classes or flexible scheduling are beneficial to military-connected students.

3. Financial support: Active-duty personnel and veterans may be eligible for tuition support through the GI Bill or Yellow Ribbon Program. Schools that participate in these programs and provide additional financial assistance are usually considered military-friendly.

4. Transfer-friendly policies: Many military students have credits from various institutions, so a school that can accommodate these earned credits would be more military friendly.

In terms of specific institutions that are known for being military friendly, a few come to mind:

- Georgetown University: Georgetown has a Veterans Office that assists students in transitioning to college life. They also participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which can help with costs not covered by the GI Bill.

- Syracuse University: Syracuse hosts the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, which offers several resources to military-connected students, such as entrepreneurship training and career services.

- Florida State University: Florida State offers in-state tuition rates to all veterans, even those not from Florida. They also have a strong Veterans center that assists military-connected students with academic and social support.

- University of Nebraska Omaha: UNO is known for the services they offer to military families, including the Office of Military and Veteran Services, which provides academic, career, and financial assistance.

Remember, it's important to decide what factors matter most to you in your college search and then use those factors as your guide. There are many wonderful schools out there that have strong commitments to serving their military-connected students.